Grounded in Context

The project designed intent was to incorporate Pasadena's ‘City of Gardens’ design code and legacy with a traditionally inspired early modern work of the pioneering Southern California Architect Irving Gill. Both of these influences are themselves inspired by the emphasis on enclosed courtyards and the experience of moving through these spaces, moving from the public street to the private residence.

With these inspirations in mind, the residential units were studied with two key things in mind; 1: How to get light views and ventilation on more than one side of the unit, and 2: How do I achieve dignity in elegance in the entry design of each.

Sketching Possibilities

The sketching continued as these objectives were incorporated in different forms as the design progressed.

Through numerous iterative reviews and discussions with the City, the design gradually emerged.  A key concept sketch captured the moment when the project’s architectural language, courtyard form, and experiential goals aligned. This became the foundation for all subsequent development.

Additional sketches are made to refine the design and answer the concerns of the different stakeholders.

The Moment of Clarity

Then, alignment. This (nearly) final concept sketch captured the vision—a cohesive courtyard community rooted in place and designed for daily life.

Imagining the Experience

Renderings then translated the concept into a more immersive representation.

Materiality, proportion, light quality, and landscape integration were studied to understand how residents would move through and inhabit the spaces. These visualizations helped evaluate the project’s atmosphere and refine design decisions.

From Drawing to Home

Today, Madison Courtyard stands as a built expression of that early vision—architecture shaped by context, care, and community.

Click here to see more images of the completed development: Madison Courtyard Project Page.