Inspiration

Inspiration

Throughout this blog I've highlighted and created links to exceptional individuals and organizations who design thoughtful homes, environmentally responsible communities and historically based building products. Some of them are local to me, while others I've yet to meet. They are exceptional because at some point in their careers, be it a moment in time or countless hours spent around a conference room table, they decided to do what was right...even though their wallets might be fatter if they just followed the crowd. Their hard work and dedication to their chosen craft is now paying dividends in the form of homes and communities that will age gracefully and be admired for generations to come...and maybe even be an inspiration to others, like they were to me.

Thomas J. Ryan, Jr. - Architect

Like most of the internet, blogs read from newest to oldest entry...this one works best by reading the first three posts in chronological order, starting with the Welcome! post. Just scroll down on the right side of this page until you see the Blog Archive list...click on 2011, then scroll down to the bottom after the new page appears. Please email me with any comments and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

No more than two exterior materials...


Back to the Historic District for this addition to a Queen Anne Victorian. The architect did a great job in showing restraint in the placement, materials and details of the new structure. A general rule of thumb among some of the most respected residential architects is that no more than two different materials should be used on a home's exterior. Materials should relate directly to the style of the home which in turn should say something about the local history and climate of the region where it is constructed.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Consistency counts...


Consistency makes this home in Winnetka, Illinois pleasing to the eye. Even though there are two different and distinctive roof forms (gambrel and shed) they work together because neither one dominates the other.