Sparkflight Studios

Futuro Academy, a public charter school, will be opening Fall 2017 in Ward 3 at Lamb Boulevard and Washington Avenue. We're pleased to complete the design for this new campus that is transforming a vacant grocery store into a center for learning.  Phase 1 is 28,870 square feet of developed space and includes six classrooms, administrative offices, and a multipurpose room.  Executive Director Ignacio Prado has recently appeared on the news and in the Review Journal  after Futuro Academy was picked by the Nevada Department of Education to participate in Nevada's Achievement School District.  The R-J article quoted Prado considering the effort ahead of him, “One thing we know is now our clock is ticking, and we have a ton of work to do...Our goal is to target populations that are often marginalized and might have barriers to entry,” he said.  Project partners include the Charter School Development Corporation and Opportunity 180 . Photo credit: Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Revie

A word of thanks to all our veterans, and wishes for a Veterans Day celebrated with family and friends.

Interior Murals and Streetscape RTC's new Mobility Training Center (MTC) is the award winner for 2016 Best Project in Government/Public Building Category.  We created the murals and streetscape interiors for this groundbreaking training center.  Gensler Nevada is the prime architect. See the article here: ENR Southwest Learn more about this project here .

This proposal is to create a sheltered gathering space by the water that offers a place for reflection on the interconnectedness of community. The form of the sculpture’s structure and skin are inspired by several associations from my desert experiences. The framework is literally tied to the water with a view, and metaphorically as people become the flow: a human network. Reflection is enhanced by written messages hanging within the shelter that are “good wishes” to be exchanged. Two rounded forms bypass each other creating an axial flow. The overlap creates a gathering space with dappled shadows by day, and uplit, sheltering walls by night. Simple seating is provided beside the forms.   Selected materials contain recycled content, are able to be repurposed and recycled, or biodegrade.

click to enlarge images It Becomes Her , Steel (2016) 7"h x 22"w x 8.5"d My intention for this piece is to evoke a female nature including generative, biological and botanical motifs such as seashells, ribs, branches, kelp, and curves.  Skin and structure create a layering and interplay between transparency and opacity...mystery and discovery…softness over strength.  Different aspects of the form are revealed when it is rotated into three different positions of equilibrium. Skin has primacy over the means of connection to the structure. Gaze , Wood (2016) 59"h x 24"w x 30"d Contained within an abstracted camera tripod, this piece toys with viewers' expectations of an objectifying gaze.  Seats are placed at each side of the "camera," and when participants interact with the sculpture they discover that they are also viewed.  Eyes meet for a brief, and potentially dangerous, intimate moment.

Last fall, I had a tourist's experience of one our projects.  Walking down Beach Street next to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, we spotted a bright red periscope peeking up over the tops of the local tchotchke shops.  Just around the corner, we were able to pop into the trendy Hotel Zephyr and their games courtyard.   A user-operated video camera mounted inside this periscope gives hotel guests 180 degree views of the waterfront and landmarks like Alcatraz. This fun and interactive art build project was designed with Blue Tree Enterprises , Wright Engineers , and Blaque Metal Works .  We're looking forward to teaming on more of these public art projects!

Death Valley wildflowers How will you celebrate Earth Day? See this 1-minute video prepared by Green Building Research Institute ( GBRI ) with 10 ways to get out and do something... In our own backyard, Project GREEN is hosting a clean up in the Pittman Wash at 9:00AM Saturday, April 23.  This is a hidden gem of a trail with lots of wildlife habitat...get the details here. Or, sign a petition to re-activate the rooftop solar industry here in Nevada with Bring Back Solar .

Nendo's nest shelf allows users to expand unit to desired width. Micro Living has made an impact in North America. Many are choosing to give up their large living space for a home that is less than 1,000 square feet.   The increasing appeal of Micro-Housing can be attributed to many wanting to minimize their mortgage, reduce carbon footprint, and enjoy portability, as seen on previous blog Rural Micro-Housing – Could you live in 572 SF? ,   or the desire to be in a dense city fabric as discussed on Urban Micro-Housing: A Path to Sustainable Livability . Although some are choosing to give up space, comfort and luxury do not have to be lost.   Some companies such as Nendo and  Resource Furniture , are designing incredible, sustainable, transforming furniture.   We no longer have to give up comfort and luxury due to space limitations. Resource Furniture’s unique multifunctional, transforming furniture line has a variety of Wall Beds, Transforming Tables, Seating an

Are you concerned that your property may not be in compliance with the current accessibility requirements?  Invest three to four hours with a professional architect that is familiar with Americans with Disabilities Act, HUD , Fair Housing and state/local accessibility requirements.   We use current standards to evaluate your existing property, project or design documents and provide recommendations to bring your property in compliance with applicable code.  For older properties fixes can include "readily achievable" barrier removal, while newer properties are required to fully comply.  Equip yourself with the knowledge to reduce your liability. We can provide framework for new property acquisition as well as existing properties.  An accessibility report can also be provided with our real estate feasibility consultations .  For a typical accessibility consultation, we spend two to three hours at your property and perform a comprehensive evaluation of your existing con

  Chance 1 , steel. 15”h x 14”w x 14”d. Las Vegas, NV 7/2016 Canal Study 2 , steel. 23”h x 28"w x 18"d. Las Vegas, NV 6/2016 --> It Becomes Her ; steel, thread, and nylon mesh. 7"h x 22"w x 8.5"d. Las Vegas, NV. 4/2016.      Canal Experience . 24’h x 26’w x 12’d. Un-built. 7/2016 -->   Periscope , steel and A/V equipment. 30’h x 2.5’w x 5’d. Hotel Zephyr at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA, 2016 -->    Shade Structure , steel. 16’h x 96’w x 42’d (4,000 sq ft). Clark County Government Center , Las Vegas, NV.   6/2010 - 11/2011. -->    RTC Streetscape Mural , printed wallpaper. Varies: 14’ to 26’h x 158’w (4,900 sq ft). Mobility Training Center, Las Vegas, NV. 4/2015 - 2/2016 --> RTC Interior Murals , printed wallpaper. 25’h x 232’w (4,900 sq ft). Mobility Training Center, Las Vegas, NV. 4/2015 - 2/2016 --> --> -->