A Note From Jason
Hanging out with our Watertown team. (George – sorry you missed the group photo!)
Hello everyone!
Spring has sprung, finally! There’s hope for warmer days ahead. With this warmth comes optimism and excitement for all kinds of possibilities. For me, it’s getting my sailboat ready, more time outside, my boys’ soccer games, and longer days.
April is a great month to think about nature and the joy it gives us. As such, I feel the need to be an environmental steward and to think about ways to ensure the health of this beautiful place for my kids and possible subsequent generations. We celebrated Earth Day this week and used this day to focus on diving deep into what our manufacturing partners do to conserve energy and be kind to the environment. One of our favorite products is Zip Water. At first glance, the concept seems amazing because the dispenser immediately saves homeowners from purchasing excessive single-use bottles of water and seltzer. And then, when you delve into their company’s philosophy and internal programs, it becomes even more inspiring. I have been impressed with what they do to help our world with their thoughtful attention to the company’s impact and their commitment to improvements and enhancements to current technologies. We all need to do our part and partner with those with like minds.
Speaking of important efforts to protect the earth, Hutker Architects has launched the Ontic Initiative to support efforts to upgrade the materials and techniques that are used in residential construction. The goal is to research ways to minimize the negative impact of building and maximize the positive ways that the design of a home can elevate the lives of its inhabitants. We would like to introduce our April blogger, Hutker principal Ryan Alcaidinho.
Best,
Jason Sevinor
President
Ryan Alcaidinho, Principal at Hutker Architects, has been a part of the renowned firm since 2010. Ryan was recognized in 2019 as an ‘Industry Rising Star’ by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) for his talent, mentorship, and collaborative spirit within the firm. A trusted brand ambassador at industry events, Ryan was named as a “5 Under 40″ winner by New England Home magazine in 2023 and was an integral part in establishing the company’s branch location in Boston. He has played an essential role in leading the Boston team while simultaneously growing a reputable presence in the city.
THE GALLEY – IDEAL WORKSTATION
The Galley is such a versatile sink and workstation—it transforms how you use your countertop with a more holistic approach. You can clean, cut, wash, and make use of the extensions in many useful ways. It’s great for shared cooking; multiple people can work together without getting in each other’s space, which makes meal prep so much easier. We’ve even integrated it into bar areas, where the bottom storage is perfect for wine, beer, and other drinks. I could also see it anchoring a kitchen island beautifully, especially in a kitchen with multiple work zones.
ZIP WATER ARC TAP
Everybody loves the Zip Water Arc Tap. Sink faucets with hot and cold features are wonderful—but having sparkling water included is genius and a highly desirable feature. Being able to go from cold to boiling to sparkling is very clever. I love appliances that pack lots of functions into one product. I’d absolutely use this in a bar area—you can use the still water, the sparkling for cocktails or fizzy drinks, and the boiling for tea. I think all appliances should move in this direction: reducing clutter softly and subtly to create more with less.
INFINITY LINEAR DRAIN
I love the simplicity of the Infinity Linear Drain. Instead of a typical center drain, it pitches elegantly to one clean shower floor surface and tucks against the wall for a seamless look. You can even choose a grate top that matches the tone of the bathroom. I’d use this in a flush walk-in shower, where stone from the bathroom floor flows right into the shower, incorporating the drain for a cohesive feel throughout the space.
STONE FOREST CALMA BATHTUB
There is something so beautiful about the shape of the Stone Forest Calma tub. It strikes this natural balance of masculine and feminine, hard materials and delicate detailing. I love that mix of strong and gentle. That’s what I aim for in my work: playing to the yin and yang of people and their space, creating a beautiful balance of wants and needs. I would make this tub the focal point of the bathroom—it is so unique and striking that I’d design the entire space around it. A well-balanced space like that speaks to everyone’s taste and desires.
TOTO WALL-HUNG TOILET
The concept of a wall-hung toilet really intrigued me—it’s so sleek and would work beautifully in any bathroom. It allows you to design the space more freely, without the hassle of bulky, multi-piece units or the extra cleaning they require. The open floor underneath helps the room flow better. In a fun powder room, this would be an incredible addition. I envision a bold feature wall and statement flooring, where the toilet doesn’t interrupt the design. You get to use the full space to reflect your client’s vision, and the toilet doesn’t have to interrupt bold, patterned tiles, making the room both playful and functional.