If you didn't know there was wind-turbine inside, might of just walked by...
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Worth the stop!
Hunter Hill Rest Area, Vallejo CA
What a surprise to find a masterful piece of architecture at the side of the highway.
What a surprise to find a masterful piece of architecture at the side of the highway.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Waste = nutrient
Can you tell where the sewer line leaked on this lawn?
Just finished reading "Cradle to Cradle," the overarching theme of utilizing waste or creating sustainable designs that don't create waste.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Joseph Eichler Houses - Bay Area
Eichler Brochure for Rancho San Miguel
in Walnut Creek, California
Who is the composed woman in the advertisement to the right? She is clearly stylish, in movement, and admiring the landscape. She most likely is confident and happily fulfills her role as a housewife, mother, and hostess. As this was the desired and acceptable gender role during the 1950s. Regardless, she looks effortlessly content and comfortable in the openness of the space that surrounds her. She owns the space yet looks like she is waiting in anticipation, perhaps for guests. This woman represented the target market for Eichler homes at the time. Eichler designed homes for this woman and marketed accordingly. His success as a developer and architect was tied to understanding her needs and wants. By focusing in on the woman as his dominant client, his architecture was instrumental in revolutionizing the prefabricated house. What’s unique about Eichler is that his designs were inspired by Dr. Spock. Dr. Benjamin Spock’s book wrote the bestselling Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care in 1946 and encouraged parents to see their children as individuals, and not to apply a one-size-fits all philosophy which was common practice at the time. The book was extremely influential and emphasized the importance of closeness between mother and child. Eichler’s design responded to this book by creating spaces that allowed the mother to always be “close” to her child. For instance, “in an effort to “protect” mother and children, Eichler had actually surrounded the family with architecture,” (Adams, 168). Eichler accomplished this by limiting windows on both the front and side of house, enclosing the courtyard, and building a high fence around the yard. The house contained a central multipurpose room with large windows that were open to the outdoors and connected to the kitchen and dining area. This open space planning acted as the “living center.” The kitchen was the anchor of the house, it was the command post for the woman where she could prepare meals, entertain, and maintain visibility of all the spaces in the house. The house was designed so she could always keep an eye on her children as they played inside and outside. The homes also offered quality materials, fixtures and appliances that intentionally satisfied modern aesthetic and ease of maintenance. “The Eichler plan with its kitchen as an observation station and large expanses of glazing between indoor and outdoor spaces, was intended to facilitate this instinctual mode of mothering,” (Adams, 170).
Who is the composed woman in the advertisement to the right? She is clearly stylish, in movement, and admiring the landscape. She most likely is confident and happily fulfills her role as a housewife, mother, and hostess. As this was the desired and acceptable gender role during the 1950s. Regardless, she looks effortlessly content and comfortable in the openness of the space that surrounds her. She owns the space yet looks like she is waiting in anticipation, perhaps for guests. This woman represented the target market for Eichler homes at the time. Eichler designed homes for this woman and marketed accordingly. His success as a developer and architect was tied to understanding her needs and wants. By focusing in on the woman as his dominant client, his architecture was instrumental in revolutionizing the prefabricated house. What’s unique about Eichler is that his designs were inspired by Dr. Spock. Dr. Benjamin Spock’s book wrote the bestselling Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care in 1946 and encouraged parents to see their children as individuals, and not to apply a one-size-fits all philosophy which was common practice at the time. The book was extremely influential and emphasized the importance of closeness between mother and child. Eichler’s design responded to this book by creating spaces that allowed the mother to always be “close” to her child. For instance, “in an effort to “protect” mother and children, Eichler had actually surrounded the family with architecture,” (Adams, 168). Eichler accomplished this by limiting windows on both the front and side of house, enclosing the courtyard, and building a high fence around the yard. The house contained a central multipurpose room with large windows that were open to the outdoors and connected to the kitchen and dining area. This open space planning acted as the “living center.” The kitchen was the anchor of the house, it was the command post for the woman where she could prepare meals, entertain, and maintain visibility of all the spaces in the house. The house was designed so she could always keep an eye on her children as they played inside and outside. The homes also offered quality materials, fixtures and appliances that intentionally satisfied modern aesthetic and ease of maintenance. “The Eichler plan with its kitchen as an observation station and large expanses of glazing between indoor and outdoor spaces, was intended to facilitate this instinctual mode of mothering,” (Adams, 170).
Adams, A., (1995), “The Eichler Home: Intention and
Experience in Postwar Suburbia,” Perspectives in Vernacular
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Better visit this!
SF Public Utilities Commission Building
North America's Greenest Building! $146.5 million for 277,000 is $528.00 per SF - Yikes!. I'm excited to visit this impressive building. However, in order for "green" to really become mainstream, its important that its economical as well. The price of this building will only be justified once the integrated green technology proves a payback. I appreciate the relentless efforts on the part of the KMD design team - to make unprecedented example and push the envelope in performance- they really are the "mavericks" they claim to be.
North America's Greenest Building! $146.5 million for 277,000 is $528.00 per SF - Yikes!. I'm excited to visit this impressive building. However, in order for "green" to really become mainstream, its important that its economical as well. The price of this building will only be justified once the integrated green technology proves a payback. I appreciate the relentless efforts on the part of the KMD design team - to make unprecedented example and push the envelope in performance- they really are the "mavericks" they claim to be.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Heat Island
Just got back from Phoenix this week - Heat Island Effect was thriving, as there were many empty parking lots in 113 degree weather! On a lighter note, a blank wall was beautified at the airport...
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