THE FINAL TOUCH / Palo Alto

Here is the first of two proposed entry gate concepts for a residence we designed in Palo Alto. The home was built in 2005. This gate or a fresh design will be installed sometime in the near future.

Happy Birthday, James!

James Hubbell is turning 80 this week. There is a big celebration @ his home in Santa Ysabel, San Diego County today. I had the extraordinary opportunity to work with James to build the Sea Ranch Chapel. It is quintessential art and architecture.  I always learn from James. In a recent interview he shares: 

What kind of music do you listen to?

Schubert. Berlios. Mozart. I like Mexican music, too. I'm not that much into contemporary. Occasionally, because they sometimes play really interesting things. But I don't usually like it.

I sort of don't feel I fit into the contemporary world. I don't understand most of the artists, what they're doing or why they're doing it.

Do you feel that way at all about architecture?

A lot of it. You know how many glass buildings there are? You can see yourself, so it's narcissistic. And it reflects everything. It's an elusive thing. It's sort about how we think of ourselves. You know, a gothic building — half of it is shadows. Where with a contemporary building, there's hardly any shadow.

If you use shadow, then you're saying, "Mystery's OK." If you're afraid of shadows, you build a building that doesn't have any.

I have no idea if I'm right.

Interview by Kelly Bennett

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/people/q_and_a/article_2f5b5f70-9934-11e0-9b76-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story 

See more of Jim Hubbell's work  hubbellandhubbell.com/

Morphosis

I recently had the opportunity to visit the new Morphosis office and design studio in Culver City. A most inspiring and creative place. Go to http://www.morphosis.com/  and  http://morphopedia.com/ 

And check out their latest book:

 

KATACHI

Have you noticed the September 2011 edition of Dwell Magazine featuring Japan Style. Whether you like modern, craftsman, prairie, or? you might enjoy KATACHI, Classic Japanese Design by Takeji Iwamiya and Kazuya Takaoka, 1999, Chronicle Books.

Look to future posts re: my own experience and apprenticeship with traditional Japanese Building and Design.

About the box

We hear the expression "think outside the box" - but why be in the box in the first place!