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, April 19, 2012

Art Institute of Chicago - Pattern Book Exhibition


Last Fall the Art Institute of Chicago put on an exhibition of pattern books...modern-day DIY manuals for building a house...geared to builders and carpenters rather than architects.  Most people would never guess that many of the charming historic homes they see lined up along America's quaint downtown streets were directly or indirectly influenced by this form of design.

The overview of the exhibition states that "For the middle-class clientele that could not afford an architect's services, a design selected from a pattern book would assure them that their new residence would be in good taste".  Ah, If only we could be so lucky with today's tract homes!

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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Arcosanti


I couldn't leave Arizona without visiting Arcosanti, located in the high desert about an hour north of Phoenix.  Founded in 1970 it's the lifelong dream of Italian architect Paolo Soleri, one of the original sustainable community guys.  Even though the dream of a large permanent community hasn't come to fruition yet, the residents that do call Arcosanti home (mostly artists, environmentalists & architects)make some of the most beautiful bronze and ceramic windbells in their on-site foundry...pretty cool, and worth the drive.

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