studio 804_2009: open house visit

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a couple weekends ago, we were able to attend the studio804 open house for this year's design build project [*update: it has been extended through this week, so if you are in the area check it out!]. headed up by professor and architect dan rockhill, this year's project was barely able to get off and running. the first proposal for the semester was slated to be a sustainable laundromat from the ground up. when the city officials balked at the idea, the contingency plan of building a residence near the KU medical campus in KC, KS was underway.

renderings by students at studio804

renderings by students at studio804

designed at a break neck pace of two weeks, the property purchase was secured and the 16 week construction process was underway. you can follow the [retro] progress on their website.

some of the best parts of the house are hidden, including geothermal heat with hydronic radiant flooring, super efficient windows filled with krypton gas, photovoltaic roof panels, rain water collection for toilets, blown cellulose insulation, and wind generated electricity.



the next best parts are things you can see, and they are truly stunning: FSC certified cumaru [brazilian teak] rainscreen, energy star appliances, motorized skylights, high gloss black epoxy floors, pervious concrete driveway, stairs clad in lapped glass [got to be seen to be believed], 2-story living room, and loft style bedrooms upstairs.




for more images, check out our set on flickr:

studio804_2009

also, our images made the daily dose #316. special thanks to john hill at archidose for the link.

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sixteen doors...incorporated

all images from www.incorporatedny.com

INCORPORATED is an architecture firm based in NY, but exudes very down-home design sensibilities. their residences showcase an incredibly restrained vernacular modern aesthetic, drawing upon the past for design concepts just as much as they do the present for achieving a sustainable practice. headed up by principals adam, gabriel, and drew--incorporated has a website that is enviable for its clarity, visual playfulness, and superb quality of imagery. the name of the firm not only refers to the idea of inclusion, but also to every detail of their working process. building information modelling, or BIM, is stressed as a crucial art of the holistic approach to design:

"...choices are not made in isolation, but within the context of aesthetics, price, schedule and performance."

part of their all-inclusive nature-- the firm not only does architecture and interior design, but furniture and product design as well.

a residential project that stands out is named "sixteen doors", referencing a literal connection to the openness provided by the main apertures of the building on each side of the building


the rural retreat is a 1350 sf residence located near hillsdale, ny next to the Massachusetts state line. the architects chose to use traditional American stick framing construction, with local finish materials for cladding.


the house itself was treated as more of a "filter" through the site while moving from landscape through shelter to landscape once again.



flanking each side of the house are large patios to revel in the view of the surrounding woods, and provide as an extension to the interior space when all the doors are completely open.


while the structure's orientation to the sun was not ideal to achieve the best views, deciduous trees have been strategically placed of shading during the summer while allowing light to the site in the winter.


additionally-every good architect not only knows how to harmonize a building with nature, but achieve a harmony within and unto itself. all geometries relate to the golden section and corbusier's "le modular".

happy trails.

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