Bainbridge Island is an island city located in Puget Sound, Washington, off the coast of Seattle. It was named by Money magazine as the second-best place to live in the United States. Occasionally we will get sent information on homes for sale on this lovely island. We wanted to pass along one particular contemporary cottage redesign that caught our eye.
This garden cottage is owned by artists who took a simple 1970’s ranch house and with a few subtle changes were able to create a free-flowing, bright, open floor plan with the kitchen as the hub of the living space. The redesign was then extended to the two outbuildings in the backyard that were transformed into two separate functional work spaces: one an artist studio and the other a hobby workshop.
This home demonstrates the appeal of maintaining separate work/play spaces in a small efficient package without needing one giant house to contain everything. The idyllic scene created by the lush gardens and trees also gives you an idea of how this Pacific Northwest island city has obtained such a high rating of livability.
Property Profile:
- 3 bedrooms / 2 baths
– 2 Workshop/Art Studio Outbuildings
– Approximately 1,592 square feet on .35 acres
– Expansive Deck w/ Hot Tub and Seating
– 2 Energy Efficient Propane Fireplaces
– Wood exterior, composition roof
Last week we talked about Mid-Century Modern home tours and highlighted one particular tour that was taking place in Sacramento, CA. Continuing with that theme, today we stumbled upon a unique children’s toy – a Modern Play House that is made by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
This play house lets future modern architects and designers develop a sense of style at an early age as they experiment with this set of six different modular nesting boxes. The kit includes walls, flooring, furniture, lighting and other home accessories. There’s over 50 decorating options to allow that young Joseph Eichler of yours to create their own vision of a modern space.
Parents out there might want to consider passing on the Barbie Dream House and opt for this play house with some real modern flair.
Modern architecture was popularized in the 1950’s by renowned architects such as Joseph Eichler with a style of homes that came to be known as “California Modern.” These homes were characterized by glass walls, open floor plans, and post-and-beam construction. They can still be seen in many communities throughout Northern and Southern California, and there are even organized tours that allow architectural enthusiasts to get an up-close look at homes built during this significant design movement.
One such tour is taking place in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, June 26 – the city’s first-ever tour of this kind. Fans of Modern architecture and design can get a brief glimpse into what it would be like to live and work in more than 20 different California Modern homes and commercial structures built between 1945 and 1970.
Participants will receive informational booklets and driving maps and are allowed to visit the residences at their own pace and in any order that they wish. Additionally, each location will have homeowners and tour guides present to answer any questions visitors might have regarding these unique works of modern architecture.
To find more information about purchasing tickets for the tour visit http://sacmcmhometour.blogspot.com/. And if you know of any other Mid-Century Modern tours please share them with us in the comments.
Fans of the popular robot toys Transformers, the 1980’s animated TV series, or even the more recent visual effects laden live-action films, will probably appreciate what Hong Kong-based architect Gary Chang has done with a 344 sq. ft. apartment. He’s taken this tiny space and it made it capable of converting into 24 different designs, just by the efficient use of sliding walls and panels. It’s a creative way of adapting to the compact nature of the city’s urban area. He calls it the “Domestic Transformer” – the Optimus Prime of living spaces.
The architectural firm Kieran Timberlake based in Philadelphia was just allowed to release their new design for the new $1 billion dollar US Embassy slated to be built in London to replace the existing embassy in the ritzy Mayfair area of London. The new embassy was designed to use the landscape as a very important security feature. The use of moats, hills and the fact that it will be set back from any roads will allow the new embassy to have an appealing exterior with gardens and fields, which is a departure from the bunker-esque look of the old embassy. Some are criticizing the design because it is far off the beaten path when compared with the location of the main part of London, while others are praising the designs use of low-key, yet highly effective security measures. What do you think of the new design?
Here are some images of the new design taken from usembassy.org.uk. Click on any image for a larger version:
This amazing 4 bedroom, 4,000 square foot house has recently gone on the market and is a beautiful example of the mix of modern architecture in a natural environment. The house was recently built by the architectural firm BUILD llc and is located on Washington state’s beautiful Bainbridge Island. The home was designed to be both modern and beautiful, but to also cater to an active lifestyle that would include spending time in the beautiful outdoors surrounding the home. The home sits on the edge of Murden Cove, just a 35 minute ferry ride across the water to Seattle.
The home was completed in 2008 and was recently featured in the AIA exhibit “New Edge/New Blood.” The amazing views and beach access stood out to us on this property, coupled with the clean and modern interiors and exteriors. Some sustainable aspects of the home include its rainscreen system (rainscreen siding system composed of Cembonit panels by CBF), the use of natural gravel hardscape, an orchard of low-growing fruit trees and the use of Bamboo vertical grain flooring just to name a few.
This residential project in Montauk New York was done by the team at Pentagram Architects with the help of Hastings Tile & Bath. The tile designs are all custom creations by Gio Ponti that are produced by the Italian supplier Ceramica Bardelli, which is distributed exclusively by Hastings Tile & Bath in the United States.
We asked our Facebook Fans and our Twitter Followers what famous architect or designer they would want to meet, past or present and here is the list of the architects that we received. It is really impossible to sum up any one of these architects, but we’ve done our best to give readers a brief snapshot of their lives and their work. Feel free to comment below with your choice, or to Tweet us your favorite or respond on Facebook!
Frank Lloyd Wright
1. Frank Lloyd Wright - It is no surprise here that Frank Lloyd Wright was chosen more times than any other designer OR architect. As one of the most famous and glamorous architects in the United States with over 1,000 works and 500 completed works all across the country bringing droves of visitors year after year, Frank Lloyd Wright has left his mark on the country.
While it wasn’t noted by anyone in particular, there is something about Frank’s actual life story that also intrigues people. Frank did live a tumultuous life that was unpredictable as he did what he wanted without a care which you could see in his work and his personal life.
Frank left his wife and six children to take up with a client’s wife, Mamah Cheney, which was a very scandalous relationship for those days. They traveled across Europe before settling down in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Mamah, her two children, and four others were murdered later by Frank’s male servant from Barbados while Frank was working in Chicago. The killer, Julian Carlton, set fire to Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s estate, and attacked the people escaping the fire with an axe. His life was then filled with more marriages & divorces, a wife with a morphine addiction, custody battles and even a long term marriage with his last wife whom he was with until he passed in 1959. Frank led an extremely interesting life, and he never retired, working until he passed at the age of 91.
This excerpt has been provided by ConstructionManagementDegree.org. Please visit their website to see the rest of the worldwide destinations .
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Top American Travel Spots For Architecture Buffs
You don’t have to leave any of the 50 states to see these architectural wonders.
1. San Francisco : See the Golden Gate bridge, China Town, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more all in one city. This article includes restaurant and hotel reviews, along with San Francisco for kids. There is also information on walking tours and the city in a day. A must see sight for architecture buffs includes The Painted Ladies, an ornately decorated Victorian home.
2. Boston : Although the capital of the United States contains many historical landmarks, this city contains impressive architectural appeal. Buildings from the colonial era still remain, including the Old North Church and Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was born. Other architectural goodies include the John Hancock Tower and Quincy Market. This article from “The Boston Herald” shows how to enjoy the city at half price.
3. New York : With museums, bridges, churches, and more, New York is one of the most recognized cities in the world. Building styles include everything from art deco, to the most recent in American architecture. You can also see lesser known synagogues, clubs, theatres, and more. A must visit for any architecture buff or lover of travel.
4. Chicago : Architecture buffs with a special love of skyscrapers will enjoy this city. From the well known Sears Tower to the lesser known 311 South Whacker Drive, a trip to the top of these buildings can show you four states all at once. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright has various buildings throughout the city which are open to the public. The local paper also has tips on where to shoot your photos, take a happy hour on the water, and more.
5. Los Angeles : Buildings such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Getty museum are a must visit for architecture buffs. The city also boasts historical Hollywood buildings such as the Roosevelt Hotel and Mann’s Chinese Theater. Other architectural achievements include churches, galleries, neighborhoods, and more.
6. Portland : Lovers of green architecture will enjoy this city. Portland architects design their buildings to blend in with their surroundings, making for a distinctive visit. There are also many municipal fountains worth viewing, along with the Pioneer Courthouse Square and other destinations.
7. Seattle : Come for the Space Needle, stay for the architecture. The Seattle Architecture Foundation takes great pride in showing visitors the artistic side of the city. Various tours include Architecture 101, Art Deco, Gay Pioneer Square, and many more. Don’t forget to have a look at the gigantic glass public library.
8. Philadelphia : Another city with a historic past, Philadelphia has options for architecture buffs who enjoy both past and present works. Famous homes include those of Walt Whitman and Betsy Ross. The local paper has more resources for visiting the city and planning your trip.
9. Las Vegas : Not just a hot spot for parties and gambling, this Nevadan city also has options for the architecturally minded. AskMen.com lists the top five design destination including the Crystals, El Cortez, and Beijing Noodle. The number one spot? The Veer Towers combines unbelievable design to create a work of wonder.
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the Arts and Crafts movement took place as designers and manual craftsmen were outraged at the designs of the Industrial Revolution. The true craftsmen of this time period saw how the products of the Industrial Revolution were being mass produced by machines and rebelled against this revolution with a movement of their own, hoping that their handcrafted work using simple forms and natural materials would pull through and escape extinction from the power of the Industrial Revolution. The movement also hit on political reform, and was focused on the equality of all the arts, while highlighting the pleasure taken in creating handmade art and works.
The Arts and Crafts Movement began in England, spread to Canada, Australia and America where it was also called “Craftsman”. The Arts & Crafts movement took hold in America about 1890, but did not really begin to influence architecture until the 20th Century. The movement also influenced domestic design and decorative arts by bringing more natural materials, traditional craftsmanship and economic reform into this style.
During this movement Charles and Henry Greene, began to design houses on the West Coast that combined Arts and Crafts concepts with the simple wooden architecture of Asian countries. In the Midwest Frank Lloyd Wright also adapted his own version of Arts & Crafts which is known as the Prairie Style. And on the East Coast, Gustav Stickley created a new design of furniture which also used the Arts and Crafts movement as its influence.
Many older designs are becoming new again and although the revival of Arts & Crafts is not necessarily new (circa 1980), it is very exciting. We have seen this revival take on very interesting designs as some interior designers, artists and architects are now coupling a more traditional Arts & Crafts style with contemporary elements and designs. The detail, care and joy one takes while building or creating an Arts & Crafts home, design or piece of decor, art or furniture is outstanding, whether it was made in the early 1900’s or 2010. One thing is for sure, designers, artists and architects all love making things, and what better way to do this then to make it by hand?
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” William Morris
Here are just a few Arts & Crafts examples:
Father Jose Mut's dining room at Mission San Juan Capistrano
