Collaboration + Sustainable Communities

Integrated project design and the collaborative process is an widely discussed topic in the realm of sustainable architecture, and the benefits of a shared and interactive approach to problem-solving have been well-documented.  When implemented correctly, this translates to reduced overall project costs, more satisfied and informed clients, and increased team productivity and unity, as understanding and communication are key elements of integrated, collaborative design.

Beyond the building and construction industry, however, this concept of open communication and shared resources has the potential of far-reaching effects. 

When applied to the many other facets of living sustainably, this new paradigm of development and means of thinking could be the key to creating resilient and empowered communities...  

For the complete post and a discussion of the prospects of open source collaboration and the potential to create self-sustaining communities, visit Inspired Design Daily...  

Smart Growth + Complete Streets

As often as we talk about sustainable building design strategies and technologies, it’s just as critical to look beyond the building and immediate site, to the context of the street, neighborhood, and community infrastructure. 

With green initiatives being implemented by municipalities and cities at an exponential rate, understanding where to begin and how to participate can be a challenge, as this new paradigm of development requires fundamental changes in not only how we address urban design, but how we consider infrastructure, transit, policymaking, and collective social behavior as factors in shaping the built environment.

However, if broken down into primary elements, we can start to look at these broad issues in a way that is accessible to individuals, families, and homeowners.  To generate a dialogue directly applicable to the concerns and quality of life of residents, building users and stakeholders, the discussion needs to start at the smaller scale of the street and neighborhood.

So, what exactly is a sustainable street?

image: corey kuepfer

In short, it is a transportation corridor for everyone, regardless of age, demographic or ability.  According to the National Complete Streets Coalition, ‘there is no singular description for complete street.’  Each one is unique and context-specific and may include ‘sidewalks, bike lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, roundabouts and more.’ 

           

While each community has differing needs and priorities based on location, existing conditions and numerous other factors, the basic premise is to ‘balance safety and convenience for all users’, while promoting ecology, connectivity, accessibility, more transit options and flexibility.  With transportation management and infrastructure becoming increasingly relevant issues in the diverse realms of urbanism, economy, ecology and politics, more cities are taking policy and regulatory steps to move towards greener and healthier streets and neighborhoods. 

For a visual of where these changes are happening, take a look at the Complete Streets Atlas, and get inspired to take action in your neighborhood!

image: epa.gov

To learn more about sustainable streets and communities and related issues, take a look at these resources, organizations, and links:

EPA:  State and Local Climate and Energy Program  

NRDC:  A Guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act

ICLEI Local Action Blog:  Cities + Counties on the Front Lines of Climate, Sustainability and Energy Action

Visit these sites to see examples of these strategies in action:

Portland Sustainability Institute:  The EcoDistricts Initiative

City of Seattle, Dept. of Transportation:  Stone Way Rechannelization- Before and After Study

NRDC:  Smart Growth Neighborhood Revitalization Visualizations

Blue Planet.

LEGO: International Style

Typically used in reference to the architecture and design philosophy of architect Mies van der Rohe and his colleagues, the famous adage, 'less is more' aptly captures both the physical and ideological aspects of the modern architecture movement.  

One of the most well-known figures to define the International Style in the 1920's, Mies established a reductionist language of steel and glass to realize an abstracted universalist architectural typology, highly influenced by social and political theory in both approach and practice. 

Years later, his early work in the U.S. reflects this ideology in the simplicity of form and material at one of the most well-known homes of the twentieth century shown above, the Edith Farnsworth House, a meticulously detailed 1,500 square foot retreat in Plano, Illinois, whose design and construction took over five years, to be completed in 1951.

 

So, with that bit of history, it was a surprise that this iconic symbol of modernist minimalism was released this month as the newest addition to LEGO's 'Architecture series', and we're wondering how this latest iteration, constructed solely of those (arguably iconic in their own right) ever-familiar LEGO plastic building blocks, would have been received by the exacting architect.   

Depending on one's perspective, the LEGO block could be viewed as the ultimate in modular minimalist design, as the designer of the series aptly describes in his summary of the design process:

'In order to effectively replicate the balance between the refined white structural elements and expansive clear glazing, I started with the smallest cross-section I could make for the vertical exterior columns.  After several attempts, the most promising turned out to be using basic 1x1 bricks.  Everything else essentially fell into place: the inviting steps, the floating floor and roof decks, the understated furnishings and cleverly designed built-ins. It's fitting that recreating a minimalist symbol of modern architecture was done so with the simplest of LEGO bricks, the humble 1x1.'   
-A Word from the Artist, lego.com

And while the aesthetic doesn't quite translate as cleanly in this material as it does at, for example, the Hancock Center, we're pretty sure it would keep any (12+) budding modernist almost as entertained as a (30+) working architect.  

Details, Details...

MYD's last post on last month's AIA-LA Home Tours...
Since we weren't able to include the majority of photos taken at last month's AIA Los Angeles Home Tour, here's a selection of images that didn't make it into our previous posts on Homes 1+2, and later, on Homes 3+4.

To see all the images, visit our blog...  Thanks! 

Residential Architecture in LA: Part II

The AIA Los Angeles spring home tour, 'East and West of the 405' featured four beautiful homes in LA, and we shared thoughts and images on the first and second of the four homes in a previous post.

To follow up with the second half of the tour, we're taking a look at Homes 3 and 4- projects which reflect an impressive monumentality not typically seen in residential architecture. 

Hope you enjoy our favorite details, design features and architectural elements found at these two distinctive and impressive houses as much as we did!

Stone Ridge Residence
Stone Ridge Residence, by David Thompson of Assembledge+ and Billy Rose Design was a recent addition and renovation to an existing house along Mulholland Drive in Bel Air.  

The entry employs masonry, glass, and concrete to convey a sense of scale, further emphasized by the massing of rectangular forms framing the entry.  The redesign of the home utilizes the original material, brick, at much of the exterior, creating continuity between old and new.

A water feature adds movement and an additional layer of texture and softness to contrast the extensive use of brick and concrete.

At the interior, a reclaimed wood stair and vertical rods extend upward to the new second floor above.  Alongside the stair is a dramatic sculptural wall, a contrast to the rustic nature of the wood at its base.  

Clean transitions and creative material applications were consistent throughout the spaces- the interplay of form, geometry and layering of materials added interest, while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic.

The rear of the home takes advantage of the large site and extensive views while simultaneously creating spaces of a more intimate scale at certain locations, including a custom water feature of cor-ten steel and board-formed concrete with several outdoor fireplaces.  Visible from the floating glass windows at the second story, one's eye is drawn to this sculptural element in the landscape that reaches out towards the view with a cantilevered fountain.

 

One of the best surprises about this property was the working garden at the far end of the property- tiered to follow the hillside and to maintain the view from above.  Any homeowner would be inspired to hone a green thumb with these views!

Nightingale Residence 

The Nightingale Residence by architect Zoltan Pali of SPF:a and Dugally-Oberfeld Builders completed the tour with another spectacular view of Los Angeles.  The single-story home is oriented towards the view of the Pacific, with a courtyard plan, featuring large glass sliding doors in order to create a strong connection to the outdoors from all the main living spaces.

Jogs along the building footprint create view corridors and framed vignettes, providing interest and separating different functional spaces without blocking visual access.

At locations where glass isn't the predominant material, the exterior is clad with resin composite panels, creating increased contrast to the transparency of the glass at the courtyard.

Thanks for joining us on the tour, and we'll see you next time!