Yep, more stuff I built using truss plates, misc. pieces of metal, etc. We interact with everyday, utilitarian objects all the time without taking notice. I love studying these objects and re-imagining them in a creative way…to make them a joy to use and look at. You can customize to make them function the way you want them to -and building them yourself is fun!…at least for me. The group of images below are of a desktop drafting organizer. I use it to hold my pens, pencils, triangles, templates, etc. A painted truss plate and several plastic pipe fittings are attached to a steel plate with bolts. A few ‘stick-on’ rubber feet and it’s ready to go! Click on the images to enlarge.

Using the idea of storage solutions in boats, a small space has all the comforts of home…in 258 square feet! This is a perfect example of how proper planning and creativity can solve challenging problems in a beautiful way. This ‘Action Apartment’ puts the ‘fun’ in functional. As Architects, we strive to bring all of these aspects into our Client’s projects. Enjoy!

Here is the link to the original post.

As you have read in previous posts, I love to see how simple items are creatively reinvisioned. Furniture is often the choice of these ‘redos’.  I was scouring the web searching for valuable content to add to our weblog this past weekend.  I couldn’t find anything so I thought I would post these!  (Kidding)  It is always fun looking at what others are coming up with!
Click on images to enlarge.

I love this coffee table that ‘morphes’ into a chair. The clean lines and pop of color makes this a winner…depending on how much stuff you have to move off of the table! Link to original post.

This ‘trampoline chair’ looks like fun.  Would you want to sit and read a book in it…I don’t think so.  Maybe this is great for those fidgety kids. Link to original post.

Um…  I don’t know what to think about this one.  I applaud its simplicity but find it hard to believe it would be comfortable…let alone hard to find!  Link to original post.

Most people know that they need insulation in their projects but… What types of insulation are available, where should they go, and how much do I need? I preach that the ‘greenest’ thing you can do on any project is to make sure the envelope is as well insulated and airtight as possible. Insulation being a critical component. It is one of those unseen and magic elements that people don’t understand how it works, but know when it doesn’t.

I met with Scott Glowe from St. Croix Insulation, Inc and he was nice enough to answer a few questions -the basics -on several types of insulation.  You can reach Scott via email at scott@stcroixinsulation.com or call (715) 386-1200.

We are finishing up the Schematic Design for the King Leadership Center at Camp St Croix. This means that a basic concept is approved and can move into what is called Design Development…where the design is developed!

The program took a little shift, which often happens as discussions occur. The Camp wanted to look at accommodating 24 single beds in lieu of 18 bunk beds. This makes sense because the bulk of the visitors will be adults. The challenge is the 3-to-a-room requirement and then wanting them to join as suites. That means a room access door, suite door and window are needed in each room…which also means more floor and corridor space, etc. The typical puzzle solving.

The overall concept is to use the Classical Elements as a tool to organize as well as give opportunities for learning. The building is divided into Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. So for example, most of the ‘wet’ services are in the Water Bldg with maybe a solar hot water system on the roof. With this facility attempting to be LEED Certified, we can hopefully highlight sustainable concepts that reinforce this design concept.

We also realize that many times the dreams exceed the budget. Some tough decisions are on the horizon to maintain that dream while being diligent with the dollars… Click on images below to enlarge.

Architect: Us!, Green Bldg Facilitator: EcoDEEP, Structural Eng: Mattson Macdonald Young, Mech/Elec Eng: Gausman & Moore, Civil Eng: Foth Infrastructure & Environment

Ever wonder how and what cardboard you can recycle?  I happened to find this video my daughter made a year ago for a school project and thought it would be fun to share.  I am still amazed that many people do not recycle.  The energy and cost of creating a product from scratch versus utilizing a waste product that is 90 percent ready to be reused doesn’t make sense…does it?

I could use analogies such as ‘Architects are flexible in design, fluid in the process’, ‘Can hold it together when the project is shaken up’, ‘Bounce back from challenges….etc’.  To be honest, I just thought this video was cool and wanted to share it.

Most people have heard the term ‘Rain Gardens’ but don’t really understand what they are and what they do… Today we speak with a leading expert in water resource management, Civil Engineer Kurt Leuthold from Barr Engineering. Kurt and I have worked together on several projects in the past few years including the new offices for the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (beginning construction this spring) among others. A few questions discussed include:
-What is a ‘Rain Garden’?
-Describe the Rain Garden system -both large scale and small scale.
-How do you determine the size, configuration, plantings, etc.?
-How would a person get started in making a rain garden?
-With all the available water in our area, why is a rain garden important?
-We also touch on pervious pavers, rain barrels and other options for water management.

Feel free to contact Kurt Leuthold PE via email at kal@barr.com

Please subscribe to these podcasts also via iTunes. Search for the title ‘Design & Other Fun Stuff’.

Please click on the links above and you can also find information at the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District site. Looking to build one? Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supplies has the materials.

We love the ‘rawness’ of concrete. It is fluid yet solid, smooth yet textured, strong yet fragile…I could go on and on. Concrete is a basic building component that has leapt from the foundation and floor slab to other creative and decorative uses. It is inexpensive and readily available.

A newspaper published a weekly article following one of our projects and the number one question from readers related to the staining of concrete. The video below shows how we used Concrete Tile Backer Board (tile underlayment) as a fireplace surround. It gives a unique look to a traditional feature and meets the fire requirements. Take a look and let us know your thoughts. Thanks!

Too much time on my hands you say…? Maybe, but rethinking everyday items and building them myself is my way of relaxing. Truss plates are available at any home improvement center -they are inexpensive, galvanized metal and have a great pattern of predrilled holes. What else could we use these for?… hmm.

When starting my own company, way back when, instead of handing out just a business card, I thought a card holder might make more of an impact and something that would be kept on a desk reminding people to ‘Hire me!’. This evolved into an expanded version to keep organized all of the cards I had received. How about a brochure display? Easy! The point is to have fun and reinvent things to become other things. Everyday utlitarian objects don’t have to come from ‘big box’ stores or be premade. Surround yourself with the uncommon. With a bit of your own creativity you will put a smile on your face! Click on the images to enlarge.

Ran across this documentary about architect Fritz Eisenhofer put together by Gaby Lingke. Fritz discusses his thoughts about designing and building a futuristic earth-sheltered home in New Zealand. Interesting and well-done video – check it out!

A Dome In Peka Peka from livlin productions on Vimeo.

Our office is just beginning a new project for beautiful Camp St Croix. This King Leadership Center will house up to 36 guests with an adjoining commons/meeting space. The specific site is on the main south campus and will anchor the ‘great lawn’ space. We will be targeting a LEED Silver or Gold certification.

We had our ‘kick-off’ meeting last week where we reviewed the Program (spaces needed) and the site challenges and opportunities. Kevin Flynn with EcoDEEP lead the LEED Scoring process to help define our baseline goals.   (Kevin and I will be recording a podcast discussing LEED soon!)  Now comes the fun part -the sketches, the creativity, the putting the puzzle together… and the other stuff- meeting with building officials, verifying code requirements, etc. Stay tuned!

Architect: Us!, Green Bldg Facilitator: EcoDEEP, Structural Eng: Mattson Macdonald Young, Mech/Elec Eng: Gausman & Moore, Civil Eng: Foth Infrastructure & Environment

Click on the images below to enlarge.