Authenticity!
Something that should be on every architects mind. Think about it!
O.K., It’s the weekend and beautiful outside and I’m inside, working, what the f…heck. So I thought I would share a tasty morsel from Mr. Alto that seemed appropriate on a Sunday afternoon…
“Though solving the problem of architecture involves a crucial process of humanization, architecture is faced with the old problem of monumentalism and form just as it always was. All attempts to eliminate it would be as fruitless as an effort to eliminate the idea of heaven from religion.
Though we know that man, poor thing, is not likely to be saved whatever we try to do, the main duty of the architect is to humanize the machine age. However, this must be done without scorning form.
Form is a mystery which eludes definition but makes man feel good in a way quite unlike social aid.”
Between Humanism and Materialism
Lecture to the Architects’ Association of Vienna, 1955
And so does James Brown…I FEEL GOOD!
Slideshow Bruno House from our visit to the Bruno House.
MJ was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal for significant contribution to architectural design from the Upsilon chapter of Tau Sigma Delta at Texas Tech University’s College of Architecture; we traveled to Lubbock so they could give the thing to him and so he could lecture them in exchange (not so sure about this barter…)
Seriously, it was fun, MJ is a TTech alumnus and the students that hosted us (Adam Reed and Amber Howard) were intelligent, gracious and we had a great time with them and going to great restaurants!
If they were sick and tired of hearing MJ reminisce about his drinking, his drinking buddies and his drinking holes during his six years at TTech a million years ago, they didn’t show it. (Jeez baby, no wonder you didn’t have the grades to join the actual Honor Society that gave you the award, but I guess is all better now… except wait, it’s Friday, oh no, Margarita day… gotta go!)
The highlights of the trip besides getting to hang out with Adam and Amber, were meeting with MJ’s old professors (still there, still as sweet!) the White twin brothers, Jim and John, and going to visit the Bruno House! MJ was just excited, tickled pink (yet sober, I swear.) He had been there when Bruno had started the house and 30 years later, he’s still at it!!!!
An absolute must see and a wonderful man and artist whom Wallpaper just published!
Posted by Viviane
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You might have noticed that we are posting design projects that are, how to say it delicately, a bit “fatter”. Yes bigger buildings, we are entering competitions and establishing relationships with other outfits and new types of clients. We are emphasizing more and more the importance and weight that the opportunity to contribute, not only with good design and sustainable practices, but also social purpose, bear with us.
I think I speak for each of us when I say that contributing to our communities is important and a part of our collective vision as professionals and artists.
We never, ever, want to let go of the little projects (MJ keeps drilling me on how important it is to make thoughtful design available to EVERYONE. You can really see him enamored of every single project at the office, like the little Wimberly cabin that will soon go into construction, 750 sq ft!) But, that said, we are putting a lot of effort lately into landing bigger projects.
They really challenge MJ as a designer, they give us the opportunity to engage the whole of the team, and we feel that we can do service to a greater amount of people at once.
An example of this line of thinking is a project we did a while ago in collaboration with Land Design Studio and Foda Studio, who else:-), for a new school building for American Youth Works. I think it exemplifies the type of work and service I am talking about. Designing places where youth can develop and play, experiment, shine… We do think that built environment affects personal development, potential. Can we help someone soar?
So we didn’t place. All of us were really hoping for at least a placement (like the Honorable Mention at the Memphis River Front) after all the hard work… but no dice.
During the two months of work preparing this entry (with all nine boards and two physical models) we were lucky to have the much appreciated collaboration and support of DJ Perkison, Jett Butler and his team at FÖDA Studio (see his post on the entries) and Armando Araiza.
The other usual suspects, Reese Schroeder and Chris Hill couldn’t be a part of this one, but they are a part of this incredible team that support us and that we are so grateful for.
The Slow Home editor, John Brown, has posted a third project of ours, the Ramp House
I really like seeing the Ramp House on the screen, makes me feel nostalgic, though… I just remembered that I have some footage on HD of our last days at the Ramp House, I need to dig it out and make a small video… in all my spare time, right… but it really would be nice, if a bit painful.
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| From Ramp House |
Another entry about competitions. These were some of MJ’s sketches for the Stockholm Library CompetitionWe couldn’t get this one in on time, but working with DJ is always fun!
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We’re featured on the slow home. blog/site. A wonderful site dedicated to real architecture. The idea was inspired by the slow food movement. Another worthy and timely cause to check into.
Check out their principles. we subscribe to everysingle one of them. Let’s make a difference!
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