APRIL 8TH, 2011
By BUILD LLC
Over the last decade we’ve spent quite a bit of time and energy remodeling mid-century modern homes (MCMs). We admire the original design of these homes and it’s always satisfying to breathe new life into them -allowing them to be useful, inspiring homes for another 50 or 60 years. Remodeling an MCM home differs from remodeling just any old house though. There are a number of differences to understand about MCM homes- characteristics that make them unique. The materials and methods common in the 1950’s were distinctive and relatively consistent. Understanding these materials and methods helps determine the viability of a remodel and allows for a more straight-forward decision making process. Here are a few common characteristics of MCM homes:
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APRIL 5TH, 2011
By BUILD LLC
[Renderings by Hugh Ferriss]
Working on a substantial architecture project requires the gathering and analysis of a great deal of information. This information is found in documents like the International Building Code and city municipal codes; subsequently the process can lead to an overwhelming amount of data for any sizeable project. Such data involves everything from setbacks and height limits, all the way down to the required dimensions of a handrail. At face value, this information can seem awfully dull, but there is also a beauty in crunching through the raw data. Approached with the right mindset, there is poetry in the process.
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MARCH 15TH, 2011
By BUILD LLC
We were recently asked by a BUILDblog reader about how we generate graphic presentations. It’s a great question and one that seemed like it would make a good blog post. There are a number of different reasons that we put together graphic presentations; client meetings, blog posts, office display on our working wall, architectural exhibits and simply to record our thoughts and clarify our ideas. While we’ve experimented over the years with various mediums, we’ve found a few patterns that work well for us and convey ideas properly to clients. It’s always a balancing act between representing ideas accurately and being efficient with a project’s design budget. A big part of the equation is getting people inspired and enrolled in the design with straight-forward methods. The right software and techniques can make a tremendous difference with these variables; knowing how to use them appropriately can lead to successful outcomes every time. Interestingly enough, more expensive, more sophisticated technology doesn’t always produce the most effective outcome. So in the philosophy of transparency and sharing what we know, we’ve put together a diagrammatic timeline of the various graphic stages we go through for each phase of an architectural project –each stage notes the technology we use to achieve the results.
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MARCH 9TH, 2011
By BUILD LLC
A couple of years ago, when we made some updates to the BUILD LLC World Headquarters, we added a feature that is an essential element of any design firm. We refer to it as the “working wall” and it’s where all the action happens. It’s a big wall of pin-up space that is constantly changing and evolving. It’s well lit, easy to get to and it’s the first thing you see when you walk in the door. The working wall is also the backdrop to the conference table which allows us to refer to it during meetings.
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MARCH 7TH, 2011
By BUILD LLC
We’ve been busy here at the BUILD world headquarters lately and it’s a good time to share what we’ve been up to. Despite the recession, or maybe in light of it, our philosophy is to always keep designing, building and doing. It’s a mindset that has worked well for us and it has opened up some great avenues as opportunities for new projects have become challenging.
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NOVEMBER 24TH, 2010
By BUILD LLC
Team BUILD has been spending a bit of time in our SPD wood shop lately and it’s time to tell you about our Plywood Re-usable Christmas Tree Prototype. The design is based on the classic Frasier Fir, often used for Christmas trees here in the Pacific Northwest. The prototype stands 5’-0” tall and is fabricated in two leaves that slide together with a slip-notch. When not in use, the leaves slide apart and can be flat packed for efficient storage.
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NOVEMBER 18TH, 2010
By BUILD LLC
[Paliament office in Oregon, photo byLincoln Barbour]
Lately we’ve been working on a new interior architecture package for a social media start-up company here in Seattle. It’s been a ton of fun because the program calls for problem solving that’s in our skill set, yet the nature of the project is different enough to make it challenging. In addition to a range of programmatic office related functions, the design extends to some cool territory. For instance, making the space visually stimulating enough to attract new recruits, keeping a tribe of sharp-shooting programmer types inspired, and giving individuals the physical means to creatively express their personalities and what they do. Overall, a pretty dang cool project. Throw in a clever CEO willing to take some design risks and team BUILD is off to the races.
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NOVEMBER 8TH, 2010
By BUILD LLC
[All photos by BUILD LLC]
BUILD LLC’s most recently completed project is a mid-century modern home in Seattle’s Innis Arden neighborhood. We covered the exterior of the home in a previous post and today we’ll take an in-depth look at the interior architectural package.
Remodeling a home from the 1950’s makes sense for several reasons; the foundation and framing of houses from this era are typically well constructed, the existing framing is usually straight-forward and can be efficiently modified in key areas, and the interior layouts are simple and relatively open. What this means for us architects, is that you can bring a mid-century home up to date cost-effectively. By staying within the existing envelope, construction dollars were focused on a new kitchen, new bathrooms, new cabinets and new surfaces throughout. The construction costs came to $152 per square foot on this project – for a list of everything included in that number, click here.
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NOVEMBER 2ND, 2010
By BUILD LLC
[All photos and drawings by BUILD LLC]
BUILD LLC just completed the substantial renovation to a mid-century modern home in Seattle’s Innis Arden neighborhood. We thoroughly enjoyed working on this project and couldn’t be more proud of the finished product. There are a couple of key ingredients essential to a project as rewarding as this. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again –behind every great project are extraordinary homeowners and this project is a perfect example. They courageously dove into the adventure of design and construction and we are absolutely honored to have worked with them. The existing home itself incorporated clean lines and a straight-forward design. The original floor plan was open and flexible, the framing was in good shape, and the foundation was solid. All things considered, it was a great departure point.
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OCTOBER 26TH, 2010
By BUILD LLC
Sometimes architecture achieves its goals precisely because it doesn’t take center stage. Sometimes the right thing for architecture to do is take a step back and be the backdrop for people, art and celebration. That’s exactly the case with the new space that BUILD LLC just remodeled for Chase Jarvis Photography.
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