A NEW DESIGN FOR THE SOCAL DESERT
Photo by Jared Chambers
Creativity is at the heart of our business. From design to implementation to the end client, we’ve always tried to make DROP Structures a home for creation.
However, over the last five years, that creativity has naturally shifted to iteration. We took our foundational Mono and built out model after model, perfecting and meticulously adjusting each new structure to match the needs and niches of our clients – all with a similar look and feel.
We were ready for something new.
“This company was built on creativity and dreams and that’s where we thrive,” Ryan Abernathy, DROP Structures’ Founder said. “ But when you quit doing research, quit exploring new options, creativity starts to wither.”
So when a new client approached us wondering if we had the ability to design, build and put into production a 40-unit run of a custom structure for an innovative work/life resort in the Californian desert, we jumped at the opportunity.
“Projects like these seem risky, but actually it's a greater risk to not do it than to pursue it,” Ryan said. “Because if we can't continually be creative, we'll wither.”
Finishing the prototype for our client and placing it on site gave us the opportunity to go beyond our self-set boundaries and explore our industry through new eyes. The experience itself has proved valuable, showing us what we are capable of and how we can grow moving forward.
Creating a SoCal sanctuary
Photo by Jared Chambers
While we have the capability to create from scratch, it magnifies the size of the project and the challenges. So we are very strategic in which ones we pursue – they have to be creative and inspiring, and most importantly, the relationship with the client has to be strong.
With this client, their focus on combining modern architecture with the beauty of nature dovetailed perfectly with our original vision. But, more than that, the idea of creating a custom, commercial run of structures was the right challenge at the right time.
“The vision this client came to us with was something that we had been wanting to pursue. It just seemed like the natural next step,” Ryan said.
Traditionally, our design is focused on creating negative space for clients to design their own space. However, this client had a strong vision that required defined spaces – which came with a list of requirements.
For the prototype structure, client requests included:
Space to sleep four
A full kitchen and bathroom
California king bed
Plentiful natural light throughout
A warm atmosphere
Photo by Jared Chambers
Constrained by both the size the client wanted and the DOT requirements for transportation, fitting all those requests into one micro cabin was a tall order. It meant that everything needed to work together seamlessly.
“We designed everything in the unit, including the cabinets and even the California king bed that was in there – its location and its placement – so we could fit it all in,” Ryan said.
Crafting a cozy desert oasis
Photo by Jared Chambers
The client emphasized the need for the unit’s interior to not only feel spacious but to connect the natural context with the unit’s interior. So, design began with one of the largest pieces of glass we’ve ever installed into a structure, then we added six more windows and three skylights throughout the 322 sq/ft space.
To accommodate room for four to sleep and maintain a semblance of privacy for each, we pushed the beds to each end of the unit, placing the king in front of the largest window, and lifting the second bed into a loft over the bathroom. A pony wall across the head of the king bed increases privacy and doubles as a headboard/workspace.
Between the two bedroom areas, we made room for the kitchen, and a small living/dining room with a fireplace. Both kitchen and dining area are lit by natural light filtering in from large windows – with the dining room window able to open to make every dinner an al fresco affair.
Designed to scale
Photo by Jared Chambers
This custom design produced a structure so different from anything we’ve done that each step along the production process had to be meticulously rethought – especially that oversized picture window.
“Our local glass manufacturer couldn't actually build a piece that big,” Conor, an owner of DROP Structures, said. “So, trying to find a piece of glass, not just one but 40, was a challenge. It took a long time and a lot of calls for Casey, our lead draftsman, to find our final glass supplier”
The new glass partner required new parameters for production, increasing delivery time from eight to 20 weeks. All of this had knock-on effects that changed how we built the unit.
While those kinds of changes are hard to incorporate, our ability to design and build in-house allowed us to keep control over the timeline.
“We didn’t outsource any of the furniture or hard mounted aspects of the unit,” Ryans said. “That allows us to give the client hard timelines, and accurate pricing – even in the post-Covid world.”
Photo by Jared Chambers
Iterating from a prototype
After redesigning our production and finding the right suppliers, our production team got to work creating the first prototype, which the client wanted to beta test on site before entering full production.
Over the next few months, guests will stay overnight and offer feedback to make sure the design and layout meets the vision of the client.
Once the beta testing is done and the design tweaked to meet guest feedback, we will start production of the other 39 units.
Keep an eye out on our youtube channel for our follow up video and our blog for the client interview.
*All photos were taken by the amazingly talented Jared Chambers - who resides in Southern California.
*If you are interested in high res pictures, spec sheet, videos or anything in regards to a blog, advertising post or feature, please contact us at media@dropstructures.ca.
Photo by Jared Chambers
Photo by Jared Chambers