A Patient Search

In 1960 at age 71, architect Le Corbusier summarized his career in a monograph titled Creation is a patient search. That would also be a fitting sub-title for Steven Johnson’s Where Good Ideas Come From. In this enjoyable book, Johnson dispels the myth prevalent in our society that inspiration comes to people as a lightning bolt with ideas and inventions fully formed. He weaves several stories of the slow, circuitous path of creativity and uses Darwin’s life-long investigations of evolution as a continuum.

Summer Sun and the MidMod Renewal

Colorado’s high-altitude summer sun ripens our gardens’ tomatoes and orchard peaches. The dry air and cool evenings help bring these to plump perfection in August. But unless it is properly controlled, the abundant summer sun can also overheat a house.

In the project show above, new elements will emphasize the classic horizontal lines and low-pitch roof of a mid-century modern in South Boulder.

Architectural pairings – Beach Holiday

Bright blue aluminum chairs can evoke the seaside by their simple juxtaposition against galvanized corrugated metal and weathered wood decking. Our firm designed the addition to this house in Colorado, contrasting the existing construction with a fresh material palette. At the rear deck, the parallel lines of the metal siding provide the visual connection to the original.

Summer reading

One recently finished and one recently started

If you loved Technology in the Ancient World or The Mummies of Urumchi, you will enjoy Women’s Work, The First 20,000 Years. Elizabeth W. Barber tells the story of textiles as a branch of anthropology that she helped launch.

Clothing, like architecture, presents a first line of defense against the elements. And then it acquires meaning and symbol.

Architectural Pairings – Fourth of July

Two contemporary versions of traditional standards

The craftsman detailing of this front porch complements the varied colors and textures of a freshly made potato salad.

Sinuous

Chicago begets another innovative skyscraper with the opening of an intriguing structure by one of the city’s native daughters, Jeanne Gang.

It breaks with recent highrise traditions in many ways, some of which I had read about prior to visiting. I found some surprises. Aqua offers a unique (or at least rare) experience. At 82 stories, it happens to be the world’s tallest building by a woman. Really? I thought our glass ceiling would be higher by now. You go, Jeanne!

Historic Caribbean Color

From a recent trip to San Juan and Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Historic color on some of the oldest buildings in the Americas (a few almost 500 years old)

Restored or raw

Gimme Shelter

If you need to end a drought in Colorado, take the gutters or the roof off a house. Deconstruction always brings on a downpour. Our May weather highlights the need for proper gutters, downspouts, grading, and sub-surface drainage. Mother nature constantly reminds us that the primary function of architecture is SHELTER.

Splash

A focal point of any kitchen or bath, the backsplash provides a canvas for craftsmanship, but only if all the pieces work according to plan (and elevation).

Feature Remodel

As seen in the current issue of Boulder County Home and Garden (Spring 2011)

Feature Remodel: The Modern (Not Massive) Ranch – Click on the images to read more

Excerpt:

This ranch home went from dark and gloomy to chic and airy, without overwhelming the neighborhood’s character in the process…

…The living, dining and kitchen walls were eliminated to make a single large space, while the ceiling was opened up into the attic to create a taller space with the same vaulted shape as the new office but without disrupting the roof line…