Wed 15 Sep 2010 | Black Tusk Development Newsletter (Fall 2010) |
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Thu 13 May 2010 | Visiting Mid Century Modern Architecture - From Palm Springs to Southern Georgian Bay. |
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Over the last 18 months we have started to see a shift in what people are looking for in terms of livable space. They want it simpler – we have yet to have a client who has asked for “complicated”. Even if the new living space is to be larger – somewhere in their first few comments is the suggestion to simplify. “We want functionality, flow, light and an element that is unique to ourselves”. Is it our busy lives that we want things simpler? Is it cost? Are we truly becoming aware of our footprint? Or is it as simple as remembering back to simpler times, your parents home, maybe your grandparents. Those homes were smaller; living spaces were in context and scale, they had good finishes and fixtures that lasted and could be repaired as opposed to replaced. And somehow the whole family always managed to be together in that space for the holidays, it worked!
 Smaller living spaces require thoughtful design, and good use of materials. Some of the best examples of this design are Mid Century Modern Architecture - built in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
Late summer 2009, we were looking for some inspiration. The proceeding 6 months and a shift in the world market had given us all pause for thought, both personally & professionally. We found ourselves asking what’s next? In our world we find inspiration all around including mainstream avenues of magazines, TV programs, the web, but our best finds are ones discovered through travel. How do they do this in other places, other climates?
Mid-Century modern Architecture has always been a favourite of ours and we thought it was time to take a closer look. We decided to attend the Mid-Century Modernism conference in Palm Springs in February 2010. Why not embrace the whole experience and stay in a true mid century modern hotel? The Desert Star Hotel was a perfect match. The 10 day long conference offered a myriad of things to do and see. From lectures, to homes tours, to films and from shopping to a marketplace dedicated to the preservation of this very unique time and place in North American Architecture. It was an interesting to gain a better understanding, firsthand, for this blend of elegant yet informal design, materials and colour. The floor plans seamlessly connected indoor and outdoor living spaces while embracing the desert that surrounds. The extremes we visited varied from Twin Palms, Frank Sinatra’s first desert home, with 4 bedrooms (all with ensuites), his and hers cabanas and a recording studio, to Albert Frey’s personal residence of 800sf (later expanded to 1200 sf to better accommodate guests) built into the side of a mountain with part of the natural rock built into the interior to “anchor” the home.
One of the similarities between Palm Springs and the Georgian Bay area are that a number of the homes were initially built for the weekend get away, a sanctuary away from the city, the place to go and play.
 Smaller living spaces can fit into this use - quite easily and quite simply. Large enough to accommodate guests for entertaining, yet small enough to clean, maintain and quickly lock up until the next visit. Although our weather does not always permit the same seamless connection to outdoor living as in Palm Springs, we still find ways to be part of the site, from après ski drinks on a southern deck to BBQ’s anytime of year.
The clean simple lines of the mid-century style translated into projects we were working on at the time. One project in particular, the renovation of a 1400 sq. ft. bungalow, reflects the flow and space planning of this style. As a result the addition to the building was minimal, the space was opened up to accommodate the needs of the owners, and the budget could be focused on the finishes the couple will use every day. The resulting space is comfortable, suits their needs, and was achieved at a reasonable cost both financially and environmentally.
So, onto more simple times without sacrificing quality or design. More news to share later this month from our next adventure at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, located in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s’ Laurel Highlands, just over an hour from downtown Pittsburgh. |
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Black Tusk Development Newsletter (Fall 2010)