House Meets Mountain

This house we are currently doing construction documents on is going to be nestled in the base of a mountain.  The hardest part may possibly be cutting a road in and laying the foundation.  We are almost guaranteed to hit rock and the drive itself will meander through the forest as it attempts to maintain track on a single topography line.  It gives the house a great sense of approach, though, and the little bridges that many people have to manipulate the landscape to get these clients have naturally in spades.  This house is going to be a fun one to watch go up!

 

Circa 1911

Summer marked the start of construction of a historic addition project we'd been drawing on this spring.  The first month or so it was just a huge hole in the ground, but now the walls are up and the roof is on and it is really taking shape. This house is complicated; it's got a lot of detailed woodwork as well as some interesting framing conditions.  We've got a good crew though and we're all enjoying the archaeology of taking an old house apart and figuring out how they originally put it together.  Here are some photos of the progress so far:

-crn

It's Been Too Long

I've let this blog slide a bit in the last couple months, but that's because we've been busy! Hurray! We have several projects under construction right now and I'm happy to get out in the summer sunshine to check on them. One of our smaller (but fun!) projects is over in Homewood.  It's a little guesthouse for a couple that wanted to live in their children's backyard. It's amazing that even though it's only 750 square feet, it takes just as much planning and thought as a full size house.  There are still foundation details, eave details, and utilities connections. Bruce calls it "a drop of espresso" because this house is like a concentrated version of a cup of coffee. Here are some recent pics:

Prize To The Future

A few months ago, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham launched a campaign they called The Next Big Thing.  Part of this campaign was an international design competition for a site located in the heart of Birmingham.  With a purse of over $50,000, we decided what's to lose?  So we submitted an entry.

Standard Creative teamed up with some other professionals in the Birmingham area to put together what I thought was a pretty cool idea.  Taking a cue from the urban gondola system in Colombia, we decided that a version of their light rail system would be a neat way to traverse our city.  The system we designed was headquartered at the "prize site" and Railroad Park, and accessed Vulcan Park, Sloss Furnaces, the proposed baseball stadium, and McWane/City Hall.  

Unfortunately we did not make the cut, but we are eager to see what project they end up selecting.  Here's a peek at some of the images we submitted:

 

-carrie

House on a Hill

Continuing the spirit of beautiful buildings on hills, here are some recent renderings for a residence we are designing with a site on the crest of Red Mountain.  Traditional in the sense that it picks up the slender, city-oriented diagram of Birmingham's Redmont homes, it takes on a story of it's own in the tightly woven fabric of three story windows on the city view elevation and a Lutyens-esque double gable on the front elevation.  We love this home because it has the opportunity to add to the history and legacy of building on the mountain, one of Birmingham's most defining features.

-crn

The Guardian

There is an elegant little building perched high atop a hill that keeps watch over the Avondale Park.  Formally known as the Avondale Villa, it was built in 1931 by the WPA.  Over the next hundred years it fell to decay and ruin until 1998, when The Friends of Avondale Park scraped enough money together to restore the old building.  Today it peeks through the park's forest as a beautiful vestige of another age of the park.  We love the huge windows, the simple diagram, and the bold architecture in this little building.

-crn

Have a Happy Holidays, But Mostly Have a Great New Year

We decided to get clever with our Christmas cards this year and mix it up a bit.  We have a few contacts in the screen printing business (shout-out to Mike and Andrew!) and, being survivors of architecture school and model building 101, we also have a fondness for chipboard.  Thus was birthed the hand-printed postcard that many of you found in your mailbox this season.  Design credits go to Andrew Thomson whose original front-of-postcard design inspired the rear, which requires some explaining.   

We wanted something that was architectural and spoke to our specialty in residential design.  Andrew came up with the view from the outside in, literal window framing a view of a cozy fireplace while snowflakes swirled outside.  (A) home for the holidays, perhaps?...

The rear of the postcard evolved from the events of 2010 in the life of Standard Creative.  We moved our office to the burgeoning neighborhood of Avondale last February with all the optimism pioneers can muster.  We were broken into less than a month later.  The most humbling part of that experience was that because we had just moved our backup system wasn't entirely in place.  So, because our server was stolen in addition to both of our on-site backups, we lost all of our current and archived work from the previous two years.  It was pretty devastating.  

But not to be discouraged, Bruce and Jason gathered up the pieces and with the help of our wonderful IT guy we were able to get some semblance of a working office back together within the next few weeks.  We were never able to recover that missing information, though, which has haunted us ever since.

Unfortunately we were broken into two times since then.  Different ways, different times, different stuff, but all a major set-back in an already deflated workload due to the economy.  Since then, though, we have learned not to live in fear, but always act with caution.  We have lost the innocence of pioneerism, but we still have a playful respect for the quirky neighborhood of Avondale and enjoy being here.

Hence, the elf on the back of the card and the wishes for a NEW year.  To the casual observer, he is carrying a present, but to those who know the tough road we are leaving behind in 2010, it is an IMac.

We know we are blessed and that things will get better.  If there's anything that we've learned in the past year, it's that you have to enjoy and trust who you are with to have the strength to go through with the future.  We hope that you have as good of people around you as we do.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

-crn

A Cabin in the Woods.

This project is a gem.

It went under construction about 3 years ago and is still going strong.  It's one of those rare projects that has actually been allowed to be completely thought through from beginning to end.  The guys working on the house are fabricating everything by hand on site from hand-chiseled timbers to custom windows.  It's taking so long that even the temporary walks and window coverings are getting creative (see the window with the circular viewport cut into the plywood).  But with a project that is in the middle of nowhere and made from all natural materials, it seems appropriate that it should rise up out of the ground almost as slow as the forest does...

These are some progress photos:

-crn

Update: Changing Seasons

Remember that screened porch we posted about a few months ago?  Well, it's been drawn and under construction and has now morphed into an addition!  What I really love about this project is how the bracketry from the screen porch concept translated into the actual built out space.  We are used to exposed structure on pavilions and porches, but when juxtaposed with true conditioned space, those details become accentuated.  Check out the progress (it's still under construction):

-crn

Biz Saavy

I love our business cards.  

I think your business card says a lot about you (your company).  Are you light-hearted or serious?  Do you love what you do or is it more of a commodity?  Are you creative or analytical?  

When I discovered our stash of business cards in the paper closet when I first started working here, I couldn't have been more delighted.  I mean, who combines stickers, exclamation points, canary yellow, and five different options of retro wallpaper?  Who has a 3-step process just to create one biz card? That would be Standard Creative! architecture+miscellanea.

1-2-3  You pick your favorite wallpaper card.  Pick the sticker that has your name on it. Adhere name portion to blank side and Standard Creative on the printed side.  Fold along the dots.

We have prints that we prefer for contractors.  We have prints that we prefer for designers. It may take several minutes to answer someone when they ask," Could I have your card?"  But I know that when that card finally goes in the rolodex, it stands out among the rest.

And that makes it all worth it.

-crn

Our Town

Birmingham.  It's home for us.

Recently I ran into an old friend.  As we caught up quickly on each others' lives, she suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, what are you doing here?  I thought you would be in New York or something." In the moment, I smiled and whispered, "Surprise."  Looking back at that conversation, I wonder at the perceived missed opportunity.  To many creatives/designers, I guess it would be an obvious choice to get a running start in one of the major cities of the world.  But for me, growing a career means so much more than finding the next big town to jump to.  

I'll never forget my first year as a young professional in Birmingham...there's something about coming over Red Mountain and seeing Sloss Furnaces before you and the City Federal Building to the west as the sun peaks over Highland Park in the morning that always makes my heart leap.  I have so much love for this city of turn-of-the-century architecture and a bubbling foodie culture.  Sure, there is a plethora of vacant storefronts and a crime rate that is finally on the decline.  But in my eyes, there is so much room to grow.  In my mind, there is greater opportunity in a town of unmet potential than any of the New Yorks or Londons of the world.

This week we had our Monday morning office meeting in the brand-spanking-new Railroad Park.  Finally, something city-funded, progressive, and totally accessible.  Three full city blocks of rolling hills, walking paths, a waterfall, and a cafe pavilion sit in the heart of what was once the industrial epicenter of a bustling 19th century Birmingham.  One hundred years, two world wars, and a civil rights movement later, Standard Creative sitting in this park looking over the lake towards Birmingham's skyscrapers was the truest sense of promise and success that I have felt for the city in a long time.  Being privy to such a significant and permanent public investment made my spirit soar for the future of the city.  

So. What am I doing here?  I am an architect designing buildings in a city that is prime for development and revitalization.  And that is more exciting than a New York minute will ever be.

 

-crn

Changing Seasons

So here we are again, fall--autumn--football, is literally days away.  For weeks now, we've been sensing the very slightest hints of its approach.  Not just confined to relief in temperatures, the coming of fall is more of a feeling...one day you wake up and walk outside, and there it is...an ethereal sense that whatever had been for the past few months is fading, and something new and unknown and historically wonderful is quietly becoming the next phase.

And, we're ready.

And, it seems, our clients are too...some of our recent renovation projects have included requests for screened porches and we couldn't be more in tune with the allure of the porch as the humidity and temperature drop and the mornings find us looking for a nice place to set our coffee cups. We believe that a new porch can easily become the best part of your house.  Like a slice of pumpkin pie at the end of Thanksgiving dinner, it is the perfect culmination of the habitable spaces in your home.  Check out one of the latest from the drawing boards:

-crn

Tucked Away

 Fresh off the drawing boards, this 800 s.f. cottage is an in-laws getaway. The lot itself is pie-shaped, so with only the wedge of the back yard to work with, we chose a shotgun approach with a single, side loaded corridor that opens onto the courtyard between the guesthouse and the existing house. The northeast wall (along the property line) is the private zone, with little fenestration and a lot of storage and bookshelves.  The southwest walls (and corridor) become more public with windows and access to the yard.  Changes in ceiling heights also define spaces as 12 foot ceilings open the kitchen and living rooms, and a dropped 9 foot ceiling over the corridor and bedroom encourage circulation and a cozier atmosphere. The kitchen and living are sort of the intermediary zone between shared spaces with the existing house and guesthouse.  The brick silo signals this by echoing back to the fireplace of the existing house, by housing smaller, more intimate spaces like the reading nook, and terminating this sequence of spaces into the back bedroom.  The bedroom is secluded, taking advantage of the privacy of the tip of the wedge and also benefitting from a small screened porch that completes this retreat.  We're looking forward to seeing how this little house shapes up in real life!

-crn

Ain't No Oil Gonna Get Us Down

If you are thinking of heading to the beach, GO.  The waters are crystal and the people down there desperately need you.  We had a great time on both the bay and the gulf and wouldn't trade revisiting our childhood sugar sands for anything.  

Our trip sort of piggybacked Bruce's family vacation, so we had a great time seeing the beach through the kids' eyes.  They went to the water park, drove go-carts, swam in the bay, built sand castles, and the trip ended with an epic low-country boil and a gorgeous sunset over Fort Morgan.  Don't let this summer get past you without spending a little time at the coast...

 Trip-in-review photos here.

-crn

Ikea is Still the One

Oh yes, when you're doing a reno on a shoestring, look no further than your local Ikea for clean, simple fixtures and accessories (for us, about a 3 hour drive to Atlanta).  We definitely confess to recent purchases for the 2800 job and we love what we've gotten!  This particular pendant (the one on the left) is actually huge!  We're using it as the dining room fixture and it's actually so large that I can completely crawl underneath it!  It's definitely going to be the conversation item in the room and we love that it goes perfectly with the neutral palette we've already selected.

-crn

More on the 2800 Reno...

This picture was actually taken about a month ago, so now we are even closer to wrapping up this project, and it's really looking sharp.  This pic is of the new Master Bathroom, which was originally the upstairs kitchen.  I posted some pictures earlier this year of the gutting and then rebuilding of the entire floor system of this space.  It's starting to come alive now, with countertops that are actually the original floor joists, sanded and waxed.  The custom cabinets were made by a good friend and just lack hardware now.  That little niche in the middle is designed specifically for storing extra towels.  The sink is a great trough sink we found at ikea and fell in love with.  The way it rests on the counter at sill height really makes it the statement piece of the room.  Can't wait till it's all done!

-crn

The "Miscellanea" Bit

I'd like to introduce you to...the landscape design skills of principal architect Bruce Lanier. We are helping some clients of ours design and build an addition to their historic home near English Village and they asked us for some thoughts on the land planning of their site.  The clients were interested in incorporating similar brickwork to the neighboring Village as well as linkages between indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. With generous lawns and space-defining ornamentals, we feel like this plan has room to expand and grow with the family.

-crn   

5 Months Later, Still Going Strong.

I feel like I mention Avondale a lot, whether it's facebook or here, but I have yet to give you a face with the name!  So here's a photo of our new quarters, where it all comes together:

We are Suite 102, second from the right.  Come see us!  

-crn

Happy Fourth, Ya'll.

Well, here we are on the threshold of the Holiday weekend, hopefully filled with good times with family, friends, and a lively show of fireworks.  I can't help but think about how hundreds of years ago, this weekend was less of a celebration and more of a desperation.  This morning Bruce mentioned that National Public Radio was reading the Declaration of Independence and how just having it read made him realize how courageous a statement of freedom it really was.  If you think about what would have happened if we had not won the war, what would have happened to those men, and where we would be now (or not be), it's truly a daring collection of words.  What I would have given to have stood in the room when that was penned and approved!  Can you imagine the atmosphere?  It was probably fervid enough to light its own set of fireworks!  Nevertheless, here we are, centuries later, an independent-minded people, enabled by some pretty fearless forefathers and still holding on to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Hope your weekend reminds you of how lucky we are, as it does me...

-crn

This Time of Year

On the drive home tonight, I happened to roll down the window to yell at my mom, who happened to be driving in the lane next to me.

When I went to roll it back up, I was stopped by the nearly deafening sound of crickets.

It's that time of year.  It's almost exactly six months from Christmas, the lazy days of summer in the South when the hamburgers get on the grill and the nights on the screen porch linger.  As I drove tonight with all the windows down the rest of the way home, I couldn't help but drink in the subtlest of breezes that lifted the heavy edges of the balmy evening air.  The sound of the crickets was nearly as thick as the humidity and the occasional frog reiterated the fact that this is yet another beautiful night in the South.  The lightning bugs trickled through the forest like random strings of Christmas lights, someone was playing some strings on what had to be a truck radio nearby.  It is what it is.  It's not modern, it's not thinking about being sustainable, it's just an age old season that brings it's own comforts and ideologies like a whisper in your ear.  These are the days we remember.

-crn