Distinguished Speakers Series – Simon Jacobsen

Yesterday I attended the first in the “Distinguished Speaker Series” at the Miromar Design Center featuring Simon Jacobsen of Jacobsen Architecture based out of Washington, D.C. Jacobsen Architecture has been named to Architectural Digest magazine’s list of Top 100 Designers and Architects for the past seven years. Managing Design Partner and son of the infamous Hugh Newell Jacobsen, Simon Jacobsen presented the unique process by which the world renowned architectural firm painstakingly designs its buildings inside-out.

To me it was like meeting a celebrity. He is one of the most publicized Architects in Architectural Digest and his talent and success amazes me. He repeated many times, “As a designer, you can design anything!” And he has taken that to heart.

Jacobsen Architecture not only designs the structure, they meticulously plan and produce almost every detail within the structure including all the mill work, windows, interior architectural detailing, and furnishings to name a few. In order to get every element just perfect, Jacobsen along with his staff, designs and builds their own cabinetry, furnishings, lighting, and objects.

One element he kept focusing on is those “George Forman air condition grills”, as he describes them. You will not find any of those large grills in his work. The vents are very linear and follow the lines of the ceiling or they are are hidden in stair case risers. I also loved the way his doors go floor to ceiling. Definitely not purchased at your local Home Depot.

This ‘tasting bar’ completed for a winery is made of 16 gauge stainless and features a 5/8″ solid stainless top that has an elegant orbital sanded pattern. The bar was designed to have two servers in the middle. The interior mill work is curved to the radius of the bar and features a sink, cash register and electrical outlets.

Take a look at this Halo light designed by Hugh Jacobsen and the late Edison Price featured in many of their residential projects as well as commercial projects. The light features 240 20 watt 12 volt bulbs that radiate in a two-sided circle. I can’t imagine changing these light bulbs when they burn out. In this photo you will also notice that linear air condition vent in the peak of the ceiling hidden. Look past the dining room to the butt glass joint structure Jacobsen Architecture has engineered and perfected.

Jacobsen’s detailing is deliberately sparse and linear in order to enhance the spaces within and without. According to Jacobsen, he utilizes white backgrounds for all his spaces so that color is not distorted. White is evident in every color and will not disturb any of the other colors or elements within a space.

The photo to the left is from Simon’s own home. Notice their signature bookcases. A very simple concept constructed out of thin plywood. However, the end result is floor to ceiling color of books not bothered by the structure of the case.

It has been said that good detailing should never show the agony it took to produce it, but should appear as if it had not been detailed at all, as if it went together the way it wanted to go together. So true with his work. Either you love his work or appreciate his work.

I would like to thank Simon Jacobsen for sharing his process and presenting the details of how he gets the final results we all just see published time and time again. My best advice to view his work, especially his own home…Head to Architectural Digest and google Jacobsen. Hope you relish in his work as well as his father’s work as much as I do.

***Design philosophy and photos courtesy of Jacobsen Architecture and Architectural Digest.