Coffee Sketch : 12.22.10 ( Inukshuk House )

Inukshuk HOUSE | WHO’s neXt? 2.0 DESIGN COMPETITION: envisioning affordable luxury

View(s): “YOU’RE NOT FROM (A)TX BUT (A)TX WANTS YOU ANYWAY”

(An open letter to Metropolis Magazine)

Dear Metropolis,

Recently your columnist, Karrie Jacobs wrote “Austin, Now What?” after a recent trip to the city I now call home. Yes, I’m a naturalized Texan, a Canadien by birth and aware of the trials of metropolitan growth, a multicultural/multilingual populace, an aging metro, etc. but, the feature went on to assert…”our columnist found a real gap between the city’s cultural values and its built environment.” Well, first off I would agree. However, that is where this agreement will end and my argument will begin.

I have lived in Austin for the past five years and previously have had the pleasure of visiting often for the past twenty. I would be the first to agree that this ‘little big town’ still has a lot of growing up to do. But, in the past few years that awkward process of maturity has certainly started to attract some attention and some promising results. Maybe not as Richard Florida has claimed, but the culture of Austin is certainly unique within the confines of the Lone Star State.

Ms. Jacobs is correct in her assessment that the Texas Capital is a focal element and a node for the identity of the City, as is the University of Texas. As an Aggie, it might be hard to admit but the ‘other’ flagship University in the State of Texas is an important landmark: culturally, historically, economically  and most certainly architecturally to the identity of this city.

Though it is worth noting, the University of Texas missed a global opportunity for the work of later, Pritzker Prize Winners, Herzog & de Meuron at the Blanton Musuem, and their dismissal resulting in a tumultuous shakeup at the local architecture school. But, the resulting museum and its local counterparts (see the deft surgical work of LTL at Arthouse this year) contributing to a vibrant community of cultural creatives that make this city so desirable and unique (and not just for the SXSW and ACL visitors.)

Critiquing the skyline, the additions of the Frost Bank Tower and the W Hotel without mentioning the transformative power of the downtown redevelopment scheme is unfortunately shortsighted and solely predicated on the aesthetics of large focal elements. The real story is the emergence of the political and public will of a small capital city realizing the importance of both careful and strategic suburban growth as well as a focus on the heart of its downtown core.  The truest argument (and arguably my biggest lament) asserted by the author is the lack of transportation planning. The light rail in comparison to the young DART system of Dallas is an inconsequential gesture. However, the work of Venturi Scott and Brown in the 80’s illustrated the potential for a cultural Rambla on 4^th Street and the connectivity to unite a city. History should not be merely relegated to old magazine articles. Optimistically, a version of this proposed reality is a future I look forward to experiencing.

Ms. Jacobs, concludes, “Eventually I realized that the title of the questionnaire—“Which Way, Austin?”—implied a lack of direction. Or rather, it suggested that the act of providing direction would be undemocratic, disloyal to the local civic culture. I also realized that what I was seeing was an aversion to authority in built form—not typically the kind of environment in which civic beauty thrives….but if the city is going to grow as much as the planning department expects, it will need to know exactly which way it’s going, and it’s going to have to implement a vision. And that may not be a democratic, small d, undertaking.”

Though the selection of Predock for City Hall might have been averse to a broader audience, his motorcycle counter architectural personae was the design that fit for the time and place of his efforts. The work inspired my students when we visited so many years ago and in some ways has since spawned a subtle strategic and quiet revolution of the built environment in the heart of Texas. Though the connections might not be clear to the casual observer, the design professionals calling this place home are here to stay, working hard on a new urban future. And all of us would be in certain agreement, to borrow from the great Lyle Lovett: “ You’re not from Texas but Texas (still) wants you anyway!”

Sincerely,

Jamie Crawley, AIA

****View(s) is a series of works and ideas that shape and influence the work of our studio. This week Jamie Crawley, AIA, LEED AP answers with a counterpoint to an article published by METROPOLIS Magazine about the place he now calls home: Austin, Texas****

Coffee Sketch : 12.10.10 (today there are two!)

Coffee Sketch : 12.03.10

Coffee Sketch 11.24.10

Coffee Sketch : 11.19.10

Coffee Sketch: 11.05.10 (Barkitecture)

Well, Barkitecture invades downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District this Saturday, November 6 from Noon to 4pm. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to participate and help raise money for local animal rescues. For more information about the event and beneficiaries visit: AustinBarkitecture or watch this short 15 second clip:

For us, it all begins with a coffee sketch (originally posted in September) and a challenge to create a thought provoking durable piece of indoor/outdoor furniture with minimal materials.

   

The sketch alludes to our process and the results were only three (3) sheets of wood were used in the fabrication of our design.

It is going to be a beautiful fall day in Austin tommorow and we invite you to come by and say hi!

Enjoy your weekend.

Green Note: Let gravity and nature do the heavy lifting.

Let gravity and nature do the heavy lifting.

Water use restrictions are becoming more and more a reality. As cities grow the demand to provide potable water increases and when combined with periodic draught conditions will result in a shortages. It is important to improve and implement systems today that will help us reduce consumption of this precious resource. Rainwater harvesting contributes to lower demand for potable water. Note: Austin, Texas averages 33.22” of precipitation a year, with carefully designed modifications to your home it is possible to harvest sufficient amounts of water and get you on the road to a sustainable environment. 

So, instead of just watching a good rain  trickle down gutters as mere runoff. Ask yourself if you might enjoy watching that rain from your porch knowing you have invested a little design in a green future for your home and community in a rainwater harvesting system.

If you decide to become a “Rain Farmer” your garden will thank you. Let’s talk.

Green Note: Hello, Birdie

This fall our studio became aware of a local non-profit focused on green education. UpLift Austin introduces underserved high school students to an innovative GREEN education program as well as the opportunity to implement initiatives fostering environmentally sustainable campuses.  The organization’s goals: to Cultivate Green Minds, Foster Green Schools and Encourage Green Jobs are to be applauded and encouraged us to participate in the second year of their Hello Birdie! Gala and Birdhouse Competition. The event featured a silent auction of architecturally designed birdhouses with all funds going directly to programs for the students.

 

Promoting environmental literacy and the opportunity to illustrate even the smallest of designs can affect change was all we needed. Our design/build creation: NAHIL CH’IICH (Mayan for “Birdhouse”) was one of the top fund raisers in the original silent auction (September 30,2010) and is now included in the second phase of purely on-line fund raising at IVOTEFORGOOD — donations have been reset to zero and will be accepted through December 15. If you can, please vote…

Green education is important to our studio. Let’s talk

VIEW(s): ARTHOUSE Influence

View(s): Is a weekly series of people, places and work that informs and influences our studio. On Sunday, October 24, 2010 we attended the re-opening of ARTHOUSE in downtown Austin, Texas and enjoyed the ‘process dialogue’ with Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL Architects.) The firm was an inspired choice in 2005 as an emerging NYC architecture firm to aid a museum focused on contemporary and emerging artists…Cheers