Gateway Gallery Grand Opening a Success /  by Mark Silva

Extremely comforted and humbled by the community reception of my crazy idea of an art gallery in Ocotillo. It means the world to me, thank you Ocotillo, and the Imperial Valley at large. ❤️

January 14, 2024. The Grand Opening - A great time had by all that attended. Expected 100 peeps, instead had more like 300.

Live music, great food, wine & craft beer, to go along with the amazing artists showing in our first group show, by my amazing Gallery Director Leah Blair. Thank you Leah!

My excellent music director Caedon Howell provided 7 hours of continuous live mucic by 4 different acts, all fantastic and well received.

Delicious food and desserts provided by Lamont Street Grill Catering and Kris Silva.

Fresh brewed craft beer specially brewed for the event - Gateway Honey Ale by Ocotillo Brewing Company. Thank you guys!

Wine provided by Calianna winery, from my Z House + Winery project completed last year in Fallbrook, CA.

Ocotillo is an amazing community. As we started running out of supplies during the event due to the massive showing of support by so many people, community members stepped up immediately to help out and keep the party going. ❤️ I will be forever grateful.

Check the PRESS - Imperial Valley Press

Corona House Construction Site /  by Mark Silva

These men and women are amazing, our unsung heroes.

Can Deus - Enhanced 2024 /  by Mark Silva

Eight years later, with beautiful mature vegetation, she's still a well cared for beauty, Can Deus. Recent photos of what some have considered a masterpiece, soon to be enhanced, by me. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Stay tuned...

Corona House - Construction Update /  by Mark Silva

A very complicated new foundation system, dealing with the surprises of what was under the existing house. This builder is on it 100% MLA Contractors

Corona House - Foundation Prep /  by Mark Silva

Vardy House /  by Mark Silva

This amazing but unbuilt project had an untimely tragic ending. These new incredible renderings are offered to the widow in an attempt to help her in any way they can. Thank you Razin Khan, you are a very honorable man. ❤️

Z House + Winery Preview Shots /  by Mark Silva

Z House + Winery dinner party for the architect and builder. Owners love their house so much; “we COULD NOT be happier!”. A wonderfully meaningful gesture of “we did this!” A great experience for sure, thank you Z’s.

Amazing food and wine by the Z’s. Great family, feels so good to help their life.

More amazing landscaping still to go in, including 2 large green roofs at the guest house & large shop/wine building. Possibly in the spring it will be ready to be properly photographed.

Corona House Construction Update /  by Mark Silva

Corona House Construction Update /  by Mark Silva

Corona House Construction Update - Demo /  by Mark Silva

Gateway Gallery Update /  by Mark Silva

I know it’s been a long while since an update, July 17 being the last one. Had my hands & brain full with other projects AND the Gateway Gallery project, which has progressed so wonderfully. So happy with its progress, using almost exclusively local workers and suppliers which feels so good. An amazing crew for sure.

Now that the building itself is nearly ready, much more work is necessary to complete the rest of the “infrastructure”.

My hope is that this small facility can bring more beauty and pleasure to this already beautiful community of Ocotillo, CA.

That said, I’m now able to say that opening day will be January 14, 2024… my birthday. More information to come soon,.

Phelan House /  by Mark Silva

Unbuilt 2008 Del Mar, CA - This project got caught up in the 2008 crash in a big way. Previously spent 1.5 years successfully processing a Coastal Development Permit, then completed Construction Documents and permit processing, gaining Building Permit approvals. Fall of 2008 - Upon requesting a check to pay the permit fees and pull the permit, the financially savvy owner said; "I don't know about pulling the trigger on that kind of money with this crash shit going on". I couldn't agree with him more, it was weird times for sure. Project dead, for now. We came back later and did a version 2.0 which turned out awesome and should be photographed soon.

Alvarado /  by Mark Silva

Two house development in San Diego, CA designed by Mark A Silva.  Designed in 2018, it is unbuilt.  During processing for approvals the draconian environmental regulations and storm water requirements from the State of CA, caused the owner to pull the plug, on principle.

La Costa House /  by Mark Silva

My design for a major addition to, and reinvention of a 1979 Batter Kay golf course home, in La Costa, Carlsbad, CA, USA. Now a beautiful resort-like home. Built in 2013, never properly photographed.

Prosperity House - Restarted /  by Mark Silva

After a nearly 2 year delay this project is back on track! Construction image taken yesterday, windows and electrical are new. No doubt some of that plywood will need to be replaced, depending on its exposure and condition.


Renderings and animation below.

Prosperity House Resort-Like Backyard