Blending Old and New

Here at OGLLC, we firmly believe in the concept of working creatively with what we’ve got – rather than starting from scratch every single time. In other words, we aim to incorporate existing traits into new design, and we love the challenge of allowing old and new to coexist. And thrive. Ultimately, this allows us to create more unique projects with less waste, and it has come to fruition beautifully in several different projects we’ve worked on.

A more recent, bolder examples of this concept, the Canyon Drive Poolhouse is a striking take on how modern design can pair beautifully with the look of a more traditional ranch home. In this case, instead of trying to blend the two looks, we built the addition in a way that creates an entirely new aesthetic, a standing juxtaposition of old and new.

The Michigan co-living project serves too as a demonstration of how old can augment new in a unique way. In this case, we incorporated an existing home into a brand-new development. By using a shared color palette and a similar building shape we’re able to blend the old and the new in a way that is subtle, rather than striking, but also beneficial to the architecture and users alike.

Lastly, the Borthwick Victorian showcases how a building built just before the 20th century can be remodeled and celebrated while maintaining some of its original flair. In this case, OGLLC incorporated brand-new custom steel frames around Marvin windows into the original stacked stone foundation. By carrying the steel framing through all of the window and door openings, a continuity of style is created that literally connects the new into the old.

Alberta Co-Op Revamp

Last week, Alberta Co-op re-opened its doors after a swift eleven-day transformation that gave it an entirely new look and feel. Working together closely with Propel Studio and many other local subcontractors, Owen Gabbert LLC helped give this well-loved community-owned grocery store a full transformation in under two weeks’ time.

In order to spruce up the space within a short period of time, we collaborated more closely than ever with the architects and subcontractors on-site. In addition, we pre-planned much of our work – building the casework and creating templates for the counters off-site. This enabled the OGLLC team to install all casework and counters, as well as hang all lighting, in just 48 hours. In addition to this work, our team also did a complete demo of the preexisting floors, cash registers, eating bar, wine racks, and soffit. We then placed brand-new, durable LVT flooring and reframed a new soffit that runs the full length of the store.

The end result is a bright and open space that features white oak, steel accents, and light countertops, all of which come together to create a modern feel for this beautiful local grocery spot.

The Mallory ADU

In June 2016, the owner of the property where the Mallory ADU is now built, reached out to us about adding a freestanding accessory dwelling unit to the property he owns with his wife. From there, we embarked on a shared journey that began with trying to move their drawings forward with the project’s original architect. Unfortunately, this architect, while responsive, never actually moved the project forward with the city, so it became clear that a change was necessary. To assist, we connected the homeowners to Dyer Studio, who in turn completed a new and improved design.

At long last, the project broke ground in January of 2018. Today, the roughly 500-square-foot ADU is a thoughtfully designed and laid out space that includes everything a visitor could want as a home away from home. For the homeowners, whose visitors are primarily friends and family, the Mallory ADU truly feels like the extension of their own home that they had hoped it would.

For Owen Gabbert LLC, the Mallory ADU reflects our ability to genuinely collaborate with homeowners on a project from start to finish – no matter the circumstances. In this case, our role included troubleshooting everything from sketchy dealings, to pricing, to ensuring that a vision comes to life in the final product. As Owner Owen Gabbert puts it, “I do not recommend dealing with a bad actor, but the idea of working together early on to get stuff done resonates for me.” This value and spirit is what makes OGLLC stand apart, and is what makes us most proud of the work we do.

Detective Building Before & After

When Brian Faherty of Schoolhouse Electric discovered the dilapidated police bureau building in a transitional neighborhood of Pittsburgh, he had a vision. That vision is now alive and thriving in the Pittsburgh outpost of Schoolhouse.

Faherty has a reputation and a knack for adaptive reuse, in particular for having relocated the Schoolhouse business into an old industrial building in Northwest Portland that he rehabbed with the assistance of OGLLC. As frequent collaborators with Faherty, and having a passion for adaptive reuse ourselves, OGLLC felt confident developing the Pittsburgh project on Faherty’s behalf. The goal was to transform an abandoned building that was originally the home of the Pittsburgh AAA into a Schoolhouse retail location, a coffee shop, and a co-working space. It required the management of multiple funding sources, city agencies, and a talented team of local contractor and architect. It sounds daunting, and it was! But the end result is a space that’s as stunning as it is unique.

In these before and after shots, what you’ll notice in particular is how the original architecture – in this case, 1970s new formalist – was revamped and incorporated into the design of the building. A simple example is the exterior, which was refreshed, but minimally changed, so that it shines with its original luster while offering a new courtyard for use by occupants and neighbors. The interior design was an effort in stripping back layers, all the way to the now-exposed steel and concrete structure that provides the backdrop for custom and new Schoolhouse brand lighting and furniture. What’s more, this project showcases how found objects, such as the old bomber desks that had been abandoned in the building, can be refreshed and given a second life. Take a look through all of these before and after shots to see the transformation that the Detective Building underwent.