James
Mid-century modern home in the Lone Star state
Now this is a nice house with beautiful integration of interior and exterior spaces adapted to the local climate. The home was built in the 1957 and was recently restored and updated by Austin, Texas based Steinbomer & Associates Architects. We're not sure who designed the landscaping, but we think that it is nicely integrated with the architecture and is perfectly suited to the local environment. The project included the addition of a master bedroom and a wonderful trellised courtyard with a translucent wall facing the street.
Link: Steinbomer & Associates Architects
Landscape: John Wilder [Thanks Gregory!]
Reproduction "space age" molded fiberglass planters
These neato planters by Austin, Texas based Hip Haven are "faithful reproductions" of the original bullet planters manufactured in the 50's. The planters are available in 9 fiberglass colors. The stands are metal in a choice of 4 finishes and are available in 3 different heights. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Peachy keen.
Link: Hip Haven
Functional works of art created from discarded road signage
We've always had a fascination with the bold graphics and colors of road signs, but not so much in the frat house aesthetic kind of way... though we have to admit there is something intriguing about the idea of bringing signs into the home. Now we've found a way to satisfy that desire: road signs repurposed as functional objects!
Borris Bally ingeniously maintains the pleasingly primitive aspects of this notion; he reclaims the material but sublimely transforms its utility. His pieces include furniture, tableware, jewelry, etc.
I attempt to produce pieces of technical integrity and rich content. The rhythmic quality of design elements in my work become specific metaphors for strength and stability, as well as the danger and pain of life, while maintaining a disarming edge of humor.
Artist: Borris Bally
Link: Guild
The only way is up when looking for new habitats for urban wildlife
"Green roofs are a new fashion in nature conservation, promoted enthusiastically by the wildlife campaigner Dusty Gedge, of Livingroofs.org."
"With an estimated 24,000 hectares of roof space in London alone - an area 28 times the size of Richmond Park - the potential of green roofs is clear. As brownfield sites are developed, the only direction left for wildlife in many areas is up"
Article: Independent Digital (UK) - Room at the top
Link: Livingroofs.org
Reference:
Roofscapes (Land+Living)
A modern approach to suburban development ties agricultural traditions to the Midwest landscape
Minneapolis, Minnesota based Coen + Partners is a landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm with a modern approach that is influenced by regionalism.
It is our intent to create interfaces between cultural and natural systems with lasting social and ecological impacts. Designed spaces can articulate and highlight physical relationships in ways that bring meaning and beauty to man-altered environments.
Coen + Partners headed the planning and design for the Mayo Woodlands, a thoughtful reinterpretation of a typical residential subdivision near Rochester, Minnesota. The firm altered the inherited street and lot layout with four interventions: first, native prairie grasses overlay the site creating a uniform natural field; second, building sites for each residence were carved out of the prairie in an orthogonal layout deemphasizing the curving cul-de-sacs; third, traditional agricultural windbreaks of pine trees were laid across the site from east to west; and fourth, a series of low east/west walls and fences delineate paths connecting the neighborhoods. In addition, the colors of the houses are to graduate from off-white to grey and black as one moves through the site towards the river.
Firm: Coen + Partners
Firm: Salmela Architecture & Design
Firm: Altus Architecture
Link: Mayo Woodlands
Link: ASLA Award
Article: Star Tribune (registration required)
A whole lot of talk about prefab
Yesterday's MD 100 sighting was just a taste... today we have the fix for you prefab junkies.
ArchNewsNow features an interview with Michelle Kaufmann, creator of the Glidehouse.
Link: ArchNewsNow - Interview: Michelle Kaufmann and Glidehouse: Chic and Green
Next, an article in the October issue of Time Magazine talks about prefab including Michelle Kaufmann (again), Adam Kalkin and kit homes by Michael Graves and James Cutler for Lindal Cedar Homes.
Link: Time - Prefab Rehab
And finally your prefab buzz kill... an opinion piece in the Opinion Journal takes a stab at the Dwell Home.
Link: Opinion Journal - The Wieler-Tung Home:
Modernist, modular, but not yet mass produced
Architectural and documentary photographer
Brian Rose has photographed the work of many notable architects including Philip Johnson, Cesar Pelli, Aldo Rossi, Helmut Jahn, and MVRDV just to name a few. A browse through his online portfolio is interesting and impressive.
Rose's website also features a powerful photo series entitled The Lost Border which documents the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall before and after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Lost Border is set to be published this fall by Princeton Architectural Press.
Link: Brian Rose
160 figures that have shaped America's land
"An important look at 140 prominent landscape architects and their work, full of new and archival photographs--the first reference book of its kind. An absolute must for landscape architects, students, and anyone interested in the design and evolution of the American landscape. Each entry includes biographical information, a discussion of the architects' approach and methodology, and representative plans and photographs of major projects. Emphasizes vital issues in landscape preservation and ecologically sound design."
Authors: Charles A. Birnbaum & Robin Karson
Link: Amazon
A brilliant online photo log
This is the nicest web photo log we've seen since Franzen and Karpova's Japan Sections.
A beautiful collection of images in a well designed immersive web environment.... it reminds me of a class at SCI-Arc, Seeing LA (which no longer seems to be part of the curriculum). Actually, Piperboy reminds me of the damned over achievers in my class who always went above and beyond not only capturing some of the nicest images, but blew everyone else away with their presentations... the ones from who the rest of us would steal inspiration.
I always enjoy seeing another designer's perspective and understanding of physical environments. Thanks for sharing, Piperboy.
Link: Piperboy's travel scrapbook
Via: Coudal
Landscape in Highland Park, Illinois by Daniel Weinbach & Partners
This residential landscape by Chicago based landscape architecture firm Daniel Weinbach & Partners caught our attention with its effective integration of interior and exterior spaces.
The thoughtful integration of architecture into the landscape through the use of materials and geometry is effective and beautiful. Moving away from the house, the geometry loosens and the design transitions gracefully to a more naturalistic state.
Firm: Daniel Weinbach & Partners, LTD
Modular storage units
"Sapporo is a refined and versatile storage system. It can be used as an individual element, or can be stacked up to six units high. The units sit on a steel base, which can be either fixed or on castors. The tempered glass sliding doors are available in a transparent or frosted finish. Also of red plexiglass.
"Sapporo units can have wheels for the units with 1 or 2 highs. The dimensions of the system are the same."
Link: Stua
Designer: Jesus Gasca
Do urban trees really help reduce pollution and clean the air?
Yup.
The answer may not be as surprising as this fact quoted in the article: New York City has 5 million trees.
Link: Environmental News Network
Translucent screen/partition wall
We are all about screens and dividers here at L+L (exhibit a, b, c, d), well, actually it's the other guy who is more than I... see, there, I just put up a divider between us. Ahem, anyway... here is a great piece that I saw at CA Boom.
The screen is made up of rotating translucent resin panels mounted on stainless steel rods. So nice.
Link: em [collaborative studio]
The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
George Nakashima was a leader of the American modern craft furniture movement.
Acclaimed furniture designer George Nakashima (1905-1990) made boldly original pieces prized for their superb craftsmanship and their organic use of the natural lines and grain of wood. Today his beautiful creations are avidly sought by private collectors and are housed in museum collections all over the world. This survey of Nakashima's life and work-written by his daughter, the noted designer Mira Nakashima-is the most revealing look we have ever had at this woodworking genius and his profound influence on contemporary design. Mira Nakashima chronicles not only the furniture designs for which her father was best known, but also his equally fine work as an architect. Wonderful modern craft furniture
Link: Amazon
Designer: George Nakashima Woodworker
Bio: Designboom (with images)
Honeycomb structured paper chair
Don't let the cat near this one, and keep your clumsy friend away too... the one who always spills his drink... you know who I mean.
This chair is made of paper. Yup. The Honey Pop chair designed by Tokujin Yoshioka is created from a two dimensional build up of 120 pieces of glassine paper which are glued together and precisely cut. The structure is then "opened" forming a strong three dimensional honeycomb structure. The chair is custom molded by the shape of the person who sits on it and comes in three sizes, large, medium and child. Plus it makes a crunching sound when you sit on it... and that's just cool.
Link: Tokujin Yoshioka Design
Fine Gardening's Guide to Pronouncing Botanical Latin
OK, this is really boring, but for those with an interest in landscape, well... you'll probably be bored as well. My compatriot here at L+L says that I butcher the Latin names of plants. Admittedly, my Latin stinks, but at least I know that Pinus, Latin for "pine," is pronounced PY-nus, unlike a certain client who was confused with a part of the male anatomy... wrong kind of wood, my dear.
Link: Fine Gardening's Guide to Pronouncing Botanical Latin
A Sneak Peak at Archinect
Archinect has recently posted a nice feature showing images of works to be displayed at the upcoming 9th Intl. Architecture Exhibition. Enjoy.
Link: Archinect
Link: 9th International Architecture Exhibition - METAMORPH
Five-in-one modular desk
We met Reeve Schley at CA Boom and we were particularly impressed with his Nomad Desk. This finely crafted piece looks good to start, but it becomes really interesting when you discover that it is like a Swiss Army Knife with pieces that are easily removed and reconfigured. The desk has seven components which can allow for five different configurations of the parts. As the name would suggest, this is perfect for someone who wants an adaptable piece of furniture that looks great.
Link: Reeve T. Schley Furniture Design
Seriously sexy supermarkets
We've mentioned our penchant for modern alpine architecture before, and this just gets us going on a Monday morning. It is always nice to see good design applied to common places of experience like grocery stores, and Austrian supermarket chain MPreis has set he bar very high.
MPries is a regional chain in Austria's Tyrol valley, and many of the 30 different architecture firms they have worked with are Tyrolean natives. MPries does not have set corporate design guidelines allowing each store to be site specific and unique.... and sexy.
Link: MPreis
Via: Guardian Unlimited - Happy shopper
Update 10/31/05: Seeing MPreis (L+L)
Light fixture by Wonderwall
Simple, elegant, modern; such is the work of well known Tokyo based designer Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall. We really like the wonderfully straightforward yet fun design of this multi-purpose light fixture.
Customizable lighting fixture that allows original visuals and colors to be slid in between the acrylic boards.
Designer: Wonderwall
Manufacturer: Daiko Electric Co.
DIY project: useful origami vessel
OK, so you're sitting in front of the tube watching the Olympics this weekend with a bag of chips in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. HELLO! Opportunity is knocking! While Bob Costas is driveling on and on, go ahead and make yourself a stylish little container for those chips. Now that's what we call design within reach.
Link: greggman.com
Article by Neal Peirce of the Washington Post Writers Group
Renewable energy supporters cheered when John Kerry, in his Democratic convention acceptance speech, called for an American energy future that relies on our "own ingenuity and innovation and not the Saudi royal family."
Maybe grass-roots America understands already. Coast to coast, for example, states are setting minimum percentages of renewable energy -- solar, wind, geothermal -- that they require utilities to achieve. About half the states are funding energy efficiency programs.
Link: Washington Post Writers Group
Los Angeles based designer/craftsman of fine furniture
The furniture of John Cotese is simple, beautiful and displays a clear appreciation for the natural qualities of wood. One can see the attention to detail he must have gleaned as the apprentice of a Japanese violin maker.
We saw John's work at CA Boom and we were impressed with the quality and craftsmanship. His work is shown at Silho in Los Angeles.
Link: Silho Furniture
The London Design Festival 2004 website has been launched
This ten day festival taking place between September 20 and 30 in London, England, features all manner of design from graphics to products, photography to fashion, architecture to interiors and everything in between. The festival spans the city with exhibits, lectures, screenings, parties and seminars. Events are individually priced.
Link: London Design Festival 2004
Via: Dezain
New website with more images and information
The Cornerstone Festival of Gardens in Sonoma, California has launched a new and expanded website.
In addition to general information about the festival the new site features detailed descriptions of each of the gardens with images.
Link: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens
Reference: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens - UPDATE I (L+L)
Reference: Cornerstone Festival of Gardens (L+L)
UPDATE: An article from this weekend in the New York Times features a nice write up and slide show.
Link: Avant-Green: Landscaping as a Fine Art
Some final thoughts about the CA Boom Festival of contemporary design
First things first; congratulations and a heartfelt thanks go out from Land+Living to the organizers of CA Boom. A design event of this kind on the left coast is long overdue. Billed as the "first annual," we look forward to the evolution of CA Boom in the years to come as they learn from the mistakes and build on the successes.
We applaud CA Boom for its efforts to make contemporary design accessible. We felt that the organizers did a good job of providing a mix of content which was of interest to both professionals and the layity... something we strive for here at L+L as well. It is a fine line to walk, and it seemed to work as the event was very well attended throughout the weekend by design professionals as well as the general public.
The evenings turned the festival into a kind of scene, with lots of young people dressed to impress and a club atmosphere taking over. We took note of some attendees saying that it was a great place to meet up and hang out for the night.
It was the mix of events and moods that made CA Boom work.
(More commentary and images as you continue...)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 3 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 2 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
The conclusion of the first annual CA Boom Festival of contemporary design
It was a fine finish to the CA Boom festival as we were able to tour three more homes of well known architects. Covering the festival for the last four days straight... we must admit that we are a bit tired. Well, how about we say that one of us is tired from the festival (as are the guests who accompanied), and the other of the L+L crew is tired from backpacking in the Sierra... perhaps two reports will be forthcoming from the weekend!
It wasn't clear whether we would be able to join the home tours today as a snafu with the buses caused scheduling problems. All of the tours were sold out before noon today, but we able to join the V.I.P. tour at the last minute. It would have been a shame to miss this one featuring the homes of Lorcan O'Herlihy, Ron Radziner and Steven Ehrlich (we got to see the inside today after checking out the street view on Friday).
Lots more as you continue...
Reference: CA Boom - Day 2 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Our second day at the festival included speakers, a couple exhibits and (finally) home tours
It was a good day at CA Boom. After being shut out yesterday, we had the opportunity to tour the homes of three different architects in Venice Beach.
Alas we were the victims of our own bad planning today... by the time we got to the third home on the tour, the battery on our digital camera had conked out. And such a cool house it was... we'll redeem ourselves somehow on this one.
In addition to the home tour we attended two speaking sessions and did some more browsing at the exhibits. Carry on then for the details...
Reference: CA Boom - Day 1 (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
The first day of the contemporary design festival in Santa Monica, California
Today being Friday the 13th, it is perhaps not so surprising that there were some hick-ups at this the first day of the first annual CA Boom Festival. A few oversights and a little bit of miscommunication affected the day, but for now we will focus on what we saw today. We will post a review of the event on Monday once the fat lady has sung.
Despite the problems, overall we had a good time today at CA Boom. We took some time to check out many of the exhibitors and to listen to a few of the scheduled architect speakers.
Reference: CA Boom Opens! (L+L)
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
Grand Opening Extravaganza
They rolled out the sod carpet for the CA Boom Grand Opening Extravaganza party tonight. The evening featured exhibits, music, food and drink, and oh yeah, some celebrity guests. We were fashionably late... this is LA after all... but by the time we arrived, we had missed the night's celebrity and designer co-hosts. No sign of Brad Pitt, Courtney Cox or David Arquette. No Salma Hayek, Bencio Del Toro or Diane Keaton to be found. No sightings of Eric Owen Moss, Lawrence Scarpa or David Hertz... though we did see Lorcan O'Herlihy from across the way, but he was gone before we could catch up with him. Or maybe we were just in the wrong place, but no matter, we weren't there for the celebs.
What we did see looks to be a promising event; lots of cool exhibitors that we look forward to checking out in the next couple of days. We will be at CA Boom over the next three days and plan to attend the home tours and hear some of the speakers, so be sure to check back for our daily report.
Reference: CA Boom: A Festival of Contemporary Design (L+L)
Link: CA Boom
