Many Design firms have a specific aesthetic and style that their clients seek them out for. What makes HDR Remodeling unique, is that we are a turnkey Design Build firm. Our talented and, more importantly, versatile team of Architects and Designers work with our clients to understand their aesthetic to help them realize their vision for their home. 

Striving to design beautiful homes that are built responsibly, Ashley, HDR Remodeling’s Architect, brings her expertise in the residential remodeling and design industry to work. We recently chatted with Ashley about her background, what influences and inspires her work, and her personal style.

How did you get your start in architecture?

I was an art major in college but found I also had a lot of interest in history, science, and geography.  While looking for my first post-graduation job, I read a description of an internship at an architecture firm and was intrigued by how varied the work was and how design encompasses so many different disciplines.  I figured I would give architecture a try and move on to something else if I didn’t like it and here I still am so many years later.

How would you describe your personal style if you were to design your own home?

My home is a place for my family to connect and be restored, so it is low-maintenance and quiet with accents from natural materials to help create grounded and relaxing spaces. The things we love—art, photographs, keepsakes and family treasures—stand out against the quiet background of the architecture.

Does your style have any core elements or guiding principles?

I am a believer in biophilia and natural design as well as universal design and try to bring these influences into the projects I design but. My guiding philosophy as an Architect is to help my clients make the best decisions possible for themselves.

Where do you look for inspiration for your work?

History: Understanding historic designs helps me see how materials, construction techniques, and attitudes about gender roles, nature, and industrialization all come together to create space.
Materials: I love to browse building materials, especially tiles, paints, woods, and fabrics
The Bay Area: Our neighborhoods are full of creative, expressive people from all over the world who do really interesting things with the spaces they claim. I love seeing how everyone lives differently.

What elements of architecture do you enjoy the most? The least?

I love the start of a project when it’s all a big puzzle to solve.  The start of construction, when all of the hard work of design starts to become real, is also really exciting.

Permitting and code research is my least favorite.  The minutiae and nit-picking is so mind-numbing to me.

What is your favorite style of architecture?

I love architecture that is responsive to the natural environment and that tells you where it is from. Alpine buildings with steeply-pitched roofs, Caribbean houses with multi-functional shutters, desert buildings with thick walls...those are all great. Bay Area houses are fun to work with because they seem to ignore our amazing climate and can be really dramatically transformed by being more open to the outdoors.

What is your approach to different projects when working with clients?

I take my cue from my clients. If someone is really interested in design and wants to really dive deep, I involve them in the process as much as they like. If someone just wants to solve a problem with as little disruption to the rest of their lives as possible, then I take it from there. I really try to understand my clients’ goals and attitudes from the beginning so I can make the process as enjoyable, or at least as painless, as possible.

What is your favorite room in your home and why?

Our Living room is a small, cozy room with lots of natural light, books, art, and comfy seating. It’s where everyone inevitably ends up. 

What is a passion of yours outside of Architecture?

I love to read and try to garden.