The Illegal Architect

Why build a house like this… for a view like that! Tower...

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:40:28 -0700

Why build a house like this…

for a view like that!

Tower House | Gluck +

Choice | RadioLab

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:30:41 -0700

Choice | RadioLab

The Success of Structure

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:30:29 -0700

Like many of you, I think about design a lot. For me, the most interesting aspect of design is its interface with humans. There are many disciplines with this relationship at their center- web design, product design and home design to name a few.
It is tempting to think that the best way to design for people is to offer unlimited choices, after all that is what people want, right? In the USA we believe this wholeheartedly, claiming choice as our greatest freedom. Still, one does not have to look far to see products that have adopted the absolute freedom model only to be beaten by others that have taken a different route.
MySpace v. Facebook - the freedom to choose a hideous background image.
Android v. iOS - the options that android lovers always talk about.
McMansion v. Architect- choosing a breakfast nook is so much easier than thinking about an entire house.
Still, ask anyone and they are opposed to limiting choices (even while they enjoy the winners of each of the battles above). Idealistically, many are not ready to accept that absolute freedom may not be what humans want or need. I must admit there is part of me that bucks against this concept, after all I am a USAmerican, but I am beginning to think this is to my detriment because it is hard to argue with the success of structure (Facebook, iOS, and the McMansion).

City Building is like a box of chocolates, you never know what...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:30:35 -0700

City Building is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

letsbuildahome-fr:

Ghadames, Libya | Photograph by George Steinmetz

Lebbeus Woods was not a registered architect, but he was ten times the Architect of most who are.

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:28:03 -0700

Lebbeus Woods was not a registered architect, but he was ten times the Architect of most who are.

Split Machiya | Atelier Bow-Wow Things to know- 1. During the...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:46:00 -0700

Split Machiya | Atelier Bow-Wow

Things to know-

1. During the Japanese economic slowdown of the early 90’s a bunch of architects banded together as Atelier Bow-Wow, doing research and occupying their time while there was nothing to build.

2. Now they do great work, I especially love that copper wall.

subtilitas:

Atelier Bow-Wow - Split Machiya, Tokyo 2010 The project is actually two mirrored structures, split at the center to allow light to the middle of the narrow site. Polished copper panels on the interior “pull” the reflected images of the opposite building inward, creating the illusion of a single shared space. Via, photos (C) Manuel Oka.

Beautiful Render, Beautiful Plan Madison House | Thomas Phifer

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:58:39 -0700

Beautiful Render, Beautiful Plan

Madison House | Thomas Phifer

What a trifecta: Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear whatever you want...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:24:53 -0700

What a trifecta:

Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear whatever you want to call it

letsbuildahome-fr:

Google Maps a Japanese Nuclear Ghost Town via The Atlantic in Focus

Here’s to hoping we are done making Urban Design decisions...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:30:00 -0700

Here’s to hoping we are done making Urban Design decisions as bad as this one…but knowing we are not.

The Embarcadero before/after Loma Prieta | Circa 1989

Bay Bridge after Loma Prieta | 1989

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:31:08 -0700

Bay Bridge after Loma Prieta | 1989

San Francisco from Russian Hill | Arnold Genthe

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:30:00 -0700

San Francisco from Russian Hill | Arnold Genthe

You: Did you find an old Life Magazine at a flea market or something?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:01:28 -0700

You: Did you find an old Life Magazine at a flea market or something?
Me: Yes.

San Bruno Mountains | Life Magazine 12.1965 I can almost see...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:30:50 -0700

San Bruno Mountains | Life Magazine 12.1965

I can almost see these mountain homes from my apartment in the city.

Oven Advertisement | Gaffers Sattler, 1965

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:51:00 -0700

Oven Advertisement | Gaffers Sattler, 1965

"The main problem of metropolitan areas today is the dual citizen who lives in suburbia and works..."

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:51:00 -0700

“The main problem of metropolitan areas today is the dual citizen who lives in suburbia and works downtown.”

- John Houlihan | Mayor of Oakland, 1965

Urban/ Suburban Cartoons | Life Magazine, 12.1965

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:30:22 -0700

Urban/ Suburban Cartoons | Life Magazine, 12.1965

There is a sad disconnect where most of the US thinks that only...

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 12:30:48 -0700

There is a sad disconnect where most of the US thinks that only architects and rich people can have homes that fit them.I want everyone to have a house that fits them like this one fits the Mayne Family.

Home | Thom Mayne

It is tempting to think that if we all had to live next to the...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:30:29 -0700

It is tempting to think that if we all had to live next to the well that pumped our fossil fuel we might think about it more carefully… Then comes the realization that this situation already exists, and no one give it a second thought.

LA | Iwan Baan

Humanity will cling to some vague representation of the past...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:30:39 -0700

Humanity will cling to some vague representation of the past rather than acknowledge the modernizing world around it. The Soviets exploited this at Warsaw, the suburbs demonstrate this in the USA.

New Old Town | 99% Invisible, Roman Mars

Some nice, personal homes- likely constructed by illegal...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:30:44 -0700

Some nice, personal homes- likely constructed by illegal architects.

catrinastewart:

Ettore Sottsass | India, 1988