TJCAIA News Blog

Architecture: Form, Space & Order by Francis D. K. Ching (published by Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY) is a favored book. His beautiful pencil illustrations of historic and modern architecture make the book a worthwhile selection.  And his analysis of design principles is just inspiring. For example, Ching has pages about entrances following a section on the building approach. He explains that entrances “can range from a simple hole in the wall to an elaborate, articulated gateway.”

In a residential remodel in Pebble Beach, the front door is not visible from the street. But the pathway clearly guides the visitor from the lower driveway to the front door on an upper level. Wide stairs (three steps, landing, three steps, landing…) between stone walls invite you up past the landscaped planter and around the corner. The curved walls diminish in height as you progress and they disappear by the time you have arrived at the porch. The new door that we selected has side lights and a transom with narrow glass panels. The added transparency seems to makes the entrance more inviting. The rectangular glass panels in the door compliment other “slot” windows added throughout the house to create a contemporary and sophisticated style. We were pleased, as were the homeowners, with the good work done by Groza Construction.

-TJC

Pebble Beach Remodel - Entry

Pebble Beach Remodel - Entry

Pebble Beach Remodel - Entry

Tom Carleton has lined up another group of stimulating guests for this month’s installment of the Your Town television (Channel 24) and radio (KNRY 1240AM) program from 5-6 PM on  June 22nd, 2009.

Dennis Hodgin will discuss modern architecture on the central coast and free guides available  from the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Then Dinah Irino will discuss landscape design and her classes at Monterey Peninsula College. Later Timothy Wong will discuss the educational programs at Calvary Christian High School and their plans to move into a former auto dealership in Monterey.

You can also watch the program live on the web at ampmedia.org.

Outdoor Living

Outdoor patios are a unique feature in the benign California climate. Even with our cool summer evenings on the Central Coast, a patio can be used all year long. A patio becomes a functional and pleasant expansion of living space. A patio can:

• provide pleasant views into side and back yards;
• reclaim a portion of your front yard behind a low wall;
• enlarge your kitchen with outdoor appliances;
• expand living space for entertaining family and friends.

When we added to our own home, the skilled workers from Chapin Construction installed interlocking pavers. On one side, a low curved wall separates the patio from the rest of the backyard landscaping. A curb on the other side defines the planters. By adding a wood table with chairs and a sun umbrella on our patio, and we have immeasurably increased the enjoyment of our home.

-TJC

New Life

Buildings have life cycles. A structure may be designed for the original client, but altered to fit the needs of subsequent occupants. For 601 E. Franklin St. in Monterey, TJC designed a unique building to merge a car dealership’s prototype with the city’s regulations. The dealership closed shorty after it opened, and since then, we have shown a variety of companies how they could adapt the building to their retail needs, including another auto dealership. However no one committed until now. Calvary Christian High School has announced that they will be moving into the former dealership next fall. We will coordinate renovation drawings for permits from the City of Monterey. We are happy for the owner and the high school, and glad to see the building being put to good use.

My favorite aspect of architecture, and design in general, is creativity. A new emphasis on green design and high tech materials has spawned a slew of inspiring ideas. I have collected some examples that range from weird to genius, but all are creative.

• Grow your Carpet with Moss
  
• Ceiling Fans with Aerospace Engineering
  
• Shipping Containers: From Cargo Ships to Homes
  
• Futuristic Styled Gas Station
  
• Wallpaper that stands out, in 3D!
  
• A Plant-like Room Divider
  

-James Carleton

Future City by Frank R. Paul

I have long been fascinated with illustrations depicting cities of the future. This older graphic (Future City by Frank R. Paul) is one of my favorites because of its bold forms and colors. These utopian depictions of the future in print and film share common characteristics. Presumably we would all be living and working in very dense mega-structures. Some would drive highway vehicles on controlled traffic routes which bridge from high-rise building to building. Others would operate personal planes on guide paths in the sky. The glistening architecture of the future would have smooth rounded shapes without any reference to historic styles. The artist’s rendering is devoid of deterioration, litter, pollution, or any other unpleasantries.

I wonder if there is room for individual expression or small group activities. Where are the mothers and fathers pushing baby strollers through the neighborhood? Where are the houses of worship? Many of these visions (past and present) promote a brave, new, secular and socialist urbanism.

-TJC

Buy Local

The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched a “Buy Local” campaign. By supporting local businesses, you contribute to the health of the regional economy as a whole.  Here are a few good reasons to use local businesses:

• A local reputation for good work.
• Dedication to the improvement of our communities.
• Assistance to local nonprofits and donations to local causes.
• Easy to contact and quick to reply.

Hmmm, that sounds a lot like what we do. In addition TJC has all of the following advantages:

• Familiarity with local topography and micro-climates.
• Appreciation for the “regional vernacular” architectural styles.
• Familiarity with contractors that you can trust.
• Familiarity with local material suppliers and their products.
• Knowledge of our unique zoning regulations.
• A rapport with agents in building departments.

So buy local and hire TJC.

-TJC

Tanimura & Antle Library, CSUMB

A free map of local modern architecture has been published by the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAMB). More than fifty commercial and residential designs (since 1947) have been photographed and mapped. If you like to gawk at modern buildings, this is the directory for you. Some of the entries are well known, like the original Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula designed by Edward Durell Stone (1967), but other buildings, such as private homes, are cited which I had not seen before. Some buildings made the list because they were designed by a famous architect, such as the La Mirada addition to the Monterey Museum of Art (1994) by Charles Moore, who is one of my favorite architects. Many other notable structures have been designed by local firms. Several brand new buildings are included, such as the impressive Tanimura & Antle Library on the CSUMB campus.

The publication was put together by a dedicated group of volunteers from AIA Monterey Bay with a grant from the state chapter. The guide is conveniently grouped into communities so that you can take several short excursions. It even branches into Santa Cruz and the Salinas Valley. So start planning your tours for the summer. To get a free copy of the large folding map, call AIAMB at 831-372-6527, or email: aiamb@sbcglobal.net.

-TJC

The headline “Looking for Answers to Fuel Problem” could have been in this morning’s newspaper. But the date on this article is actually 1979. That long haired fellow on the right is me, explaining how a solar room heater works. Those were energizing times when gas lines were long but entrepreneurial spirits were high. I was fabricating prototypes of passive solar panels, designing fliers, and setting up displays at local energy fairs. If sales had matched my expectations, I may not have returned to my architectural trade.

When I toured the booths at the Green Expo in Monterey last year, the enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs reminded me of earlier times. I have to admire their zeal. Opportunities for small and creative entrepreneurs need to be encouraged.

A local program that offers promise is “Step Up 2 Green” which encourages homeowners to go green by taking small steps. They have published a one-page guideline listing ways to “save money by reducing the use of energy and water, and ending up with a healthier indoor environment.” Go to their website at stepup2green.org.

-TJC

Tom Carleton has lined up another group of stimulating guests for this month’s installment of the Your Town television (Channel 24) and radio (KNRY 1240AM) program from 5-6 PM on Monday, April 27, 2009.

Nathan Stoopes, Chairman of the Board of Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, will discuss how the Chamber is promoting and protecting local businesses. Then Mike Thomas, Director of the Center for Sustainable Construction will review the new curriculum at Hartnell College. Later Michael Waxer will discuss a new initiative called Step Up 2 Green for homeowners.

You can also watch the program live on the web at ampmedia.org.