WILDWOOD

I just read today that Laika Studios is going to make an animated movie of Colin Meloy's book called 'Wildwood'.  Meloy is the lead in one of my favorite famous local Portland bands, The Decemberists.  He published this children's story last year and it was tooted to become a major hit to rival Harry Potter.  Well -- that didn't quite happen.  The story was inspired by the woods in my own back yard (Forest Park)! So I had to read it.  It's a beautiful hard bound 541 page book with interesting illustrustrations.  The story just didn't grab me last time but now that Laika has chosen it - I think I may give it a second chance.

put a bird on it

black and white photo by David Reamer

sixty seconds with david reamer

Portland is still overflowing with birds.  In today’s paper the 2012 restaurant of the year is Little Bird.  Their big brother restaurant is called ‘Le Pigeon’ and seen above and below is another Portland favorite, Cocotte.  If you haven’t seen any of the Portlandia clips - this is a funny one to watch on youtube, called "put a bird on it".  You can now see birds on a vast variety of objects - designers seem to be a bit obsessed with birds at the moment.

This made me wonder if any architects were 'putting birds on it'...and was this a spinoff from the Green movement?  In architecture - designs continue to strive towards a sustainable approach to building that will protect the environment.  This has created a renewed appreciation for nature. 

In Ted Bowen's article, Form Follows Feathers: Bird-Friendly Architecture, he writes about bird driven architectural designs... “Santiago Calatrava’s 2,000-foot-tall Chicago Spire is a lofty experiment in bird-safe design. The residential skyscraper is rising in the midst of a large year-round bird population and in the path of a major migratory flyway on the shores of Lake Michigan, but its glass is designed to be visible to birds, which should help prevent fatal collisions.” While I love most of Calatrava’s work - this building does nothing for me and I am not surprised that it has not been completed.  There is nothing natural looking about this structure.  A giant drill bit piercing the sky, I would stay clear of it too if I was a bird.

Perhaps a more successful design is another Chicago building on the right by Studio Gang Architects (one of the few firms that is led and owned by a woman, Jeanne Gang). Unfortunately, it has also not been completed because of city budget problems.  It included several bird-friendly elements in its design of the Ford Calumet Environmental Center, a 28,000-square-foot environmental education center.  To reduce the possibility of bird strikes on the building’s south elevation, a porch was enclosed with a basket-like mesh with four-inch openings.

Architectural critic, Blair Kamin, showered this design with greatness....he said this would become one of Chicago’s most important structures of the 21st century if built.  Studio Gang’s award-winning design was interesting. The design approach dubbed “Best Nest”, mimics the way that birds use local materials to construct their nests.

In the end -- my favorite building is the simplest one. It is the one that houses Cocotte above.  Only two stories, it is affordable with a human scale....it does not occupy the skys -- so it does not present a problem for the birds in flight...and as a result it was built!  This is another reason why I love Portland.

School's Out for summer!

"It is through living that we discover ourselves, 

at the same time as we discover the world around us."

 Henri Cartier-Bresson 1952

 Enjoy the day!

When historic is what you like!

Do you choose your style of architecture or does it choose you?

I never dreamed I would become a historic aficionado.  It happened slowly and yet it seemed overnight that I had developed a fine appreciation for older homes.  There is something comforting and welcoming about a traditional design that has a front door that is located on the front of the house, with a sloped roof line, trim around the windows and doors, columns at a front porch.  Socially - everyone understands it. They know how to approach it - which side is public and which side is private.  These seem like such simple things in such a complex world.

I think that’s it....the house is polite.  This home above on Sherman, I designed for a client in Hood River as a retirement home.  They were from Los Angeles where it seems that almost all the homes are every style but historic.  This client knew exactly what she wanted. Kathryn’s ‘style’ was Queen Anne.  She interviewed several architects before choosing.  Not all architects will design what you request.  This alone is worthy of a discussion all of it’s own - on another day. There is something very feminine about Queen Anne homes...hence the name. With it’s large sitting rooms - it is a house where you will invite people in.  They will want to stay awhile and that you will want to grow old in. 

The Sherman home was doubly practical in that we designed a garage 2-bedroom apartment for rental - so that after they retired - they would have another source of income.  The other special thing about this home is that it sits within an older neighborhood of homes.  Many of these are also full of character and of a similar scale.  This home fits right in.  You could believe it was here all along.  They liked this idea.  It did not need to make a ‘here I am’ kind of statement and they did not want it ‘to look unique’ hidden from view behind a sleek exterior.

There are some amazing views from the master bedroom. You can see Hood River from the upper floor.  She included a work space for herself in a room that would double as a guest room.  In the backyard, there is a gorgeous huge old tree that they wanted to preserve. So we designed the house in an ‘L’ shaped layout to work around it.  She told me when it was finished - she got everything she was looking for.  I think we all have our own style. Your house should be a reflection of who you are.

order in the garden.

    

planting a classical garden.  Designers come in all types of packages.  Some are like wild artists who throw their paint on the canvas all at once, thrilled to see what mysteries the universe will unveil.  Others are more restrained.....you may not even know they have an artistic bent lurking under such a reserved exterior.  My husband falls under the latter category.  Just to assure you that every man has the power to get creative - I want to show you what he is doing in our garden.

This 2010 picture is of our driveway along the back side of our home when we moved in.  The rhododendron bushes along the right side of the photo have been replaced in the photo above with trees and round boxwoods.  He has been working on this for about 6 months and it is still a work in progress but you can see already how much cleaner and manicured the side yard is now.  But he is not finished.  This seems to be just the beginning of a new garden designer on the verge of exploding.

 I am not sure but I think if we combined my design sensitivity with his we might end up with this Italian inspired garden shown above.  It feels a little bit like ordered chaos if there was such a thing.  Julien De Cerval spent 30 years developing this one.  The Gardens of Marqueyssac are in France. Check out this webpage for a mini 3d view of the garden... Julien worked like a maniac on this garden...hopefully, ours will continue to grow in beauty too as the years pass by!

creativity in and out of the box

Caine’s arcade -- an exceptional short film by Nirvan Mullick about a very creative little boy!

made in America

How hard would it be to create an all-american home? I am currently working on a small remodel in Lake Oswego.  The owner is also the builder.  Recently - we have been talking about how to alter the original design for the front cantilevered canopy. He has almost finished the interior work and wants to cut his costs on the entry.   

This sounds so familiar....I am thinking this is how the first settlers did it too...As their own builders, they planned it out, built a bit and then redesigned a bit along the way depending on the local materials available.  Having just finished my teaching session with 11 year olds - history is fresh on my mind. Combine that with our local elections yesterday for Mayor and I am thinking about how to create more American jobs...

Creating an all-American home has never been easy....the list of building supplies is daunting.  You can see just how long the list is below. You have to work pretty hard to find american products.  A builder in Montana, Anders Lewendal (who used to be an economist) did just that.  “Lewendal is hard at work building a home he hopes will be a blueprint for creating jobs in America. Everything from the nails, screws and bolts, to the steel, staples and bathtub is made in the United States.”

Unfortunately, you have to order products that are not local.  Some of the products will cost more, some will cost less, and some will work better.   However Lewendal says that in the end, the total cost of the American made house is only around 1 to 2 percent more than the typical home currently on the market. You can see a video from an interview that ABC news did with Lewendal last November here.

Product--Manufacturer/Supplier

State

Windows--Amsco Windows

UT

J bolts/foundation--S.C. Prototypes

MT

J bolts/foundation/stock--Pacific Steel

UT

Gorilla Duct tape--The Gorilla Glue Co

OH

4″ perforated pipe, radon

Northern Pipe Co.

ND

4″ pvc fittings

GPK

ND

pvc glue--Oatey

OH

8d ring shank nails--True Spec

CA

16d sinkers--Griptite

WI

1/2″ foundation nuts--CAT

IL

gun nails--Maze

IL

damp proofing--Mulseal/Tremco

OH

Rebar--Nucor

UT

Concrete--CMI

MT

Concrete Portland--Ash Grove

MT

Concrete aggregate--CMC. Beglade

MT

Concrete sand--CMC. Beglade

MT

Hangers, straps, H clips--Simpson Strong-Tie

CA

TJI’s--I-Level Truss Joist

OR

2×4′s and 2×6′s--RY Lumber

MT

Plywood--Potlatch

ID

2×4′s and 2×6′s--F.H. Stoltze

MT

2×4′s and 2×6′s--Idaho Forest

ID

PL 400 sub floor adhesive--Loctite

CT

MiraTEC fascia--CMI Corp

PA

treated plate--McFarland Cascade

WA

T braces/framing--Appleton Supply

WI

sill seal--Reflectix

IN

powder actuated pins--TW Ramset/Redhead

IL

foam board--Dow

IL

Spray paint--Rustoleum

IL

Spray insulation--JM Corbond

MT, TX

Screws-Por Pac

CO, CT

Wire joint--Thomas & Betts

TN

Spray paint--ACE

IL

paint--Sherwin Williams

OH

Window foam--Touch n Seal

MO

Caulking--White Lightning

OH

Plastic elect. Straps--Handy Straps

WI

meter base--Eaton/Cutler Hammer

PA

electric panel--Eaton/Cutler Hammer

PA

Breakers--Eaton/Cutler Hammer

PA

PVC pipe/fittings--Ridgeline Pipe

OR

2″ Romex connectors--Bridgeport

CT

Boxes--Allied

OH

Wire-service, romex--Southwire

GA

staples--Sturgeon Bay

WI

4/0 SER straps--Sturgeon Bay

WI

Telephone wire--3M

MN

wire connectors/crimp sleeves--Ideal

IL

wire staples--Sturgeon Bay

WI

Furnace disconnect--Eaton/Cutler Hammer

PA

recessed cans--Juno/Schneider Electric

IL

recycled glass--Livingston Landfill

MT

Furnace--Trane

TX

Cooling Coil--Trane

TX

HRV--Trane

TX

Air Cleaner--Trane

TX

Zoning/Thermostats--Trane

TX

Ductwork--Norwesco

WA

Screws--Brynolf Manufacturing

IL

PVC--Cresline-Northwest

WA

Condensate Trap--Airtec

MA

Registers/Grilles--Hart & Cooley

MI

Allthread Rod--Chicago Hardware

IL

Pipe Brackets--C&S Manufacturing

WI

Conensate Pump--Franklin Electric

IN

Unistrut--Cooper B-Line

IL

Flexible Duct--Atco

TX

Duct Sealant--Hardcast

TX

Flex Duct Straps--Source 1

OK

PVC Glue/Primer--Oatey

OH

Thermostat Wire--Honeywell

MS

Exhaust Fans--Broan

WI

Concentric Vent--Source 1

OK

Exhaust Hoods--Broan

WI

Nuts/ Washers--Perine Danforth

WA

Dryer Box--In O Vate Tech

FL

Duct Liner--Johns Manville

CO

Duct Liner Pins--Hardcast

TX

Allthread Anchors--ITW Buildex

IL

Ductstrap--Colombia Man

WA

Manual Dampers--Norwesco

WA

Sill Sealer--Reflectix, Inc.

IN

PVC Primer and Cement--Oatey

OH

PVC Pipe--Cresline-Northwest

WA

Pex Pipe--Viega

KS

Kitchen Sink--Moen

PA

Kitchen Faucet--Moen

NC

Kitchen Basket strainer--Dearborn Brass

TX

Kitchen disposer--In-Sink-Erator

WI

Bathroom Pedestal Lav--Mansfield

OH

Bathroom Lav faucet--Moen

NC

Bathroom Lav sink--Mansfield

IL

Bathroom toilets--Mansfield

IL

Bathroom toilet seats--Kohler

AR

Master Shower--Aquaglass

OR

Master shower valve--Moen

NC

Master shower trim--Moen

NC

Master soaker tub--Aquaglass

OR

Master soaker tub trim--Moen

NC

Master soaker tub valve--Moen

NC

Bathtub waste and overflow--Watco

MO

Full Bath tub/shower--Aquaglass

OR

Full Bath tub/shower trim--Moen

NC

Full Bath tub/shower valve--Moen

NC

Water Heater--Bradford White

PA

Pex Fittings--Zurn

TX

PVC Fittings--Sioux Chief

MO

Hangers/pipe insulators--Sioux Chief

MO

Roof Jack--Oatey

OH

Plumber Putty--Hercules

NJ

Wax rings--Hercules

NJ

Thread Dope--Hercules

NJ

Plumber tape--Smith/Cooper

CA

Black pipe--RJB Wholesale, Inc

WA

Black pipe fittings--Anvil International

NV

Gastite pipe and fittings--Gastite

MA

Soulder Flux--Rectorseal, 

TX

Soulder--Exeon Inc., 

IL

Copper Pipe--Cerro Flow Products Inc.,  

MO

Copper fittings--Elkhart Products Corp., 

IL

Backflow preventor/PRV--Watts, 

ME

Expansion Tank--Amtrol, 

RI

Hose bibs--Woodford, 

CO

Chattahoochee Pencil Company--Atlanta, 

GA

surfer record

unbelievable surfer today... just had to share with you -- check out the video of  Garrett McNamara, a 44 year old surfer from Hawaii riding a record 78 foot wave! Go to 


http://www.vancouversun.com/videos/sports/video.html?embedCode=Y1NzhvNDo4uw0I6ziySnMH4iRA7o7CSO

architects in schools

Last week I left off describing the class project for my 5th graders Architect’s in Schools program at Faubion Elementary.  The program runs from March through the beginning of May every year.  This is the fourth school that I have taught at over the last six years.  My goal is to try and introduce them to what architecture is all about - no easy task in such a short time.  

I have slowly been molding the curriculum each year to simplify and focus on several aspects of architecture...in particular - residential architecture.  We look at history and culture, structure and technology.  We conclude with a client workshop where each student is assigned their own project for a special client.  To make it more fun - their clients are animals.   Each animal requires different types of shelter to accommodate their typical type of habitat as well as some extraordinary human characteristics each animal possesses.

Each year the students are always surprised at how difficult this is ....how time consuming building is and how much thought is involved in creating something from nothing.   However, they always want more time and are never ready to stop.

Next year I think I may try something different for the final project.  - maybe a chicken coup or a treehouse? What do you think?

dog day afternoon

Etching 2011

It feels like a 'dog day afternoon' because all of my blogging plans have gone awry recently and I have become completely sidetracked by other design projects which have eaten up all of my art time.  This dog etching was done by a local elementary student at Forest Park where I taught the Architect’s in Schools program last spring.

This year I am teaching at Faubion Elementary in North Portland.  I am in love with my class of 5th graders.   They are at that magical age where anything is possible.   We are just finishing up some client designs for a personal residence.   These clients are very special though and quite unusual.  They are.......

-- to be continued  in next post....

sunshine in my kitchen

sunshine on a cloudy day

Back in February I posted a story called ‘Hygge’ about design that just ‘feels’ good...and was in the beginning process of adding some much needed loving to my kitchen.   I had fallen in love with a new pendant fixture featured in a magazine that was made from old fashioned mason jars.  These had to be ordered on-line and the wait was long.  Two months later, here is the lovely thing installed and glowing like the sun. 

After relocating one of the mirrors, adding some art and wall shelves, and a large face clock, along with the pendant light...is the finished result.  I am very excited to have this little bit of sunshine in what used to be a very boring corner of the room.  All of the windows and french doors are on the other two walls of the kitchen (not shown). The photos below are the before shots as the changes progressed.

Hopefully, you can see the difference just a few added changes can make in a space. The only complicated addition was hiring an electrician to add a new light fixture between the two existing down lights.   Luckily, the ceiling joists were running parallel with the down lights so this was a quick and inexpensive installation.

There was one thing that caught me by surprise. I would change the length of the pendant light.  The on-line image was deceptive and the light appeared to hang down lower that it does here.  I should have measured it from the ceiling to double check this before hand....however, no other lengths were available and I still love the light.

Bird Cloud

 

I just finished reading Annie Proulx’s new memoir, “Bird Cloud”.  The story is about building your dream home and the land it sits on. So where does a 70 year old famous wealthy writer decide to build her final home? Wyoming... on 640 acres of desolate land with a fantastic view of a bluff that sits along the Missouri river. 
Bird Cloud had mixed reviews....This is not one of her best books and the New York Times review by Dwight Garner, nails her with sharp words. However, It is still an interesting read, especially for those of us interested in design and architecture. 

Considering that there were hardly any expenses spared to build this home - you would expect it to be gorgeous and  I was anxious to see it!  The home was designed by Harry Teague Architects based in Colorado.

Like the cowboy land it sits on; it is large, rustic and raw.  The interior views are directed out towards the big beautiful bluff.  The front door is unusual and was constructed from a nearby abandoned metal barn.  Proulx is conscientious and requests sustainable, planet smart, materials.

While these ideas were successful, she describes all the familiar foibles to building that all homeowners struggle with.. I imagine that Proulx was a difficult client. Opinionated and obstinate, she goes into detail about how some of her choices were mistakes. She thought she wanted an office without windows to distract her but now finds herself wandering to the living room with the view to do all of her work and... the high ceilings seemed like a good idea - but there are no cozy spaces to curl up with a good book.  The small ceiling custom pendant light fixtures that are everywhere were a bad choice and are too distracting.  The poured red, concrete floor was a disaster and had to be covered with tiles.

Although Proulx wishes she had picked an easier site to access in the harsh winters, I think she is happy with the house in the end and it suits her well.  Unfortunately for the readers, Proulx’s descriptions were tedious and at the end of the book she is consumed by bird watching and wanders off the house design altogether. Maybe that is what a good design should be all about -- the wandering off from the concreteness of the form and instead heading off into the land which it occupies?

moonwalking with frank lloyd wright

Frank lloyd Wright’s studio

I have been thinking about my memory lately.....yesterday I typed up this post and then forgot to save it! The entire thing was lost when my computer had to be rebooted because of something else!  This occurred just after my son did something similar with his English paper and I had chided him for not backing it up regularly.

The mind is a tricky thing.  If we don’t constantly use it, we will lose it.   For inspiration I have been reading Joshua’s Foer’s new book called Moonwalking with Einstein. I brought this book to read by the pool during our spring break in Phoenix.  We stayed at the Arizona Biltmore which was designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégés, Howard MacArthur.

The Biltmore is a beautiful 1940’s hotel with a long history of famous celebrities that have stayed there.  Our favorite pool is dubbed the ‘Marilyn Monroe’ pool because it was said to be her favorite too.  The Wrigley family owned it and had numerous large fancy events there often.  It is fun to walk the halls and look at the photos from the events of those times.   It is just this sort of walking and looking that the ancients used as a memory technique, according to Foer in his book on ‘moonwalking’.  He claims all of us can improve our memory if we try this.  So I used the gorgeous halls of the Biltmore as an experiment.

First I chose a group of totally random facts that I wanted to memorize: a stranger’s name, another persons outfit, the name of a construction company, the name of a new song.  Then I associated each of these with a concrete image - 

name of stranger on the forehead of the lobby clerk

the blue striped outfit became a blue zebra

the JCP construction company became a red cube

the ‘funk soul brothers’ song became a rubber ball because it sounds like ‘funk so rubber’

I then placed these along the hallways in the hotel....the zebra sat on a chair at the pool, the red cube was at the end of the bar, the rubber ball was hanging from the ceiling in the dining room....etc.

Then I did the moonwalk through the spaces of the hotel lobby to see if I could recall all the information.  It was super easy even after several days and now after one week it is still super easy except for the strangers name.  I did not pick an image associated with the name that was similar enough and now I can only remember half of the name.

This process seems a little tedious but Foer says that the more you use it - the easier and quicker it will be.   I will need to keep checking back to see if this is indeed in my long term memory storage.  This will be fun since walking through the Frank Lloyd Wright space is a pure joy. 

you can also visit my website at www.lrarchitectllc.com