about debbas architecture
THE STUDIO — Our firm prides itself in gathering the brightest, most diverse and most talented Architects around a highly collaborative design process that harnesses the specific expertise needed for each individual project. This unique teamwork has earned our firm numerous Awards and world recognition as well as the respect and admiration of our clients.The one prevalent question we are asked is what style of architecture our work is rooted in.
We adhere to the principle that design opens the path to an infinite realm of ideas and possibilities. We encourage every project to assume its own identity without resorting to the mimicking of past styles or existing trends although we respectfully tap into them, at times, for inspiration.
Imitation, we believe, severely inhibits the infinite potential of thought, creativity, and the playful use of proportion, materials, color and light. Inspiration, on the other hand, allows us to embrace the spirit of something familiar—something comfortable and genuine without succumbing to trends and time.
Architecture, should strive to transcend its physicality and lead us on a journey of wonder and discovery—one that ignites all our senses, illuminates the path to our inner being, and sparks emotions and memories—old and new—timelessly in the way we experience it and in the ways it can speak to us or we to it.
OUR ETHOS — Our work aims to capture the spirit of each project individually, steering clear of trends or solidly anchored styles of architecture, allowing the project to embrace genuine and timeless solutions in exploring clients’ aspirations and the infinite realm of creativity.
We believe that architecture and sustainable design should always strive to be woven together—seamlessly and inextricably though common sense and existential concerns. Natural light, earth sheltering, physical, cultural and historical context, landscape, renewable materials, passive solar principles, all bound together inextricably in reverence to the natural environment, and all anchored in the wisdom and practice of past civilizations as well as respect for future generations.
We believe that the very best designs are found through restraint and humility.
Read more about our thoughts on social responsibility and architecture as featured by the Berkeley Prize Competition.
• case study : zimbabwe childcare centers
• case study : happy childhood village
SUSTAINABILITY — At Debbas Architecture we are committed to a playing a pivotal role in the future of Architecture engaging in practices and solutions essential in facing the existential environmental threat imposed on our world. Aiming for a carbon free approach we believe is no longer a choice.
Drawing upon ancestral practices as well as emerging science, we look for Architecture to respond to the challenges with ecologically and sensibly responsible designs thatwill offer the next generations a brighter and healthier sustainable future.
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
— Antoine de Saint Exupery
CHARLES DEBBAS is an award winning architect whose work has been described as fluid, environmentally sensible, well proportioned, non-traditional and adorned with a masterful use of natural light.
Rooted in minimalism, and sustainability it is regularly found adorning the pages of numerous publications and books nationally and internationally. He obtained his undergraduate and graduate Architecture degrees at UC Berkeley with a focus on Sustainable Architecture and Social Design.
Today, he instills those principles at Stanford University where he teaches architecture as part of a very small and select group of architects.
In his unrelenting efforts to promote his commitment to Social and Environmental change, Charles donates his time and efforts for deserving projects around the globe. His latest, The Happy Childhood Village in Tanzania, is designed to provide dignified and elevated living for vulnerable children through sustainable Architecture, energy and construction as well as water conserving agricultural and landscaping practices.
Read more about our thoughts as featured in this series of interviews with Luxe Magazine.