East Entrance

Last time I saw the place, framing was complete, and siding was about to start. A lot goes by in a month, including sprayfoam insulation. (Energy modeling, HVAC specifying, and insulation by Prime Energy Group. Love those guys.)

Southeast Corner and Grillin' Porch

The painters were literally leaving for lunch when we pulled up. Which is a good thing, we would have definitely been in the way.

Porch with Handrail Detail

The railings turned out nicely I think. The detail is using an agricultural project with treated lumber, similar to something I saw on a Harmon project once upon a time.

My take on a Miesian Corner

I kid. Not really a Miesian Corner, but I’m happy to say that the corner and railing were carried out in the field very much the way I envisioned.

Galvalume Siding

Galvanized siding on the North face, both a reference to the nearby power substation, and the agrarian nature of the site.

Main Living space, looking towards the Dining area

Inside things are progressing nicely too. Drywall and trim is all done, and everything is already primed. Flooring has started in the bathrooms & kitchen, with the guys getting hardwoods started in the bedrooms while we were there (sorry, no pictures.)

Screened porch, sans-screens

The screened porch feels great, and is nicely shaded. (At noon in the middle of July,  that’s pretty important.)

Kitchen view, with light shelf & skylight

Looking forward to seeing how the cabinets really finish this space out, and even more so I can’t wait to see the space lit up at night. All in all it was a good little trip, and I was pleasantly surprised to see all the progress made, and being made. This building will photograph well I think, and I’m hoping we can perhaps get it into some of the tours in the next year or so.

First Baptist Church of Cary - photo by Rusty Long

… and just as seldom. ~Ayn Rand

I read this piece by Roger Ebert, tearing apart modernism. Was drawn to it, courtesy of this Architizer article.

Ebert says what so many Americans feel when they see modernism. Is this because of the idea of modernism itself, or poor followthrough on the part of mediocre architects?

Proximity Hotel in Greensboro - Photo by Rusty Long

Holy Trinity Church Greensboro - Photo by Rusty Long

I’ve become fond of the phrase “Mediocre Modernism” as of late… You know these buildings when you see them, a poorly proportioned facade with lots of glass that constantly has the shades drawn because all that light doesn’t work for the function inside. The low slung office building that’s chopped up into a grid of beehive offices or cubicles, that instantly reminds one of some medieval dungeon. These are no spaces fit to work or live in, but even moreso, they don’t speak to their region and neighborhood.

This line,

It seems drawn from mathematical axioms rather than those learned for centuries from the earth, the organic origins of building materials, the reach of hands and arms, and that which is pleasing to the eye.

Cuts to the heart of Ebert’s argument.

Which, interestingly enough, bears a striking similarity to the heart of modernism. New technologies and building materials allowed for, and (it was argued) required new building forms. Thrilled by their new material capabilities, architects sought out new building forms and systems of proportion. Instead of ignoring technological advancements, they made attempts at expressing those advancements in a meaningful way.

Chicken Coop at the Lanou Farm in Creedmoor - Photo by Rusty Long

Thompson Residence by David Davenport - Photo by Rusty Long

So what makes a good building? Modern, or otherwise? Vitruvius’s three conditions come to mind:

Firmness, Commodity, and Delight

Firmness? Most any building (built to code anyway) should meet the first of the three.

Commodity? Well this is where ‘form follows function’ comes into play. A good building ought to function well for its inhabitants.

Delight, however, seems to be where things get sticky. Because so much of a human being’s reaction to their built environment isn’t a result of an easily quantifiable equation, but instead is built out of a lifetime’s worth of experiences. Modernists, and others going all the way back to the Renaissance have tried to find proportions that universally appeal to the human being.

Tall & Narrow House by Buildsense Inc. - Photo by Rusty Long

I’ve gone all over the place in this post, but Mr. Ebert has some pretty strong words for modernism here. It seems to be rooted in a mid-century and earlier understanding of where Architecture was, and not so much a recognition of all the things that have come after. (Gehry comes to mind.)

Mr. Ebert and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. Not all modernism is bad, there are some very great places worth caring about in both the past and present of the modern movement. Likewise, there are some really great places that are vernacular in nature, or dare-I-say, revivalist… but the bottom line, in my mind, is that a well designed building, needs little justification.

I’ve only got six photos here, but many more are to come.

SouthEast Exterior View

South Facing Elevation, note the properly proportioned overhangs to prevent summer solar gain.

Northwest Exterior view with outdoor shower

The North elevation, faces a power substation, and will be clad entirely of galvanized aluminum.

Inside the master bedroom looking through framing into the master closet.

Skylight, centrally located to wash the work area in the kitchen with natural light.

I just got finished writing a new article about a house I got to help build while at Buildsense in 2005. This great little modern house is located in an post-ww2 neighborhood in Durham, and provides for a stark contrast to the neighbors without totally turning its back on the scale (square footage wise) of the neighborhood. It’s rather green, and I’ve got some images below. (All images are courtesy of Buildsense Inc. and remain the sole intellectual property thereof, etc. etc.)

Read the article here.

I had the opportunity to take the Nikon out to the Dabbs Residence in Holly springs and get these thirty-five shots both inside and out today. The wooded lot looks fantastic in the fall, and really makes for a wonderful backdrop for taking photos of this little gem. I’m very proud of this, the first house that I designed from the first meeting and managed myself, and I look forward to more clients like this wonderful couple.