This graphic takes a minute to decipher. The gist is that migratory birds have a protein in the back of their eyes that allows for them to see the earth’s magnetic field to help with navigation. Read more.
Burkina Institute of Technology (West Africa) Kéré Architecture
Designed by local Burkina architect Francis Kéré, this school is that great blend of modern meets vernacular. With the locally sourced materials and the smart systems this Institute stays cool in the hot months and dry in the wet season. Read more.
Ext. Window Frame/Trim Upgrade
It’s time to finally change out the frame/trim on two windows from our house addition from 5yrs. ago. The wood frames aren’t holding up to the elements so with the help of Hayden and his welder, we’re making 5/8” steel replacements. I’m eager to see how this detail works and hopefully can incorporate it into future projects (from scratch, I’ll likely lean toward 3/8” steel). Keep an eye out for updates, install should be in about two weeks.
Nil Dos House by Valentí Albareda Studio (Spain)
Great textures throughout this renovated building and the garden balances the modern moves. Read more.
kayak update
Finally made the coaming (wood band around cockpit) and tried to get more of the wrinkles out of the nylon - will maybe try spritzing and ironing on the next hot day. It’s a lovely Sunday in Denver.
The Tower by Frank Gehry, Arles, France
This is the area in the south of France where van Gogh did much of his art. A beautiful part of the country I was fortunate to visit in my early 20s, while hitchhiking around with Greg Burns.
Gehry says the design references Arles' Roman architecture, the nearby mts. and Starry Night, which was painted nearby. Clad with 11,000 irregular stainless steel panels, the tower was designed to be a landmark structure for the arts centre. Read more.
Space Balloon
Davison Collaborative (Australia) by HIP V. HYPE
Nicely crafted sustainable townhouse project in Brunswick. The thoughtful downspouts tell me everything about the rest of the design. Read more.
Microlino
The Swiss Microlino is a tiny electric car that’s just gone into production. It gets up to 200 miles on a full charge and is expected to sell for around $14K US. A fleet of these in the right place would be very fun, especially on an island full of clowns.
E. Fay Jones - Architect (Jan. 31, 1921 – Aug. 30, 2004)
Fay Jones was an American architect/designer and began as a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. In the latter part of his life and career, he was architecture instructor at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). In the early 90s, I was fortunate to work with Lars on a Fay Jones house a mile or two from the University. Louis DeMarco, the original owner of the house (maybe in her 80s at the time) was friends with Fay - she and her husband had approached him early in his career to have him design their house. When she showed us the original blueprints from the 60s I asked if she’d mind if I made copies (she said yes). I studied the dwgs and compared them to the final built structure and was blown away by the mastery of the design/hand-drawn documents + the high craft of the construction. Those copies live in a box in our basement - I will revisit them for a later post.
in 2015, when up in Crested Butte with Dave, Brynn, Seth, Cindy and all of our kids, Seth would take me on a bike ride around the idyllic mt. town and swing me by a Fay Jones house he had discovered years earlier. We both walked around it for some time and marveled at the boldness and elegance of the design. On that same weekend, I would sneak away for a few hrs. and help Lars finish a small deck project (which was my favorite way of hanging out with him, making stuff) and he would share tidbits that he had learn about the Jones house over his years from doing carpentry in CB. Read more.
Shaheen-Goodfellow Cottage, known as Stoneflower is nestled in the gently rolling foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks and surrounded by pristine Greer's Ferry Lake
June 21, 2003
This is the day Emily and I got married at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO (18yrs ago) surrounded by so many of our favorite people. We found a place where everyone could come and stay for a few days and eat, drink, play and friends/family could make connections. We had not decided our wedding needed to fall on the summer solstice - things luckily just worked out that way - a new season and a new phase in our relationship. So grateful to so many for joining us along the way.
I hope everyone has a lovely first day of summer this year.
Happy Fathers' Day
The Sparks Brothers Documentary by Edgar Wright
I so look forward to watching this new project by the highly inventive and fun British filmaker Edgar Wright. I know little to nothing about the Sparks Brothers but can see from the trailer that they’ve inspired a generation of musicians I love.
Brooklyn Bridge Upgrade winning proposal by DXA Studio
One of my favorite bridges. In the early 90s when I lived in NYC (Lower East Side) I worked in Brooklyn for the Board of Ed. and often road my bike crossing the bridge before and after work most days. I began noticing the fellow bikers crossing daily and became acutely aware of the patterns we all create for ourselves. Most of us waved at one another while passing, something I would also later noticed in other VW bug and van drivers and people jogging around lakes. It was warmly bonding.
I look forward to seeing DXA studio’s reimagination of the Brooklyn Bridge that aims to better serve the greater needs of the area. Read more.
Yitingting Cottage by Genarchitects in Zhejiang, China
Beautiful dimmed interior space surrounded by thoughtful small structure and site plantings. Also notice the elegant blur between inside and outside. More here.
AKDA Four-Plex (India)
Beautiful brickwork that pays homage to Louis Kahn’s work (see bottom image). Read more.
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad completed 1974 Louis Kahn
Habitat for Humanity Beginning First 3D-Printed House (Tempe, AZ)
This seems like perfect grounds for experimenting with this new-ish technology, given the majority of Habitat for Humanity labor is typically volunteer. Will update as these homes become finished and will provide any information around the process. Read more.
Also, I’ve always like the idea that ‘traditional’ 3D printers could be used to make more 3D printers, I look fwd to seeing other things that can be done with these large scale printers.
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects (Australia)
I love how paired down the interior of this dwelling is and how the generous and expansive exterior covered space promotes taking in the world. I’ve been a fan of Godsell since architecture school (20+ yrs ago) when I ran across his brilliantly simple shipping container relief structure, Future Shack. Great to see consistent threads throughout his work. Read more about Shack in the Rocks here.
NOTE: Sanborn Camps drop-off was a treat - really incredible people at that place.
Sanborn Western Camps
Headed to High Trails, Piper is packed and ready to roll out in an hour. We are excited for her on so many levels and can’t wait to hear her stories.
NOTE: This is the place where Seth and I met in 1989, it’s influence on the direction my life is difficult to calculate - I am so grateful I ended up there when I did.
Hens and Chicks
Our neighbors have created the perfect conditions for these Fibonacci succulents to thrive. So cheery.
