Traveling though the Jungles of Mexico one sees the remnants of a civilization which has been absorbed by nature. Travel though the jungle is more than just a hike, it is a discovery of the people and land which was until the Spanish arrived so in tune with the nature we are now trying to protect. Especially in Mexico you will find underground cenotes with crystal water and ponds on the surface with reptile infested lairs.

On observation of the various locations from Mexico City  to Cancun to Coba was the stairs. We all think of this common element of the building as a necessary mode of reaching a higher level. It is true that we in the West have elevators and other mean of raising us form the "forest floor". It is the stair which we humbly bow as we go upward.  The 2012 Building Code now has as a standard the 7-11 rule which is seven inches of rise for each eleven inches of "run" or horizontal step. In Meso-america, the trek to the top of a pyramid was rather difficult with rises of 14-18" and the tread almost equal. Attached to this concept was the idea that we now have a handrail located 32" above the horizontal surface to raise ourselves as we move upward. In ancient times we were not worried about pulling ourselves up , only the idea of how we descend. Unfortunately for some the ancients were interested in sacrifice and far less concerned about the descent. Theheart was removed and the body of the person was rolled down the steps! Fortunately today we do not have to worry about the descent because we have alternatives. However, the thought remains we  must pay head to this element of the built environment if we are ever going to get to the top. 

Another aspect of the simple stair is that the ancients could view their City after the climb. We today have far less work to get there but are no less impressed by the view. Maybe we could be healthier if we had to walk fourteen stories or maybe less density would be the outcome. The fact that we are not able to change now is a sign that maybe are less ceremonial about our need to elevate about the street. In any event it is a concept to ponder and a study of how cultural changes have made the simple stair that much more an element in our lives than we would like to admit.

The Urbanization of the Ocean Front

The context for any project relies on the urban plan. The above photos and models indicates the relationship of the project to the indigenous street pattern. This model is for the aid of both client and city Form Based Zoning which will be used beginning in 2014. (Yellow) building indicates the location of the project in the area. It is worthwhile to notice that the location of the project will be key to the raising of the basis of design of a formerly low density area.

The Use of four story building with articulated segments mixes the architecture of the beach with the overall program and economic justification of a multi-residential building.

 1/26/2014

Project Two: This rather crude working model was used to develop an exterior view of this condo project exterior. When we work with form it is sometimes necessary to make changes and alterations. After several attempts at hand drawing this model was started to visualize and research the sun angles and repose on the street front in front of the building. It was not completely;y enclosed to help visualize the important points of the building and neighborhood. I have found that even this crude model was well received and after many changes was a way of tracking the development of the mass of the building.

Model are something everyone understands. The more graphic and realistic the model the less artistic it becomes. Looking at a building instantly from many angles can be an aid to the vision which both the client and architect  is seeking.

Above is a view of the North Elevation and help resolve a very critical circulation problem for the parking which will be underneath the building.
TMB

Next assignment???

From the top of the podium I look out at the future designers and think...Can details be understood as much as the final design. Rendering usually do the job but it is ironic that the details  Make a Project Whole!
This view of the front model of  Drayton Hall in South Carolina represented the proposed final building design. Despite all good intentions the Hyphens never came about. And so with many design the outcome never matches the Grand Plan! However, we should not to loose heart in our design or our enthusiasm for if we persist it can happen.

 

Front or river side entrance 

 

 

first post

This is my first design for a portable house. It is as wide as a trailer 8-10' and is stacked with
utility rooms on the first floor and sleeping rooms on the second. The front of the unit is meant to serve as porch and can be folded up in a storm. Total square footage 1200 square feet.