Whipple Russell Architects FAQ

Below, you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions by our clients — from vision and process to lifestyle integration and beyond.

experience & background

• WHAT SERVICES DOES WHIPPLE RUSSELL ARCHITECTS PROVIDE?

• DO I HAVE TO OWN A PROPERTY BEFORE WORKING WITH WHIPPLE RUSSELL ARCHITECTS?

• DO YOU DESIGN ADU’S?

• DO YOU SELL PLANS?

• WHAT STYLES OF HOMES DO YOU DESIGN?

• WHAT ARCHITECTURAL STYLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY HOME DESIGN?

• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO WORK WITH YOU?

• CAN YOU DESIGN A HOME FOR OUT OF STATE PROPERTIES OR INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS?

• DO YOU TAKE ON COMMERCIAL PROJECTS?

• HOW DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS WORK FOR A MODERN HOME?

• HAVE YOU DESIGNED FOR HILLSIDE LOTS, NARROW LOTS, OR VIEW-ORIENTED SITES IN LA?

• DO YOU PERFORM SUN / SHADOW STUDIES OR NOISE MITIGATION - ESPECIALLY NEAR FREEWAYS OR DENSE URBAN AREAS?

design process

• HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE A CLIENT’S IDEAS & PREFERENCES INTO THE DESIGN?

• HOW MANY DESIGN OPTIONS DO YOU TYPICALLY PRESENT?

• ARE YOU LICENSED & INSURED IN THIS STATE / OTHER STATES?

• DO YOU USE 3D MODELING OR RENDERINGS TO PRESENT IDEAS?

• ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH CELEBRITY CLIENTS, DEVELOPERS, OR HIGH-PROFILE TEAMS?

• HOW DO YOU HANDLE CONFIDENTIALITY AND NDA’S?

• DO YOU MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF DISCRETION AND SECURITY FOR PROJECT SITES?

• DO YOU DO FEASIBILITY STUDIES OR WORK WITH REALTORS PRE-PURCHASE TO ASSESS A SITE’S POTENTIAL?

• HOW DETAILED ARE YOUR CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS - DO THEY MINIMIZE AMBIGUITY FOR BUILDERS AND TRADES?

• CAN YOU PROVIDE MOCK-UPS OR MATERIAL BOARDS FOR DESIGN VALIDATION?

• WHAT DOES YOUR CLIENT JOURNEY LOOK LIKE FROM CONCEPT TO MOVE-IN?

• DO YOU OFFER CONCIERGE-STYLE COORDINATION WITH INTERIOR DESIGNERS, CONSULTANTS, AND ESTATE MANAGERS?

modern style & design expectations

• CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR INTERPRETATION OF “MODERN ARCHITECTURE”?

• WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO MODERN LUXURY?

• WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY OR STYLE?

• DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN ANY SPECIFIC ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE - E.G., WARM MINIMALISM, INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING, MONOLITHIC FORMS, ETC?

• HOW DO YOU BALANCE MINIMALISM WITH LIVABILITY AND WARMTH?

• HOW DO YOU ENSURE TIMELESSNESS IN YOUR DESIGN, WHILE STILL FEELING CUTTING-EDGE?

• HOW DO YOU BRING IN GLOBAL DESIGN INFLUENCES, WHILE ROOTING THE PROJECT IN LOS ANGELES’ CLIMATE AND CULTURE?

• CAN YOU CREATE A HOME THAT’S BOTH ARCHITECTURALLY POWERFUL AND EMOTIONALLY RESONANT?

• DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE USING MODERN MATERIALS LIKE STEEL, BOARD-FORM CONCRETE, GLASS, CURTAIN WALLS, OR RAMMED EARTH?

• HOW DO YOU BALANCE TECH-FORWARD DESIGN WITH MINIMALIST AESTHETICS?

• HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE PRIVACY, WHILE MAINTAINING OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY - ESPECIALLY IN HIGH-DENSITY NEIGHBORHOODS OR HILLSIDES?

• DO YOU CONSIDER SMART HOME INTEGRATION, HOME THEATERS, WELLNESS SPACES, OR ADU’S IN YOUR MODERN PROJECTS?

• HOW DO YOU ACCOMMODATE OR HIGHLIGHT ART COLLECTIONS AND SCULPTURE INTEGRATION?

• DO YOU CONSIDER SIGHTLINES, SYMMETRY, AND LIGHT AS PART OF A CURATED LIVING EXPERIENCE?

• HOW DO YOU ORIENT A HOME FOR OPTIMAL VIEWS, PRIVACY, AND LIGHT?

• HOW DO YOU TAILOR A HOME OR SPACE TO REFLECT A CLIENT’S LIFESTYLE, BRAND, OR PUBLIC IMAGE?

• CAN YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS SPACES LIKE INFRARED SAUNAS, COLD PLUNGES, OR YOGA DECKS?

• DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS TO CREATE HOLISTIC ENVIRONMENTS - NOT JUST STRUCTURES?

• DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE DESIGNING HOMES WITH DUAL KITCHENS (SERVICE + SHOW), SCREENING ROOMS, WINE CELLARS, GALLERIES, OR RECORDING STUDIOS?

• CAN YOU INTEGRATE FEATURES LIKE GLASS ELEVATORS, MOTOR COURTS, PANIC ROOMS, OR ROOFTOP DECKS SEAMLESSLY INTO THE DESIGN?

• DO YOU WORK WITH AV CONSULTANTS TO EMBED FULL AUTOMATION, LIGHTING, SECURITY, AND CLIMATE SYSTEMS?

• DO YOU WORK WITH BESPOKE MATERIAL PALETTES - RARE STONES, WOOD SPECIES, OR ARTISAN FINISHES?

• CAN YOU DESIGN OR COLLABORATE ON CUSTOM FURNITURE, MILLWORK, OR LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS?

• HOW DO YOU ENSURE MATERIAL QUALITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP ARE AT THE LEVEL EXPECTED IN A LUXURY HOME?

• HOW DO YOU DESIGN THE FLOW BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES - CAN YOU MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE ONE CONTINUOUS ENVIRONMENT?

• WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO THRESHOLD DESIGN - E.G., LARGE PIVOTING / SLIDING DOORS, FLOOR FLUSHNESS, MATERIAL CONTINUITY?

• CAN YOU ENSURE SPATIAL ZONES ARE DEFINED WITHOUT TRADITIONAL BARRIERS (E.G., COVERED PATIOS BLENDING WITH LIVING SPACES)?

• DO YOU COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS TO CREATE IMMERSIVE GARDENS, COURTYARDS, OR WATER FEATURES?

• HOW DO YOU USE HARDSCAPING (CONCRETE, STONE, WOOD DECKING) TO ANCHOR THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE INTO THE ARCHITECTURE?

• CAN YOU CREATE AN OUTDOOR ARRIVAL SEQUENCE THAT MIRRORS A LUXURY RESORT?

• HAVE YOU DESIGNED (WELLNESS) SPACES FOR SPAS, OUTDOOR RAIN SHOWERS, MEDITATION DECKS, YOGA PLATFORMS, COLD PLUNGES, OR SAUNAS - INTEGRATED WITH VIEWS AND PRIVACY?

• CAN YOU INCORPORATE SALTWATER POOLS, BAJA SHELVES, OR CABANAS WITH SEAMLESS TECH (LIGHTING, SPEAKERS, HEATING)?

• DO YOU CONSIDER AIR, LIGHT, AND WATER QUALITY IN WELLNESS-ORIENTED DESIGNS?

• HOW DO YOU CREATE MOOD AND EXPERIENCE THROUGH LAYERED LIGHTING - BOTH ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPE?

• DO YOU WORK WITH LIGHTING DESIGNERS TO DELIVER A HOTEL / RESORT-QUALITY NIGHTSCAPE?

• CAN YOU CREATE FIRE FEATURES, AMBIENT PATHWAYS, AND LOW-GLARE FIXTURES THAT ENHANCE THE EMOTIONAL TONE OF THE HOME?

• CAN YOU DESIGN FOR OUTDOOR KITCHENS, PIZZA OVENS, BAR AREAS, AND BUILT-IN LOUNGE ZONES FOR EVENTS AND GATHERINGS?

• HAVE YOU DONE DESIGNS WITH HOME AMPHITHEATERS, ROOFTOP LOUNGES, OR PRIVATE BEACH-STYLE POOL DECKS?

• HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THAT ‘RESORT FEEL’ WITH A TACTILE MATERIAL PALETTE THAT STILL PERFORMS LONG-TERM?

• CAN YOU SPECIFY MATERIALS THAT BLUR INDOOR-OUTDOOR BOUNDARIES - E.G., STONE FLOORING THAT RUNS INSIDE AND OUT?

• HOW DO YOU BALANCE EXPANSIVE VIEWS WITH THE NEED FOR PRIVACY IN OUTDOOR SPACES?

• DO YOU DESIGN WITH ACOUSTIC STRATEGIES TO SOFTEN NEIGHBORHOOD OR CITY NOISE IN OPEN-AIR SETTINGS?

• CAN YOU CREATE ZONES OF RETREAT WITHIN THE PROPERTY - LIKE A PRIVATE COURTYARD, REFLECTION GARDEN, OR READING TERRACE?

climate & sustainability

• HOW DO YOU HANDLE SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN YOUR DESIGNS?

• HOW DO YOU DESIGN FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE - ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF INDOOR-OUTDOOR FLOW, PASSIVE COOLING, OR DROUGHT-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING?

• DO YOU INTEGRATE SOLAR PANELS, GREEN ROOFS, OR OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS?

• HOW DO YOU ORIENT AND DESIGN FOR OPTIMAL BREEZES, SHADED COMFORT, AND LOW-ENERGY COOLING IN OUTDOOR LOUNGES?

• CAN YOU INCLUDE OPERABLE SHADING SYSTEMS, LIKE LOUVERED PERGOLAS OR RETRACTABLE SCREENS FOR YEAR-ROUND USE?

• ARE YOUR PROJECTS TITLE 24 COMPLIANT, AND DO YOU EXCEED CODE IN ANY AREAS RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY?

• WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE TO AGE GRACEFULLY AND REMAIN LUXURIOUS IN SUN, SALT, WIND, AND RAIN?

project management & services

• WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER BEYOND DESIGN? (e.g., PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS, INTERIOR DESIGN)

• DO YOU HELP WITH SELECTING CONTRACTORS OR MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE?

• HOW INVOLVED ARE YOU DURING CONSTRUCTION?

• WHAT IS THE TYPICAL PROJECT TIMELINE?

• DO YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIGH-END GENERAL CONTRACTORS EXPERIENCED IN EXECUTING COMPLEX MODERN BUILDS?

• DO YOU PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION TO MAINTAIN DESIGN INTEGRITY?

logistics & legal

• DO YOU HANDLE PERMITTING AND ZONING APPROVALS?

• HOW FAMILIAR ARE YOU WITH LA CITY ZONING CODES, HILLSIDE ORDINANCES, AND THE PERMITTING PROCESS?

• HAVE YOU WORKED WITH THE LA DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND SAFETY (LADBS) BEFORE?

• CAN YOU HELP NAVIGATE CEQA (CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT) OR HPOZ (HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE) IF APPLICABLE?

• WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROJECT SCOPE CHANGES MIDWAY THROUGH?

• DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS OR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS (HOA’S) IN LA?

• HAVE YOU WORKED WITH COMPLEX HILLSIDE OR BLUFF-TOP PROPERTIES REQUIRING ENGINEERING OR VARIANCE APPROVALS?

communication & collaboration

• HOW OFTEN WILL WE MEET OR COMMUNICATE?

• HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH CONSULTANTS LIKE ENGINEERS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS?

• HOW DO YOU HANDLE DISAGREEMENTS OR REVISIONS DURING THE PROCESS?

designing for developers / real estate value

• HOW DO YOUR DESIGNS HELP MAXIMIZE FAR OR ROI ON LA LOTS?

• HAVE YOU WORKED WITH SB9/SB10 GUIDELINES FOR LOT SPLITS OR MULTI-UNIT HOUSING UNDER LA’S ZONING INCENTIVES?

• HOW DOES YOUR DESIGN INCREASE A HOME’S PERCEIVED AND MARKET VALUE AS A LUXURY RETREAT?

• HAVE YOUR PROJECTS BEEN FEATURED IN REAL ESTATE SHOWCASES, DESIGN MAGAZINES, OR USED AS PRODUCTION LOCATIONS?

• DO YOU DESIGN WITH RESALE FLEXIBILITY IN MIND, OR ARE YOUR HOMES TAILORED TO SINGULAR LONG-TERM OCCUPANCY?

DEFINITIONS & KEY TERMS:

architectural terms

• Modern Architecture
  A design style characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, minimal ornamentation, and the integration of function with form.

• Indoor-Outdoor Living
  A design approach where interiors flow seamlessly into exterior spaces through open plans, sliding glass walls, and material continuity.

• Resort-Style Living
  A lifestyle-oriented design approach that brings spa-like features, water elements, outdoor lounges, and wellness amenities into residential spaces.

• Threshold Design
  The architectural detailing that manages how one moves from indoor to outdoor space, often using flush flooring, large openings, or frameless glass.

• Passive Design
  An approach that maximizes natural light, ventilation, and thermal performance through smart orientation, shading, and material selection.

• Program
  The list of required spaces and functions within a home — e.g., number of bedrooms, wellness room, outdoor kitchen, etc.

luxury & lifefstyle features

• Baja Shelf
  A shallow area in a pool, typically for lounging or sunbathing, often used in resort-style pool designs.

• Spa Bathroom
  A primary bathroom designed with luxury finishes and amenities like soaking tubs, steam showers, and integrated lighting.

• Cold Plunge
  A wellness feature — a small, cold-water pool or tub used after heat exposure like sauna or sun.

• Cabanas / Pavilion
  Freestanding or semi-attached outdoor structures used for lounging, entertaining, or relaxing poolside.

• Smart Home Integration
  The use of technology to automate lighting, audio, security, climate, and shading — often app-controlled.

• Wellness Room
  A dedicated space in the home designed for activities like yoga, meditation, massage, or exercise — often paired with nature views or calming materials.

la-specific zoning & design terms

• LADBS
  Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety — oversees permits, codes, and inspections for LA construction projects.

• HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone)
  An LA-specific zoning designation meant to preserve architectural character in historic neighborhoods.

• Hillside Ordinance
  Local regulations that affect design and construction on steep hillside lots — including grading limits, retaining walls, and access.

• Setback
  The minimum distance a structure must be from property lines, streets, or easements — often varies by zone.

• FAR (Floor Area Ratio)
  A zoning calculation that determines how much floor area can be built on a given lot size.