Architecture

Architecture for the Birds.

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Do you feel that the fine feathered friends building nests in your yard’s trees need something a little nicer? Maybe a nice two bedroom Eichler inspired house, or something a little bit more Frank Lloyd Wright? Well Sourgrassbuilt is here to help you make sure that all the birds in your yard have a modern dwelling to call home. Designed and built by Douglas Barnhard for his company, Sourgrassbuilt, in Santa Cruz California these mid-century modern homes are pretty amazing. The birdhouses are handcrafted from valuable leftover wood and laminates that come from other furniture projects that Barnhard creates for Sourgrassbuilt. One of the really nice touches is the fact that many of the houses have small living garden space to help attract birds as well. Barnhard’s Etsy site says he is still taking orders through December 11 for Christmas delivery, so if you want be Santa to the birds this year, you better hurry.

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The USC Architectural Teaching Slide Collection, A Mid Century Modern Time Capsule.

Tremaine residence, Montecito, Calif., 1949. Richard Neutra, architect

Yesterday I was looking for some reference images of mid century modern architecture for an illustration I am working on when I stumbled across the USC Architectural Teaching Slide Collection. This website contains about 1400 images taken between the late 1930’s and late 1960’s. it features the work of American masters like Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, Fritz Block and many more. The site is broken into 4 sections, Pierre Koenig (302 items), Fritz Block: Modern architecture II (The new concept of space) (459 items), Fritz Block: Modern architecture I (248 items). There is also a link to a prototype website that was built back in the late 1990’s with additional information.

If you open an image, there is a large selection of information about each slide. Location of the structure, the year taken, who the photographer is, the architect, publisher etc. The images are scans of slides taken in many cases by the architect, or Block. They are not color corrected, and these are not professional architectural photographs. They do however show what was going on in terms of modern architecture at the time, and in some cases show shots of the buildings being built. There are images of blueprints, and correspondence as well as site drawings, and planning layouts for entire subdivisions. All the images are available for download, print or sharing.

Archiblocks.

Remember the building blocks you played with as a kid? Simple squares, usually with the alphabet painted on them. Well these are not your average building blocks.

Archiblocks were designed by Laurence Calafat for Cinqpoints. Cinqpoints is a French maker of architectural stationery and toys, and Archiblocks is a beautiful, minimalist set of building blocks designed to encourage kids to create. Cinqpoints mission is to spread the ideals of contemporary architecture. Archiblocks are designed to reflect balance, composition, and modular design. The set contains 16 pieces, all machined from untreated lime-wood. the blocks are smooth to the touch, with each block hand sanded before being sealed and painted. If I had kids, I’d get them a set of these. Actually, I might have to get a set for myself, because they are pretty damn cool.

SNOW CREEK RD.

If I had an extra $450,000 in cash just laying around I’d be tempted to pull the trigger on this property listed by Paul Kaplan in Palm Springs. Yes this is small at just 756 square feet. Yes it needs a boat load of cosmetic work. That’s why I said $100,000 more than the asking price. But look at how cool this space is and how amazing it could be with a little TLC and a vision to take it back to the year it was built; 1961. I really love the sky light that runs the length of the A-Frame roof line. Try and look past the clutter and the current decor. This could really be an amazing space with less furniture and a bunch of updates.

The editorial below the images is from the listing page.

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“Here is Your Chance to Own a Piece Of Incredible Bohemian History. Snow Creek Village is Nestled in the Beautiful San Jacinto Mountains and less than 10 Miles from the Modernist Center of Palm Springs. 39 Eclectic Homes Dot the Scenic Wilderness. Artists, Writers & Musicians have all called Snow Creek Home. This Unique, one of a kind 1 Bedroom/1Bath hand hewn A-Frame House with Loft was built in 1961. A Stunning Celestial Glass Peak Greets You Inside with Rock and Wood Walls & A Large Granite Fireplace. Detached Studio Space sitting on an Incredible .73 acres with a Rock Stream Koi Pond & An Above Ground Jacuzzi. Mature Eucalyptus, Bamboo & Citrus Trees Abound.”