a visit to daniel libeskind's military history museum in dresden, germany

On the way from Berlin to Prague, we stopped in to gawk at Libeskind's addition to the Military Museum in Dresden, Germany. A short jaunt from the highway, we parked and walked to check out the building. We didn't have time to check out the museum's contents, but we were able to walk the grounds and get a few peeks inside (bathrooms! cafe!).

Libeskind is the king of borgitecture, and you can see why: his radical interventions are shocking but also somehow work. As we strolled the steps, I could hear the critics arguing about Dan screwing up an historical building physically as well as aesthetically; however, I was surprised (relieved?) to see that the front, jutting volume is simply attached to the original building like a remora attached to an old grizzled shark, retaining the original inside. Nice touch.

 

 

a visit to mies van der rohe's Riehl House and Villa Urbig in Potsdam, Germany

Early Mies wasn't about Modernism. His first commission was in 1905-06 for a cabin for the philosopher Alois Riehl. The style is of a cottage the time (and is quite lovely).

 

 

Mies designed and built Villa Urbig for Franz Urbig, co-owner of Deutsche Bank (so the dood has some scratch) in 1915-1917. Urbig liked the style of Karl Friederich Schinkel, as did Mies at the time, so the house is neoclassical. The house hosted Churchill during negotiations for the Potsdam Agreement (the agreement between the United Kingdon, the United States, and the Soviet Union on military occupation and reconstruction). Apparently an internet billionaire lives there now, perhaps explaining the grumpiness of the dudes hanging out in front of the house when I took a quick photograph.

a visit to mies van der rohe's lemke house

Mies van der Rohe designed this simple brick home in 1932 and the Lemke's moved in in 1933. This was the last house Mies designed in Germany before moving to the US in 1938. The house is open to the public, but not on the day we passed by. You can view the home from the street but you can also hike a narrow trail around the back to peek into the ample back yard.

 

 

 

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!