lucky oven bird

The Punta House is located on an open lot alongside a reservoir in the countryside of Uruguay. From the start, the location of the residence on this open country wasteland imposed various challenges for the Architects to create private spaces. Their solution adopted from the beginning was a one-level house which, on one side looked out to the waters of the reservoir and the other, to an internal patio demarcated by stone walls defining all of the spaces of the house. Marcio Kogan's fundamental concept was the organisation of a plan on a flat slab structured by rationally distributed pillars and supported laterally by stone walls. Under this slab a wooden box contains the bedrooms, the kitchen and utility room. Meanwhile, at the ends of this wooden box, two all glass enclosed living-rooms organize the collective program of the house. The Architects created a large deck and pool in front of the house. The construction used local material like the stone 'piedras lajas' for the the walls and floor. The wooden box is composed of folding panels of mashrabiya. begins to take on the house. Some wild flowers embraces the house and atop one of the stone walls an oven-bird makes his home which, according to local tradition, is a sign of luck.

chinese tiles

The water house is a private house located at the foot of snow mountain Yulong, China. Li Xiaodong Atelier have used the ancient trading settlement whose old town is famous for its historic network of waterways and bridges as inspiration thus the reason why the house synthesises traditional forms and techniques to make a contemporary building that resonates with place and history. The Architect saw it as an interlocking series of contemplative, inward-looking courtyards, the house has an open yet closed courtyard space. The emphasis on local-texture and non-decorative detailing is to create a house on the background from which, nature could be appreciated fully. The cluster of simple timber and glass pavilions with tile-clad pitched roofs evokes traditional forms but is still evidently of its time. The Architects have used the cooling, calming presence of water by threading it through the house. The interior space is kept to a minimum following the idea appreciating nature from within while the details are important contributors to the final results of the architecture.

golden gate view

Terry + Terry Architecture designed this modern house in San Francisco with a shared language of simple materials and clean detailing because they believed that this aesthetic creates the warmth and calmness essential for a family in an urban setting. The Architects created the main floor at garden level which contains the common spaces, balcony, living room, kitchen/dining and outdoor living spaces. A sloping roof planes hover above and are contained between the longitudinal concrete walls. Large glazed openings in the front and rear of the house create transparency between indoor and outdoor spaces. The lower portion of the dwelling holds the less public spaces such as the guest room, children’s playroom, and utilities. A roof deck is inserted by the Architects at the top of the house which functions as a continuation of the garden living space. A detached garden studio is located at the rear of the property. This small satellite structure serves as a home office, and as additional family space. Concrete is used because it provides thermal mass for energy efficiency. The concrete absorbs heat energy during the day, keeping the interior comfortable, and helping to maintain a moderate, baseline temperature for the cooler evenings. Since the house is located in a relatively dense urban area, the concrete walls also add protection against fire. Transparent glass and wood-skinned walls are used between the perimeter concrete walls. The wooden walls allows ventilation between the skin and the underlying wall thus avoiding heat build up in the wall and interior spaces.

...miau...miau?

What a wonderful weekend! A weekend packed with Formula 1, Virgin London Marathon, lots of sunshine, warm weather and lots of wines. The Brunette is currently obsessed with searching a breakfast bed tray (??....or is it bed tray??). So far, we have been to a few shops, lots of website and have found zilch. After a few hours of search for this elusive crumb producing device for the bed, I was close to killing myself. Then, the heavens opened and Waitrose was in front of me. I couldn't resists and convinced her that perhaps, the breakfast bed tray would be in there. She knew what I was up to of course and convincingly agreed. I was walking straight up to the wine aisle and came across this rather interesting vin blanc. Chat en Ouef, a word play in regards to Chateauneuf du Pape. The label was interesting as well, with a cat perching on a rather large egg. I just had to try it. What is the verdict? Amazing wine. Great value for money. Highly quaffable. No sight of 'The Tray'. Nevertheless, the Brunette is happy. We are definitely buying more of the 'Chat'.

Miau! Miau! Miau!

historic ambience

CVDB arquitectos's house is located in a lot with 24 x 120 ft among the historical fabric of the city of Cartaxo, Portugal. The Architects have created a central patio and garden to allow light to go through all spaces of the house during the day. This central patio is an important element of the because this project explores the length of the site enabling its inhabitants to enjoy its different spaces. The house and garden are part of the same spatial entity in the way one may dwell in the house and enjoy both its exterior and interior spaces. The family main social areas are located on the ground floor which also have different headroom, thus emphasising the different ambiences of the house. The stair that connects both floors only has threads and therefore becomes a visual filter between the entrance and the living room and the garden. Large glazed elements acentuates the relation between the several interior spaces and the garden and the north facing courtyard that brings light to the kitchen and to a small office. The first floor is mainly a white entity gently sits above the ground floor. This floor accommodates the bedrooms and a rather more intimate living room with a play area for the children. The Architects made the smaller spaces of the house such as the kitchen and bathrooms in different texture and warm colours to counterpoint the bigger spaces with a more social character of the house.

siempre es carnaval

Cuántos viven disfrazados

sin saber que así quedaron!

Cuántos se oyen sin reír!

Este mundo es escenario

de un gran cine continuado

que nos hace consumir.

Cuánto, al fin, se macanea,

ya que nunca es todo cierto,

y es un juego el acertar:

"La señora está indispuesta"

o "ha salido hace un momento";

y el esposo se hace el muerto

si es que vienen a cobrar.

Y siempre es carnaval.

Van cayendo serpentinas,

unas gruesas y otras finas

que nos hacen tambalear.

Y cuando en tu disfraz

la careta queda ausente

en tu cara de inocente,

todo el año es carnaval.

Y viva el carnaval!

Vos ves siempre lucecitas.

Sos la eterna mascarita

que gozás con engañar.

Y cuando en tu disfraz

la careta queda ausente

en tu cara de inocente,

todo el año es carnaval.

Qué tuviste una fortuna!

Qué de oro fue tu cuna!

Que esto cuesta: ¡Qué se yo!

Las mujeres y los hombres

por tu amor tocan la luna

y otras cosas más por vos...

Y si hablás de tu familia!...

tu pretérito imperfecto

lo pasaste como un rey.

Yo quisiera que me digas,

y dejando un poco de esto,

si la cuenta vos has hecho

cuántos pesos me debés?

water baby

Vier Arquitectos's building tries to incorporate a new piece in the city, assuming the representative image the building must show according to its public nature, being able to fit in with dignity and, far as possible, becoming a part of the architectural legacy of the town. Their idea was not to create a position of prominence but assuming the suggestions of an environment enriched with history and tradition. The special design of the pool in Toro lies in the special role that the use of rammed earth acquires in its construction. Through the definition of bearing walls and exterior cladding to be built in rammed earth, the pool is conceived as a closed space to the outside and the building focusing on the texture of the walls. The pool protects itself from external climatology and from non-desirable views, thanks to the perimeter wall. The closed experience of the building contrasts with the image that appears as soon as the threshold is crossed. Areas received natural light and ventilation through a series of interior courtyards that also allow the visual control of the buildings, making them transparent as well as opaque. The main space that contains the swimming pool needs to be in a controlled climate conditions thus the exchange with other spaces is reduced dramatically and treated as a completely seperate independant space from the rest of the complex.

loose cannon

No matter what you intent to do, it always backfires and fucks you up. I feel a bit nostalgic and sad remembering our conversation today. It wasn't pretty and the hurt it brings is worth more than a katana strike to the body. At least, a katana is sharper compared to a blunt knife cutting a red meat. I'm quite solemn lately and when things don't go as planned, I don't get annoyed or aggressive like before. I can feel like my spirit steps back from my body and view it from a third person vantage point. The calmness scares me. How time stops and you have this extra time assessing everything around you.

How can someone be so unhappy yet laugh and have a whale of a time talking to another. Am I missing something here?? Should I be sad? Should I complain? At least they are happy,that's what I think...

vacation dunes

SAOTA created a vacation house for a couple from New York who wanted to build a 2 bedroom holiday home in the Southern hemisphere for summer vacations. The clients requested a sculptured building with clean horizontal lines, large areas of glass and screens creating a space that is ‘open as well as private’ and to incorporate a studio to be used in for their photographic and film related occupations. The Architects site is a residential area of Yzerfontein famous for its never-ending line of dunes. The climate on the West Coast can at times be idyllic and other times extremely harsh. To maximise the views of the sea and waves over the dunes, the ground floor living areas were elevated above natural ground level. A L-shaped concept of two intersecting rectangular forms allow two full glazed sides to face the view and at the same time create a sheltered courtyard overlooking a long, rectangular pool.

concrete lantern

Akitoshi Ukai/AUAU designed this small house for a young couple and their two children. The Architects have created the necessary life function into zonal arrangements and it was put in the fold box three-dimensionally. In addition, the wall that held the structure concurrently was turned over and the space was divided loosely. In essence, the thin slab was gradually accumulated from the 1st to the 2nd floor in a human scale and its aimed at a sense of intimacy. A suspender door made out of polycarbonate is hung on the centre of the house and functions as an illuminator as well as partitioning the space in time. Outside, the living was set up in the south so that valuable direct light can reach the interior of the house.

parallel life

Now what am I supposed to do
When I want you in my world
How can I want you for myself
When I'm already someone's girl? [x2]

First time that I saw you boy
It was a warm and sunny day
All I know is I wanted you
I really hoped you looked my way
When you smiled at me
So warm and sweet
I could not speak
You make me feel like a
little bitty girl
What do you do to me

[Chorus x2]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime
No hard feelings
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I'm gonna be there

You're energy
Feels so damn good to me
It picks me up don't wanna come down
You got me spinning all around
Yeah
You need to know
I've got that somebody
you're beautiful
But it ain't that type of party

[Chorus x2]

Well I guess I'll see
you next lifetime
Baby we'll be butterflies
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
That sounds so divine
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I guess I will now
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
Wait
Wait a little while

See it ain't nothing
wrong with dreaming
Boy don't get me wrong
Cause every time (every
time) I see you (every
single time)
I know just how strong
(every single time)
That my love is for my baby
But emotions just don't lie
Well I know I'm a lot of woman
But not enough to divide the pie

[Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime
You know I want to stay around
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I'm so confused now

[Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime
Already
I'm going to be there
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I'm going to look for you

[Chorus]

I guess I'll see you next lifetime
Oh
Oh baby
I'm gonna be there
I'm gonna be there

sun stroke

At last! The sun is here, the 23 degrees forecasts is true & the bikinis are all out. Bring it on, Summer 2011! I was walking from pub to pub drinking in the sun while waiting for the Brunette to arrive. After an hour later and a few ales, she finally turned up. We chatted and laughed while basking in the sun. Suddenly out of the blue, as a follower to my blog, the Brunette ask me a poignant question (dark clouds are coming)...

Whe you write about this brunette, who is this Brunette? Is it one person or various women? Is she/they hot? Is she/they young and perky? Etc etc...

I will not include all the question as it goes on and on. I just laughed and ordered some pistachios. Although she laughed as well, I could sense we wasn't best pleased but what can I do - you can't make everyone happy.

firm bunker

Onion Flats has designed this single family home in the hills of Oakland, CA overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and all of San Francisco to merge comfortably into a difficult and steeply sloped site. This site provides a tranquil yet inspiring setting for a young couple, their two children and their aging in-laws. The physical site offered the project its greatest challenge and direction. It’s 17% slope coupled with height restrictions and adjacencies to neighbouring homes required that the building be 'bunkered' into the landscape. The Architect used this as a source of the project’s programmatic, spatial and architectural strategy, which is centered around the entry or 'knuckle' (functions as a ‘de-bunkering’ device) of the building. It is also the organisational space of transition between the more public and private domains of the home. As a result,  a subtle yet deliberate carving and terracing of the landscape away from the building, releasing it from bunkered status and creating an experience of tranquility and lightness in this heavily grounded building was created.

two blocks

SM-arch created a house in relation with the verticality of the mountain and the sea horizon in the far distance to represent the generating element of the development of the volumes. The two tangent volumes, intended for the two housing units diverge thus suggesting a further exposure and enclosing a part of the garden more withdrawn and introvert, open solely to the sea. The Architects seeks a dialogue with the natural elements already swallowed up by the disorderly growth of the urban fringes. The two houses make a morphological unit, but differ in their typological characteristics: the bigger unit, hosting one family, is conceived according to the internal organization principle of the continuity of collective space and thus reduces the bedrooms to the minimum size meanwhile the smaller unit, designed for a couple of elderly, functions are organized according to tradition.

j'adore, ela é simplesmente formidável

Un pas, une pierre, un chemin qui chemine

Un reste de racine, c'est un peu solitaire

C'est un éclat de verre, c'est la vie, le soleil

C'est la mort, le sommeil, c'est un piège entrouvert

Un arbre millénaire, un nœud dans le bois

C'est un chien qui aboie, c'est un oiseau dans l'air

C'est un tronc qui pourrit, c'est la neige qui fond

Le mystère profond, la promesse de vie

C'est le souffle du vent au sommet des collines

C'est une vieille ruine, le vide, le néant

C'est la pie qui jacasse, c'est l'averse qui verse

Des torrents d'allégresse, ce sont les eaux de Mars

C'est le pied qui avance à pas sûr, à pas lent

C'est la main qui se tend, c'est la pierre qu'on lance

C'est un trou dans la terre, un chemin qui chemine

Un reste de racine, c'est un peu solitaire

C'est un oiseau dans l'air, un oiseau qui se pose

Le jardin qu'on arrose, une source d'eau claire

Une écharde, un clou, c'est la fièvre qui monte

C'est un compte à bon compte, c'est un peu rien du tout

Un poisson, un geste, c'est comme du vif argent

C'est tout ce qu'on attend, c'est tout ce qui nous reste

C'est du bois, c'est un jour le bout du quai

Un alcool trafiqué, le chemin le plus court

C'est le cri d'un hibou, un corps ensommeillé

La voiture rouillée, c'est la boue, c'est la boue

Un pas, un pont, un crapaud qui croasse

C'est un chaland qui passe, c'est un bel horizon

C'est la saison des pluies, c'est la fonte des glaces

Ce sont les eaux de Mars, la promesse de vie

Une pierre, un bâton, c'est Joseph et c'est Jacques

Un serpent qui attaque, une entaille au talon

Un pas, une pierre, un chemin qui chemine

Un reste de racine, c'est un peu solitaire

C'est l'hiver qui s'efface, la fin d'une saison

C'est la neige qui fond, ce sont les eaux de Mars

La promesse de vie, le mystère profond

Ce sont les eaux de Mars dans ton cœur tout au fond

Un pas, une " ... pedra é o fim do caminho

E um resto de toco, é um pouco sozinho ... "

Un pas, une pierre, un chemin qui chemine

Un reste de racine, c'est un peu solitaire...