Eclectitude: Organic Architecture

Showing posts with label Organic Architecture. Show all posts

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Davidson House - James Hubbell, Designer

I first visited this house in 2004 on a fundraising tour of Hubbell built homes to rebuild their Julian home after the 2003 Cedar Fire. Actually, this story starts earlier. I first HEARD about this house in 1997 when it was highlighted in San Diego Union Tribune, at the time I had never heard of James Hubbell but I clipped the article because I was enchanted with the artistry.

It's interesting that every time I come into contact with Hubbell's work I can tell - even if there's no credit, I know. I know because I'm drawn to the shapes and materials. His style speaks to me in a way that no other artist ever has.

This house is now available on AirBnB (look for The Shire in Alpine) so I just HAD to stay here, because of course. It's a tinier house than it looks because so much of the space isn't usable. The location is wonderful; on an angled lot with the creek just below you. I also have to note that the noisiest frogs in the universe live down at that creek.

It's worth the drive, do it.

Davidson House, Alpine, CA - James Hubbell, Designer

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sea Ranch Chapel - James Hubbell, Designer

I have started this post literally 7 times and never finished it. I keep falling more and more behind and the open tabs of interesting stuff to blog about just pile up...

Last year I finally had the opportunity to drive up the California coast to the little town of Sea Ranch to see a Hubbell structure that I've loved in pictures and wanted to experience in the real.

The chapel was MUCH smaller than I expected, which I probably shouldn't have been surprised since Hubbell clearly prefers snug quarters, that is a consistency throughout all of his buildings. No wasted space. You might (and I do stress might) get 20 people into this building. If they were friendly.

The glass work is, of course, exquisite. This is one of the finest examples of James' work that you'll find outside of his home in Santa Ysabel. It's a long drive from the Bay area but absolutely worth it.

Go. Pack a lunch.

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect

Sea Ranch Chapel, James Hubbell Architect

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Rock House - Laguna Beach (Brion Jeannette, Architect)

My, it has been a long time. I have to stop letting work overtake my life and supersede doing creative things for myself.

So, I've been meaning to do this post for a while on one of my favorite California art properties. I'm not necessarily a fan of beaches but I love the fact that the architect worked with the landscape and built into it rather than just bulldozing over it. All of the detailing just makes me sigh.

I also give Brion Jeannette, the Architect, full props for all the energy efficiency measures.

A few images below, but watch the video....

Rock House, Laguna. Brion Jeannette, Architect

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Organic Architecture Artistry - Las Olas, Bolivia

Catching up on cool buildings!

At times, I wonder if it's possible that I've found them all, then something groovy will surface and I'll be delighted to know there are more undiscovered gems out there. I hope spreading the images of great, unusual buildings inspires other people to "break out of the box" (literally) and let their flights of fantasy free.

German sculptor Martin Strätker got to do exactly that in Bolivia, he built his dream, called it Las Olas and rents out the cottages to adventurous travelers who want someplace more interesting than another vanilla hotel (aka, boxes with bad furniture.)

Living the dream!

Las Olas, Bolvia Martin Strätker, Artist

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Casa del Acantilado, Spain

This one stopped me right in my tracks with a "YES, PLEASE". I love a funky roof to begin with, and I am absolutely enchanted with the "face" of this house design. The ocean view doesn't exactly suck, either.

I find the interior very underwhelming and sterile in contrast to that amazing roof. That baby needs some color and some style to make it look less like a Swedish skin care clinic.

Designer: Gil Bartolome

Casa del Acantilado (Cliff House), Spain - Gil Bartolome

Saturday, May 23, 2015

The Creative Architectural Genius of Jeff Shelton

I was cleaning out some files of pictures/articles I had saved back in the olden days when we read things (wait for it) on PAPER. Yes, kids, back in the day there was this thing called print and it was how we transmitted ideas and pictures.

I ran across an article I had saved on architect Jeff Shelton and his wonderful Cota Street Studios in Santa Barbara, thinking if I ever went back to a non-house living situation I'd maybe consider getting on the list for this place. It would kind-of be the next best thing to being able to build my own James Hubbellesque art studio.

I particularly like the ironwork and doors. Would you live here?

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Friday, March 6, 2015

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

This gazebo by Creative Carpentry is full of awesome, that all I'm sayin'. I, personally, would either put a hot tub in this baby or turn it into a drawing/creative daydreaming space.

What would you do?

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Solaria Off-Grid Earthship, Taos NM

I've finally been nudged out of my overwhelm by this lovely piece of architecture in Taos, NM called Solaria. While I love the house - and especially that mosaic column - the landscape around is a little bleak for me. I'd want trees. And lots of them.

The idea of being totally off the grid appeals to me in so many ways...right until the part about internet connectivity and speed. That's the deal killer. I suppose that if I didn't make my living needing high speed internet it might not matter, but for now it does. Sigh.

The video is a slide show of many of the pictures of the interior/exterior of the house, sadly it isn't a walk through talking about construction and livability. But we can't have everything I guess ;)

Solaria Earthship - Mosaic Column

Solaria Earthship Bedroom

Solaria Earthship Oculus

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Cave Digging with Ra Paulette

I've long been a fan of James Hubbell's statement "A house is a piece of sculpture that you live in" and I'm adding a second quote to that from Ra Paulette "I want to create a space that's transformative".

This is exactly what draws me to organic architecture - transformative spaces. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find boxes transformative. They're just boxes that hold your stuff. The curves and softness of organic shapes is what I find transformative.

I find beauty transformative.

I find artistry and craftsmanship transformative.

I hope you find Ra Paulette's work as transformative as I did.

The caves are carved by hand into the sandstone cliffs of Northern New Mexico by Ra himself.

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Doolittle House in Joshua Tree - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

This just went on the market and got all sorts of blog coverage. One thing I find interesting about following certain artists is how you see repeated themes in their work. I think I can recognize one of Kellogg's houses anywhere, now.

I love the roof on this one in particular because it lets in so much natural light, something those of us who live in standard boxes miss. I also really covet that copper fireplace hood.

BONUS! There's video on this house~!

Doolittle House by Architect Kendrick Kellogg

Monday, January 20, 2014

Organic Architecture in India

I'm not sure I would live in this farmhouse near Mumbai, India, it seems more like an interesting place to stay as a rental. The designer, i.STUDIO, created an interesting mix of brick and rough stone that works on the exterior but less so for the interior.

I think that's what makes it feel like not a place to live for me, but a place to visit temporarily. I wonder how much of that is cultural upbringing?

Do the interior brick walls make it feel like "home" to you?

"Brick House" by i.STUDIO architecture, Mumbai India