At Hayne Architects, we’re often drawn to spaces that feel effortless—quiet compositions of form, material, and light. These are the homes and places that don’t ask for attention, yet hold it. They feel calm. Considered. Almost inevitable.

But anyone who has worked through the details of a “simple” design knows the truth: simplicity is never simple.

2702 Sierra Towers : Completed Hallway

At our 2702 Sierra Towers project, the entry hall and hallway are defined by full-height flush ash paneling, with interior doors and jambs fully integrated into the panel pattern. What reads as a single, continuous gesture took months of design development, coordination, fabrication, and careful installation to achieve its seamless appearance.

True simplicity in architecture is not about doing less—it’s about doing precisely what’s necessary, and nothing more. It requires discipline. Every decision must earn its place. When there is no ornamentation to hide behind, each line, proportion, and junction is exposed. The architecture itself becomes the finish.

Snapshots of the Design Process

Inspiration imagery, concept sketches, and rendered views were used to establish proportion, rhythm, and material intent before moving into detailed resolution.

In these moments, rigor matters. Tolerances must be tighter. Alignments must be exact. Transitions between materials, planes, and spaces must feel intentional rather than coincidental. A millimeter off can disrupt the entire composition. A poorly resolved edge can pull focus from an otherwise serene space.

Snapshots of the Fabrication Process

All custom cabinetry and millwork for 2702 Sierra Towers was fabricated by AMC Cabinets, Inc. Using our construction drawings, design imagery, and field measurements, the team produced multiple rounds of shop drawings for review and coordination prior to off-site fabrication.

Some detailing was influenced by the realities of the building itself. The size of the elevator limited transport to the 27th floor, requiring joints and panel breaks to be carefully planned and reviewed so they would disappear in the final installation.

This level of clarity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of hours of drawing, modeling, revising, and coordinating between architect, engineer, builder, and craftsperson. It’s asking the same questions again and again:

Is this necessary?

Does this serve the space?

Can it be clearer, quieter, better?

Snapshots of the Installation Process

After nearly two years of design, fabrication, and construction, the custom millwork and casework by AMC Cabinets, Inc. were ready to be installed. The ash paneling transforms the space—quietly defining movement, softening the corridor, and reinforcing continuity throughout the home.

Paradoxically, the more restrained the design, the more demanding the process becomes. There is nowhere to hide complexity—so it must be resolved, not disguised. That rigor is what allows a space to feel calm rather than bare, intentional rather than minimal.

What looks easy is often the product of extraordinary effort. And for us, that’s where the reward lies: creating architecture that feels timeless, resolved, and deeply considered—without ever needing to announce itself.

No matter how refined the design, architecture ultimately succeeds or fails in the hands of the team executing it. In Part II of Deceptively Simple, we’ll examine the critical role of architect–builder coordination—and why simplicity demands more collaboration, not less.