VV Speaks

MOVING!!!! Curra’s is almost done

| mjneal

We had to move out of the old office before the new one is finished, so it has been quite hectic around here. But, man, are we excited about the new office, or what!!! I can’t wait to post pictures of the work in progress, soon!!!

And guess what, Curra’s at Parmer and Mc Neill is almost finished!!! They will do a test opening on Monday! IT LOOKS INCREDIBLE. I took some pics before it was finished and I’m going to start taking serious pics (along with a couple other professional photographers) so get ready!!!

Everyone is in love with the place, with the perforated plywood and the big ass fan, it feels almost like you can fly in there. It’s SO open, bright and clean, and FUN. They are going to make a killing at this place. Stay tunned. VV

Ask…

| mjneal

… and you shall receive! We’ve been able to turn the A/C off for the last two days. Sleeping with the windows open again. What a concept:-) John Aielli on KUT was talking about the dew point today. Anything below 60, and voila! It doesn’t feel humid! Oh Joy.

Kilean at the Arthouse

| mjneal

A while ago, we were a bit disoriented when Arthouse didn’t pick a Texan to do their remodel. Their mission is promoting Texas contemporary artists… and they picked a New Yorker…

But in any case, our good friend Wells Mason owner of Ironwood Industries is exhibiting his fantastic work there and MJ dropped by the opening to say hi. John Langford was there too and took these with his phone! Check John’s amazing photography work!

Big Ass, Bad Ass, Kyle’s Ass

| mjneal

Our excitement over some key elements is crossing over from client to client! We’re talking about the


Big Ass Fan!

IT’S BIG, IT’S BAD; IT’S UP!!!!

(I’m talking really loud because the last time we mentioned them in our newsletter and in this blog, we got the coolest swag imaginable, thanks guys!) But seriously, we love this company, and we love the product. Hell, it’s good enough for the cows, right? The thing, though, is that it’s good for the rest of us too.

See, besides that it looks cooler than you-know-what, the reason we are all excited about it, it’s because the energy savings and the comfort levels we are expecting to get out of it. This fan moves at a very low velocity, but it displaces vasts amounts of air. When you check their site out make sure to click on “product innovation” to read about it.

You may know this already, we are obsessed with reducing as much energy usage as possible in every one of our projects, we all know that this is becoming more and more crucial, right? So, the idea is that this fan will work in sync with the air conditioning, and distribute the air coming from it with high efficiency, reducing the amount of time that the A/C unit operates. The fan requires much less use of energy and it doesn’t use any chemicals or put out any exhaust. It also lowers the temperature by several degrees on its own. Every bit counts!

So, Curra’s finish out is on it’s last stretch and we are counting the minutes. Soon the big perforated plywood panels will be up (that will be a big day!) and the door with a stainless steel and wood handle, designed by MJ and crafted by Crippen Sheet Metal (steel) and Archwood Cabinetry (wood) will be finally done. All the restaurant equipment is in, and wait until you see the metal vanities, finished with white car paint…

So, what’s up with Kyle’s Ass? Good question. He really wants a Big one! Actually, the Big Ass Fan is perfect for his project even more so! His painting studio IS like a big modern barn, and the fan will become a must have in his case (only a small portion of the studio is air conditioned, one of the reasons we’re able to build such a big structure for a very minimal price! … And he also owns two miniature donkeys.)

So, now enjoy this journey to the Cleburne site, via the wonderful pictures that Justin Parr took. He’s an artist and friend of Andy Benavides, the general contractor and art gallery owner, mind you ….(are we lucky or what! A builder/artist??? And he’s not the only one we work with, right? Remember John and Mike?) Anyway, meet the crew in Cleburne (I think MJ is in love) and by the end you’ll see our crazy but lovable client and friend riding his miniature donkey. I know, what are the odds…

The view is still so pretty…

That’s Shorty.

Celso…

The Steel Sips man, David.

And the boss-man, Andy Benavides, also proud gallery owner and maker of picture frames…

It’s ok guys, MJ said this one is coming down, anyway.

No, really. (True story… really)

OK, let’s eat, good idea.

That looks yummy.

It’s ok Kyle, you’re not paying for the food…

Or are you???

Chillin’

OK. Back to work. I want a Big Ass Fan!!!!.

The architect has much “esplaining” to do.

The name’s for posterity, these guys are the kind that take pride:-)

Political propaganda put to good use.

That’s the fire pit. Maybe they are discussing the pig roasting? (We’ll be there for that!)

Let’s get to the donkey part…

Tonto and Harold

Big tonto on Tonto: I want a Big Ass Fan!!!

Guy’s crazy, dude.

THE END

Dear Pillow Screening

| mjneal

This is a film related post, but since I’m the associate producer, female star and a friend of the director who’s trying to raise the money for his next project, I’m going to urge the architecture fans to go the this benefit screeninng for Dear Pillow this Thursday!!!

For tickets and info go to this link and buy your online tix.

They are also showing Kissing on the Mouth, I can’t wait to see it!

Viviane

Here it IS!!!!!

| mjneal

Today we started work at the new place with John B, Mike and Manuel. These guys can make even sweeping fun! We goth the old fridge out of there, the old pipes, shelves, the old alarm system, the old phone lines, the old, old dust… all ripped out of there. I even got treated to a single malt from next door! I’m in builder’s heaven. Tomorrow is power cleaning day!!!

The old Duval cleaners,

will soon be:

AND

Isn’t gorgeous? Wait until we’re done with it:-) But the best part is got to be the location, 4220 Duval, next to the Hyde Park Grill, Dolce Vita, Asti, Mother’s, Fresh Plus, The Bakery, Ayayay… I hope we don’t get too fat from all the wonderful food around us.

I’ve already vowed to head for the smoothies at Mother’s. Honest… Had my first one today with Joe. Speaking of Joe, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten this space… he sent me a notice about the space behind it and it occured to me to walk around and I saw this one… showed it to MJ, who then proceeded to want it badly, although it didn’t seem like it was for lease… and it sort of kinda wasn’t… But it was… Many meetings and much charming-duty later… here’re we are!!!!

That’s John B:-) You’ve heard from him in the newsletter. You’ll be reading much more about him AND his business partner Mike, the awesome!

Yes, the old fridge will go:-) I posted it on Craigslist, maybe someone needs parts for an ancient monster… But check the north facing clerestories, inside… I’ll post more pics and renderings and plans soon, I’ll try to keep updates on the process,

MJ’s been at the office until very late these last two nights (he’s still there) drawing up a storm. I’m very excited:-) The best part is the swivel TV at the front. We are going to be running a 24/7 show!

Interior Design Magazine Publishes us! So Much More is Happening

| mjneal

JUNE 2005 /LOOK FOR INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINE
Interior Design Magazine features M. J. Neal Architects in their current (June) issue, now in the stands. You can read the article online
But buy the magazine to look at the incredible pictures by Jett Butler and Kenny Braun and peruse all five winners of the 2005 IIDA award.

JUNE 2005 / TOP INTERIOR DESIGN AWARD
M. J. Neal Architects has been awarded the prestigious International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Award for 2005 for its Anthony Nak project. This competition is held annually by the International Interior Design Association. This is their 32nd edition.

From hundreds of projects submitted from around the world, only five awards were given this year. The winners will be featured at the COOL 2005 IIDA’S NEOCON GALA in Chicago in June 2005 and the projects will be published in Interior Design Magazine. IIDA’s press release.

“The selected winners represent a wide range of project types. The common thread lies in their clarity of idea and the designers ability to develop that concept through the details in a clear and consistent way,” stated John Mack, IIDA, AIA, IIDAs Vice President of Communications.

Also, keep an eye out for the next issue of Residential Architect featuring M. J. Neal and his take on the materials he prefers to use in his projects.

more about “untitled“, posted with vodpod

June 2005 / THE ANTHONY NAK STORE WINS TOP JEWELER RETAIL DESIGN AWARD
The Anthony Nak project, designed by M. J. Neal Architects, receives first place in the 2005 Couture International Jeweler Retail Design Award by the National Jeweler and Couture International Jeweler publications. The award was presented to Anthony Camargo and David Nakard, the famed jewelry designers and owners of Anthony Nak, at the jewelery convention in Las Vegas. The Anthony Nak flagship store was chosen by an independent panel of design professionals as demonstrating excellence in design, inventive use of space, and overall quality of concept execution.

This is an elegant, subtle, space created to show exquisite designer jewelry.

Existing non-structural arches and windows were removed. These openings were altered to form new rectilinear windows and entry, enabling a dynamic street presence.

The palette is white surfaces with very subtle changes in texture. Venetian plaster on a complex curved wall, smooth gypsum board on the remaining walls and ceiling, and a Lonseal floor. A sandblasted glass wall acts as a screen for rear-projected movies of the client’s jewelry that run 24 hrs a day.

All case-work was designed by the architect: window cases are of stainless steel and glass. Free-standing floor cases, “pods,” are cherry wood, stainless steel, and glass. When open, the glass top of the pod becomes a surface to rest the jewelry on. Adjacent to the front door, a bench flows out of the ceiling.

From design work to end of construction, including case work , this 800 sq. ft. project was completed in twelve weeks.

This project also received the 2004 Citation of Honor from the American Institute of Architects, Austin and the prestigious IIDA Design award for 2005.

OMG

| mjneal

omygod, omygod… we did it! We signed a big fat lease for the coolest space in Austin!!!!!It’s raw, it needs everything, it’s perfect, it’s within walking distance from the shcool, it has tons of hip traffic, we are going to have a tv on 24/7. we’re surrounded by GOOOD restaurants. There’s a pool to go cool off a couple blocks away. Did I say it’s just beautiful?? Well… it actually looks like hell right now, but oh th epotential….wait until we are done with it… MJ is drawing it as we speak, John is gonna help us with the finish out… We’ll keep you posted!!!! VV

A Fantastic Initiative

| mjneal

Here’s an amazing company I’d like to work with at some point. I wonder if we could devise a program that links youth initiatives and institutions (the City of Austin, for example) with art and architecture, in public areas or parks… Very exciting projects. I specially liked the art and recycling awareness project, were they painted the containers… It makes me envision a city where all the ugly stuff is made beautiful by the way of art. And if it involves youth participation, then… what are we waiting for?

PHATGNAT

VV