#Modern Vernacular

Svatman Farmhouse / HabitArt Architecture Studio “ Compressed earth blocks, wire-cut brick, and hollow clay blocks form the envelope, their textures carrying through without excessive finish. Overhead, deep, pitched roofs clad in Mangalore tiles extend well beyond the walls, casting a consistent band of shade and giving the structure a protective edge against the climate. The roofscape, while familiar in form, is adapted with depth and layering to suit the context. The foundation, on the other hand, uses granite leftover waste and slats from nearby quarries, forming the greater part of a completely load-bearing structure, with minimal usage of concrete for the building.”

Madhura House / Design Kacheri “ The idea was to connect and envelop the built spaces with landscape all around. The living rooms of both homes open to the landscape - a garden along the ground floor and a covered courtyard on the first floor. These became spillover spaces when they host gatherings/events. As one enters through the gate, you are welcomed into a front yard & parking space that is lined with Sira stone in random rubble patterns that set the tone for the experience ahead. The ground floor house opens to this garden along the east side with the ‘Tulasi brindavan’ (holy basil plant) as the focal point. All the common spaces of the house, like the entrance foyer, living, dining, puja, and kitchen, are lined up parallel to this linear expanse of the garden, hence connecting them all at all times with the lush landscape while bringing in the pleasant eastern light. The bedrooms open towards the decks and gardens along the sides.”

Aerys Village / Atelier Kalm A Fantastic project from Senegal. “Each villa comprises four bedrooms/bathrooms, a traditional kitchen, a family kitchen, a central living room with a guest toilet, storage areas, technical areas, a swimming pool, and large terraces. The project takes the form of multiple small buildings, repeated like the huts of a modernized traditional village. This type of split housing is also characteristic of Senegalese second homes, where people live in dispersed family units. The Aerys project is thus characterized by this profound link between inside and outside, with each space strongly connected to nature . The use of pergolas and the judicious placement of trees ensure that the sun’s rays are kept under control. In addition, the many through openings allow fresh air to circulate inside the buildings. A second air circulation system can be found at the top of the roof structure, providing night-time air renewal. This roof ventilation allows the wood to breathe better, as it is a material that moves over time. The materials used have a high ecological footprint. The outer shell of each building is made up of mud-brick walls, guaranteeing better control of thermal inertia. Some materials are taken directly from the site, such as lateritic stone, which is used for cladding on one side opposite the lagoon and for decoration on the pool walls. The floors of the outdoor terraces are clad in shells, and the fencing walls are in Toglou. All cladding is made using local Senegalese techniques.”

Formal Composition

Open concept floor plans when properly executed have multiple benefits, especially when space is at a premium. Yet large scale buildings that utilize this technique, such as airport terminals and shopping centers, tend to be confusing for the intended audience. In the case of shopping malls the confusion caused by the design may be done purposefully as a means to effect greater sales. In the case of terminals the confusion is attributed to the complexity of the design problem. Indeed, managing the flows of passengers, flight staff, support staff, luggage, and catering in a secure environment is no simple task. I do not accept either purposeful confusion or extreme complexity responses to the critique. If buildings with confusing circulation patterns, poorly defined entrances, and questionable aesthetics were limited to the aforementioned two building types then that might be acceptable as the truth. However, this poor usability is pervasive in modern architecture throughout the world, I’m sad to report. Signage and Wayfinding consultants can attest to this fact. Their services have never been more in demand than now. As a keen observer of how humans use buildings I’ve had a good chuckle, I must admit, when I’ve seen poor souls lost in a building and desperately looking in vain for their destination. I’m laughing at myself as much as them since I’ve been in the exact same predicament. Truth be told, it’s not the fault of those that are lost that they can’t find their way. Any rational human would have followed the same route they did. The design of the building led them down this path and didn’t provide any clues that there was a detour they needed to take to get to their intended destination. They are left there, abandoned by the architecture, to seek a sign illuminating their location. The open plan may be good for many things, but in buildings of significant size, it is truly terrible at giving you an indication of where you are in the world. The formal composition of Classical Architecture, however, excels at this very task. This is why the Baths of Caracalla in Rome were used as precedent for the design of Penn Station in New York City. There is more to the composition of classical buildings than gematria or adherence to dogma. The proportion, shape, scale, sequence, and arrangement of the spaces aid in the legibility of formally composed buildings. This provides a logical progression through the building making it easy to know where you are, where you need to go, and how to get there. Instead of one long seemingly endless corridor a formal composition utilizes gracious spaces connected by halls. If there is a need to change direction there will be a transitional space that receives you and points you in the right direction. The size of the rooms, the detailing of the openings, ceiling heights, floor patterns, and the lighting all reinforce the plan. This is the sophistication, elegance, and straightforward simplicity that has been lost to the streamlined flows of open space planning that care more about throughput than user experience. What we see in so much of the poorly executed modern buildings are spaces that bleed into each other, aren’t visually terminated, and do not relate properly to its use. Shapes collide to create visual effect, not to make the building easier to use. This is a decidedly anti-technological approach to design. In the realm of vehicle design, software engineering, and even phone design the usability, legibility, and quality of the user experience are of utmost importance. The uptake of smartphones, the popularity of simpler user interfaces, and the success of certain marques of automobile (predominantly German) speak to how well received simple, elegant, and usable design is received by the global market. The standard of care offered by most of the architectural firms practicing today falls woefully behind the rest of the design world. Part of this can be blamed on the elongated timeframes it takes to realize a large structure. What we are building today, and what we were building twenty years ago (or even forty years ago, for that matter) fails to measure up to the standard set over two thousand years ago. There have been many who have been tending the flames of this ancient knowledge, to be sure. Their work puts the lie to the notion that we can’t build that way today. The next challenge is to apply the lessons of formal composition and incorporate technology in a way that yields high quality designs. There are a few currently practicing architects that have already taken up the challenge. The results are spectacular.

LeCorbusier's Best Failure

Famed Swiss Architect Le Corbusier made waves with the release of his Citrohan House in 1920. It wasn’t built until the 1927 Weissenhoff exhibition in Stuttgart. I had visited the atelier of Alfred Roth, who had worked for Le Corbusier, and was responsible for drawing the Citrohan House. Herr Roth shared some very interesting tidbits about the project. None of which, sadly, I can verify so I shall avoid spreading gossip here. It’s genesis aside, there is much to like about the Citrohan house. I especially like the proposed furniture arrangements. Instead of placing the furniture in the center of each room the pieces gravitate to the windows. The dining room table is almost touching the glass allowing the family to enjoy the views as well as benefitting from any available natural light. The living room furniture creates a conversation area in the double height volume adjacent to the dining room and is also bathed in light by the large windows of the front façade. Notice that the desk in this space is set up facing that same large glass wall. The desks in the other rooms are also arranged in such a way that they receive natural light and are afforded a view. This is a major pet peeve of mine since I hate staring at walls. Evidently I’m not alone in the desire for a workspace with a view. While I enjoy the interior arrangements, it must be said that the exterior aesthetics of the Citrohan house are banal. The use of space, however, is right in line with how people live today even though this house was designed almost a century ago. It must be noted, however, that the practicality of a four level walk-up residence is a concern. Then, in 1924, Le Corbusier designed a new housing project at Pessac. This project differs from but was influenced by the original version of the Citrohan House. While many have considered Pessac to be a failure it is quite possibly his best contribution to the design of houses. Part of the reason Pessac was considered a failure is because the residents set about modifying the homes by adding pitched roofs, closing some of the wide windows, and painting the homes vibrant colors. They rejected his vision of white architecture and ribbon windows. What I find amazing, though, is that there was enough flexibility in the design that the residents could modify the houses to their needs and desires. This flexibility to modify the building envelope easily and economically extended to the interior, as well. LeCorbusier achieved this flexibility by keeping the general arrangement spartan. The kitchen and bathrooms were small. This left plenty of unobstructed interior space for living areas. Thus, the residents were free to carve up the space how they saw fit. They would add walls to create more bedrooms, a formal dining room, expand the kitchen, or do anything else they wanted. Instead of trying to divine the perfect plan Corbu provided the space and let life happen. Whether or not that was his intent is debatable. However, the technique is still valid today. We call them lofts. So while the inventor of Purism had his vision defiled, the residents were afforded the flexibility to make the house their own. That is powerful stuff.

Belgaon Dhaga School / pk_iNCEPTiON “ Each courtyard responds to the functions around it. The paved courtyard supports outdoor learning and quiet reading, while a sand court with trees allows informal gatherings and group activities. A third courtyard near the sports and preprimary spaces functions as a play zone, with an elevated plinth that also works as an amphitheater. The corridor leading to the preprimary block forms a playful threshold with inverted arches and built in seating.”

Kaattu Veedu Guesthouse / studioXS I love all of the elements…. mud blocks, Athangudi tiles, Mangalore tiles, Karaikudi columns, terracotta pot infills etc..

Hotel Muaré / Taller de Arquitectura Viva “The magic of a place that welcomes and transforms restless minds. Transient bodies find this site the perfect refuge to calm or awaken the mind, developing ideas, desires, and dreams. Muaré is a boutique hotel that immerses you in nature and allows for unique relaxation experiences. Its gardens, bodies of water, aromas, and sounds generated the user sensations of deep connection. The goal is to blend in with the environment, to be part of the natural context of the Mayan jungle, and to age alongside it. The interior design of the spaces connects with artisanal techniques of the region such as chukum (vegetable resin), henequen, carpentry, and all types of natural fabrics. Achieving a luxurious experience in harmony with different shades close to white.”

Humanizing Modern Housing Prototypes

While there is much to like in LeCorbusier’s Citrohan and Pessac housing designs, it must be admitted that the severe aesthetic of both is difficult to countenance. One reason for the failure of Pessac, as previously mentioned in the preceding post, was that the residents rejected the aesthetic and modified the plans to better suit their needs. I submit that Pessac is not a failure precisely because the design afforded the opportunity for customization and personalization. Open concept home plans, however, are not the sole province of modernists. Back in the early 1980’s a project was built in South Florida that provided open concept floor plans, tremendous flexibility, and the opportunity for future expansion and customization. Further, it was designed with a simple aesthetic, though not minimalist. It was built using modern methods but was designed using traditional forms. This lends the homes a certain timelessness, yet the simple act of adding shutters to the windows yields a warmth lacking in the severe designs of the modernists. The name of the project is Charleston Place and it was designed by the award winning firm of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co . The plan is simple, the room sizes are generous, and the aesthetic affords the owner the opportunity to furnish their home in any traditional or modern style of their choice while being perfectly in keeping with the design language of the house. The bathrooms aren’t five fixture showrooms thereby yielding more space to the living areas and keeping costs in check. Certain refinements could be suggested, but in truth, that would be up to the home owner to execute. As it ought to be, I might add. The Charleston Place designs provide a great precedent for advancing the modern vernacular. The detailing of the façades could be minimalist, Shaker, colonial, or classical. The resulting designs could sit easily next to each other since they are all siblings sharing the same DNA. The nexus of technology and tradition can be seen in these designs. This is only fitting seeing how they were crafted at roughly the same time the personal computing revolution was taking off.

Where Is The 3-Series Home?

The housing market has been carved up into various segments by professional developers for a long time. There are starter homes, move-up homes, and luxury homes. Starter homes typically are smaller and built of lower quality materials. Move-up homes are larger and built with slightly better quality materials and higher grade finishes. Luxury homes are large and built with roughly the same quality materials as move-up homes (sorry to burst your bubble on that one) adding top tier appliances and finishes. These three segments comprise quite a large portion of the housing industry. Yet the industry has over-simplified the market they address and as a result has left quite a large opening for smarter, smaller developers to exploit. If there was ever an industry that needed to be disrupted it’s housing. So I ask the following: Where are the 3-Series Houses? In almost every other market, aside from housing, you are afforded a great deal of choice. For the same dollar amount you will have plenty of options along the quality versus quantity slider. We know how this works with the automotive market. You can choose to buy a larger vehicle without all the bells and whistles or a fully equipped smaller model. You can buy the medium-sized family sedan with a smaller engine, or the high performance variant of the compact model. You can buy the top of the line model from a major manufacturer or you can buy a base model from a luxury marque. You can buy a new compact model or pre-owned mid-sized or large model. You can buy the over-the-top gas guzzler, the super sleek all-electric, or a hybrid that’s somewhere in between. When looking for a home, however, you have limited options. You can choose the small starter, mid-size move-up, or large luxury home at their commensurate levels of quality as noted above. In my un-scientific survey of friends and family I found that many people who are shying away from buying a home are not happy with the choices available to them. They don’t want to buy more house than they need so they are looking for a smaller footprint. They really enjoy cooking and entertaining so they want top quality appliances. They are wary of the maintenance issues that come with home ownership so they want quality construction. Instead of spending their home-buying dollar on more square footage that they don’t need (or want) they would rather have higher quality construction using sustainable materials, better finishes, and top tier appliances. The housing industry has responded by green-washing their existing snout-houses and changing their color palette to grey instead of the beige, taupe, and tan of which they were once so fond. Another problem is that the design of houses hasn’t progressed very much. Case in point: My current residence is modern in appearance, but is not particularly well designed. The bathroom, for instance, has a tub with sliding glass enclosure that leaves very little room to enter the tub. Further, where you enter is where the tub inclines for the back-rest meaning you really only have about a three inch wide place to put your foot when entering. Add to this a very high tub height and you have a dangerous situation. There is a wonderful shelf to place toiletries, but this means the wall holding the shower head is about four inches back from the tub so the shower angle is either straight into your face or hitting the shelf and not your body. The kitchen is equally bad, and issues such as acoustics and mechanical engineering are obvious afterthoughts. In my opinion it is not too much to ask for some thought to be put into the design of houses. If today’s developers want to attract new home buyers then they really need to provide better quality design and engineering instead of gluing on details and providing an endless list of upgrades. The popularity of the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes C-Class, and the Audi A4 can teach the housing industry how to understand the market for smaller, smarter, and quite simply better homes. Design matters. Engineering matters. Service matters.

Laura's new word of the day.

Fishbowling= Hotboxing. Who knew.

https://www.designboom.com/architecture/wallmakers-tropical-reused-shipping-containers-poured-earth-petti-restaurant-india/?utm_cat=articles

Separo House / HYPERTEXT ARCHITECTURE STUDIO Built beautifully for it’s environment.

Ecove Centre of Vocational Empowerment / SEZA Architects & Interior Designers A beautifully thought out and executed school in Maharashtra. When you use courtyards, passive ventilation techniques like angular brick screens, natural lighting, plant scaping and don’t allow direct sunlight to hit the roof (a double advantage with solar panels), then you for sure do not require an AC. This is so even when the outside temp’ hits mid 40’s. “ Our aim was to create a biophilic design using natural materials, natural light, and plants, creating an atmosphere the villagers would enjoy learning in. The classrooms have no air conditioning, they rely on ventilation to keep them cool. The passive ventilation and daylighting systems create a learning atmosphere that lies in harmony with the natural environment. Angular brick screens punctuate the corridors reducing the intense heat and making them more comfortable to be in. Here the temperatures in the summer range go up to 40-45 degrees. Staggering the classrooms created additional social interaction spaces beside the multiple courtyards. The multipurpose hall across the classrooms is semi-open, this area is designed as an adaptable space, it is used as a cafeteria, for yoga and assemblies. In the second phase an auditorium was added, the roof of which house the solar panels which provide power for lighting. Building this on the outskirts was to provide employment for the poor villagers. This also by chance happened when they most required employment, as the construction started at the beginning of 2020. The local stone masons too were used to construct the main exterior stone spine wall. Thus, the materials and labor were locally sourced keeping with the project’s broader sustainable and ecological ethos. The Center like the Ellora caves symbolizes hope and universal acceptance for the villagers. It helps them learn a vocation thus offering them an opportunity to thrive, redefine their personality, and live a respectful life. ”

“@ me next time” has got to be my favorite way of calling out people on their passive-aggressive bullshit. My generation is fucking gr9 fuck the police.

Thoughtful Design, Or The Lack Thereof

When I write about architecture relative to auto design or the tech sector I’m highlighting their attention to detail versus that in the profession of architecture. Design is more than just aesthetics yet it seems the debate in architecture has boiled down to just that. Yet in other areas of design the notion of user friendliness is all-encompassing. UI designers obsess over how to make using their apps easier, more engaging, and fun. Walk into any house and you’ll be greeted with a bank of unmarked switches that the residents may not be able to decipher. BMW goes to great lengths to ensure all the vehicle controls are within easy reach and that the driver can keep their focus on the road. I can’t pull out the shelves from my refrigerator because the door conflicts with the adjacent wall. Many autos built today have automatic climate control systems with smartly placed thermometers throughout the cabin that ensure a constant temperature. My place in South Carolina had a single thermometer located in the worst possible location ensuring that if one floor was comfortable the other was not. The system must have been designed by the Corsican Twins. The auto industry spends billions of dollars on acoustics and sound system design. I was lucky enough to work with the top acoustical design firm in the world on a five star hotel. The difference between what they provide and what goes into a supposedly high-end home is massive. Every grommet, every pipe, every fixture, every opening, every _thing_ is considered and treated. The wonders they work with A/V design put to shame anything you could buy off the shelf. Yet a house pre-wired for surround sound, which is not that much of an accomplishment, is considered on the cutting edge of technology. The technology and the talent exists today to bring the same level of detail and refinement to our houses as is currently taken for granted in other areas of design. The only reason home design remains in the doldrums is a crisis of conception. All it takes is someone to take the time to carefully craft every aspect of the design. This takes time and money, but the amount of each spent will yield a home of unparalleled quality. So when I ramble on about the 3-series home I’m talking about much more than just the aesthetic or the branding. It’s about taking the time to craft something special. It does more than perform it’s function, it does so with beauty, grace, and ease. It makes accessible its full potential while seeking to improve with every iteration.

Design Matters In A Recession

Originally posted 23 November 2009 In the current economy the smart money is betting against new construction. You’ve most likely already heard or read the pronouncements of those in the industry: I. There is enough empty housing stock out there that needs to fill up before before demand outpaces supply. II. With the tighter credit climate the pool of potential homeowners has shrunk considerably. III. You can buy distressed property for half of what it would cost to build new. The bad news is that they are right. Considering the construction industry is the largest industry in the USA that does not bode well. While the pessimists are indeed correct in their analysis of the existing situation, there may actually be room for growth in a different direction. To be perfectly clear I personally don’t think the construction industry will come back by building the same product they’ve been building for the last 40+ years. In that regard the smart money analysis of the real estate market is spot on. I do strongly believe, however, that there is room for innovation. Let me digress for a minute to prove a point. The Audi A4 saved the company from financial collapse. It was an innovative design that changed the brand’s market perception. Similarly, the original iMac saved Apple Computer from oblivion. Again, it was innovative design mated to solid engineering that attracted buyers. Where I run into trouble with the metaphor is that when Audi was in trouble the auto industry was actually quite healthy. Same goes for Apple since they were about to go the way of the dodo right when the internet economy was roaring. For the construction industry it’s not just one or two companies hurting in an otherwise strong economy, it’s the whole industry that’s in trouble amidst an international economic recession. This means that design alone won’t be able to reawaken the sleeping giant. There needs to be an entire business plan that involves every aspect of the industry from construction, to finance, to maintenance. However, if everything in the industry is reformed except design (per the current path) the effort will fall flat for all the reasons noted above. Reforms in construction and finance won’t change the fact that there is an oversupply of single family garage front housing stock. Further, it won’t change the desirability, or lack thereof, of those units. This leads to a couple of important observations. There are a number of units on the market that may never sell at any price since better options may be readily available. Factors such as quality of construction, location, and appearance are now in play whereas before it was all about price. With all the options currently on the market some existing units may never attract those looking for a new home. Which leads to the next observation. There is a harsh reality that will be entering the real estate market called cannibalization. Since 100% absorption will not happen there will be winners and losers; not only in new construction but existing housing stock, as well. It will be survival of the fittest where the best format wins, much like the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD battle. It is possible, however, to ascertain the eventual winners and losers. Of the existing stock it’s apparent that those communities that never reached full build-out, or fully built but half occupied, won’t be able to maintain their infrastructure or attract homeowners. The winners will be the bargain homes within established neighborhoods near quality schools and services. Similar rules apply for new construction. Those building within or near established neighborhoods will fare better. At present most of the new housing stock on the market falls into the undesirable location category. The opportunity is to redevelop an existing neighborhood by building new units with modern conveniences that use space in smarter ways. Further, sustainable solutions that draw less from the grid and generate less waste can do so without major impact to the existing infrastructure. In addition to location and amenities, there are a few other factors that can affect success. It’s important to not undermine the property values of the existing neighborhood by building the same units cheaper. It’s better to use different unit types, or variations of existing types, than to undercut the existing market by low-balling. Further, it’s imperative to understand what price point has the most liquidity in the market. Be sure to target that price point since people who are willing to pay more may not be able to borrow more. Look for your premium by building a better mousetrap than by tacking on extras. Once a price point has been established you might find that your target market has changed. Investigate the other offerings at that price point and take them seriously. Many developers will miss out on the current opportunity because they will expend all their energy to solve the wrong problem. You need to be able to identify the problem, craft a solution, and then market that solution so the intended audience can see that their concerns have been addressed. The reality of the ‘new normal’ is such that volume production of housing may constitute tens of units as opposed to hundreds or thousands. This allows for design solutions that target a smaller audience instead of having a one size fits all solution. This differentiation in the marketplace is critical so the developer isn’t competing with short sales and foreclosures. That said, I’ll reiterate that it’s important to take the competition seriously. Developers working in mature neighborhoods don’t have to provide the same footprint and room count as suburbia, but they do have to provide the same or better livability.