Kodachrome Nights

« October 2006 | Main | February 2007 »

January 29, 2007

House Book

I ran into a sweet deal at McKay's this weekend. The House Book, from Phaidon, one of my favorite architecture books that I've never owned. $5. Can't beat it. The lady at checkout told me that architecture was her section and they had about 10 of them originally. There was still one left if you live in the Chattanooga area.

Here's what Amazon says about it:

The House Book presents a vibrant and fresh view of architects and designers responsible for some of the most diverse international houses of all time. From Hadrian's Villa to Palladio's Villa Rotunda and Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye through to the contemporary houses of Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry, it features the widest range of both architect-designed and traditional dwellings.

Stoked. I'll have to post some of the ideas I pull out of there. Some of the classics I saw in there were the Case Study house Charles and Ray Eames built and lived in until their death, of course the Farnsworth House that I've mentioned before, and one other house I love that's like Farnsworth and is catilevered over a stream but I can't remember what it's called- I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Posted by Mark C McKnight at 5:46 PM

January 24, 2007

Preliminary Design Brief for the New House

I've been thinking a lot lately about building a new house, and I'm (finally) getting close to the point where I might actually be able to afford something. I'm currently paying almost nothing for rent, which gives me the luxury of waiting out a long custom construction project that wouldn't otherwise be feasible.

So, I'm working now on a design brief for the architect, and I've created a new category here ("Designs for My New House." Pretty catchy title, eh?) where I will keep track of the progress and record my sources of inspiration and any relevant research.

The basic idea will be something like Phillip Johnson's Glass House in an urban setting, not so much like the condos going in in Manhattan, nor the club in Pomona, but more like an upright version of the Farnsworth House (go look it up yourself, I'm tired... and tired of linking).

So far, my basic requirements/design challenges are:

Privacy: How do you make a glass house private and appropriate to a city?

Efficiency: How to push the envelope on sustainable design and green building practices while remaining on budget? Haven't found a very good way yet, but am very interested in research grants, tax credits, or just whoring the house out to the press... whatever it takes. Input here would be great.

Modular Design: Can the house start small, with additions planned for future uses, as the need arises and money becomes available? Also, how do you maximize the flexibility of the space, so walls and furniture can be moved around to make room for a party or for new, unanticipated uses?

Visual Impact: I haven't located a lot yet, but I'd like to be on the top of a hill in North Chattanooga, so how do I build in such a way that maximizes the view, engages with whatever natural features there may be (trees, rock formations, etc.) and yet does not stick out like a sore thumb. This will probably be primarily dependent on sensitive color and materials. I like the idea of engaging with the history of a place through materials, but applying a modern sensibility by using those materials in an unexpected way. For example, the Rural Studio's incredible re-use of junk materials like car windshields, carpet tiles, road signs, tires, etc. "One man's junk..." cliche fits here. See how they used cardboard in Newbern, AL.

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted by Mark C McKnight at 7:43 AM

January 23, 2007

Sick sense of humor

I don't know why I think this is so funny, but it just is.

Thanks to The Piton.

Posted by Mark C McKnight at 9:58 PM

January 21, 2007

gapingvoid cartoons and the Rise of the Creative Class: a long rant

Notes from last Sunday: (this Sunday's update coming soon)

So on the heels of a pretty crazy night (think: St. Johns Meeting Place >> SJMP Bar >> CBC out in Brainerd >> some other bar I've never hear of >> Electric Cowboy) navigating the cultural spectrum that is Chattanooga, along with a couple pretty heated arguments with my friends and housemate, I've been reading Richard Florida's book, The Rise of the Creative Class, and I just ended up reading this creativity manifesto on gapingvoid.com.

Yesterday I started the day off by putting around the house and reading, then I went running in a wilderness area (seven miles- I'm very proud of myself because my motivation has been lacking all winter).

After the run, three of my good friends and I went out to St. John's, where I saw one of my favorite artists in town, talked with a business associate who shall go un-named about how obnoxious designers can be (another rant for another time, but really, guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but try to meet payroll sometime and see how easy it is to compromise art for commerce), met the principal of a local interactive agency who's also from North Carolina, ran into another design guy who I had seen at a party the night before at my filmmaker friend's house, etc...

Sounds like fun, right? Well, the friends I was with were not interested. We went to St. John's to do something different that what we always do, to see new people that we don't always see- which I think we did. But these guys were not mature enough to actually enjoy it, and it devolved into a night of east Brainerd redneck fun. Now these guys are not particularly rednecks; they're actually fairly well off and pretty much typical of the people I grew up with in Raleigh- the polo-wearing boat shoe set that my other friends enjoy poking fun at me about. But doesn't that make it worse? Doing something ironically that would have sucked even if we were doing it in all earnestness? I have to say I knew what I was getting into, but I went because a) I didn't have anything else to do and b) I knew it would be an interesting cultural experience, which it was, in a sense.

But really, man wasn't made to go from Duck Confit + arugula, to jello shooters in one night. It's just too much, and on the heels of all the big questions I've been asking about whether Chattanooga is really a place I can live long term or not, it kind of pushed me over the edge.

So I was miserable, and ranting about it, fairly incoherently I might add.