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, February 2, 2012

Are your details believable?


Here's a really important one...making details believable. New lightweight products that imitate heavy materials have made it possible to hold up seemingly heavy loads with very little structural effort. If using a lightweight substitute for a heavy material like brick or stone the supporting details should look as though the material is actually heavy. The stone base of the pictured bay is not structurally necessary but makes the detail more believable.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Natural materials - time tested...


This home, in Naperville's Federal Historic District, shows how natural materials (wood and stone) installed and maintained with care will last a lifetime and age gracefully while doing so. It's one of the reasons why "cool old houses" look so cool!