Rodinný dům - ateliér [Family house Kojetin]

Family House Kojetin - photo by: Studio TOAST

stumbling onto this czech architecture newsletter site...

archiweb.cz

...has been one of the best sources of architectural reference that we have found in years. granted most of the site is in the czech language, but that is besides the point and nothing a little free translation can't take care of...

modern intervention shares a common roof - photo by: Studio TOAST

this particular project immediately caught our attention, due to it's unique site and existing conditions. after breaking some language barriers, we can gather that this residence is located near the eastern border of the czech republic, about 35 kilometers from slovakia. the pre-existing conditions included working around the ruins of an old sandstone barn, first erected in 1862 perched at the top of a rolling hill.

building site context - photo by: Studio TOAST

ruins of a sandstone barn from 1862 - photo by: Studio TOAST

KAMIL MRVA ARCHITECTS were responsible for delicately inserting a modern box within the confines of the barn ruins. the description notes the main design elements were a summer sitting porch, light framed roof, and floor to ceiling glass to allow for the uninterrupted view of the countryside.

archaic exterior shell; modern interior amenities - photo by: Studio TOAST

new interior space - photo by: Studio TOAST

exterior stone walls anchor the interior spaces - photo by: Studio TOAST

experiencing the sun deck - photo by: Studio TOAST

in order to retain the character and function of the existing stone pillars, they were given shape and capped with a concrete lintel, and served as structural bearing points for the new shed roof. once a protective shell now becomes an irregular colonnade which helps frame views and ambiguously define the out door terrace.

a well laid plan--drawing by: kamil mrva architects

exterior elevations--drawing by: kamil mrva architects

like a rural interpretation of the defunct downtown warehouse transformed into lofts [re: lodo denver], this obsolete building program has been given new life.

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build llc: the modern list

a recent blog post called "the modern list: colorado" from some guys we really admire [build llc] has gotten our attention after their somewhat whirlwind tour of this great state.

on behalf of everyone here, let me say to the BUILD BLOG guys we were happy to have you!

at the top of Independence pass at sunset

golden aspens

patio dining table prototype

latest project for the backyard:

patio dining table prototype

seats 8 persons comfortably; 10 persons max.

materials:

-[4] 4x4 cedar posts

-24 1x4 cedar slats [one side rough]

-a crap tonne of wood screws

-gorilla wood glue

dimensions:

36" W. x 108" L. x 30" H.

3d exploded axon rendering

the primary goal of the aesthetic is the idea of "zero-ness" by concealing every fastener and connection, as if the table was formed through sculpting or subtraction, rather than an additive process.

the materials were leftover from cedar fence project-> using 4x4 posts as structural support, and 1x4 slats for the table top. the top was conceived as a butcher block construction . the orientation of the boards would be strongest this way, and with spacers to let rain/snow fall through. with just a light sanding to finish there will be no stain or sealer applied, and the wood will turn a silvery-gray with weathering over time.

3d axon rendering of table design

margaritas on the job site? ["do what i say, not what I do kids..."]

a profile reminiscent of traditional japanese building forms

[the original aesthetic of minimalism was born out of necessity, not out of fashion]

the exposed "zero detail" where the 3 axes converge and disappear

one third of the table top complete and the chair is for performance testing

that's as far as we got. finalized pics coming soon.

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in good we trust | denver biennial for the americas

following on the heels of bruce mau's visit to denver for pecha kucha night denver: volume VI is:

in good we trust | denver biennial for the americas

A Letter to the Future: In Good We Trust
February 3, 2009

We find ourselves between things. In transition. We find ourselves asking questions new questions - questions of purpose. Propelled by these questions we seek new possibilities for change. In this way we are on the cusp of a new era. The 21st Century brings with it a sense of optimism for what is to come. I believe in this optimism and the sheer massive potential of this future. I have born witness to its roots over the past decade through a network of innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers. And, I witnessed its blossom to scale at an inspiring spectacle, in Denver, in August 2008.

Never before had I experienced such spirited engagement with this future as I did during the Democratic National Convention held in Denver. There was a sense that we were all in this together, actively participating in the optimism. My contribution at this historic moment was through a series of conversations about the future challenges of sustainability that we face as a nation and as a collective world. From this dialogue, so fresh in our memory and so recent as it has launched a new leader, we begin to move towards a new space of action. This is the place in which we begin to imagine a new kind of cultural and civic "Biennial" engagement, that is based on the most fundamental creative acts: Innovation, the act of introducing something new into the world and Entrepreneurship, the act of a building a significant undertaking.

Through our work on Massive Change we have documented and mapped the movement of change-makers broadening the discourse on the future of our collective world. These innovators and entrepreneurs have been leading and participating in a movement in production of new models of public good. This movement is action-based in form and demands active participation by many. It is bound and interconnected by an unspoken and invisible cloud of trust across boundaries of disciplines, institutions, and geographies. I imagine the title of this movement as, “In Good We Trust”.

We will 1) exhibit and articulate, 2) engage participants, 3) produce experiences, 4) build networks, and 5) launch new contributions to “In Good We Trust” in Denver in summer of 2010. This project, a new and radically ambitious cultural project, takes its cue from the energized civic life currently characterizing Denver and innovations currently underway across the Americas and globally. It will be organized through the principles of “proof and possibility”. We will present to the world the diverse creative practitioners that prove this movement is already active and we will catalyze the new possibilities they invite. It is my honor to serve as the first Creative Director of the Denver Biennial of the Americas and lead a vision of the program: In Good We Trust. Be Possibility,

Bruce Mau

Bruce Mau will be serving as creative director starting in 2010 and Denver will be the host city of the biennial every two years after.

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Pecha Kucha: Volume VI [with Bruce Mau]

In my inbox [Bruce Mau is coming to Denver--sweet!]:

Tuesday, July 21st, will be Denver's 6th volume of PechaKucha Night. The line-up of presenters is amazing - from Big Blue Bears to Biennials, furniture design to fashion, this round includes some of Denver's top local creatives along with a special guest presenter: Bruce Mau, Artistic Director for the 2010 Denver Biennial of the Americas.

Since it's summer, we're taking the show outside. We'll still be at Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., we're still asking for a $5 donation, and the show still begins at 8:20, but unlike PKN events in the past, this will be an OUTDOOR event. Please bring your own blanket or low-slung chair - larger chairs will be asked to move towards the back. Come at 8 and set up in the parking lot or grass outside the theater. Being outside will let us fit more folks than usual and you can camp out early to get a good spot. In the event of bad weather however, the event will be held indoors and seating will be limited, first come first served.

PRESENTERS:

Lawrence Argent: Artist & DU Professor, Argent Studios
Berger, Henry & Foehr: Design Team, cypher13
Charles Carpenter: Graphic Designer, EBD
Larabee & Thornton: Furniture Makers, DoubleButter
Scott Lary: Art Director & Sculpture Artist, Slary Design
Bruce Mau: Designer and Artistic Director, Bruce Mau Design Inc.
Ted Schultz: Architect, CTA Architects Engineers
Brandi Shigley: Dreamer & Doer, Fashion Denver
Ravi Zupa: Visual/Video Artist, Parts and Labor Union

PechaKucha FAQ:

What is PechaKucha Night? start here: www.pecha-kucha.org/

What's it doing in Denver? www.pechakuchanightdenver.com/about/

Who has presented in the past? we name-drop for each volume here: www.pechakuchanightdenver.com/

What about online social networking? totally. flickr / twitter / facebook

Please forward this email and the attached flier to family, friends, and colleagues.

If you have any questions let us know!

Your hosts,
Jaime and Angela

--
Angela Schwab and Jaime Kopke
PechaKucha Night Denver
www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/denver

www.pechakuchanightdenver.com

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ghost lab 11

photo by RShott on flickr

this year's ghost lab has been completed for about a week now, and through evidence at the Ghost 11 flickr Pool this year's lab was quite different from past projects. from the photos, what we can tell is that this year's ghost was a re-construction [and re-locating] of an existing structure onto the ghost village site. being an alumnus of ghost lab 8 ourselves, the documentation of these exploits in nova scotia are always a pleasure to view.

*Update*--here is an article briefly explaining how this year's historically significant ghost 11 came to be:

"...Granville Centre may have lost its Troop [family name] barn heritage landmark, but the 121-year-old octagonal building has found a new home.

Halifax architect Brian MacKay-Lyons bought the historic barn with its vertical faded red clapboard and cupola. Last month he had the barn dismantled, loaded on a truck, and taken to his farm in Kingsburg.

Catherine Pretty of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects writes that the Troop barn will get a new life as part of the Ghost Architectural Laboratory, an intensive two-week design program currently underway in Kingsburg. For background, go to www.mlsarchitects.ca and click on Ghost.

Ms. Pretty says the barn will become a community building on the campus. When it’s finished later this year, the new/old Troop barn will be christened with a Lennie Gallant performance.

The Troop barn was built by William B. Troop in 1888, and is one of two surviving octagonal barns in Nova Scotia. The other one is in Old Barns, just outside of Truro."

we will leave you to discover the ghost photo set on your own. here are some more highlights of ghost 11:

photo by RShott on flickr

photo by RShott on flickr


photo by RShott on flickr

also linked from another fellow ghostie: with love and squalor

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plotter postmortem

Information technology support CSI photo: front

Information technology support CSI photo: back

our plotter literally blew out its back side [of the magenta cartridge], and here are the crime scene photos. ambiguously eerie and almost david lynch-ian in aesthetic...

speaking of...try dark night of the soul on for size. listen here.

we can't stop listening and visualizing the types of spaces this music should be heard in.

cover art for danger mouse, sparklhorse, david lynch collaboration: dark night of the soul

promotional art for dark night of the soul; imagery by david lynch

promotional art for dark night of the soul; imagery by david lynch

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high line [phase I] is open!

photo by iwan baan; friends of the high line

phase I of the new high line park in manhattan was recently opened, and it is a stunner! articles and praises galore for this unique urban space:

NYT: Renovated High Line Open for Strolling

-->Video

NYT: On High, A Fresh Outlook

-->Slideshow 2

High Line.org

Friends of the High Line Blog

Arch Daily

photo by librado romero, new york times

photo by librado romero, new york times

photo by iwan baan; friends of the high line

photo by iwan baan; friends of the high line

More photos of the high line on flickr search.

time for a field trip!

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denver-modern: the blog

always on the lookout for good blogs about modern architecture in our area, we were able to get in touch with angelo marasco--an architect and fellow blogger in the denver area who has been tenaciously documenting his journey of designing/building his own house from scratch.

photos by micheal deleon at denver_modern's flickr site.

over at denver-modern: the blog, you can follow along with angelo's latest updates [which has moved on to landscaping & interiors], and some links to in-depth documentation of the entire process, including hand sketches.

house section found at denver_modern's flickr site.

photos by micheal deleon at denver_modern's flickr site.

the finished exterior photos of the house can be found on denver modern's flickr photostream.


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historic denver: annual house tour

this weekend, historic denver, inc. is featuring a mid-century modern house tour through the hilltop neighborhood. this is all part of their "summer of modernism" which encompasses the aforementioned tour, a lecture by landscape architect susan saarinen [eero's daughter], free admission to the end of summer party along with admission to the [unsinkable] molly brown house [pictured below] and the kirkland museum.






this also includes a lecture/cocktail hour hosted at the new sugar cube building in lodo, designed by kuwabara payne mckenna blumberg.




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studio 804_2009: open house visit

previous post

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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