Name

John Gil

Company

BLINK Design

E-mail

Contact John Gil (BLINK Design)

Website

http://blinkdesignla.elance.com

Office Phone

(310) 821-4020

Fax

(310) 821-4016

Description

FULL SERVICE BUILDING DESIGN: We can respond to most any unique style, site condition or creative inspiration.

BLINK DESIGN - GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL - Design involves layers of ideas and my approach involves impeccable function and beauty (proportions). Custom design connects clients and spaces in remarkable ways that may be of interest to special clients. For example, harmonious geometry based on phi proportions (phiometry) or a house based on your favorite song as a concept for the building's form and spaces. Sustainability (Green design) is a principle as well as a lifestyle that may also be of interest to you. Architecture is also necessarily pragmatic.  Buildings must not leak and specifications must perform according to the manufacturer's warrantee.  I am as rigorous with construction administration as I am with conceptual development.

Buildings and spaces also engage health and how we dwell on this Earth individually and communally. This is after all what custom design is all about. Exceptional buildings engage special site conditions, materials and technologies, personal idiosyncrasies as well global and local concerns into a single, coherent expression.

ABOUT ME - I am John Gil, the owner of BLINK Design.  BLINK is an acronym for BUILDING, LIGHT, INTERIORS and KITCHENS.  I feel that kitchen design, the verandah and the dining room have undergone the greatest changes in residential design.  Currently, Americans often live separately in disconnected rooms under the same roof.  Connecting those who live together and further, connecting the interior spaces with the outdoors including a garden space accentuates simple ways to promote healthfulness with architecture. 

I have a Masters in Architecture (1993) from Ohio State and 15 years of Pro practice including a previous firm called NFAD Ltd. that operated successfully overseas for several years. My new company BLINK Design is based in Los Angeles. 

My emphasis is detail, thoroughness, exceptional communication, client involvement and optimal site orientation and integration, as if having grown on a given site naturally.  Some clients prefer a formal style that does not always include site integration but rather stylistic contrast and that's OK.  Style can be adapted to present conditions and site and climatic influences.  My interest is engaging buildings that merge the people with the place that is being created.

My background also includes research into a range of alternative medical fields. I consider architecture to be about healthfulness and harmonious place making and would be pleased to talk to you if this matches your wants and needs.  I maintain humble surroundings, though rigorous solutions as my clients will attest.  Currently I am able to offer my service at an extremely competitive rates (about half standard architectural fees until next year when I complete my registration) to the 'right' clients.  FYI, having completed all professional requisites and becoming a registered architect under the British RIBA system, these credentials did not transfer to the States and I have been required to essentially start over again.  That's OK.  This means I will be twice as prepared!

EDUCATION

Thanks for reading! Additional images and projects are samples are available upon request.

SERVICE and SKILLS

Having practiced in the Caribbean for seven years with a Modern Design Master, I was living the best of both worlds including architectural theory along with a tropical climate and appropriate detailing.  I relocated to Southern California due to the similarly warm climate and people.

 

My expertise is multi-faceted by design.  I am very organized and I accentuate communication and teamwork. I am well read regarding architectural theory as well architectural styles as well I engage the technical requirements by understanding the many ways to make a wall.  This may seem an unusual way to describe building design, but in fact, all style, thermal resistance, building character, interior ambiance and other special delineations of space may all be reduced to wall types.

 

I was a professor of design and CAD drawing for four years and consider 3d modeling one of my expert skills as well teaching which applies to clients who are new to construction or the building process.  All of my clients describe me as 'patient' as I have learned when to listen and when to be assertive given client requests that may or may not be possible given various preferences and limitations.

Regarding Building Types, I refer to the four R's, that is Residential (Single Family and Developments), Resort, Retail and Restaurants.  I am also experienced with Medical clinics and apply the notion of healthfulness to all that I do which brings me back to Kitchens.  The way we purchase and prepare food can influence how we make an entire building.  Please note that I do not work on Multi-family buildings.

 

I would like to add that I am well versed in alternative energy solutions as well I maintain a short list of exceptional special consultants including a Nationally renowned Green architect.  My 3 years of Medical Clinic experience includes over a decade of research into alternative medical practices many of which are slated for FDA approval in the next few years.  Health indeed is my inspiration!

PORTFOLIO and REFERENCES

I would be happy to provide client references and portfolio images per your request.  I am very confident that I can work with most any design challenge and I prefer challenges.

Thanks for reading.