Hilltop Gem

High on a cliff in Coliumo, Chile, sits Casa Poli by Pezo Von Ellrichshausen Architects.  The windows take advantage of the spectacular views and ocean breezes.  Yes, I could do this…

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Guest Post: subtilitas

I am honored to have my tumblr friend, subtilitas, guest post today.  Subtilitas makes exquisite selections and possesses extensive knowledge that will take your breath away.  Many have suggested that his tumblr  be published.  It would be the perfect book of architecture that we are all searching for.  If you have time, please do stop by and visit subtilitas.

Shortly after becoming “professionally challenged” during the recession a couple years back, I took to reading, researching, exploring, and writing as much as I could to remain architecturally inspired. Slowly amassing a small library of the images, designs, and ideas, I decided to take to tumblr and start subtilitas as a vessel to store it and share it with others. It was shortly thereafter that I first came into contact with the wonderful cabbagerose (who is one of the nicest people you’ll ever speak with), so when she asked me to contribute to her site, the answer was easy.

I considered a lot of options when deciding on a topic for this post. Should the focus be on a single project, carefully analyzing every detail and conceptual intention? Or look at a certain building type, location, or material to see how various architects have handled similar challenges? Maybe examine a single architect/designer; discussing the various projects of their portfolio to shed light on the unique challenges they faced with each project and client?

Rather than taking any of these routes, I’ve decided to look more closely at how a variety of architects have handled the challenges presented by the most difficult client they will ever face. The one  client that will want to revisit the design hundreds of times, will keep them up for nights on end, will never be completely satisfied, and will constantly revisit any and every detail, imperfection, and design decision: themselves.

I’ve always found the homes architects design for themselves to be fascinating; if not for dealing with the self-inflicted challenges described above, but also in seeing how the spaces they inhabit themselves informs the conceptual, formal, and aesthetic framework of their practices.

Alvar Aalto:

Jan Benthem:

Gunther Domenig:

Adam Caruso:

Geir Grung:

Le Corbusier:

John Pawson:

Stefan Marte:

Paulo Mendes da Rocha:

Luis Barragán:

Jørn Utzon:

Vincent Van Duysen:

Werner Sobek:

Peter Zumthor:

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I Wood…

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Earth, Wind, and Fire

Lemperle by Jonathan Segal

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Shoes

galerie melissa, sao paulo/muti randolph

stuart weitzman flagship store, rome/fabrio novembre

camper store, london/tokujin yoshioka inc

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Time Out

I will meet you tonight at The Curve Theater.  Curve is a theater turned “inside out”, where production, construction, craft, and technical components are exposed to public view and integrated into the experience fo the street. By dissolving the distinction between production and performance, the building extends the theatrical arts into the public realm and makes them more accessible.  Located in Leicester, United Kingdom by Rafael Vinoly Architects.  See you at 8:00 sharp.

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The Sublime

There is so much beauty for us to feast our eyes on.  We are very fortunate, indeed.  Every now and then there is an image that leaves a lasting impression on me; an architectural beauty that I will never tire revisiting.

Ahhhh…and then…the film.  It is exquisite…a must see.  If you decide to watch, and I hope you do, please use your full screen.

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

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Full Circle(s)

I am taking a couple of days away due to my move.

It is with great delight that I introduce my tumblr friend, remash, to you.  My day is not complete without visiting his inspiring site.  Beauty, vision, edge, are words that come to mind when thinking of his work.  When you have time, stop by remash.  Enjoy…

Roughly a year ago a sculpture/ tower/ climbing toy I designed and built was featured by Arch Daily, Contemporist and a number of the other design sites.  I was surprised by the response and curious about who was interested.  While searching, a few sites and names repeatedly popped up.  One site that stood out was cabbagerose, another was tumblr.  Little did I know that the two go hand in hand.  Nor did I know that I’d start my own blog just months later as a result of my curiosity.  I was a stranger in a strange land.  Now a year later, here I am, a guest in the house of ‘rose.  It’s funny how things work out sometimes isn’t it?  Cheers + well met.

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