BCRA Design

The Heart

‘The lotus is a symbol of the heart and the underlying theme of the work of Susan Russell Hall’ says Jeff Brown, Architect and president of BCRA. Every part of her work reaches through a heart of compassion in healing others. The Lotus studio is an architectural translation and expression of who she is and how she can most deeply work through her passion to heal others through art. 

A Sanctuary of Inspiration

To experience the design of the studio, think of a sanctuary with soaring beams and a roof lifted by light with a mosaic wood floor floating on radiant heat. Imagine a gallery with tall white wall adorned with large and small arrangements of rich encaustic paintings and masterful drawing. Place yourself in a reception suite with an open 24’ x 24’ floor space and 12’ walls with indirect lighting, adorned walls, tables of foods and laughing guests. And finally, envision the artist working in a safe haven of inspiration, with a stave wood center table and a mobile courier of brushes and paints, northeasterly light flooding her canvas. This is the Lotus studio, a place of the heart.

Harmony and Unity of Design

The studio is place at the front of Susan’s lakeside residence only 12 feet from her home. The design and placement of the studio accomplishes a unity with the estate through the massing and composition of exterior forms, the harmony of materials and finishes and the perfect juxtaposition of the studio entry and service. The square form studio is flanked by an entry and a preparation room and is vertically connected to a second story retreat and business loft overlooking a large beautiful Lake to the South. The art studio, entry, workroom and loft are all connected with unifying details which include the alignment of floor and wall joints, materials, brackets, materials and light which create a place of harmony and inspiration to the giver of art.

Design Features: 

• A ‘Lotus Bud’ wall hanging system was designed in a geometric wall pattern to serve in as a gallery and studio art hanging system.
• Lotus shaped structural steel brackets were designed throughout to connect the clear finished wood laminated beams.
• Lotus scuppers covers were designed for roof water drainage and were also connected with copper ‘lotus imaged’ rain chains
• Clear finished plywood ‘floor tiles’ were fabricated and laid over a radiant heat slab and fasten to a wood marine grade plywood underlayment with copper screws.