I have assumed a very different role in this project: I visit the project once a month as the architect, versus, previously being at the job site every day, as the construction manager. It feels strange to have such little involvement, but it’s also a tremendous learning experience in trusting the contractor to understand my […]
Read more "Progress in Medenales"
1800 square foot residence in Medenales, NM. It sure is pretty out here!
Read more "A New Project"
Thanks to everyone who helped make this dream come true! The design came full circle; first, lines on paper – then, built – now, photos on paper. For clearer images and text, click here: Dwell Article
Read more "Published!"
The project is over and the client has moved in. She is elated, which is all I could have asked for after what seemed to be a bumpy ride. It took a month longer than estimated. In retrospect, the duration seemed to fly by. Other good news: we had the project professionally photographed, by Paul […]
Read more "Done?"
This house accused of having many corners… and many roofs. In total: five. Accuse away! I think it makes for exciting architecture! We are almost done building the exterior walls, so this past week we focused on building the roofs. We received the load of material from Randall’s (local lumber store) and it included: glu-lams, BCI’s, […]
Read more "A Roof[s] Over Our Heads"
We did it! We made it out of the ground! Last week felt like my birthday – full of presents and extremely rewarding. Not only did we pour the slab, but we also built our first two walls. Let the vertical [games] begin! However, before I get carried away let me back up and start with […]
Read more "Going Vertical"Slab preparation requires a ton of physical work and is visually unrewarding. Last week I became much too familiar with the word wheelbarrow. The site is nearly flat, with a minor 8-inch grade change between the north and south side of the house. We had to add earth to the interior footprint to bring everything […]
Read more "Wheelbarrow is one Word."I have drawn this detail so many times, and never really understood how it was built… until now. It is a standard foundation detail; one taught in school. However, I learn by experience, so it took building it to finally make sense. The most confounding part of the detail was how the vertical rebar managed to […]
Read more "Foundation System"