Sarah Weddington - Lawyer/Political Figure (February 5, 1945 - December 26, 2021)
At 26 years old, having never tried a legal case, Weddington successfully argued ROE vs WADE in front of the US Supreme Court in 1973. Read more here.
In the late 80’s, while in college, I was fortunate enough to hear her lecture about how she became involved in the case and it’s aftermath. This picture (taken around that time) is how I remember her.
Casa Aguacates by Francisco Pardo (Mexico)
Jólabókaflóðið
Our neighbors shared this idea of this with us a few days ago and we may need to try it next year. Jólabókaflóðið is the Icelandic tradition of giving books to one another on Christmas Eve and spending the rest of the night reading and consuming chocolate. Read more here.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it
Some pictures from 2021 with Greta on guitar in the background. xoxoxospeg
Tiny Homes by SANU (JAPAN)
LASER CUT PAPER - Ibbini Studio
Makes me wish we had made a Holiday card using this technique…next year perhaps. More stunning pieces here.
Flip Furniture by Mina Industrial Design
Love this furniture/toy exploration by Mina Kasirifar (student) at San Francisco State University. More on her site here.
Moore Studio by Omar Gandhi (Nova Scotia)
This project was done for $150/sf, typical new construction is closer to $250K-$350K/sf. Simple material palette and common fixtures can still look pretty great. More here.
The Naqsh-e Rustam - IRAN (Achaemenid dynasty c. 550–330 BC)
Stunning multi-era Persian reliefs and tombs in this Necropolis or City of the Dead. The additive and subtractive architecture here nicely reflect the life/death theme. More here.
NPR Favorite Books of 2021
This list always feels like a great place to start when looking for a new book - which I plan to do once I’m finished reading The Last Picture Show (1966) by Larry McMurtry - on loan from good friend Dan Sjogren. This novel is an unfiltered window into a depleted post WW2 small town America through the eyes of its naive teens, it has exceptional dialogue and pacing.
Also, look forward to watching the film once I’m done with the book.
Just heard of a great idea for a book club at BookGive. The club picks a theme each month and each person can choose a book from any genre that ties to that month’s theme - discussions ensue.
MÅNS THAM ARKITEKTKONTOR - Container House (Sweden)
Another interesting container project. I’m especially fond of the use of netting in place of railing at the int. stairs. More here.
Revolving Bricks Serai by A.P.P Architecture (IRAN)
More great brickwork. This project utilizes algorithemic-based or parametric design principles. Also, notice the color variations on the brick ends, adding to the undulating effect. Check out more here.
Balkrishna Doshi - Architect (India) b. August 26, 1927
Doshi is one of those impressive and thoughtful designers, who is still rather obscure even after receiving the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2018. Read more here.
B Certified Corporation
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social & environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit & purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive & sustainable economy.
This is something I plan to pursue in 2022.
More here.
Musician Dwelling by AUAR (UK)
Here’s another simple set of boxes with solid finishes. Notice the interior panels have an acoustically designed hole pattern for sound control. More here.
Permanent Camping by Casey Brown Architecture (Australia)
Dee Dwyer - Artist
“Art, to me, is “Life.” I use photography as a form of art. It is a way to stop time and reflect on a moment that can possibly shift history going forward. As a person who’s witnessed and experienced struggle, I am naturally drawn to its core. While out creating photographs, I spend time trying to understand human experiences. This is essential to my process. I create photographs that capture people in their element. My goal is to show all aspects of human life with the primary focus being humanity. I'm fascinated with photographing the "Misunderstood”. I hope that my work will clarify many misconceptions of which the world has dumped on people that aren’t socially accepted into society and who are economically disadvantaged.”
-Dee Dwyer
More here.
photo: Tone Mobley
From her Dirt Bikers Lifestyle series
BOOKGIVE
Emily (my wife) has been volunteering at this great Non-Profit organization created by our friends Nicole & Ryan Sullivan and run by Melissa Monforti, that gets the right books in the right hands. Today they will be giving away books for the holiday season, with free wrapping (while supplies last). BookGive is in an old service station on the corner of 48th & Lowell Blvd. Read more here.
Update: BookGive gave away 2000 books in 2hrs. (that’s 16 books every minute) - now that’s the holiday spirit!
Graphic Art (Prague)
“We created the logo of Kunsthalle Praha, this new art institution at Klárov, five years before its opening, and the Kunst font became the basis and an integral part of the future visual style of the orientation system and exhibitions. This font, designed by Mark Pistora, is based on a sketch by German typographer Jan Tschichold from 1930, the same time when the building of the former Zenger Transformer Substation was built.”
-Studio Najbrt
I love how backwards and cyclical this whole project seems - it’s a bit punk rock. Check out more by these impressive designers here.
