Inspiration
Handmade
Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the fact that these homes are handmade. So many hours. So many hands. It's important to stop and just marvel at the beauty and craft of construction itself.
Tools of the trade
Exploring Orcas Island. I'm always fascinated by expertise, obsession, and craft.
Sea Ranch exhibit
Our office took a field trip to see the Sea Ranch exhibit at the SFMOMA. This photo of a site model, made with sugar cubes and push pins, was a good reminder of how anything can everything can inspire architecture.
Contractor Sketches Part 3
Drawing on stucco, and then the wall is demolished and the sketch is gone forever. Except that the details became the house that now stands. At our Inverness Way Residence, with Phil Carey at Starburst Construction.
Contractor Sketches Part 2
This one is between the studs, right on the inside face of plywood sheathing. It will eventually get covered up with insulation, but will remain as a beautiful time capsule of how our team figured out the details of a sleeping nook. At our Amarillo Avenue Residence, with Augie Peccei of Coast to Coast Development.
Contractor Sketches Part 1
This one is sketched, passed around, nailed to a stud between two different kinds of insulation. This is art in itself. At our La Donna Avenue Residence, with Chris Brooks at CB Builders.
Inspiration: Floor tile at Churrería El Moro
Unforgettable churros and beautiful floor tile at El Moro in Mexico City.
Inspiration: Stone inlay at the Huntington Chinese Garden
There simply wasn't enough time to explore all the gardens at The Huntington. Next time.
Inspiration: Brick pavers at the Gamble House
And this is just the driveway.
Inspiration: Gamble House Details
Visiting the Gamble House in Pasadena, by Greene & Greene.