[All photos by BUILD LLC]
A recent project of ours just wrapped up and during the final stretch we stopped by for a site visit. Approaching the front door, we were so absorbed in the house itself that we almost missed what has become one of our favorite details on the project. Right by the front porch, cast into one of the pavers along the walkway, our clients (a family of four) cast their handprints into the concrete. It’s a detail that strikes a nostalgic chord: reminds us of childhood, the fascination of concrete curing into permanency, and the excitement of a new home. Most of all, it brings to surface the simple fact that, as serious as we are about architecture, ultimately, homes are for people and families to enjoy. They’re for dinner parties, running around in the yard and watching your kids grow up. A home is about much more than the architecture alone.
Today’s post is a salute to the impromptu details that make a project special. All of those serendipitous items that don’t appear on the drawings: the unexpected character added after the fact, the ad hoc feature that just seemed like it belonged there, the handprints in the sidewalk marking a key moment. Good design needs room to breathe, room for the spontaneous. It’s the unplanned items that often make the design sing.
Share any serendipitous details that you’ve come across in the comments below.
Cheers from team BUILD
I’ve often felt overpaid discovering details like this from my clients. Cheers from me too!
There’s a building downtown clad with granite panels and the corner adjacent to the alley was hit years ago by a delivery truck. The dented panels were replaced with a stainless steel corner custom fabricated to fit the building. In my opinion, it’s the best part of the building. Totally unintended, accidental design.
Iowa State University’s Memorial Union building has a core twin stairwell circuling up from the commons to the central lobby. These stairs were laid with Iowa sandstone. Heavy usage over the long time has worn indentaions on the top of each step from footprints. Although a real and present tripping hazard, you can not avoid the reminder you are like the thousands who past through the institiution before. Beside the fact that code would dictate the stairs would have to be completey redesigned to current standards if altered; the University building officials have silently vowed never replace these worn testiments. There is also tread wear AROUND the fabled zodiac. http://www.mu.iastate.edu/en/about_the_mu/traditions_myths__stories/ (Go State!)
The Burlingame California library has handprints from all the students in the local school at the time of construction and remodel. My sister has her handprint on that concrete wall. She died a few months after. It remains a nice memory of her for all of us. I have an architect to thank for that little detail.
I’m currently working on a residential project where we keep finding garden tchotchkea hidden all over the property. Most were given to my client, a veterinarian, by her clients so a majority of them have an animal theme. We’re going to collect them all and make a tchotchke garden at the end of the project.
Also, I graduated from ISU so @Ryan, I know those steps well! Good memories!