Kimber Cavendish and Vicki Faust knew that they wanted to open a modern bed and breakfast right outside of the financial district in Austin, Texas but they wanted to find just the right architect for the job. Enter Burton Baldridge Architects, who took the overgrown, slanted lot in between downtown and the suburbs and transformed it into an intimate Palm Springs-style getaway, Kimber Modern.

The hotel featured five guest rooms, one large suite, common area, laundry facility and a courtyard that is reminiscent of something you’d find in California. The rooms include a custom wood bed, a built-in desk and other minimal furnishings created by the architects. High-end designer furnishings include Philippe Starck and Duravit bathroom sinks, Modern Fan ceiling fans, Eames molded plastic chairs and Offi Perch Lounge reading chairs. The common area has Arne Jacobson egg chairs, around an Eames elliptical table. This place ain’t for the average traveler — design savvy adventurers take note!

Artists should also take not that the owners hand-selected pieces from a few local artists, Martha Gannon, Margo Sawyer and Valerie Fowler, which add to the custom, boutique feel. If you’re planning a trip to Austin any time soon, I suggest you check in to Kimber Modern.

Photography by Casey Dunn courtesy of Kimber Modern.

Source: Design Milk

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Archaeologists Heather Cline and Mary Socci say the 900-square-foot house was owned by Scottish immigrant William McKimmy and was built about 1790.

That would mean the home predates Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. That home was built in the 1820s near Lynchburg, Va., and is considered to be the first octagonal house in the U.S.

The director of archaeological restoration at Poplar Forest says he questions whether the find in South Carolina is a full-size home.

Source: The Island Packet

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The Ramp House, so named because of its gracefully sloped interior walkway, is one of three spec houses designed and built by M.J. Neal, AIA, in the same transitioning South Austin neighborhood. One might presume that a house with a ramp as its primary circulation is a folly, however, like one’s shoes, visitors are asked to leave presumptions and prejudices at the front door.

“The Ramp House is a study in time and movement,” says Neal, who lives in the house with his family. “I wanted to play with the fourth dimension, time; to deliberately slow down the pace of travel through the house. I wanted people to experience the sequence of space differently than just racing upstairs.”

And, indeed, the unique spatial experience starts just inside the front door where the ramp immediately begins its gentle ascent at the foyer. Constructed of a steel pipe framework with its surface and substructure of 3 1/2-inch solid ipe wood, the ramp is essentially a sculptural element that functions all at once as a means of vertical circulation, a spatial delineator, a massive bookshelf – a solid wood grid structure inserted in between the ascending and descending legs – and a modern objet d’arte.

The climb to the top yields an unexpected surprise: the second floor’s living room, kitchen, and dining area. The upper level, like the lower, is another large volume organized by furniture placement, casework, and a floor pattern reminiscent of Japanese tatami. The pattern is, in fact, a tectonic expression of structure that is seen again on the ceiling.

Where the ramp extends space vertically, the layout of the first floor extends space horizontally and outwardly into exterior courtyards. The first floor – which includes the master bedroom, master bath, second bedroom and a small reading area – is partitioned with pivoting, sliding, and swinging doors and wall panels, which allow many spatial configurations. Such flexibility is useful in a 2,400-sf house, of which the ramp consumes 230 sf. When asked if the ramp takes up too much space relative to the total floor area, Neal responds, “Of course, it is how you look at it. However, it is not inefficient at all because it offers spaces in, on, and under it to read, study, and play. Kids especially love the ramp. It really is a very versatile use of space.”

On the question of the insertion of Neal’s three distinctly modern houses in a neighborhood of vintage homes from the 1930s, Neal says, “We don’t live like they did when these houses were originally built. What was at one time a very typical suburban neighborhood is now, by virtue of proximity to downtown, a very urban environment.” That switch from suburban to urban, Neal notes, is evident by the many drawn blinds on his neighbors’ street-facing windows. He says that demonstrates the neighborhood’s inward focus that is characteristic of the urban residential experience, as opposed to suburbia where residents look out on their front yard and to the street. “I wanted to bring a more urban mentality to this neighborhood,” Neal says, “to show people how to utilize this very small piece of land and get a lot out of it, a lot more spatial experiences; to show them they don’t have to have their house closed off.”

But, he adds, an urban or modern site response does not free the designer from being sensitive to the adjacent historic structures. “I went to great lengths to look at the scale and proportions of the adjacent houses and to be cognizant of those things,” he says. “This was so that this home didn’t become this massive ‘thing’ sitting here…unlike a lot of the pseudo-traditional homes being built.”

The Ramp House does nestle into and use the site very well. However, even with sensitivity to adjacent scale and proportion, the combination of materials, form, and detail makes this house obviously different than its neighbors. Nevertheless, the house successfully achieves the design intent. Neal has created a house that does challenge conventional notions of movement and time by forcing one to slow down and observe the surrounding space. In our age of haste, that is something we are less and less inclined to do.

Project: Ramp House, Austin
Client: T.E. Kolenda
Architect: M.J. Neal Architect
Contractor: M.J. Neal Development
Consultants: Structures by Jerry Garcia (structural)
Photographer: Joe Pettyjohn

Source: Texas Architect

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More Photos:

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In 1938, then president Dr. Ludd Spivey contacted Wright via telegram that read, “Desire conference with you concerning plans for a great education temple in Florida.”  I love that terminology too – “education temple”.  Wright has been equated by some to the status of prophet because he had the ability to literally see over 10 to 20 years into the future when it came to his designs.  He absolutely accepted the challenge issued by Dr. Spivey and  designed a complex of 18 buildings built around a central fountain and connected by a network of covered walkways.

Wright was given an honorary doctorate by Florida Southern in 1950 and while on the campus to receive the same, he said the college represented what he called a new type of American “organic” architecture.  He went on to call it, “a little green shoot in the realm of the spirit – something that is true to itself, something that is true to mankind, something that insists upon integrity.”  Again, given the year, Wright was some 60 years ahead of all the “going green” builders of our modern day.

The Wright-designed buildings on campus were named to the World Monument Fund’s 100 most endangered sites in 2007. Funded by several grants, ongoing restoration projects are giving visitors a glimpse of the famed architect’s original vision, and tours are available as well.

Luckily for us, the Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr., Archives Center at FSC has launched two major digital collections related to the work of Wright.  The “Child of the Sun: Florida Southern College Digital Photograph Collection” comprises hundreds of vintage images from the 1930s to the 1950s, including seldom-seen photographs of the campus construction. “The Southern: Florida Southern College’s Student Newspaper Collection” represents the beginning of a keyword-searchable database of student newspapers that chronicle the history of the Wright project and other campus events. Both collections are accessible at http://archives.flsouthern.edu/cdm4/about.php

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Sky Cottage by Archimania

Project:
A 2,500 SF residence for a couple occupying a tiny, pie-shaped site with views of the Mississippi River.

Solution:
The house is decidedly modern as it responds to both the neighborhood and its primary asset, an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River. The design is composed of two components; a white-brick cube, which aligns itself with the established streetscape of rowhouses; and an elevated box, which resists this grid. By progressing into the home’s upper levels, one realizes the reason for the box’s unusual orientation — a focused and remarkable view of the river.

Bottom-line:
This house, designed and owned by archimania’s Barry Alan Yoakum, accepts a forgotten site and maximizes its positive characteristics to serve as a force of contemporary architecture.

Visit the Archimania website – here.

Photography by Jeffrey Jacobs Photography

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Lakeshore is a main east/west drag that takes you from Bessemer to Homewood (where it becomes Shades Creek Parkway) and on into Mtn. Brook (where it becomes Mtn. Brook Parkway). Yes, our roads have a lot of names. I attribute that to each municipality not wanting to play second fiddle to the next. Unfortunately, a lot of first fiddles does not an orchestra make. But that is a political discussion for another day. And probably for another blog. But, none of our street names start with the word “Peachtree” followed by a hyphen, so we’re good.

Nestled just off Lakeshore, and accessible from Green Springs Highway/Old Columbiana Road (South Lakeshore Dr., Murray Hill, Lakeridge, etc.) is Lakeshore Estates. For those still puzzling on the naming conventions in the Magic City, the answer is no: there is no longer a lake. This is where imagination comes into play, much like in the “Lakeview” district near Highland Park and the “Lakewood” district near East Lake. We Birminghamians are an imaginative people when it comes to water. Just watch how we convince ourselves that railroad tracks are a river as we redevolop downtown. But I digress.

Back to Lakeshore Estates. These are some great homes on large lots, and can be had reasonably considering their highly coveted location.

Source: Magic City Modern

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As a bit of background, Dwell is an American magazine devoted to modern architecture and design. It was launched in September 2000 by mail-order heiress Lara Hedberg Deam with architecture and design critic Karrie Jacobs as its editor-in-chief. In August 2002 Jacobs left the magazine and was replaced by senior editor Allison Arieff. Arieff subsequently resigned in August 2006, citing a “fundamental change in the magazine’s mission and philosophy” as her reason for leaving. The current editor-in-chief is Sam Grawe.

Dwell is published 10 times a year (monthly except bi-monthly in December/January and July/August) by Dwell, LLC. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, by the close of 2005 the magazine’s circulation exceeded 260,000, a 25.5 percent increase over 2004. In April 2005 Dwell received the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in the 100,000 -to-250,000 circulation category. In March 2006, then creative director Claudia Bruno and photo editor Kate Stone received the Adweek 2006 Creative Team of the Year award. Recently, president and publisher Michela O’Connor Abrams has attempted to capitalize on the magazine’s success by introducing a number of branded spin-offs, including a limited edition minimalist athletic sneaker designed by Medium Design Group and a weekly TV series on the Fine Living cable network. Dwell LLC also publishes a popular design website dwell.com and produces an annual design conference and exhibition called Dwell on Design. In addition, Dwell manufactures homes in partnership with Empyrean.

If you’re not currently subscribed, Dwell makes an excellent addition to any modern home magazine collection and we can’t recommend it enough.

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If you live in SF and want to be the first to see the exhibition, join Project H for a VIP Sneak Preview on January 30th at Stable Cafe! They’ll be opening the Airstream exhibition doors, serving delicious food, and raffling off great design gifts!!

The 40 products featured in the Design Revolution Road Show’s exhibition have been showcased in the book Design Revolution: 100 Products that Empower People. Project H founder Emily Pilloton and project architect Matthew Miller will be behind the wheel for the duration of the road show, hosting lectures, workshops, and exhibition tours at every stop.

The programming will bring the evidence of and tools for design for social impact to the doorsteps of students, with the ultimate goal of enabling and empowering the next generation of creative problem-solvers to apply their skills to the world’s most pressing problems and improve life on a global scale.  We will update the SoMo calendar of all tour stops in the south.

Source: Inhabitat

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Dollhouses have a long history, beginning in the 17th century. They were originally used to display interior designs, but eventually came to be used as children’s playthings. Today, they’re still loved by children, but there is also a growing global community of adult miniature collectors who value dollhouses for their style and quality. There is a huge variety to be found in the world of tiny houses, from the elaborate handmade houses to the mass-produced plastic ones. For many of us, the dollhouses we remember from childhood are the frilly Victorian type or the sterile Barbie’s Dream Houses. But there’s a whole world of sleek, stylish modern dollhouses out there, just waiting to instill a love of modern architecture in your little one.

These shipping container modules from Paris Renfroe Design are the ultimate in modern dollhouse architecture. Taking the wildly popular container homes trend and shrinking it to dollhouse size, Renfroe is bringing even more exposure to this particular architectural movement. Each unit is handmade by the artist and will run you $175-$250, depending on your desired finish. If you have some money to throw around, this might just be the perfect way to inspire your aspiring architect or interior designer.

Fabulous prefab dollhouse design is also from Paris Renfroe; in fact, it was his first foray into miniature home design. The modern, open home could easily be a real city dwelling, complete with small backyard pool and intimate second-floor patio.

The Mini House 1 is another take on the modern modular dollhouse design. The upper and lower units can be purchased separately or together so you can come up with your own unique home design. The sleek lines and glass fronts offer an unquestionably modern alternative to those character-less plastic dollhouses many of us grew up with.

Magical things happen in dollhouses. Miniature lives are lived while children develop their social skills and imaginations. This gorgeous modern dollhouse from Minimii encourages that learning and playing with a design that even grownups will love. This house is an exact 1:14 replica of famed architect Arne Jacobsen’s beloved home. The company even offers modern furniture to outfit the crisp modern rooms.

Why let the people who make the dollhouses have all the fun? This Ultra Modern Doll House comes ready to finish, so you can apply your creativity to each and every room. The high ceilings, interesting entryway, garage-top terrace and huge, modern windows make this a truly unique dollhouse.

For all of the minuscule minimalist modernists out there, this A-frame dollhouse is based on Andrew Geller’s similarly-shaped teepee home from the 1950s. The unusual shape lends itself well to imaginative play, while the design itself is visually interesting enough that you’ll want to keep it out on the table rather than hide it away with the rest of the toys.

You’d be forgiven for wondering what, exactly, this is. The 10 Grain Play Pad does look suspiciously similar to a table spotted at Ikea, but this is actually a very minimal, modern dollhouse. It’s simple enough that both boys and girls will love it, and it has the added bonus of being just ambiguous enough to serve other functions in the house. After the kids grow out of playing with dolls, it could easily become an end table.

You don’t see many Bauhaus dollhouses, and probably for good reason: the classic style would be largely lost on little ones. But Kathy Osborne, an illustrator and graphic designer, didn’t really intend her design to be a child’s toy. Her first venture into designing dollhouses was originally going to be a replica of the famous Philip Johnson glass house, but she went in her own creative direction with it and produced something unique and marvelous.

The Modularean Eco House may be the tiniest eco-friendly pre-fab house in the world. Its simplistic design enhances a decidedly nature-friendly aspect, while its eco-friendly materials enhance its connection to the planet. The single-wheel design adds a bit of whimsy and visual interest to this already-stunning little house. Is it a work of art, or is it a toy? That’s up to you to decide.

Miniature houses aren’t only used for play time. Designers often use them to show off mini version of furniture or room designs, and architects often build miniature mockups of their ideas. If you ever need a worthy platform to display your miniature furniture, this would be it. The Villa Sibi Dollhouse is deliciously modern and comes with a garden deck, separate lap pool house, and modern furniture. And even if you just want to play, you can’t get more sleek and modern than this.

This beauty was spotted on eBay and is said to have been the result of a collaboration between an architect and a cabinet maker. They wanted to experiment with dollhouse making just to see how it might turn out, and the results speak for themselves. The modernist cantilevered design is awesome enough to make just about anyone want to play with dolls.

If this were a real house, it would be one of those that causes accidents because drivers are so distracted by its architecture. The asymmetrical floorplan and sloping roof would absolutely make this house the talk of the town. But luckily for all budding architects, it’s available for playing with at home. And even luckier – it’s made of non-toxic, sustainable materials.

The Ding 3 and Raryray wooden dollhouses from Momoll have achieved an almost cult-like following in the world of miniature hobbyists. The Ding, above, comes with either two or three levels and looks more like a mod office building than a children’s toy. The Rayray offers hobbyists (and kids) a great deal of customization. It features simple but interesting shapes and enough room to show off all of your modern miniature furniture.

The Kaleidoscope dollhouse features colorful sliding transparent walls that let you change the configuration of the house while letting your imagination run wild. Manufactured by Bozart, the Kaleidoscope is no longer manufactured. It’s highly coveted, though, and when one pops up on eBay it usually goes for an exorbitant amount. It’s no wonder, though: this house is unlike any other.

Source: WebUrbanist

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