Pruned: Un-vanishing a lake

Pruned: Un-vanishing a lake [pruned] A lake mapped and marked in the Mission

SM Apt Names - a photoset on Flickr

SM Apt Names - a photoset on Flickr [things], rich commentary and examples of architectural lettering

More on Rafael Viñoly Architects...

2. THE INSTRUMENTS AND TOOLS OF ARCHITECTURE. Architectural work can be broken down into a series of basic actions that interact as they are endlessly repeated: we see, draw, and calculate; we mock up our proposals and coordinate our design and production processes. For each action there is a series of tools, physical and intellectual, through which the design is.... Whether the tool is a pencil, a camera, a 3-D modeling program, or a flow chart, it not only serves us but, at a profound level, determines the character of our work. This class focuses on the understanding and knowledge of these tools and the techniques through which we can master them.
Commentary...
Tools are so strange. The government requires arcane computation of parking, or someone wants all kinds of takeoffs to monitor programmed spaces compared with design. These kinds of things require spreadsheets so back and forth, and all the while the CLOCK ticks. At a minimum of about $1 a minute to the client, a daydream can get to be rather costly. A bathroom break runs $5 or more. Photos on screen by the dozen of some obscure existing condition poorly measured and all the more mysterious as you attempt to close. Big fun. Stay away from charts and graphs unless you're really feeling your oats.

Tags: howto

Cool roof for hot studio in Napa County

There are options. This preliminary report covers two of the most attractive and one partial solution.

It appears the Owner has a large space that was designed as Non-Conditioned workshop storage, and if converted to Conditioned, falls under the purview of Title 24, Part 6. The residential solution is to obtain an Energy Analysis and generally speaking attach 5/8" type "X" gypsum board to the underside of the trusses, assuming they are 24" on center. Then apply R30 batt insulation both at roof and ceiling and blanket insulate all ducts. It is important to vent the attic in this case. Since the studio appears to be subject to fire regulations similar to Santa Cruz Urban Wildland Iintermix Code (UWIC) (depending on local fire jurisdiction), it might have to be sprinklered if it ever goes to permit, and the local code might disallow eave vents. Therefore, employ large gable vents, sized appropriately for the attic square feet such as 1 sq ft net free area per 150 sq ft attic space. Considering the size of the structure, adding continuous ridge vents or pop-up vents would probably be necessary to provide sufficient ventilation with reasonably attractive gable vents. There would be some difficulty finding a roofing contractor that could perform all of the work without exposing the building to structural and fire scrutiny by authorities especially if neighbors trigger Code Compliance. Note this solution allows for existing Class B composition shingle, though even as white as you can get, the temperature rise will be minimum 50 degrees Fahrenheit over ambient, but that would be immaterial if all aspects of this solution are carried out.

A proposed solution falls more into the category of non-residential cool roof under Title 24, but it is important to retain the integrity of the existing 5/8" structural sheathing. The trusses will go wild if the sheathing is removed, and if that ever happens, Owner would have to re-roof to new design with new trusses or select another new system. Assuming the sheathing can be patched, it means possibly blanketing the underside of sheathing R33 batt foil side down (for winter); it might be possible to obtain a recommendation for foil side up for summer from an Energy Consultant. To the top of the sheathing apply rigid R-10; this is about all that is available. Then the metal roofing, which is generally galvanized sheet metal smooth white coating. The changes in roofing system must weigh the same as existing or structural work would have to be done. Note, the fire resistance of steel may be less than composition Class B, and its applicability for the stated purpose is unknown.

Owner might check with the planning jurisdiction (Napa County?) to see if they offer re-roofing guidelines when the proposed system varies from existing, probably the only case where a permit wouldn't normally be required. The fire jurisdiction might also offer useful guidelines. A planner or fire marshal should be able to offer reliable advice. The problem does appear to be soluble to the satisfaction of all concerned.

One other possibility is to consider incremental improvement. Re-roof with white fiberglass composition shingle or paint existing white. Inside, insulate underside with batt insulation. Call it done.

Tags: report

Residential per square foot construction costs, for properties in Santa Cruz County can be guessed by looking at how the City does it. The highest number on the current BVD chart is $119.76 + (City) 13% of $119.76 = $135/sq ft. The Toph has heard $250 used anecdotally, but wonders if $300, a low value for more central Bay Area locations, is appropriate.

Tags: costs, fees

Rafael Viñoly Architects...
1. CRAFT VERSUS THEORY. Theory and craft are equal elements of architectural practice. Architects need to develop and work from an understanding of essential role that craft plays. This, then, sets out to separate craft from theory, in order to recover it as a basis for practicing and thinking about architecture.
Commentary...
Theory offers some interesting things to think about, which isn't craft, and craft is what makes a building, the "Architect of Record" stuff. Usually theory is skipped in small practice, and big practice has it, but only the big practitioners theorize. The Toph butted heads with theory in a competition judged by Stephen Holl, among others. Apparently some "curvy" redefinition of space was called for, and a shoebox SRO spatial scheme was slightly curved at corridor. It was a better result than otherwise would have been the case, and based on that experience, theory, any theory, could be welcome into the ever-present craft discussion.

Today is HMB photowalk. It's a little new yet, but Thomas Hawk mentions it. Robert Scoble brought a wildlife lens to share.

Tags: photowalk, hawk, scoble

Stylish cottage for Katrina country is a big hit - Buying a House - MSN Real Estate: "A well-designed home for under $50,000? This tiny house designed for the battered Gulf Coast will be sold by Lowe's..." This is the Katrina Cottage by Marianne Cusato.

Here's a set of passages from flickr shown on pictobrowser...

Tags: trenches, photo, commute, coast, pescadero

Torsion at Tacoma Narrows, a Trenchant Reminder:

Tags: trenches, engineering, bridge, video

Much studying on the exam front. How is a project closed out? Where does CEQA apply? What happens if the owner asks for a project to proceed without meeting requirements? What is the difference between code provisions for historic buildings compared to conventional alterations?

Tags: exam, trenches

Manufactured home heartbreak: client who may or may not have a permit sends flaming* email Friday calling for extensive revisions to the structure and new sets of plans in five calendar days.

* Howls about a decision to fill the old septic tank with concrete and install a new one, though after it was done it became apparent there was no need.

9/10/2006 Update: This has long since been settled to everybody's satisfaction. Plans were approved, and nothing further was ever said about the new septic tank. Cheers to cooler heads.

Tags: manufactured, trailer, septic, deadline, plans, trenches

Recent Devil's Slide repair measures include new netting, ties into the mountain and new electronics. This was after four months of road closure after heavy rains in April. The slide is very deep-seated, and could fail again in wet weather unless the mountain is dewatered.

Straw bale offers health benefits, good insulation and interesting design possibilities. Best practice is emerging in California for a variety of weather conditions and high seismic loading. This Swarthmore page has good photos of an innovative design under construction, including a round space.

Fishing on the Sacramento River

participatory architectural practice

Compiled 7/14/2006 4:14:30 AM GMT

Architecture news, architectural
design, interviews, building projects, green
architecture, ... Participatory design with the Internet. Page 1 of 3 ...
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Architecture news, architectural
design, interviews, building projects, ...
Building on the pioneering participatory design work of Anton Nelessen, ...
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firm’s work through which particular aspects of architectural
practice ...
knowledge and skills in participatory design in the context of designing ...
Accordingly, architectural
practice needs to be turned inside-out. ... propose an
open-source (bazaar) model for architectural
practice and participatory ...
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Collective strategies, a revival in participatory architectural
practice and
spontaneous and hybrid interventions all contribute to reforming, ...
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DOC
Microsoft Word -
They had frequent meetings with the architects but they also facilitated at the
participatory design workshops. There was the architectural
practice, ...
RIBA Bookshop - Construction and Architectural Practice: Architects Working
Details: Volume 9, ... Creative Spaces a toolkit for participatory urban design. ...
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“Community-driven Placemaking: The Social Practice of Participatory Design and
the making of Union Point Park.” The Journal of Architectural Education, Vol. ...
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Professor Burry will give a lecture entitled "Embedding architectural
research
and learning into post digital practice" at TU Delft as part of Delft ...
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Installation art denotes a place of slippage for architectural
practice, ...
art making and art installation affects the participatory aspects of the work. ...
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Try your search again on

NPR : Tiny Houses Find a Friend on the Gulf Coast: Jay Shaefer designs houses on trailers for the Gulf Coast.

Las Lomas at 4500 West Speedway, Tucson, is the work of Margaret Fulton Spencer, Architect. It is still out in the middle of the desert west of Tucson. There's a manuscript with a history of its making, quite fabulous. Tucson craigslist has a post that reads as follows:

Maintenance Personnel / Handyman needed.

Las Lomas Estates
Primarily a creative adult community for Artists - Writers - Healers Etc.

Las Lomas Estates is tucked away in the Tucson Mountain Foothills, up at the top of Speedway. Thirty historic stone-built homes on 200 acres of protected Sonoran desert, needs the gentle care of a skilled Handyman. Part-Time, 10-15 hours per week (or more, if wanted). Pay starts at $12.50 per hour. Optional housing on property if desired, (an opportunity in itself!)

Las Lomas Estates have lots of history behind them. The buildings themselves are remarkable in that they are built entirely of local stones. They look like old-world "Hobbit Homes." Clark Gable & Carol Lombard spent their honeymoon at the ranch! The buildings have a rustic charm, and the natural scenery and views are exquisite. Beautiful sunrise and sunsets!!!

And of course... there's an extraordinary, community pool.

Price Range: $200 - $900/mo.
Most units are $300 - $500/mo.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreements

For more information, please email Christopher Roman at jovial@yours.com Or, call (520) 844-1486
email is preferred.

»-(¯`v´¯)-» : ) SORRY... NO DOGS ( : »-(¯`v´¯)-»

Sketchup

An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth (bonsai)

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35.
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39.
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It’s not a present.
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Produce a split between creatives and errors.
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38.
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