Habitat for Humanity Beginning First 3D-Printed House (Tempe, AZ)

This seems like perfect grounds for experimenting with this new-ish technology, given the majority of Habitat for Humanity labor is typically volunteer. Will update as these homes become finished and will provide any information around the process. Read more.

Also, I’ve always like the idea that ‘traditional’ 3D printers could be used to make more 3D printers, I look fwd to seeing other things that can be done with these large scale printers.

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Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects (Australia)

I love how paired down the interior of this dwelling is and how the generous and expansive exterior covered space promotes taking in the world. I’ve been a fan of Godsell since architecture school (20+ yrs ago) when I ran across his brilliantly simple shipping container relief structure, Future Shack. Great to see consistent threads throughout his work. Read more about Shack in the Rocks here.

NOTE: Sanborn Camps drop-off was a treat - really incredible people at that place.

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Sanborn Western Camps

Headed to High Trails, Piper is packed and ready to roll out in an hour. We are excited for her on so many levels and can’t wait to hear her stories.

NOTE: This is the place where Seth and I met in 1989, it’s influence on the direction my life is difficult to calculate - I am so grateful I ended up there when I did.

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Tools

Eric (who came in from Lake Tahoe for a long weekend) was helping in Eagle, among other things, to organize and sort through some of Seth belongings in the workshop. It looks like Eric had a small diligent crew assisting but I know it was only him staying up late and determined to accomplish something. Before departing, to return home yesterday, he dropped off some things on our porch.

The level, I remember Seth showing me (in our late 20s) while we were working on a renovation project. We had both come to the same conclusion around that time - that we were only (when possible) going to buy quality tools, that we loved. After years of working with our hands we had become committed to craft and learned that good tools matter.

The Japanese pull saw, which I was unaware Seth had acquired, fits perfectly into this category of tool and philosophy. When I got home yesterday and saw the level and then opened the Tajima bag to see the saw handle and blades I not only felt honored to be receiving these things but reminded of the roads traveled with my best friend and soul brother.

Thank you Eric.

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Building a shed for the Manzella’s in Lyons CO about 10 years ago.

Building a shed for the Manzella’s in Lyons CO about 10 years ago.

Criba Building - Rama Estudio (Ecuador)

Someone really likes fasteners and long straight lines. I want this project to be a little more unfinished in places - I’d bet it was just about right (for me) when it was around 3/4 complete. Read more.

Note: Really good hanging with friends the other night and remembering Lars, look fwd to more of that.

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Ryuichi Ashizawa Architects Half Barn in Hashimoto

Lots to love about this one: inside/outside spaces, curved steps, simple palette, lots of glass and the open structure as part roof, part sun shade in tandem with exterior wall. Read more.

Side note: We’re meeting with some Denver and nearby friends tomorrow evening to gather for Lars. Looking forward to seeing some good folks we haven’t seen in a while.

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’74 Plymouth Scamp

Greg Burns and I had been living in NYC in the early 90’s and after 2+ exciting years there it was time to move on. A few months before departing, I called Lars (who was in Fayetteville AR with Lisa) and let him know my plan was to head their way and asked him to keep an eye out for a cheap car and I’d pay him back if he found me one. He said his grandmother had just given him an old Plymouth and it was mine if I fixed up houses with him for 2 weeks. I ended up driving to St. Louis with friend Kate Dunn and from there, shipped most of my stuff ahead and rode my bike the rest of the way to Fayetteville. When I arrived, Lars gave me a big hug and handed me the keys and said, “The Golden Chariot is all yours”.

After loving working on houses with him and his derelict (and awesome crew) for a couple weeks, I drove all over the mid and southwest for the rest of the summer visiting family and friends eventually making it to Lars & Lisa’s wedding in Greeley CO. After all my visits, I ended up heading back to fix up houses with Lars and the gang for another year. It was there that I started thinking about architecture school and the direction of my life slowly began taking shape.

I will miss him dearly and hope wherever he is he’s driving around, giving rides in a golden chariot and then passing the keys along.

Note: Today Piper got her 2nd Pfizer shot, arm feels sore but all’s good otherwise.

Taken around 1996 from the garage of the Larimer Place (3358 Larimer).

Taken around 1996 from the garage of the Larimer Place (3358 Larimer).

"Band Saw” 1/3 2nd edition - Lars Bickford (early 90s)

This wood block print was made from a feathered board, it’s used to help reduce “kickback” when feeding material through table saws and other power tools. I always loved that Lars likely pulled this out of a woodshop trash can and reused it as a carving plate. I mounted the print on the bottom of an old drawer I used to transport cassette tapes around in in a ‘74 Plymouth Scamp he had given me…that will need to be the next entry.

This hangs in my office.

This hangs in my office.

Lars Bickford (November 1, 1962 - May 31, 2021)

Another tremendous personal loss for me, as well as, for a community of creative, positive forces in the world.

Lars and I were friends for 6-7 years before we started bigfishdesign in Denver in the mid 90s after we had worked together renovating houses in Fayetteville, AR. He pushed and inspired me to explore art, boatbuilding, woodworking, design and countless other things, for which, I will forever be indebted.

I’ll miss his art burning sales, his (unfinished) boat destructions, his ability to turn a house priming task into a massive mural (before painting over it), his determination/ability to fix anything, his nasally laugh and his giant hugs.

The details of his death are still unclear - it sounds like he was biking with friends (in Crested Butte, where he lived) and at some point turned around - maybe it was a bike accident but waiting to hear more. I will update as information comes in. My heart goes out to all of his family, friends and anyone lucky enough to have known him.

UPDATE: It sounds like it was likely his heart and that there were no signs the fall was responsible - the thought is…it was quick. Here’s a little more from the Crested Butte News.

Please feel free to reach out if you need to talk.

These pictures were taken in a bakery in Fayetteville, AR 1993 (and that is good friend Kate in the background)

These pictures were taken in a bakery in Fayetteville, AR 1993 (and that is good friend Kate in the background)

This is a self-portrait Lars made after discovering some 110 photographs he had taken in his late teens. He had been a gymnast in HS and early college. The iron-cross (from the rings) was a recurring theme/image in his work. Notice how he used concrete, wood, glass, photography, solder and sewing to make this.

This is a self-portrait Lars made after discovering some 110 photographs he had taken in his late teens. He had been a gymnast in HS and early college. The iron-cross (from the rings) was a recurring theme/image in his work. Notice how he used concrete, wood, glass, photography, solder and sewing to make this.

Memorial Day 2021

The loss in the past year nationally and internationally from Covid-19 alone has been staggering, it begins to feel immeasurable when you also consider the loss from wars and conflicts.

I wish all a meaningful Memorial Day.

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