architectural resolutions for 2023

 

I blame covid, but I haven't posted any architectural resolutions since 2020. But here we are, so let's restart this somewhat depressing activity. 

First, let's see what I did and did not accomplish from the 2020 list (which is really a near-term wishful bucket rather than resolutions...):

 

1. finish designing the cabin (and start building it?) [DONE!!!]

After a wee rollercoaster of who-will-be-the-architect decisions the past few years, I feel good about this resolution since we are 90 to 95 percent there. It's also highly likely we'll start the build this year!
 

2. restore and hang the schoolhouse modern lights

This. Is. The. Year. [No. It. Wasn't.]




3. cypress shelves in the kitchen

The open shelves in the kitchen are great but have too much height and, therefore, too much unused space. Thinking about installing cypress sub-shelves to break-up the space (and get more storage!). This would also carry the cypress from the dining room/penninsula into the kitchen. [NOPE]




4. dance with architecture in palm springs

One of these years we're going to do this... [but it wasn't since 2020]



5. dance with architecture in berlin [DONE!!!]

I really want to see the Bauhaus in person.

6. upgrade the plugs

Before I die... [still alive...]


 7. build a shed (and clean the garage)

It was here three freakin' years ago. Here it is again. [and again...]

 

 8. 'finish' the r.m. schindler list

Need to scan and upload the remaining Schindler designs. [progress!]

 

 9. finish the austin architecture tab

 

So close yet so far not done... [yikes!]

 

  

 10. wire the carport for an electric car

 

This 110V charging ain't gonna cut it (even though it has so far...). [DONE!!!]

 

 11. write more on this blog

 

While I haven't neglected this site, I need to give it more love (as evidenced by how far behind I am on posting).

 

 12. sign up for green energy with the city [DONE!!!]

Austin allows residents to sign up for windpower. It costs a little more, but it supports a carbon-neutral world.

 13. buy carbon offsets for our air travel [DONE!!!]

It's time to own our carbon footprint.

14. tour the lovell health house

I just saw that it is now open for monthly tours! [missed it...]

 

stretch goals:

a. design our gravestone

Seems morbid, but with the recent passing of the bride's mother (and our spot in the New Mexican landscape staked), it seems we need to get this done. [I'm still dying to do this...]

b. write a book on building a modern house

A carry over from last year. If I drink lots of coffee, I feel more motivated! [I wrote {and published} a book, but it wasn't this one...]

 Well, that's not too bad! So, for this next year (or years...):

1. restore and hang them schoolhouse modern lights

This. Might. Be. The. Year.



2. cypress shelves in the kitchen

The open shelves in the kitchen are great but have too much height and, therefore, too much unused space. Thinking about installing cypress sub-shelves to break-up the space (and get more storage!). This would also carry the cypress from the dining room/penninsula into the kitchen.

 



3. dance with architecture in palm springs

One of these years we're going to do this...

 


4. dance with eileen gray

I really want to see E1027 in person.

5. finish upgrading the plugs

Before I die...

  6. build/install a shed (and clean the garage)

It was here three freakin' years ago. Here it is again.

 

 

  7. 'finish' the r.m. schindler list

Need to scan and upload the remaining Schindler designs.

 

 

  8. finish the austin architecture tab

 

So close yet so far not done...

 

  

    9. gutter guards and rainwater harvesting up at the cabin

  10. fire "proof" the cabin

  11. install snow guards at cabin

stretch goals:

a. design our gravestone

Seems morbid, but with the recent passing of the bride's mother (and our spot in the New Mexican landscape staked), it seems we need to get this done.

b. write a book on building a modern house

A carry over from last year. If I drink lots of coffee, I feel more motivated!

 

legohaus!

 

After a bit of a wait, the modular home a couple doors down was delivered and assembled over the past couple of days. The crew showed up Wednesday evening to set up the crane and then modules appeared on Thursday morning.

The plan, it seems, was to assemble the house in a day, but that was scuttled by the large tree in the backyard that interfered with assembly (although it seemed a lot of things went slower than anticipated due to the weather). A worker said to me, "The weather has really changed in Austin. It didn't used to be so rainy."My response: "Nothing's changed: y'all just showed up on the first rainy days in three years."

The assembly really brought a crowd out, especially once folks got home from their work days. 

The place really looks like ass right now, but a driver said that is only takes 30 days from assembly to ready. We'll see.

One driver said the construction (no hauling or craning) cost 1.1 mil while another on Friday said 1.8 mil. The latter seems too high, but who knows? 

The design changed a wee bit (perhaps after discovering that they were not in violation of McMansion?) with a full volume over the garage now (which removes the interest of articulation of the original design, but oh well!). The square footage is now 2,872 square feet with the second floor plan as such:

a visit to mies van der rohe's Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin

 

 The Nazis ran Mies van der Rohe out of Germany in 1937, but he triumphantly returned to Berlin in 1968 for his last built project, the Neue Nationalgalerie. At his peak, this was also his peak project with every part a perfect expression and execution of his architectural vision.

The black, almost floating structure, sets upon a pedestal with deep setbacks created a modern Parthenon walled with glass and supported by cruciformed I-beams. The interior carries the outside in with a dark cloud of rhythmic structure. There was an art show, but we were able enter and enjoy the space and step downstairs for a couple bevs and the gift store.

One nice detail, something not allowed in the US, is the lack of handrails, even along 15- to 20-foot drops at the sunken gardens. The lack of rails really cleans the design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEG Turbine Factory by Peter Behrens (1909)

One of the most iconic buildings in the early Modern ouevre is the AEG Turbine Factory in Berlin by Peter Behrens. Built in 1909, the factory is considered the first attempt at bringing Modernism to industrial architecture. 

The structure is supported by massive iron beams, expressed on the interior and exterior, with massive walls of windows. There is no ornamentation beyond the AEG logo on the upper facade. The massive corners of masonry are not structural--a tie to the past. Amazingly, the building is still used for manufacturing turbines, now done by Siemens.

 

 

the bauhaus archive

After an archive of Bauhaus materials began in 1960 and a collection grew, Walter Gropius designed a building to house the archive in 1964 in Darmstadt. After local opposition to the project, the German government provided funding and a space for the archive in Berlin. The design of the building changed appreciably for the new location and budget but retained Gropius' use of the curved shed roofs used to provide indirect light to the interior.

Unfortunately, the space was closed for restoration and construction when we arrived, but the hosts provided a small platform to gaze over the fence at the original building and the new annex. Volker Staab designed the new annex, a translucent structure with floor lifted by a forest of small pillars.