The Environmental Landscape Management crew are working hard to provide a ‘level playing field’ for our kids. Regrading work and the building of stone retaining walls are underway. Here is a quick video showing some of the progress.
Backyard Construction from michael huber architects on Vimeo.
We feel real lucky to have a wooded back yard but like most people building a new home, the landscape work gets reduced for the greater good of the Architecture! Unfortunately, that is not always a good decision -setting and structure need to work with and enhance each other… and be functional for your needs. Though beautiful, our yard had a big crown in it that made it unusable for playing games. We decided to flatten a portion to make it more usable and to add a retaining wall around the fire pit -which will remain at its current elevation. The video below is a crew removing two trees… on a very windy day. Check back to see the final result.
Something fun for a Friday! Creativity comes in many shapes and sizes. I love these ‘Rube Goldberg-esque’ machines. Making the easy complex is part of the fun! Hey Hey Hey is a design group that had a bit of time on their hands to put this together. I am glad they did… Enjoy!
Melvin the Mini Machine from HEYHEYHEY on Vimeo.
If you have more time -hey, it’s Friday -of course there is time! Here is the first Melvin the Machine but on a much larger scale.
A simple idea turned into a non-profit organization dedicated to make a difference in urban environments. We are using ‘white roofing’ more and more as people become educated to the energy and financial impact not only for the building itself but to its surroundings as well. Learn more at The White Roof Project.
I love looking at pictures on the computer or iPad but there is something special about an actual print. Here is an easy project to display some of your photos in a fun way.
Here is a cool video animating a vision of future linked skyscrapers and is described as follows:
“The project started in London with a few companies and artists invited to create a vision for the future mega developed city. The overall “Megatropolis” project didn’t make it to its final stage but the concept grew into this architectural utopia and animation. “City in the sky” is a concept about a tranquil oasis above the mega developed and polluted city where one can escape from the everyday buzz, smog and dirt. The concept is inspired by the Lotus flower which is known for its ability to emerge above the murky waters pure and clean.”
Source: Skycity
Here is something fun for a Friday. Back in my day it was mousetraps, string and ping-pong balls to automate our goofiness. If I was in college today, I could totally see myself doing this -after I finished my studies of course… Enjoy!
Source: Geekology
100,000 staples arranged into a City in 40 hours. Artist Peter Root took the challenge. An interesting urban study using a standard office supply.
Click HERE for additional photos.
Today we speak with Chris Matson from Environmental Landscape Management, Inc. A few questions discussed include:
-What is your approach and philosophy to landscape design?
-Walk me through the process of working on a landscape project.
-Are you seeing trends to a more ‘natural’ landscape vs traditional or formal?
-How do you integrate the design/plant selections with the site and architecture?
Feel free to contact Chris at 715-386-7100
or email him at chris@elmonline.com
Please subscribe to these podcasts also via iTunes. Search for the title ‘Design & Other Fun Stuff’.
I was fortunate to be the local Project Manager for Michael Graves and help create a Pavilion here in the Twin Cities. Ironically, I only met him while in a bathroom in Washington DC… long story. I ran across this video of him describing the process he went through in remodeling his own home. Definitely worth a watch.
This piece was created for Dwell by Gary Nadeau.
When I was a young boy, I had rigged up an old turntable with an arm hanging from the ceiling that would randomly move and scratch my back. (Did I just admit that?) Artist Robert Howsare created this ‘lazy man’s Spirograph’ using a similar idea. It is mesmerizing to watch and spins out a nice piece to hang on your wall.
The layering of technology in our homes is inevitable and already occurring at an accelerated rate. We built our home only 8 years ago and some technologies I had anticipated have been passed up by others. Who knows were we will be in another 8 years? This video from Openarch takes a stab at that vision. Some fun (and silly) ideas ensue. Enjoy!
Openarch || FILM from Openarch on Vimeo.