Framing the View

A few recent construction images...

The Phoenix Art Museum

There’s something about museums that often lends the typology to well-articulated and engaging architecture…  Whether it’s the somewhat transitory nature of how users inhabit these civic institutions, or more specifically, the intrinsic relationship between the art and the spaces in which they are displayed, we often find ourselves admiring the building as much as the artwork inside!  

However, in some instances of well-known architecturally significant museums, the structure dominates and potentially distracts from its primary function of providing a space for paintings, sculpture and multimedia exhibits.  So, when we come across a contemporary museum whose design features are architecturally engaging, yet subtle enough to allow the art to stand on its own, it inevitably becomes the subject of a series of our own photographs, often inspired by what we experience inside.

The Phoenix Art Museum is one such space, and it not only performs its function well, but relates to the unique context of the Southwest desert through the incorporation of appropriate materials, shading devices, and landscape design.  An 10,000 square foot entry courtyard with a grid of sculptural trees provides the main access to the interior, with a deep overhang for solar protection and a linear water feature that creates movement and a sense of coolness in the Arizona heat.

Originally opened in 1959, the museum has undergone a series of renovations, the most recent by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, which included a site redesign and the inclusion of the entry court, as well as additional gallery spaces.  The resulting design tied the existing to the new to create ‘a series of interior experiences with art, enlivened by occasional visual connections to the landscape.’ 

For more information on the museum, the exhibits and how to get there, visit the Phoenix Art Museum's website.

Weekend Destination: the Nix Center

Happy Fathers Day weekend!

If you're looking to celebrate by taking advantage of the warm weather in a beautiful setting, make sure to read this week's guest post at Inspired Design Daily on the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the Nix Nature Center, a great local resource with educational and engaging outdoor activities to provide a unique experience of the native Southern California landscape.  The Center's contemporary and contextual design incorporates materials such as board-formed concrete, rammed earth, extensive glazing and cor-ten steel, to create a balance of space and experience and enhance a connection to place and the natural environment.

From the Nix Nature Center, located within the extended 20,000 acre South Coast Regional Wilderness area, visitors can enjoy the scenic vistas first-hand and learn about the preserve, which is home to a variety of threatened species and habitat restoration efforts in one of the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California.

Experience the wilderness from this beautifully-designed building and make sure to take the opportunity to learn about local ecology, hike over 40 miles of trails, and explore the natural environment, protected and maintained by the Laguna Canyon Foundation.

Learn more and read the complete post at Inspired Design Daily... and enjoy the weekend!

Recycling: An Infographic

Infographic by Recycle - Don't bin it, recycle it

Visiting the Observatory...

All too often, wherever one may live, there is a tendency to miss some of the most unique places to visit and sights to see...  
However, there are often destinations, closer to home than we may think, that draw both travelers and locals alike.  We had a recent experience of one such place while up in L.A. last week, when the spark of an idea led to a spontaneous visit to the Griffith Observatory, along with the surrounding park.


Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, a few minutes off the freeway, Griffith Park, owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, encompasses just over 3,000 acres.  With natural wilderness areas and trails, the site is beautiful in itself and provides the perfect setting for the impressive Griffith Observatory- a project initially conceived and funded in 1912 as a gift from Griffith J. Griffith, who also donated the parkland several years prior.  The intent was to provide the public at large with the opportunity to access the sciences and astronomy.

Architects John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley oversaw the project, which included a team of scientists, designers and astronomers and featured exhibits, interactive displays, an astronomical telescope, planetarium, and a large Foucault Pendulum, an installation demonstrating the earth's rotation.  The Observatory opened in May, 1935 and quickly became a celebrated public institution.

The original structure was constructed of thickened concrete walls to resist the effects of seismic activity, with an art deco aesthetic, incorporating custom decorative finishes and architectural detailing.  Several decades later, in 1960, the Observatory underwent an extensive modernization project, followed by a major expansion in the 2002, which included interior and exterior improvements, an additional 40,000 square feet of public space, new theater and classroom, and an expanded series of exhibits, developed in conjunction with updated program offerings which highlight the history as well as the latest technology in astronomical exploration.  For more information on the renovation and expansion, visit the Griffith Observatory website.

With scenic vistas of Los Angeles, a rich history, and innovative educational opportunities in the context of a beautiful site, the Griffith Observatory receives over two million visitors each year, including thousands of students.  Open Wednesday through Sunday until 10:00 pm, the site also accessible by public transit on weekends.  Further information on planning a visit can be found here.  

Whether you are traveling from afar or simply looking to enjoy an afternoon somewhere new, it's well worth a trip to this historic and engaging public park and observatory...  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Form, Space + Stair Design...

In almost every project, architecture exists not only in what one sees, but it also plays a strong role in shaping what is sometimes perceived as 'empty' spaces, those without definitive or overt design gestures- the places where one walks, stops, enters and exits. 

That said, circulation and access are items of significant importance relating to the functionality of a building, as they inform how users move through a space and how those spaces relate to one another. In this regard, the purpose and design of the stair (or stairs), along with passageways, entries and other components of a circulation system, are of particular relevance in shaping how users engage with structures, perceive spacial relationships, as well as determine the optimal means of getting from point A to point B.

In addition to the function provided for by staircases, they are also opportunities to create architectural form and design articulation, and thus, can greatly enhance or detract from the aesthetic of an interior. Therefore, it's crucial that this component be thoughtfully articulated and integrated into the overall design. Locating and designing the circulation system of a building is an essential practice in the early stages of schematic design and building planning.

Currently under construction, this design conveys the sculptural potential of a stair.

A monolithic concrete pour, in an elliptical shape to create an elongated appearance, is clad in a rich walnut veneer, on a platform base floating above the terrazzo floor. The glass rail highlights the curvalinear shape, while preserving visibility and enabling a sense of lightness in the double-height volume. This allows for it to take on a sculptural quality that adds interest and architectural form at the main living area and entry.

Stay tuned for more updates to come on this truly unique project.  Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!