Barkitecture

November 15, 2024

In case you are wondering how to get our attention, find a way to mix four of our favorite things - architecture, product design, branding, and dogs - into a design competition. That is exactly what the Charleston Animal Society did with their “Barkitecture Competition.” In partnership with AIA Charleston (American Institute of Architects), this contest aims to blend innovation and design with the comfort and well-being of our furry friends, creating spaces that are both functional and stylish. The entries are currently up for auction and will be displayed at the “Paws in the Park” event scheduled for Saturday 11/23 at Brittlebank Park. Our design process (moderately supervised by our whippet, Mr. Tibbits) covered many iterations for both interior and exterior shelters, color studies, nods to mid-century modern architecture, etc. and was ultimately memorialized into a catalogue “Mod Pods - Luxury Indoor Digs + Accessories for Pets.” “The Dottie” was chosen to be fabricated for auction with the expertise of our friends at Low Country Case + Millwork. (Special shout out to David Stasiukaitis and Ken Hibner!)

Scroll to the end for a video of the finished product and click HERE for a sneak peak and to start your bidding.

Not Built for This

September 15, 2024

We just passed our 30 year anniversary of living and working in Charleston, SC and have seen quite a change to the built environment in retrospect. While there is much to notate on the changes since 1994 (population growth, multi-industry economic solidification, our ability to not freak out as much at the sight of a Palmetto Bug), one thing that has not changed is watching the tide chart when there is rain in the forecast lest we find ourselves navigating through flooded streets. Flash back to our first landlord ferrying us in his canoe from our attic apartment on Halsey Street to our car parked on higher ground a couple blocks away. Then there was the time we were returning home from a late night in the office and drove through what we thought was a puddle in Hampton Park Terrace to the detriment of our 2000 Volkswagon Beetle’s transmission. We were still learning that water in the streets is a big deal. Throw in multiple mandatory hurricane evacuations due to storm surge threats, heat waves, coastal erosion and the sub-effects of each, and it’s hard not to be thinking about lessons learned and how best to design in the future. Enter a new discovery from Roman Mars and his team at 99% Invisible, one of our go-to podcasts.

The "Not Built for This" series from “99% Invisible” explores the intricate relationship between design, infrastructure, and the unexpected challenges that arise from our built environment. It delves into how many structures and systems, while ostensibly functional, often fall short in addressing the realities of everyday use and unforeseen circumstances. Through engaging storytelling, the series highlights various examples, from inadequate public transport accommodations to the shortcomings of urban planning, ultimately prompting listeners to reflect on the importance of thoughtful design that anticipates human needs and activities. By shedding light on these issues, "Not Built for This" encourages a reconsideration of how those involved in development, design and construction approach architecture and urban development to create more resilient and adaptable spaces. Below is an itemized glimpse at each episode.

Episode 1: ‘The Bottom of the Bowl’ Emmett FitsGerald talks about the devastating flooding that happened in his hometown of Montpelier, VT.
Episode 2: ‘The Ripple Effect’ (Paradise, CA) “This is the story of what happened after the famous fire in Paradise, California, and where many of the survivors ended up. It’s a cautionary tale about a town caught in the cross hairs of both the climate crisis and the housing crisis, and what happened when thousands of displaced people showed up on its doorstep.” NBFT
Episode 3: ‘The Price is Wrong’ illuminates how the literal cost of climate change trickles down to the homeowners in Florida as insurance companies are realizing the risk is no longer paying off.
Episode 4: ‘Unbuilding the Terrace’ shows us the effect an alternative approach to handling flood-prone areas has; instead of homeowners rebuilding and hoping for the best, government programs are helping residents move to higher ground.
Episode 5: ‘The Little Levee That Could’ spotlights a hard won infrastructure project - Hamilton City, California’s levee.
Episode 6: ‘Maximum Temperature’ “The impacts of climate disasters are often measured in terms of property damage. But in places like Phoenix, Arizona, and in hot places all over the world, climate change is wreaking a very different kind of havoc – on living things. In the final episode of Not Built for This, we reckon with the biological limits of climate adaptation.” NBFT

Click here for the series landing page.

Charleston Then + Now | Preserving a Picturesque America

August 18, 2024

We love when worlds intersect. During a recent downtown art walk in Saluda, NC we ventured into the studio of the non-profit “Preserving a Picturesque America” (PAPA) where we had the pleasure of meeting Scott Varn, the founder, and learning about this unique and inspiring organization. Their mantra of “Preservation through Art” touches on the mission of recreating the original artwork published in the Picturesque America publications from the very same vantage point with local artists to further conservation and preservation discussions.

“PAPA collaborates with artists, writers, historians, other like-minded individuals, and environmental organizations to use the power of the arts to protect and preserve natural and historic landmarks across the country. To be good stewards of this land, one must have a better perspective of what can be gained by preserving these beautiful places. PAPA strives to shift public perspective towards the importance of the natural landscape through art experiences and opportunities to reconnect with nature, and use those opportunities to raise funding that will facilitate the protection and preservation of Picturesque America sites across the country.”

— Scott Varn

"Picturesque America" was a periodical that celebrated the natural beauty and cultural richness of the United States during the late 19th century. Launched in 1872, it featured a combination of text and stunning illustrations, capturing the diverse landscapes, architectural marvels, and local customs that defined American life at the time. The publication aimed to instill a sense of national pride and appreciation for the country’s scenic treasures, emphasizing regions ranging from the majestic Rockies to the tranquil shores of the East Coast. It played a significant role in encouraging tourism and fostering an appreciation of America’s unique heritage, helping to shape an enduring image of the nation’s picturesque qualities. The publication covered many areas of the United States including the French Broad River (general area of Western North Carolina) as well as our own Charleston, SC. Lucky for us (and you), PAPA’s current exhibit is at the City of Charleston’s City Gallery complete with Charleston artists’ current day depictions of the originally published views. The exhibit runs through September 8th and the museum is free of charge.

Figure Ground Diagram - Charleston, SC [Judy Dixon]

Figure Ground Mapping - A Graphic Study of the Built Environment

April 17, 2024

We came by a love of maps and aerial photography honestly - fascinated by the built environment, scale and the patterns of urban design. Whether gazing out of the window seat on a plane or studying an historic Nolli map, seeing the relationship of buildings and adjacent open spaces in cities and towns provides insight and lessons for our design work. Of particular interest is the ‘Figure Ground Diagram’ which is typically a high-contrast graphic showing built and unbuilt spaces. As Morphocode describes, “A figure-ground diagram is a mapping technique used to illustrate the relationship between built and unbuilt space in cities. Land coverage of buildings is visualized as solid mass (figure), while public spaces formed by streets, parks and plazas are represented as voids (ground). In urban planning, this simple yet powerful graphic tool is used to explore built form patterns and the continuity of open space.” [Read more about the Figure Ground Diagram and its origins at Morphocode’s website here.]

As a way to further study such urban patterns and pay homage to locales where we have lived or are living, RDA architect Judy Dixon created diagrams for Charleston, SC; Blacksburg, VA; and Saluda, NC. Each scale varies and was chosen specifically for that city or town to memorialize the differing urban patterns i.e. a walled city, a college campus and a more rural historic town.

Figure Ground Diagram - Blacksburg, VA [Judy Dixon]

Figure Ground Diagram - Saluda, NC [Judy Dixon]

Bookshelf: Unpacking My Library - Architects and Their Books

January 15, 2024

We were recently gifted a copy of Jo Steffens’ book “Unpacking My Library: Architect and Their Books” published in 2009 by Yale University Press. A book about architecture books, how perfect. The book is launched with Walter Benjamin’s essay “Unpacking My Library: A Talk about Book Collecting” then followed by 10 chapters each focused on a notable architect or duo and their collection. In a spectacular show of comprehensiveness, each chapter has an in depth interview with the architects illuminating their relationship with books, varied sources of inspiration plus details about the physical book case design (manufacturer, number of volumes, linear dimensions, materials of the actual shelves) complete with a wide shot in situ and shelf-by-shelf thumbnails. The summary of each chapter is a list of their Top Ten books. Be still our hearts - we fully understand we are a different breed - equally excited about design inspiration, information sources, furniture design and a peek behind the (bookshelf) curtain of the “greats.”

“ This book captures a representative cross-section of these notable libraries, mapping the intellectual and emotional terrain of present-day architects and scholars…Each architect’s collection is unique and informs its owner’s practice in surprising ways. Tod Williams and Billie Tsien’s library, for example, is remarkable for its archaeological and literary aesthetic, while Liz Diller and Ric Scofidio’s library is imbued with a techno-eclectic and pop-cultural sensibility.”
Jo Steffen

In a surprise to no one, we were not invited to be a part of Steffen’s book, none-the-less here is a glimpse of our own collection and current Top Ten architecture books. Happy reading!

**Dimensions: 15”(h) x 30”(w) each, 30lf total**
**Manufacturer: Custom built-in cabinets by** **Mountain Showcase** **(design by Rush Dixon Architects)**
**Materials: Maple painted** **Sherwin Williams “Iron Ore”**
**Number of Books: about 375**
**Photo:** **Keith Isaacs**

**OUR CURRENT TOP TEN**

**Grain Elevators by Lisa Mahar-Keplinger**
**The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs**
**The New Architecture and the Bauhaus by Walter Gropius**
**Modern Architecture - A Critical History by Kenneth Frampton**
**Between Silence and Light - Spirit in the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn by John Lobell**
**The City Shaped - Urban Patterns and Meanings by Spiro Kostof**
**Rural Studio - Samuel Mockbee and an Architecture of Decency by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean and Timothy Hursley**
**America’s 5 & 10 Cent Stores - The Kress Legacy by Bernice L. Thomas**
**Aldo Rossi - Architecture 1981 - 1991 edited by Morris Adjmi**
**New Homes for Today by Paul R. Williams**

Bookshelf: The 99% Invisible City

August 31, 2023

“You are about to see stories everywhere, you beautiful nerd.” Roman Mars

Our latest book obsession is “The 99% Invisible City - A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design” written by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt. Roman Mars is the renowned creator and host of one of our favorite podcasts, "99% Invisible." In our opinion, Roman Mars has cemented his position as a prominent voice in the world of design and architecture with his knack for storytelling and exploring the unnoticed aspects of our built environment. Through "99% Invisible," he delves into subjects ranging from the history of manhole covers to the significance of urban street grids, shedding light on the often overlooked details that shape our everyday lives. The book puts into print some of the most interesting backstories of the built environment categorized in the following subsets: Inconspicuous, Conspicuous, Infrastructure, Architecture, Geography and Urbanism. Below are some of our favorites.

Skyscraper Races:

This entry tells the story of a competitive and savage race to have the tallest skyscraper in 1920s NYC, complete with big egos and bitter rivals. Ultimately, William Van Alen’s design and construction of the Chrysler Building, the iconic Art Deco skyscraper beat out that of his former partner, H. Craig Severance’s 40 Wall Street tower, by secretly constructing a spire hidden inside to be revealed only when the other building reached its final height, thus claiming the tallest accolade.

Cutting Curbs:

This entry tells the story of activist Ed Roberts, coming of age in California in the 1950s and the physical challenges that come with being diagnosed with polio and using a wheelchair. He attended the University of California at Berkeley after initially being turned down due to the university not having accommodations to keep him safe. Sadly, in the 1960s, the world was not broadly accessible. During his time in college, Roberts and the “Rolling Quads” protest group would build their own sidewalk ramps to force the city into action; fast forward to 1971 when the city voted unanimously for “streets and sidewalks to be designed and constructed to facilitate circulation by handicapped persons within major commercial areas.” Hence the catalyst for other municipalities and campuses to follow suit.

Unanticipated Loads:

Architecture student Diane Hartley is the MVP of this entry regarding the 1967 Citicorp Center skyscraper in NYC. In researching the building for her thesis project in 1978 “she had calculated that the structure was specifically vulnerable to quartering winds blowing in from the corners.” She called the building’s structure engineer, William LeMessurier, to inquire about the math which led the engineering firm to dive back into the calculations. It was confirmed that not only did the building show weakness at the corners in a wind event, but the use of bolts in lieu of welds at key joints (a cost savings decision…) left the building especially vulnerable. “For each year the Citicorp Center stood, LeMessurier figured it had about a 1 in 16 chance of collapsing. Emergency repairs were planned and retrofit crews welded throughout the night in secret as, in the apex of drama, a hurricane approached. Luckily the hurricane did not make landfall and the repairs were completed successfully.

Wing Warping - Design Inspiration for the Camp Hall Trailheads

July 31, 2023

“My observations of the flight of birds convinced me that birds use more positive and energetic methods of regaining equilibrium than that of shifting the center of gravity…they regain their lateral balance…by a torsion of the tips of the wings.” Wilbur Wright

Concept Design for trailheads at Camp Hall [Rush Dixon Architects]

Wing warping was an early system for lateral /roll control of a fixed-wing aircraft. The technique, used and patented by the Wright Brothers, consisted of a system of pulleys and cables to twist the trailing edges of the wings in opposite directions. Birds visibly use wing warping to achieve control. This was a significant influence on early aircraft designers. The Wright brothers were the first group to use warping wings as their first plane mimicked the bird’s flight patterns and wing forms.

Interesting stuff, but why are we researching wing patterns, you ask? If you have been following our journey designing the initial structure’s for Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall Village, you will recall that elements of nature have been the over-arching design inspiration and wing warping is our latest muse.

Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall is a next generation commerce park where “people, nature and productivity connect.” With state-of-the-art manufacturing in a setting of vast natural beauty, the design concept of “Nature and the Machine” permeates the built environment. Like the vehicles and machines produced in Camp Hall, the architecture is intended to embody precision, sleekness and innovation; the building forms are abstract interpretations of the patterns, colors and figures found in nature. The latest example is the design for various trailheads to be erected throughout the campus in which the concept of wing-warping was explored. In this case, the roof planes twist to create offset drainage. Stay tuned for progress photos of the trailheads in the coming years.

Eero Saarinen's TWA Flight Center

June 16, 2023

It’s nearly impossible for us to fly into New York City without creating a path that runs through the former TWA Fight Center, a stunning example of mid-century architecture. Designed by Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen, and completed in 1962, the building served as the main terminal for Trans World Airlines at John F. Kennedy International Airport. An aspirational nod to the possibilities of aviation, modern air travel, design, and engineering, the building's dramatic wing-shaped roof, with its swooping curves and steel supports evokes a sense of flight and movement. Inside, the terminal's open spaces and light-filled atrium were designed to create a sense of excitement and adventure for passengers.

A confluence of sculpture and engineering, the building design uses a reinforced concrete shell and angled expanses of glass to create nobility and wonderment for its visitors. After various changes in the airline industry over the decades (not the least of which includes larger planes and Jet Blue’s Terminal 5 built adjacent to it), the building now serves as the lobby for the new TWA Hotel, thus allowing a new generation of visitors to experience this icon.