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, June 14, 2012

Things that make you go hmmmm...3


Close, but no cigar.  Here is a cantilevered wood frame chimney clad in thin stone.  A tall stone fireplace would be heavy, right?  Maybe need a foundation?  Yep, that's why this chimney looks fake (the bushes didn't trick me).

A simple solution to make this chimney look authentic would be to attach the thin stone to cement board (in place of the plywood sheathing) for the last 24", and run the stone and cement board 6" below grade...both materials will hold up to any moisture (which should drain AWAY from the house anyway) and look great for years to come.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Things that make you go hmmmm...2


Here is a cantilevered box-bay window clad with thin brick veneer.  Two things that jump out at me...most glaring is that the brick looks fake because it has no visible foundation...which would make it at least appear real.  Second, authentic bay windows with or without a foundation would never be clad in brick.