HARD AT WORK - WINTER 2025
HONORING TWO DECADES OF INNOVATION IN ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Tierney Conner has been working hard for 20 years - an achievement that prompted reflection on where we’ve been and where we’re going. The ideas centered on the relationship between architecture and landscape that we embraced as we started in November of 2004 have evolved into our guiding principles today.
With each project, we have grown stronger as a team, creating spaces from inside to out that function and flow with ease while also recognizing the richness of everyday life. These ideals keep us moving forward and improving.
COLLABORATION
Our main method of honing the three perspectives of our partners — Erin, Anne, and J — into one vision. This would not be possible without the support of staff who tirelessly help to realize all the details behind the scenes. Day in and day out, our talented designers — Christina Flores, a registered Architect who just celebrated her five-year anniversary with us; Erin Owens, a creative interior designer who can pull together material palettes with ease; and Pamela Boyer, our newest member with an Architecture degree whose hard work and positive attitude round out our team perfectly — utilize their architecture and interior skills to build upon what they are given.
Collaboration doesn’t stop there though: We actively partner with our clients in many ways and continually create alliances with the artisans that build our projects. In our office, everyone owns the design!
CURIOSITY
Curiosity and research are crucial to our design process. We strive to be innovative, which means that we are constantly investigating and exploring to come up with new ways to solve problems. In the spirit of inquiry, we consistently seek out innovative materials and products, new fixtures and unique ideas about how to build better. For example, we recently focused on broadening our fire-resistant design skills in both the architecture and landscape realms, as well as learning about state-of-the-art wireless and smart lighting systems.
CRITIQUE
Critique is also integral to our studio work as we strive to create environments of enduring value. Part of what makes architecture and design a true discipline is embracing the importance of critical thinking. We set aside time daily to analyze and assess our work together, including providing constructive feedback to each other and making continual improvements to our designs accordingly. We utilize multiple visualization tools, like computer modeling and realistic material rendering, along with a variety of hand sketching and computer drafting techniques. This practice of reflection and refinement is the backbone of our thoughtful approach to every project, client and site.
PRESSOur beloved Lafayette project graces the cover of Diablo Magazine this month. “Mid-Century Marvel,” written by Deborah Kirk and photographed by Adam Potts, highlights one of our quintessential indoor-outdoor family homes. It speaks to how we designed the space to uncover the soul of the home - respecting its integrity, while giving it the capacity to evolve over time.
LOS ANGELESOur thoughts are with the people and places that have been affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. The scale of this disaster, the loss of life and the idea of losing one’s home without a moment’s notice is deeply unsettling. In the coming months, as discussions about rebuilding start to take place, we will be looking for ways to be involved by volunteering our time and skills to support the city that is known for its hope and optimism
