Happy Fall

We’re all enjoying the lovely colors this month around Denver, especially the Purple Ash in front of our home.

HW Studio’s concrete home below ground (Mexico)

I’ve always fantasized about the idea of a sunken or below ground home. My second favorite part about this project is the concrete wall that bends around the tree in the slot path..

Hiroshi Sugimoto (Photographer)

I’ve loved Sugimoto’s photographs ever since my good friend Verity Freebern (designer) turned me on to these beautifully subtle works years ago.

Part of Seascape Series

Château La Coste Art Gallery / Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Renzo Piano is one of my favorite living architects. Everything done in his workshop feels like a fully explored student project with all the curiosity and rigor of a deep examination of many exciting possibilities. See more about this project here.

See note in upper left corner of dwg :)

Fabricated Sculpture for Kelton Osborn

This was one of those rare, fun opportunities to work with a close friend and do something artistic. Kelton (QUICK-BEND design) approached me about 2 months ago and said a Denver hotel (under construction) contacted him regarding a piece of his art. They envisioned it about 4ft tall (the original is about 1ft tall). Here’s the final work. Once the hotel is complete, I’m hoping to document it “in-the-wild”.

Kelton’s original

The Endemic House / ESEcolectivo (Ecuador)

Despite the availability of local materials and the fragile conditions of the Galapagos ecosystem, Endemic House is only the second project built with bamboo in San Cristóbal - most of the island homes are made of metal and concrete. Read more here.

100 Bio-Based House Materials at Dutch Design week

Great examples of int/ext materials in this modular house. The Dutch should be put in charge of greening the world and the company Biobased Creations should lead the way. Read more here.

First Parish Church (Weston MA)

It was an honor to be invited to and to participate in a service for my best friend Seth Bossung, over this past weekend. This 150yr old New England church felt like the ideal place to connect with his family, friends and his roots.

Farm + Solar Farm

Interesting idea. I imagine we’ll see more of this in the coming years. Read more.

Good Reminder

Tiny Cabin by Barry Connor (New Zealand)

Another nicely designed small structure set against a beautiful backdrop. More info. here.

CH House by ODDO Architects (Hanoi)

I love when buildings are squeezed in between other structures to fit into a dense urban fabric. More about this project here.

Permeability House / Tangu Architecture (PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA)

So much about this home feels like an attempt to take advantage of plant space and the extensive screening appears to piggy-back on that . Read more.

Maja Off-Grid (Helsinki) by Littow Architects

This looks to be just the right size for a eco cabin. More here.

MR. RAFIEH’S PENCIL SHOP (TEHRAN)

I would go out of my way to visit this type of shop anywhere in the world. (Note: Put on my radar by the lovely, Emily Moore.)

Casa Almudena / Jesús Perales (Spain)

Another simple and elegant home - the vaulted interior + the inside/outside courtyard makes the space feel expansive. The material palette also reminds me of the red clays of Spain. More here.

ACHES - Graffiti Artist (Ireland)

Anonymous ACHES does these beautiful glitchy (int’l) works that feel like they may require 3D glasses. See more.

Artist Studio by Studio Bua (Iceland)

Two observations: 1. Notice how the high window aligns (right) and is the same height as the lower windows, it’s subtle but helps tie together up/down & new/old. 2. Minimal interior window trim allows the views to be clear and unobstructed - making the view more like a modern framed painting. Also, love when kitchen sink window trim can double as top of backsplash and shelf. Check out more about this project here.

2021 Drone Photography Awards

Interesting competition started in 2018 with multiple categories. Human and natural patterns dominate the entries. See more photos here.

“Pink-Footed Geese Meeting the Winter” headed to Svalbard, Norway by Terje Kolaas

“Sheep in Congress” by Yoel Robert Assiag

Casa Jardin by Al Borde (Ecuador)

Another small rammed earth brick studio with some eccentric touches, especially the glass outhouse. More info here.