HELLO...
welcome to the digital home of studio | SKETCHWORKS...
a Shenandoah Valley-based design | arts | development collaborative whose focus is on creating innovative and imaginative places | spaces | things.
WE ARE: designers | developers | collaborators
WE DESIGN: homes + commercial spaces | interiors | websites | graphics | installation art | public art | furniture | objects (and maybe even an occasional t-shirt)
WE DEVELOP: small-scale [urban | village | downtown] real estate
WE HELP: the adventurous, nonprofits, and small institutions accomplish their missions + goals
WE COLLABORATE: across disciplines | mediums | trades
WE'RE INSPIRED: by the weird relationships between clothes and buildings, graphics and geography, people and emotions
WE DON'T: adhere to a specific style, do 'colonial,' or follow trends for the sake of it
WE LOVE: to ask tough questions, challenge norms and think differently
WE MUST: have coffee breaks several times a day for inspiration, of course
IF YOU:
enjoy DWELL magazine,
love your iPhone,
know the phrase 'mc.mansion'-
well, then we may just share one brain!
[please let us use it every now and again!]
01 | ABOUT US
studio | SKETCHWORKS
[GENERAL]
> launched on january 1 | 2009, we are a combined design | arts | development collaborative who only pursue projects which involve the making of contemporary places | spaces | things.
we make our home in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley | Harrisonburg | VA.
[place|spaceDESIGN]
> our focus is to design relevant and imaginative contemporary homes, mixed-use, and small commercial projects within urban|village|town settings, including adaptive reuse | additions | new projects.
[thingsDESIGN]
> as a natural extension to our mission, we also design furniture, casework, sculpture, objects.
[digitalDESIGN]
> we didn't set out to provide graphic + web design services, rather, it choose us-
and we love it! as with all of our other projects, careful attention to function, needs and aesthetics are crucial to their success.
[exhibitionARTS]
> creativity is our core. however, to continually draw from that well, we need additional outlets to take risks, innovate, explore and question. this process often comes through our alter-ego collaboration called makeSHIFT, where we explore the meduim of installation, public or 2d art.
[realestateDEVELOPMENT]
> the boundaries between design studio + real estate development are blurred in order to attain one simple goal - to make better community. we believe design can heal, can rebuild a forgotten neighborhood, can improve the built environment. we want to be that catalyst.
[ourAPPROACH]
> all of our projects are rooted in the rigors of Modernism. however, particularities of place, history, culture, environmental stewardship and economics don't suffer at it's expense. rather, they are the perfect compliment.
...whether a client-driven, self initiated, or development-led project, our passion is to provide well designed places | spaces | things to adventurous users who are uninspired by the 'usual' and seek that which transcend the ordinary.
ok, so you guys are architects, right?
in social circles, yes.
by licensure, no, not yet.
studio | SKETCHWORKS currently operates as a design studio, not an architecture studio.
accordingly, virginia law permits unlicensed design professionals the opportunity to design residential | commercial | business use projects which come under a certian size and occupancy. however, should a project exceed state requirement, we would team with an architect of record and / or a certified professional engineer.
however, no matter what type of project or circumstance, we are fully covered with appropriate professional liability insurance.
founder and principal- ron davenport is trained and educated as an architect, but not yet licensed.
he is currently studying and testing.
ron has been involved in this profession [under the direct supervision of certified architects] since 1985, and graduated from drexel university's school of architecture with a 5 year bachelor in architecture degree.
ron davenport is founder + principal of
studio | SKETCHWORKS.
He also happens to be a guy who wants to bring a warm Modernism into the simple architectural vernacular of the shenandoah valley. c'mon... this can happen, right? seriously.
When ron isn't busy designing, finding the next great project, or scouting properties for future development, he can be found hanging out with his family, teaching his INDE students, or planning the next escape to the sunny gulf coast of florida.
Prior to forming studio | SKETCHWORKS, Ron was Design Principal and co-founder of blue ridge design studio, where for 4+ years, he worked on numerous projects from custom homes to Catholic School additions.
Although Ron is not yet a licensed architect in the State of Virginia- he is currently testing. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree (B.Arch.) from Drexel University, and has over 23 years professional experience working under the supervision of a variety of architects.
Ron is also an adjunct instructor for JMU's School of Art + Art History- where he enjoys teaching Design Studio for the Interior Design program. Passion for design / architecture / music and the visual arts have always been in his blood. Ron is also an accomplished artist, and has exhibited his paintings, sketches, models and renderings in Drexel's Nesbitt Art Gallery as well as several private art galleries in the Philadelphia area.
Once a volunteer fanatic (but now recovering,) Ron is proud to be one of the original founding members of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. While with HDR, he chaired the Design Committee, and helped launch downtown's phase 1 streetscape improvements. He also co-chaired Valley 4th on several occasions, and served with both the Arts Council and Court Square Theater boards.
He, his wife Suzanne, and their two children enjoy life in the 'burg with their puppy [chloe.] Ron and his family are active participants at Grace Covenant Church here in Harrisonburg.
Oh, the rumors you have heard about him and coffee.... they are ALL true!
about | PROFESSIONAL
WORK...
Founded studio | SKETCHWORKS
2009
Instructor, JMU school of art + art history
2005 - current
Co-founded Blue Ridge Design Studio
2004 - 2008
5 additional architecture firms:
1986 - 2004
Moseley Architects, Harrisonburg VA
Associate
Peter F. Arfaa, Philadelphia PA
Project Architect
Wallace Roberts Todd, Philadelphia PA
Kitchen + Associates, Collingswood NJ
Staff Architect
John J Olivieri, Collingswood NJ,
Senior Designer
EDU...
Drexel Univ School of Architecture
B.ARCH, 1995
about | PRIVATE
Born in Bucks County, PA
1965
Happily married to Suzanne
1987
Moved to South Jersey
1990
Moved to Harrisonburg
1998
2 great kids
Ian + Rachel
Passion + obsession
Architecture
Love
coffee / music / the internet / design
Hate
capitalizing letters
(except on my own terms)
about | ORGS + COMMUNITY SERVICE
American Institute of Architects
National & State Associate member
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance
Former Member Board of Directors
Former Chair Design Committee
Arts Council of the Valley
Valley 4th -2004 + 2005
Former Co-chair, Planning
dave is convinced that contemporary architecture can do more for its inhabitants than just be a pretty backdrop. he loves built projects with well thought, well crafted details that are integral to the buildings' purpose. he loves the weather beaten hand-built agricultural structures and traditional houses of the valley as much as he loves new architecture that is sustainable, and has a language that is both progressive and vernacular, that is tuned for the modern habits of its occupants and lets them know who they are.
dave spends his free time looking for new rendering techniques, working on Grad-school applications, maintaining his house, and reading up on architecture. He keeps a busy family life with Jenn, three cats and two dogs. He loves a good game of volleyball. He also loves to get away from the built environment and enjoy the valley's beauty on a nice day or even a rainy day.
before being a part of studio|SKETCHWORKS, Dave was an architectural technician at Blue Ridge Design Studio. Prior to that he worked at William McDonough + Partners in Charlottesville for four years as an intern.
He earned his BS in architecture from the University of Virginia in 2003. In 2004, he took and passed the LEED exam. dave is intent on returning to Grad school [he swears] and wants to continue using and improving his design abilities. Besides that dave loves building models both physical and electronic and helping to bring architectural ideas to light.
dave has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity a few times as well as some other similar projects. he loves to break a sweat, get his hands dirty and help people at the same time. he would love to do more of this in the future, time permitting. he would really like to help out on some collaborative sculptural art projects as well.
When dave likes coffee, he likes it black; he prefers to taste "the boldness and the rich aromas" of function; it is a beverage which has served as a fuel source for the mind for centuries. Creamer is meaningless decoration. He also happens to like cats. dave's cats scare Ron. If cats ever ask SKETCHWORKS to design a home or office for them, it will be all dave.
studio|SKETCHWORKS, collaborator
freelanced for various architects
2008-2009
Blue Ridge Design Studio, architectural technician
2007-2008
William McDonough + Partners, architectural intern
2003-2007
University of Virginia, School of Architecture,
Bachelor's of Science in ARCHIT. Design
2003
Virginia native:
all my life
Love:
good design, food, people / nature /
cats+dogs / gardening / art / literature
Hate:
bad punctuation
LEED Accredited Professional
Member, James River Green Building
Council
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
we sculpt interiors.
we adapt old buildings.
we preserve downtowns.
we make imaginative places.
02 | OUR WORK
"We shape our buildings, and thereafter, our buildings shape us."
Winston Churchill
03 | DEVELOPMENT
we believe there is a better way...
to design beautiful places.
to build sustainably.
to make a strong community.
...a better way to live | work | play | dine.
and it is through real estate development that we are afforded the highest opportunity to LEAD THE WAY and show that innovative development can directly (and positively) improve the built environment.
our goal is to offer forward-looking, well crafted, and imaginative buildings and spaces- with the highest level of innovative design, that still respects a healthy bottom-line.
in an effort to support the conservation of our local natural resources, and to preserve and fortify our existing communities, we are particularly interested in established [ urban | town | village ] places where revitalization is in earlier stages.
2009 downtown harrisonburg poster by artist, emily street | JMU student
operating as a development collaborative, studio | SKETCHWORKS is POISED to directly initiate projects, or, through establishing discrete strategic partnerships, work with those that share likeminded intentions of supporting community.
our areas of interest include:
urban infill
adaptive reuse
historic tax credit
multi-family housing
challenging | difficult properties
our intended demographic / user is the individual or family (young, established or mature alike) which have no interest living in the suburbs, but rather seeks urban areas for culture, social interaction and support infrastructure.
studio | SKETCHWORKS has been collaborating frequently with harrisonburg based VELOCITY PROPERTY GROUP on identifying development opportunities which involve residential | mixed use | commercial uses.
examples of projects which we are jointly collaborating on can be found on our website as well as VPG's website.
seeks clients - collaborators - development partners who...
are adventurous | daring | experimental-
are at least eco-curious-
live modern + less formal lives-
revel in the unorthodox-
are uninspired by the ordinary-
we are delighted and privileged to work with those who not only share the desire to make something meaningful, but also enjoy the journey of discovery along the way.
Please, give us a call if you want to work together!
04 | CONTACT
are adventurous / daring / experimental-
own an original piece of art-
3065 hemlock street
harrisonburg VA 22801
540 | 466 . 4372 | o
contact.sketchworks_gmail.com | e
ron davenport
founder + creative guy
540 | 908 . 7196 | c
rd.sketchworks_gmail.com | e
dave mullen
collaborator + co-conspirator
804 | 564 . 8622 | c
dm.sketchworks_gmail.com | e
look, it's this simple... we love design and we love to TALK about design. frankly, does it get any better?
we use our blog to share and discuss design-related content in a more informal (and broader reaching) way. but we also use it as an open forum / resource for our JMU INDE students.
you will find regular postings on...
studio|SKETCHWORKS
architecture
landscape architecture
urban design
sustainability
graphic design
industrial design
art
music
theater
photography
and so on....
we welcome an open dialogue with ANYONE that has something to contribute.
twitter feeds...
"How can we expect our students to become bold and fearless in thought and action if we encase them in sentimental shrines feigning a culture which has long since disappeared?"
Walter Gropius, architect
05 | TEACH AT JMU
teaching at james madison university’'s INDE (interior design) program is an important part of the culture of
however... teaching (and learning) is a two-way street.
there is nothing more rewarding than to play a part in helping shape imaginative young minds into radical forward-thinking designers, but at the same time, we also find ourselves challenged (and inspired) by those same students as we watch them make magic out of the everyday!
each semester, the focus is on inspiring and challenging (better yet- DARING) students to reinvent the wheel. we want them to take risks, and be bold in thought- while still remembering that we design for mankind.
afterall, we will turn the helm over to them to shape our future.
we are proud of their hard work, and are happy to share it with you.
here are just a few examples of sophomore | junior work over the past few years. topics of investigation include:
tension | compression
modularity | adaptability
light | texture
sensory overload
emotion | stimuli | graphics
"God created paper for the purpose of drawing architecture on it. Everything else is at least for me an abuse of paper."
- Alvar Aalto, Architect, Sketches, 1978
"I got a FEVER! And the only prescription...is MORE COWBELL!"
- 'Bruce Dickinson'"
"when i am king, you will be first against the wall..."
- radiohead
06 | SKETCHBOOK
"For me, its the act of drawing that allows the hand to come into accord with the heart."
- Sambo Mockbee
"...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
-Jesus, Matthew 22 : 39
07 | DESIGN AID
we believe in lending a helping hand to those who make it their purpose to serve others.
...whether that be by volunteering our time, services or resources, we believe that giving back to our community is crucial to the wellbeing + success of everyone- not to mention, the right thing to do.
over the years, we have worked with several non-profit organizations (with a variety of assistance) fulfill their mission of helping others. we are proud to have worked with... arts council of the valley | harrisonburg downtown renaissance | valley4th | friday's on the square | camp still meadows | skyline literacy coalition | minnick education centers | our community place.
we take great joy and pride in working to develop a thoughtful and exciting project that helps fulfill the purpose of serving others.
the following are just a few examples of how we have helped in the past...
studio | SKETCHWORKS is honored to help Kenya's Ray Of Hope ministeries with the design of new multi-family housing for their Training and Retreat Center (still in development) in the community of Daini Kenya, Africa.
the residences will aid in the housing of support staff as well as for visiting pastors and their families.
each unit in the duplex comprises 3br/ 2 bath and is about 1,500 s.f.
Ray of Hope ministeries is dedicated to serving children, communities and the church of Arfica.
The ROH facility in Daini will be dedicated to host, train and prepare pastors, missionaries and ministry leaders for Christian ministry. In addition to training, ROH Diani will be the main administrative hub for all the work of ROH including the medical clinic outreach in Mikameni and other future outreach efforts. Other strategies will be developed from Diani to reach the Kenyan coast such as Medical and other need oriented outreaches; Short-Term evangelistic outreaches and Church planting.
ABOUT US | 01
OUR WORK | 02
DEVELOP | 03
CONTACT | 04
TEACH- JMU | 05
SKETCHBOOK | 06
DESIGN AID | 07
