Micheal Sparks Design is a multimedia, branding and web design company that is also a real-world source for product design, packaging, direct mail, and social media campaigns—all centered around the mid-century modern style. Located in Manchester's art district, Micheal and his designers have set up a shop/studio at 205 Hull Street, where he has based his business platform on the resale of mid-century modern furniture. In a true testament to Micheal's ability to multi-task, the new space not only acts as a showroom for his furniture's, but it is also a gallery for contemporary artists, and the creative space for his designers. Thus, Micheal has created an environment that both reflects his style and appreciation for mid-century modern art, and inspires the designers who work there.

Join the Virginia Center for Architecture, Modern Richmond Tours and La Difference for a screening of Modern Views: A Conversation on Northwest Modern Architecture. This insightful documentary about mid-century northwest modern architecture illustrates how designers today can learn from sustainable and economic choices made 50 years ago. Architects from the "Northwest School" discuss how the Pacific Northwest landscape and climate guided their design decisions and material choices.

Slated for LEED Gold certification, this green building products retailer offers a wide range of environmentally preferable products from a rehabilitated warehouse in the heart of Richmond’s Fan District. This project exemplifies the benefits and merits of breathing new life into existing building stock (as opposed to more green-field development) while integrating appropriate technology to enhance long-term value in the urban and semi-urban context. Solar energy along with healthy building practices compliment the passive qualities and light industrial character of this early 20th century brick masonry building.

This fantastic home was built in 1989. Designed by the architect for his parents on a sloping site considered unbuildable. “The beautiful old bridges spanning the James River served as inspiration for building over, rather than on, the fragile landscape.” – Douglas Rixey. The 19’ x 95’ house is oriented to the morning and afternoon sun with each room having views to both and exposure to the changing light of the day. Burt and Mark are the third owners of the house.

The edges that shape the house occur from the literal to the figurative. The site for the house is the edge of a hill. The location at the end of a dead end street is on the edge of a neighborhood. The ridge upon which the house sits form the edge of the valley below and figuratively is a geographical edge of the City of Richmond. The house sits between the woods to the west and the formal yard and street to the east; the gridded orchard to the south and the wildflower garden to the north. A walkway around the base of the house leads from the formal presentation of the house to the street to the informal activities of the owners at the rear of the house on the edge of the hill. In creating a “moat” around the house, this walkway allows a small intimate house to also be monumental on its site.

The home was designed by Frederick (Bud) Hyland, who apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin. Hyland was greatly influenced by his work with wright, but he brought his own charm to his work. The living room features floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking Cherokee Lake, along with cathedral ceilings, recessed lighting and a curved brick fireplace in the center of the room. The kitchen retains it's St. Charles kitchen cabinets and skylights and the hidden entry is tucked beneath a massive carport. The home was completed in 1959 and faithfully renovated in 1999 under the direction of local architect Jay Hugo, who met with Hyland to discuss the project. It sits on Lake Cherokee off Cherokee Road and is decorated with mid-century modern furnishings.

Built in 1954, this renovated ranch is at 5506 Riverside Drive within the Westover Hills neighborhood, directly across the James River from the Carillon. This house underwent a complete transformation of interior and exterior space, operational systems, and thermal envelope to make the house more efficient and usable. There are only small portions of the original brick house still visible from the street. However the owner-architect utilized the entire original foundation and nearly all orginal masonry walls to support a second level where the river views are long and private. The interior reveals a mix of natural warm materials that contrast with the nickel or black metalwork. The open plan and large windows allow filtered natural light to find every space.

“Indoors and outdoors blend dramatically in a Malvern area home renovated and expanded from a ‘cottage-ized’ mid -century rancher to a contemporary home with a pool and Palm Springs-like flair. Great art, vast vistas, expanses of glass and floors of concrete all meld into a family home that’s light, bright and thoroughly modern.”

Designed as a minimalist interpretation of an Italian terraced garden, freestanding Tennessee sandstone wall planes flank the entry to the new garden. Bronze gates, similar to Japanese shoji screens, leads to a black slate terrace defined by a naval brass reflecting pool. A bronze vine scrim supports grape vines. Cantilevered slate steps lead to a bocce lawn and a long cedar bench suspended from the vine scrim. Serviceberry trees in a quincunx pattern are reminiscent of a Tuscan olive grove. These plantings disguise a path that leads to the secret garden, a pleasant place to enjoy a glass of wine. Slate steps crossing the adjacent reflecting pool subtly lead back to the entry terrace.

Located in Richmond’s historic Manchester District, the client challenged the design team to bring a long-abandoned 8,500 SF warehouse and manufacturing facility back to life with a modern interior renovation. The program called for an additional 2,500 SF of office space that was accommodated in a new mezzanine carefully inserted within the large trusses overhead.

Prior to moving to their Fan home in 2001, the Kjerulfs lived in Mooreland Farms for 20 years. The home at 1601 Grove Avenue required extensive renovation as it was built in 1894 and vacant for more than 20 years. The home is described by the 3 North architect, Sandy Bond, as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” with a steel awning cantilevered outside to inside, a hint of the light and art filled contemporary interior. The renovated home, completed in 2001 by C E Spitzer, is the result of successful collaboration of owners, builder, and architects.

When Kent Eanes purchased his home in the mid-eighties, it was a dilapidated ramshackle brick box situated on a hillside overlooking the James River within a stone’s throw of Maymont Park. However it was not until his wife Andrea Levine came along years later, did the transformation of this modern jewel begin. Very much a collaborative effort, brick by brick, room by room they rebuilt the house, "and we are still married!" Kent exclaims. Built in 1936, it's the first example of International Style in Richmond. The builder, George Hoppe, Jr, built approximately fifteen similarly styled dwellings in the area. Come join Modern Richmond as we explore the renovation process and get a brief historic glimpse of the first modern movement in Richmond.

The focus of the project was to create a space that is warm, primitive and classic modern as a foundation for a restaurant and lounge. Making natural light available through unique openings to animate the space during different times of the day was a prioriy. There is a strong consideration given to sight lines and use of screens to add as much depth and curiosity between rooms and transitions to the outside. Reclaimed woods, past life objects, and organic building materials attempt to build soul and narrative into the space. Most finish lumber was reclaimed or a FSC product. Low VOCs were taken into account with paint and cellulose paper insulation was used for the entire space. The hot water H20 system for the building is solar heated.

The Spence Building, the original library of the Union Theological Seminary, designed in an intricately detailed Tudor style, was erected in 1896 and is today listed in the National Historic Register. Additions in the 1940’s, 50’s and 70’s expanded the building to include an eight floor self supporting stack structure accommodating one of the finest theological book collections in the United States. The seminary was in need of a state-of-the-art teaching facility. The program included: a contemporary worship space for up to 350 worshippers to provide students a real-world training experience, classrooms, offices and a Faculty meeting space.

A multi-million dollar project, the new Luck Stone headquarters is a brilliant example of modern design. Two significant architectural transformations occurred at the site: the construction of a new three-level expansion; the renovation of the original 35-year old building. Featuring panoramic views of its rural surroundings, expansive, open, interior spaces, and large instillations of glass, the Luck Stone headquarters serve not only as an innovative and collaborative workspace to its associates but is an inspiration and anchor for the community.