It's a P for the PPP

By Christian Carpenter

Last Monday I logged into the California Architect's Board website and discovered that I passed the Programming, Planning and Practice division of the ARE (Architect's Registration Exam). This pass completes my third exam leaving FIVE more. This number is particularly grueling considering that Francisco (owner) is currently basking in the glory of licensure after he passed his final exam this summer. Don't be fooled, this glory comes with a price.  Yes, he is plagued with the difficulties (via office manager Chovy) of selecting which unique features his architect's stamp will include.  He carries the burden (again via Chovy) of selecting an appropriate venue for a festively grand exhale, where his family, friends and colleagues can partake in admiration of the distinguished architect in all of his magnificence as he begins his prosperous journey into architecture-dom.

Alright enough pity for Francisco, I sit writing this blog in the office on a Sunday morning preparing to have my first study session for exam #4. This requires re-entering the world of acronyms, the next ARE exam will be SD (Schematic Design) scheduled a little less than two moths from now. Take a break to get LEED certified and then maybe, SS (Structural Systems), BS (Building Systems), BD/CS (Building Design & Construction Systems) and finish up with the CSE (California Supplemental Exam). The CSE is an extra one for those of us privileged to live in California.

Meanwhile, here's a taste from our friends at Archiflash:

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Congrats FG.

Details of a postponed Architectural Pilgrimage (Part 1)

When I was studying in Rome in 1996, I took an overnight train to Paris for a three day trip to visit the holy grail of Modern Architecture ...the Villa Savoye by LeCorbusier.  The house, built between 1928-1929, had suffered through decades of neglect and unfortunately, on my arrival to the front gate of the property, I was confronted with a "CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS" sign!!! It would not be until 18 years later that I could fulfill the purpose of the visit.  So, with this and future posts on this theme, I'd like to share details of that visit that are not often, if ever, shown on Architectural publications of his work.  There will also be a couple of detours to other modern buildings of more recent construction such as Philippe Starck's Kong restaurant and L'Institut du Monde Arabe.  Of particular interest to me was the dimensions and proportions of certain spaces and building elements as well as their technical construction.

Enjoy...



  

Man Camp

by Chovy Frohlich

A friend of mine calls construction sites "Man Camp", because no matter how intellectual a guy is, he secretly loves to do "manly" things like hammering, drilling, hauling, lifting, and operating light machinery as typically occurs on the job site.  At no point during construction is this more true than in the Framing Stage.  In the Framing Stage, the lumber is being erected for the walls and the outcome of the men's labor is immediately apparent with dramatic results.  Very gratifying work . . . good job, MEN!

Scott breaks a sweat but still has perfect hair:

Curtis does the repetitive precision work: 

Twelve nails for every hanger . . . in every beam . . . that's a LOT of nails!

Mike has a nice view from his "desk" - how many us of office workers are jealous?

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting: the Man (aka Francisco) and the Plan (aka blueprints)

Onsite Textures

Common materials found on site during the foundation phase

gravel and sand (this specific mixture is known as an SDGE mix)

 concrete with control joints

 Plastic

 Blue steel (trash bin)
not to be confused with Blue Steel

Existing concrete footing

  

Hay bale (helps to prevent run off and protect our oceans)

Dirt (this stuff is everywhere)

Rebar grid (great for reinforcing concrete) 

2" dobie (not to be confused with 2" Doobie) these small concrete blocks are used to lift the rebar off the dirt so that it sits in the center or the concrete slab
  

Hose (not to be confused with hoes) without water there can be no concrete - concrete is a mixture of sand,  Portland cement, aggregate, water and a little bit of magic.

Rubble (this is what happens to unwanted concrete, eventually this concrete will find its way into a large rock smasher, then it will be used as road bedding)

From House to Home: Process

 Existing single family home

Before

After (Demolition)

Close up After shot

As the process continues we will post more exciting pictures.

 Almost finished

The Mighty Fall: That Was Fast!

by Chovy

Demolition on our construction project began Monday morning.  Our clients got a kick out of being the first ones to punch a hole in the walls:

 Even the kids got to take a ceremonial swing, with proper safety protection of course!

 after that we left it to the professionals

By Wednesday afternoon the whole house was leveled: 

It kind of blows my mind to think about how it only took two days to tear down this home, and yet it will take nearly two years (including all the planning) to rebuild it.

Suburban Intervention

By Scott Bales

What does the future of suburban sprawl look like? Where can interventions be made into the existing fabric in order to make a more sustainable and complete community?

The interstitial space between homes can be reprogrammed to almost any use

I call this "The Post Apocalyptic Suburban Renewal Project"

The existing infrastructure remains while a new urban context is layered into the suburban fabric