What is this really?
I have been thinking about what possible future topics I might cover – I even carry a moleskin sketchbook around with me now so when a topic strikes me – I can write it down. Actually, I am pretty sure that between the time I have the idea, to the time I can write it down, I have forgotten what it was or lost track of the concept. Considering how hard it is for me to come up with something worth reading, that and along with the fact that I don’t have that many good ideas – this is a problem and when it happens it literally devastates me.
What I can share with you is my list of potential future post topics. These are literally all in the germination phase of my brain (which means that they might never escape that black hole). Currently festering:
- Why I like residential work and why I don’t – give the popularity of “top ten” lists, this one would probably be broken down into two entries.
- My thoughts on fences – now that I have written it down, it sounds pretty dull – maybe this one won’t make an appearance after all.
- Update on the CASA Playhouse competition with a focus on my entry – I would include some sketches and 3d images.
- There are two or three projects from my office that I am planning on posting, they all have a soft contemporary feeling to them. By soft, I mean we mostly followed the maxims of modern architecture but we deviate enough so that you have a place to store all your stuff. These are projects that I don’t think would ever win any awards but our core business is built upon designing projects that work for people and how they live rather than parti diagrams of a concept in built form.
- I have been receiving a number of requests for some of the details we use – makes me a little nervous to put those out there for fear that someone might actually try and build from them. Since I couldn’t include the specifications that accompany and fill in the gaps on these details, I am hoping I can find a way to diagram them so people can still see what we did.
- When not to listen to your client.
- A list of some of the unusual lengths we go through for our clients. I have a case study on a cabana project that I think would fit the bill nicely here
That’s all I have – when those are done I’m dry and I am a little nervous about what might come next. I suppose everyone will just have to see…will I crash and burn? or will something come to me. It will probably be something in the middle.
You might even have noticed that today’s topic isn’t really a real topic either; other than being a day in my life and I didn’t have the time to even attempt something clever. I was talking with contractor this morning who reads my blog and we had a conversation that went like this:
“Where do you get your ideas for what you write about”
“I don’t know, other people’s blogs? Driving down the road, talking to my wife…..I honestly couldn’t tell you.”
“What are you going to write about tomorrow?”
“Nothing – I don’t have anything prepared yet and I don’t have the time to think it through, write it, and find some images to support a topic. I have two projects going for permit this week, the CASA charity event to coordinate, and I have a continuing education class tonight. By the time I get home, I will probably need to get drunk or visit with Michelle, not write tomorrow’s post.”
“Why don’t you tell people all that?”
“You mean write a post explaining why there’s no post? Hmmmmm…That’s actually not a bad idea. I can type it up while I am on the phone to one of the engineers I work with, they never listen to me, why should I listen to them?”
So I apologize sweet and valued readers, this turned out to be a post about why there wasn’t a post today. I will try to do a better job in the future. Even when trying to figure out what title to put on this post, the ones I rejected included:
Are you kidding me? or
I’ve got to try harder or
Jokes on you (definitely not)
I’m thinking about outsourcing this blog to India….
That’s why I went with “Enter Post Title Here??”
Feel free to chew me out in the comment section.
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And by my favorite things, I’m going to say that these are materials and products that I would like to use on my own house (yes, I am aware that if I used them all it would look like a student project but I might try anyways).
After installation and exposure to normal weather the surface of the panel develops a gorgeous rustic finish and texture. Cor-ten contains copper, chromium, manganese, and nickel which makes this material more expensive. Cor-ten resists the corrosive effects of rain, snow, ice, fog, and other meteorological conditions by forming a coating of dark brown oxidation over the metal, which inhibits deeper penetration and negates the need for painting and costly rust-prevention maintenance over the years. Cor-ten will last longer and would be more desirable in harsh climates. Metal roofs in a galvanized, galvalume, or painted finish are normally 24GA to 29GA but with bare (untreated), cold rolled, or Cor-ten products, never use a gauge lighter than 22 GA.
Polycarbonate Paneling
Made from polycarbonate resin and is inherently stronger than both glass and acrylic. Polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than glass, and30 times stronger than acrylic. If you specify sheets in thicknesses greater than 16mm, it meets most thermal requirements (i.e.SHGC of .25). This product is inexpensive when compared to other assemblies and I just love the ethereal qualities you can achieve. I am currently looking to use this product in a tenant finish-out project for ballroom dancing.
Walnut
Really not to much to say on this. I think walnut is beautiful and when properly sealed and finished looks as though it’s internally illuminated
CaesarStone Quartz Surface (Blizzard)
I like the way white countertops look in modern kitchens and bathrooms but I am nervous about specifying marble due to the maintenance and chemical exposure they receive (acids like lemon juice will etch marble). There are several composite countertops available on the market, CaesarStone is my favorite because the aggregate used in the resin base are small and it makes the product look more refined to me.
The Random Light by Bertjan Pot
Glass-fiber drained with resin was coiled around a big balloon. Sounds simple but it took 3 years to develop. (Sold through distributor Moooi in three sizes)
modwalls glass tile (Brio Blend Gimlet)
I’ve written about glass tiles before, this brand is my favorite for the balance they have between quality and cost – it’s a great value. The glass tiles are well made and the pitting in the glass is fairly minor. This means that when you grout the tile, the color of the grout stays off the tile allowing the color of the tile to remain front and center in your design.
Hybrid Stucco
Stucco, when done correctly, takes on a monolithic finish that is hard to achieve with any other product. We use a hybrid system in my office so it’s a true 3/4″ masonry 3-coat stucco but we set it set on top of a 1″ polystyrene insulation board. To finish it off, we apply a thermoplastic top coat finish similar to those used by Dryvit or Sto on EIFS (exterior insulation finishing system) so that the texture and finish is consistent across the surface. The insulation board helps isolate movement across the surface so fewer expansion and control joints are needed.
Standing Seam Metal Roofing
We do a lot of standing seam metal roofs in our area (Dallas, Texas). They are practical in our climate, durable, lightweight, weather-tight and you could argue that they are environmentally friendly since the roof material can be reclaimed and reused. I like the way they look and compared to other roofing products, they aesthetically fit in well with the modern style residences we design.
Ipe Wood
Also known as Brazilian walnut, ipe (pronounce ee-pay) wood is typically reddish brown, sometimes with a greenish tinge, often with lighter or darker striping. Much of what I have seen looks similar to a teak wood. Ipe wood comes in good long lengths with limited warp. Ipe wood products contains no added harmful chemicals so it can be used near water without potential contamination, although its dust can cause a number of respiratory and contact dermatitis allergic reactions in humans. Bugs don’t eat it, it doesn’t rot, and if left untreated it will weather to a beautiful iridescent silver. It can be difficult to work with, especially with hand tools.
Burnished Block from Featherlite
I feel like I’m giving away a secret with this one – burnished block. You can get these units is several sizes and all 3 5/8″ thick. The product is remarkably consistent and due to it’s size (we used it here in a 12″x24″ module, stacked bond pattern) people frequently mistake this utilitarian product for something far more luxurious. You can also get this product in a very dark grey, almost black color. Since this product isn’t seen very often, people don’t know what it is and the perception is that the the material can’t be a large brick. Oh, but it is.
