Video stone

Check me out in this video clip. My projects shown include the drawings/renderings, stone barrel vault, the hood surrounding the range, the "castle-like" vault and of course the fireplace next to me. Check back for follow up pictures of these areas featured in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv43yiyREFw

working with windows

The questions we ask ourselves when designing with windows are; did we maximize the use of the window and did we functionally work with the window to be an active part of the architecture?  Is it more than just something to look through?

In this renovation, we opened the existing breakfast area out to the pool and terrace area with full size, floor to ceiling mega double hung windows.  When you approach the wall, the windows envelop you along with extending your view from a sitting position at the breakfast table. This is done by oversizing their proportion to the rest of the space.  BTW, the shades are hidden in the crown molding.

In this townhouse renovation (below) the windows are established and fixed as predetermined design elements.  We cannot change them.  We relocated the kitchen to be at one end of the narrow space opening the new eating area to the living room.  The windows did not restrict us from providing much needed countertop and storage areas. Now the windows are an integral and active part of the living space.  More to come on this renovation in the future.

These two conservative and modest projects display that windows can have a big impact in a small area and provide more than just a view.

Alarming discussions

In poor economic times - crime and particularly home burglaries increase. This week we met with alarm contractors to bid our project in Connecticut.  It's an interesting experience when you meet with new subcontractors not experienced in working directly with the architect-builder (a design-build firm).  Typically alarm companies, even in the largest homes, tend to meet with the homeowner only.  There are a myriad of components to be concerned about when planning an alarm system on the home whether it's existing or new construction. When planning an alarm installation, Alarm contractors are no different than any other company.  They are selling a system and product.  Good companies will not play on fear but rather consider the realties of safety, your specific setting, design layout of your home, your lifestyle and your risk to budget factors.  You might think as the homeowner that it's all common sense but that's not the case.
One contractor kept asking to meet with the homeowner versus meeting with us - relying on our professionalism, experience and direct knowledge of the layout of the house along with home's strengths and weaknesses.  Afterall we did design and build the home.  We know where all the mechanical and electrical systems are distributed throughout the home, where water freezing may be a concern and the lifestyle of the homeowner. He kept trying to apply the fear technique. The irony is amazing.
Listen carefully to what's being discussed and consider your risks after the alarm company leaves and you've educated yourself. In this case of course, we will not prevent the alarm company from meeting with the homeowner, however the homeowner relies on us for the basic knowledge of each system sifting through the subtleties for a proper bid with alternates. We then consult with the homeowner and chosen alarm company to work as a team to meet the requirements, needs and budget for the project.
When deciding on an alarm system, there are effectively three areas of concern; fire and smoke, family and home theft security, and finally property protection from damage due to acts of god, faulty equipment or breakdown.  These dictate items such as smoke detectors, heat sensors, motion detectors, glass break sensors, flood sensors, low temperature sensors, door and window sensors, pool alarms and more.
From a basic pure budget point of view; install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in and outside every bedroom and lock your doors when you leave your home, even if you leave for just a few minutes.  If you already have an alarm system; use it.

Things are looking up

pergola

foyer

foyer

stair hall

portico

family room

vestibule

Enough rough

No need to always install stone in it's rough form.  On this project, we designed a polished translucent gemstone slab to be backlit while sitting in a brushed stainless steel frame.  It's in front of a frosted glass partition in the foyer as artwork in it's own right.

The art stone faces a frosted glass staircase with a frosted glass bridge above.  Here you are looking back toward the front door.

More Rockitecture

We've been asked how else we've used rocks functionally and artistically in an exterior setting.  Take a look at this small outdoor barbecue area.  Outdoor BBQ's are certainly not unusual but they don't need to be boring refined outdoor kitchens either.  They can be simple, fun and add character to your backyard.  We designed this BBQ on top of an existing stone wall.  The iron door provides access to storage, an electrical outlet and the gas shut-off valve. We have rock seats cantilevered balancing either side, two rock hot plate levels and a metal shepherd's hook rising between the boulders for a hanging lantern.  The boulder leg is arched back providing a toe kick space.

The back side is lower than the terrace and is designed to be playful with boulders facing towards the existing kid's sandbox.

Rockitect

One of our current projects produced a tremendous amount of bedrock.  This is an outdoor sculpture that can double as a table (although not meant to look like one) in one of the five courtyards. The two legs are 2 feet tall standing upright with an additional 4 feet buried below the surface.  This courtyard has several boulders that double as seats and a cantilevered boulder for a balcony at the edge of the terrace. 

New website launch

This week we launched our new website.  We hope you all enjoy it.  We have to thank Amy Short of http://www.amyshortart.com/ for her patience and her remarkable ability to design an elegant and clean website made to enhance nothing but my projects and...

Melani Lust of http://www.melanilustphotography.com/ for the absolutely beautiful and creative photographs such as the one found on our "profile" page and this one.  Their professionalism and attention to detail makes us want to strive for a higher perfection in our own work.  Very inspirational.

We have some very exciting things planned for the site with regular updates and educational postings. We can't wait for you to see what is planned for the SEEK site and services.