Miami Design District, FL - 2019
EMBER’s design is inspired by the Streamline Moderne style of art deco architecture and furniture. Dropping the more ornamental, often clashing stylistic elements and bright colors of early art deco styles, Streamline emphasized the forward-looking industrial ingenuity and scientific thinking of the 1930s. Aerodynamic shapes, long horizontal lines, and offset curved and repeating lines replaced the hard edges and rectilinear bulkiness of older, more traditional architectural styles.
In EMBER, offset bullet-like shapes envelop the space and are embedded throughout the project, emphasizing the coalescence of bold shapes, soft lines and a warm palette. The architecture of the space alters one’s perspective and increases the depth of field, leading the eye deeper into the back of the restaurant. The elongated side walls and ceiling draw on the soft curved lines of Kansas City street cars combined with the classic warmth of deco furniture.
Additional influences on the space come from the overlapping of Miami Art Deco with Streamline Moderne. The evolution of this combination is a new style of Art Deco which we are dubbing Neo-Meco: New Miami Deco.
In Partnership: Chef Brad Kilgore
Photography: Mike Butler
“One of my objectives in creating this design was to redefine the aesthetic of masculinity by bringing a balance to the traditional norms associated with a masculine space. EMBER expresses itself as a bold yet soft aesthetic, providing a warm, light environment with a refined but approachable design; its elegance is understated. These elements reflect the character and values of the space, and, by that rationale, EMBER is the embodiment of my friend Chef Brad Kilgore.” -Mark Alan Diaz
Wynwood Miami, FL - 2008
A Liquor-Fueled Love Machine Designed As A Forum For Creative Expression. Miami's Premier Boutique Music Venue.
In Partnership: DJ Will Renuart I Tomas Ceddia
Photography: World Redeye
Miami Design District, FL - 2018
KAIDO explores celebration and the hierarchy of femininity in nightlife culture with a youthful rebellious glamorous grit, I'm dubbing as Lux/Punk, while AMA on the other hand expresses the warmth and legacy of the sea diving women of Kuji Japan, which is dubbed as Colorful/Nobility.
Kaido is a collections of experiences, refined details and materials which showcase a dark and edgy inspired take on Japanese Nightlife and Entertainment. After exploring Japan’s diverse Nightlife culture I wanted to create a venue which expresses the beauty I found in sea urchins, which I think are jewels of sea, and transport that beauty into the abyss of nightlife and entertainment.
AMA - Celebrates the proud self-made, mature glowing ocean guardians, the hunters and collectors of Sea Urchins, for the love of Uni. A year ago in Kuji, I spent time with the AMA’s and these women are bright and lively fisherman. They are as strong as they are bold, and as bold as they are proud and are literally glowing happy beings who are stewards of legacy and tradition.
In Partnership: Chef Brad Kilgore
Photography: Mike Butler
Bow & Marrow, Havre, MT - 2020
Rough-Luxury Steakhouse inspired by the railway way town. Industrial in its parts with the warms of the fireside in its soul. The interior draws on the natural environment of industry surplus and transperatation intersection of the town.
B&M is the new crown jewel of the Hi-Line Railway. Redefining Hospitality in Havre. Population 9,362
In Partnership: Invictus Hospitality, Shaw Design Build
Daytona, FL - 2021
In the belly of the beast she waits. Inspired by a deep connection to the sea, a true story and a dream. Enter into the hull of a ship to find a life size wooden container of hungry inhabitant’s, warm intimate spaces knotted with pride, a savory crew and a bar built for sailors after their whaling mission. As the story goes… ‘It’s Me or The Sea’ and so this venue exists tucked into the Halifax Harbor deeply seeded from the shores Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In Partnership: Invictus Hospitality
Miami Design District, FL - 2018
AMA - Celebrates the proud self-made, mature glowing ocean guardians, the hunters and collectors of Sea Urchins, for the love of Uni. A year ago in Kuji, I spent time with the AMA’s and these women are bright and lively fisherman. They are as strong as they are bold, and as bold as they are proud and are literally glowing happy beings who are stewards of legacy and tradition.
The design has been dubbed: Colorful Nobility
ELEMENTS:
AMA - The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife : A frosted mirrored rendition of the original erotic woodblock art from Katsushika Hokusai in 1814. The piece speaks to the profound mutual sexual connection and enjoyment between an Ama and two Octopuses.
AMA - Chandeliers : Sea Inspired Shell chandeliers which bring a delicate femininity to the bar. Each chandelier has its own personality and some even resemble jelly fish. Each one was personally selected by Chef Brad & Soraya on their travels, in Bali.
AMA - Divers : A filtered rendition of the Sea Diving Women of Japan as photographed by Fosco Mariani in 1954. These Japanese free divers women tradition holds that the practice of Ama may be up to 2,000 years old.
AMA - Pachinko Machines : While traveling in Japan we ran across droves of Pachinko Gaming Dens which felt like the Dive Bars of the gaming world, which brought an active, bright & loud paradise of distraction. After our experience, I wanted to bring the fun of gaming to Ama and bring a bit of my history in as well. Having and playing one of these gorgeous machines as a child I was so very happy to visit the Mecca of all thinks Pachinko.
AMA - Floors : The Shimmer of light reflecting off the scales of fish reinterpreted into a high polished resin filled floor of two-toned blue and gold fabric.
Santa Monica’s Nightlife Sanctuary has been a home for locals since 1949. It history of being the Westside’s first and oldest biker bar has attracted everyone from Jim Morrison and Truman Capote to today's contemporaries. Circle Bar continues to be the Heart of Santa Monica Nightlife.
With careful attention to keeping the original design, much detail was placed to bring the venue back to life. Circle Bar has been a trailblazing cocktail slinger with a deep love for music and locals. By respecting the original bones patrons know what to expect when they arrive - a really good time. The neighborhood may change, the music here and there, but the spirit of Circle Bar will live forever.
The Circle Bar is legendary.
In Partnership: Invictus Hospitality
Wynwood Miami, FL - 2016
Scent be it a tangled shadow of what is and what was
In Partnership: Linus Ilario
Photography: Stian Roenning I Azeez Bakare Studios
Tustin, CA - 2017
Custom Television Set - Design, Engineered, Fabrication, Installation
In Partnership: Flix FX I VisualizeLED I Nathan Taylor
Springfeild, MI - 2018
Funky Western Saloon in a post gold rush era, with drink slingers and moonshiners that also are serving up funky tunes. Pick and shovel are optional. Collaboration with Latin Grammy Winner Owner/ Operator Jorge Moreno.
In Partnership: INVICTUS Hospitality
Los Angeles, CA - 2017
Smash Gods & Gate Keepers Championships - Stage Design, The Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles
In Partnership: FlixFX I Monica Glass - Eat
Wynwood Miami, FL - 2013
Some speakeasy’s were never designed for Charles Bukowski. What truly horrible lives the other speakeasy’s must have.
In Partnership: Carmel Ophir I Linus Ilario
Photography: Stian Roenning
Rockwell Nightclub, Miami, FL - 2017
Commissioned Work, Simply Stated… Custom Neon Instagram Moment
Materials: Radical Red Neon, CNC Red Mirror Plexigrass Lettered Backing
Photography: World Redeye
2017
“Open Vessel is the soil by which to plant your intentions and sit in stillness while cultivating and observing the flower which is the self.” -M.A.D.
DIMENSIONS: 7’-10”H x 6’-6”DIA
MATERIALS: 100% Wool Felt, FSC Certified Walnut Stained Oak, FSC Certified Walnut Stained Russian Birch
INSPIRATION: The Vessel is inspired by nature and the seeds of life, in that all flowering plants produce a seed. We, as individuals souls, are flowering plants of intentions.
DESIGN: Architecturally / Geometrically: Open Vessel’s Design is a Radial Symmetric Pentadecagram (15 sided) structure with Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shell Panels with a nested BiSliding door system.
FUNCTION: The Vessel with its natural designed chimney effect is complimented by a air circulation system which creates a subtle torus shaped air flow. The torus of cool air mirrors the ideal torus of internal flow from energy received through the crown, out the feet and circulating back around through the crown. Its hidden from view, fully immersive, close proximity sound system provides one grand sweet spot of sound integration. The indirect lighting visually fills the vessel with programmed light-to-sound sync experiences for each track to maximize its therapeutic effects. The perforated cushions allow a quick-to-cool process and heat dissipation for long sits as well as high turnover. Its center removable cushion allows for multiple relaxation positions for individual and group sits in lotus, half lotus or traditional chair posture. While this encompasses the internal features, the soft to touch sound isolating felt exterior shell seals in the warmth and subconscious memory of the womb. All of which collectively transporting its inhabitants from an external intake driven modus operandi to a self observational state of oneness.
“We are all open vessel mirroring that which we are.” -M.A.D.
In Partnership: Jonathan Marcoschamer I Donato Helbling I Sommer Season
Miami, FL - 2017
A progressive women’s CrossFit clothing brand whose goal is to say “Bye-Bye Barbell Hickies!”
Brand Ideation and Booth Design Concept at the CrossFit Championship Wodapalooza WZA, Miami
Los Angeles, CA - 2017
Commissioned Work, Custom Sculpture Fabrication - Blow up your spot, get your tricks in and avoid the cops by stepping into this skate, clothing and accessories brand in Fairfax Village. As it was once said… Skate or Die
In Partnership: FlixFX
Midtown Miami, FL - 2013
Last night… Well IT Happened like this and IT happened like that.
In Partnership: Linus Ilario I Mckenzie Construction
Hialeah, FL - 2014
Branding, Concept, Custom Design, Build, Consult and Fabrication
In Partnership: Nothingman Studios I Reach Design I Alex Mckenzie
Miami Beach/ Wynwood/ Coral Gables/ Pop-Up, FL - 2012-2014
Coral Gables 2013
An Open For Life Juicery
In Partnership: Matt Sherman I Shulman-Design I Mckenzie Construction
Wynwood Miami, FL - 2014
RoughLUX Swanky Casual Retail Store
Wynwood Miami, FL - 2016
Funky Western Saloon in a post gold rush era, with drink slingers and moonshiners that also are serving up funky tunes. Pick and shovel are optional. Collaboration with Latin Grammy Winner Owner/ Operator Jorge Moreno.
In Partnership: Linus Ilario I Donato Helbling
Midtown Miami, FL - 2013
The last Novecento proudly designed for our late friend Hector Rolotti.
A local Neighborhood Steakhouse which opening its doors in 1991 in SoHo, NY, grew to Cañitas, Argentina; Punta Del Este, Uruguay; and Cordoba, Argentina. That success drove the opening of locations in key areas of South Florida. For the Love for people, food and great conversations.
In Partnership: Linus Ilario I Mckenzie Construction I Alejandro Ferllen
Miami Beach, FL - 2013
You have two choices; Dance or Leave. So don’t sit.
In Partnership: DJ Behrouz I DJ Will Renuart
DWNTWN Los Angeles, CA - 2017
Shoo is the type of Boutique Hotel Bar you would find while walking the streets of Barcelona, where you meet the Love of your life and when you get home from your trip you only want to tell your best friend, just to keep it a secret.
In Partnership: INVICTUS Hospitality
Newport Beach, CA - 2016
Breathe in Light. Boutique Yoga Studio Design Build.
In Partnership: Robert Kittleman I Jenny Vande Hei
Coral Gables 2014
An Open For Life Juicery
In Partnership: Matt Sherman I Shulman-Design I Mckenzie Construction
Photography: World Redeye
Miami Beach, FL - 2018
Late Night Bite Ritual, Healthy Food for Crazy People
2015
Commissioned Furniture, Inspired by the draftsman compass. The M.A.D. take, on the great outdoor casual dining experience
Pop-Up, FL - 2012
An Open For Life Juicery
In Partnership: Matt Sherman
Miami Beach, FL - 2007
Commissioned Work
The Concept: Began with my fascination of construction sites and the un-inhabited spaces that existed. I found myself visiting site after site, illegally of course, so I could truly feel the raw space and its emptiness. Of course at the time, I felt my presence in each space as an admirer, began breathing life into the space. I would come to find out later in life that my attraction came from something that was already there... "The Raw" and The Soul of the building. I was finding beauty in the subtle properties of form, construction methods and its possibilities. I was also finding a Very Raw Soulful Piece of myself in the process. This experimentation in spaces has evolved over the last 20yrs.
"The Raw", in this Series, is the Contrast in Vulnerability. One's Vulnerability of Structure and the other is a Vulnerability of Emotion.
The Building naturally exposes its true beauty and yet is Structurally Vulnerable, unless dressed. It's typically dressed with multiple; Moisture Barriers, Stucco Treatments, Corner Beading, Windows, Silicone Sealants, Polypropylene Joints and a Multitude of Applied Finishes. This Undressed Structural Vulnerability is directly in contrast with the human body 'The Inhabitant(s)' and its perfectly complete protective layer of skin.
The Inhabitant, when consciously exposing its true beauty is, typically, Emotional Vulnerable unless dressed. It's typically dressed with many protective layers as well. These layers inhibit true emotion from being exposed or expressed.
In Partnership: Mike Bultler
Orlando, FL - 2018
A Boutique Candy Shop/ Mocktail Bar for the kids that Never Want To Grow Up… But Do.
In Partnership: INVICTUS Hospitality I Urban Commons
Miami Beach, FL - 2006
711 Interior / 619 Exterior
Boutique Hotel Restaurant & Bar located on Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Originally designed for Executive Chef Roly Cruz-Taura of Miami’s Biltmore Hotel as his first solo restaurant.
In Partnership: Roly Cruz-Taura I Ocean Five Miami Beach
Miami Beach, FL - 2016
Live Nation’s Fillmore Miami Beach is the Premier Live Music Venue at the Jackie Gleason Theater. Miami Beach’s Original VIP.
Photography: Stian Roenning
Miracle Mile - Coral Gables, FL - 2006
An Industrial Remodel of Miami’s Miracle Mile.
In Partnership: Thierry Painparay
Scope Art Fair & Independant Thinkers, Miami Beach, FL - 2010
‘Darkness into Light’ - Transformation of Hand-to-Hand combat weapon with a dark and jaded past into a brighter future.
Dimensions: 24”Dia x 13.5”H
Materials:
‘Blood Moon’ - Polished Chrome Plated 6061 Aluminum, Red Anodized 6061 Aluminum, Silver Crown/ Chrome Dipped G-25 40W 120V Light Bulb
‘Harvest Moon’ - Polished Copper Plated 6061 Aluminum, Black Anodized 6061 Aluminum, 1910 Edison Style Squirrel Cage 40W 120V Light Bulb
SOuth Beach 2012
An Open For Life Juicery
In Partnership: Matt Sherman I Mckenzie Construction
Dolphin Mall Miami, FL - 2013
“Ambassador of the Italian Coffee Culture” as seen by Segafredo Zanetti Espresso
In Partnership: Linus Ilario
2016
Gear-head, Futurist and overall MAD Scientist Dr. Emmett Brown would be proud
