John Mueller, University of Detroit Architecture Professor, was the craftsman for this elegant junction of painted trim and wood post.
Archive for the ‘Found Objects’ Category
Late Century Artisan Trim Detail, Birmingham, Michigan
Posted in Found Objects, tagged details, Detroit, John Mueller, painted wood, trim on April 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Turn of the Century Dining Room Trim Details in Berkeley California
Posted in Found Objects, tagged Berkeley, ceiling details, craftsman, historical styles, picture molding, square profiles, trim, wainscoting, wainscotting on April 17, 2011| 2 Comments »
Simple and sturdy wainscoting and a modern stepped ceiling detail is timeless in this Berkeley home. The stripe of picture molding elegantly breaks the painted wall.
More South Bay Passive House Tours
Posted in Found Objects, Information, tagged passive house, rainscreen, redwood, windows on April 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I went on another tour of a couple of passive houses under construction in the San Jose area. The two were very different from each other. The first is a remodel, designed by Thamby Kumaran with energy modelling by the owner-builder, Scott Heeschen. It uses a lot of salvaged redwood for the rainscreen siding, a mixture of Marvin Integrity and Serious windows, and rainwater catchment. Clearly architecture was a priority, since attics and flat ceilings make it easier to maximize insulation. (Compared to this beautiful vaulted ceiling)
Thamby Kumaran and passive house tourists
I am curious how the long strip of south-facing clerestory windows will perform in summer with such a minimal overhang.
Nabih Tahan and several other visitors on the back deck
Casement, awning, and fixed windows were chosen for their air tight seals.
Marvin Integrity casement windows
Several large water cisterns in the side yard
The other house I had already visited in the fall of 2010.
Cottle Zero Energy House
This one is more of a standard high-end spec house, but it seems to be quite technically competent on many levels.
Presentation to eager passive house enthusiasts. Note the open web joists above. These make for easy routing of ducts and plumbing
“Ladder blocking” allows for more complete insulation of the exterior envelope
Insulated concrete form on display
Dormer Extravaganza in Berkeley
Posted in Found Objects, tagged additions, Berkeley, curiosities, dormers, houses, humor, palimpsest, roof design on April 3, 2011| 1 Comment »
I bet the little attic room is pretty nice from the inside, but you have to wonder what they were thinking.
Carl’s Roof: A Single Sheet of Bent Aluminum
Posted in Found Objects, tagged aluminum, metal, roof, utilitarian, water management on March 31, 2011| 1 Comment »
My friend Carl Milsum just installed this simple and sturdy new aluminum entry roof to protect visitors at his front door. It might look better without the diamond plate, but I think he got a special deal on this material.
Pink!
Posted in Found Objects, tagged color, pink on March 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The Hanger Hamper: Everyone Needs One
Posted in Found Objects, tagged humor, wasteful products on March 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »
This “hanger-hamper” is a must have home organizing product from Improvementscatalog.com
Amusing New Yorker Cartoon
Posted in Found Objects, tagged humor on March 3, 2011| 1 Comment »
The caption contest is still open.
John Hanes Art Gallery in Booneville
Posted in Found Objects, tagged curves on February 28, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Route 128 in Booneville
The friendly, skilled bronze artist owner greeted me at the door. We got to chatting and he explained to me that his son was the architect for the building. His son had insisted on adding a few south-facing windows to the side wings of the gallery. I think his son should have tried a bit harder for a nice window on the southern end of the central space, but I guess that might not have been ideal for viewing paintings. They ought to put something on the blank wall. A large bronze relief sculpture perhaps? A bright colored sign?
The rustic entry details
Charles and Tim Heppner Passive House in Chicago
Posted in Found Objects, tagged green, houses, passive house, passive solar, recycled, rustic, salvaged, solar electricity, windows on February 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »
In the fall of 2009 I visited this Passive House on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. I didn’t really know much about Passive houses at the time, but I was impressed by one thing in particular. The homeowner opened a window on the first floor and there was no rush of cold air. In fact there was no perceptible air movement at all. This was because The house is very “tight” The air didn’t rush in because there wasn’t anywhere for it to go. I won’t go rambling on about what a passive house is here. Follow the link to my article on the topic, or just Google “passive house” or passivhaus.”
More information about this particular house:
Interview with one of the owners
I need some more information about how it has been performing since commissioning. Perhaps the owner will make a comment on this post.
Beyond its Passive house status, the house has many fine recycled details such as these vent covers made from 100 year old soffit:
Concha Conciousness Ear Muffs – I found this on my friend Josh’s blog. pretty sweet.
Posted in Found Objects, tagged humor on February 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »
60 foot tall fake steel tree with multiple forts under way in Lafayette
Posted in Found Objects, tagged tree forts on February 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »
My structural engineer told me that he designed the steel trunk for this project:
I am very curious how they are dealing with egress and other practical matters, but looks pretty cool anyway.
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