Good to see you old friend

Ran across this as I was searching for a old needed cad file on an old hard drive. A sort of homecoming. I missed this one.

This is a rendering for a home plan set that I created back when people actually were wanting these and building things.

Hey economy – lighten up already!

 

Residential Remodel – Phoenix, AZ

Here are some progress images of a project we are designing to the master suite of a cool house in Phoenix. The Owners have some great requests and want an “everyday spa” feel – not too indulgent, but certainly comfortable and usable. This really has turned into a fun little project, and I thought the developing images were worthy of a post.

More containers – OceanScope

Sorry, I know I have been a little fixated on these lately, but this is just a beautiful installation. Perfect for the context without the need for additional skin, and the lighting of these really make it memorable.

The link to the full story on Inhabitat –  http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/17/beautiful-shipping-container-sunset-observatory-rises-in-south-korea/

This beautiful sunset observatory made from recycled shipping containers was recently constructed in the harbor of Songdo New City in Incheon, South Korea. Designed and built by AnL Studio, “OceanScope” is a composed of five recycled containers, each one angled at a different height to provide 3 distinct views of the harbor.

Finding the New in the Old.

I found this project as I was doing some design image research for a rural green community in Arizona. I liked it so much, I thought I’d post it. Combining the new with the old has always been an expected architectural talking point, but one really takes notice when the new form honestly arises from the actual real old construction. Very beautiful.

http://www.mrva.net/index.html

Pittsburgh: A New Portrait

So I am one of those people mentioned in this book review that fled from Pittsburgh, but I still have a place in my heart for the city I was born in. In Phoenix, we have a book published by the AIA that documents the historic and important buildings in town. It is such a valuable resource – that book seems to be in a constant state of being “borrowed” by someone else.

This book about Pittsburgh reminds me of that, except it really creates more of the back story for each of the important buildings, allowing the story lines of the buildings to become the fabric for the evolving plot of the city.

Here is a link to the book review in the WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204488304574425392390965398.html

Rev it up

Here are some progress images of the design for Gila County Chopper. The second floor deck is going to allow for incredible views, and will double as extended display areas for bikes on special occasions. The new masonry wall that has been added is reusing existing masonry that is on already site. The current plan is seeking a LEED Certified level.

As the design progresses, it is really starting to take on the personality of the owners, and feel like it is a great backdrop to the bikes themselves.

GCC 1

GCC 2

A Place to Sleep

This organization is focused on trying to solve the housing problem in a way that is certainly more sustainable, but sure to incite.  By using shipping containers that are left in ports (it is cheaper to build new ones than to ship them back), they are re purposing the containers to create simple, affordable solutions.

Their website link: http://aplacetosleep.org/index.html

Their current woes: http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/green-builders/proposal-to-turn-shipping-containers-into-homes-draws-negative-reaction-from-fort-worth-texas-council.aspx

Of course they are running into issues that will ultimately effect how they will present and build their efficient solutions. It seems that there is currently a gap between what the public (or even more importantly City Council) views as acceptable and what the group can currently deliver.  It will be interesting to see if  design can move the needle on this stalemate.

New Construction Pics – Keiser Residence

Keiser Residence

Here are some additional photos – things are moving right along. It looks like things will be ready for the exterior modifications and the landscape soon, which means that the yard will look great just about the time that the temperature here in Phoenix goes from broil to beautiful.

Keiser Residence

Keiser Residence

urbanSHED – New competition

This is an interesting competition, and I’m going to try and squeeze this one in. From the Bustler blog:

“The urbanSHED International Design Competition challenges the global design community to re-think the current sidewalk shed standard and create a prototype worthy of today’s New York City.

We invite engineers, architects, designers and students from all related fields to compete. Competitors will generate innovative, compelling and environmentally friendly proposals to thoroughly re-imagine temporary sidewalk shed design while improving the pedestrian experience.

The New York City Buildings Department, American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, the Alliance for Downtown New York, the New York Building Congress, the Illuminating Engineering Society New York Chapter, and the ABNY Foundation (Association for a Better New York) with additional support from the Structural Engineers Association of New York, the New York City Department of Planning and the New York City Department of Transportation have partnered to create this open competition.

Design Challenge

urbanSHED International Design Competition challenges designers to conceptualize a cutting-edge sidewalk shed to protect pedestrians, improve the pedestrian experience– and make New York City even more attractive for generations to come.

More than 6,000 sidewalk sheds flank New York City’s buildings and construction sites. They span more than 1,000,000 linear feet and typically remain in place for nearly a year. While these sheds protect pedestrians from construction debris and support other construction structures, they undermine the beauty of New York City’s architecture.

We’re seeking a fresh, new sidewalk shed design that’s sustainable, economical, meets or exceeds current safety requirements and City regulations, improves technical and structural performance – and creates a better environment for the people who live in, work in and visit New York City.

http://www.urbanshed.org/

Keiser Residence – Progress Photos

Hard to believe, I know, but there are actually people in town that are building things.

Yesterday I received a set of progress photos from Debby Keiser, and I was so excited to see them. I’m glad she agreed to let me post them here. This project included adding a 400 sf casita, a 500 sf game room and an additional 450 sf garage to an existing house in Surprise, Arizona. The independent buildings were placed to take advantage of the large yard and frame a coutyard, and to allow the desired uses of the yard to exist in a more defined way. There is also a new ramada that makes the used-to-be-regular pool feel instead like it is at a resort, and plans for a tennis court to complete the backyard. It is turning out really well, and once the incredible landscape (by Tom Snyder of EPS group) is finished, this new house with a focus on outdoor living will be an amazingly comfortable place to call home.

View of casita and game room from the ramada

Happy homeowner in her new snail shower

Tom's landscape plan