what inspires us
While living in East Africa I came across a university campus by a little-known Belgian architect named Roger Bastin. Built in Bujumbura, Burundi from 1950-1961, this campus of concrete and steel was set high upon a hill overlooking the city. Burundi was a colony of Belgium and, like most public projects in the region, the school was meant to be a symbol of colonial rule Click to Read More
In November 2011 we replanted our grass yard with native plantings. This year was less about the plants and more about the new insects and animals that appeared. We had our first Red Hawk sighting (who ate one of the gold fish in the pond) our first Yellow Garden Spiders, and our first group of Hummingbirds. All of the plants continue to do well. Some of our zero maintenance favorites include Big Muhly, Monterrey Oak and Nolina Texana. See the overview of year two below. Click to Read More
Last year, I escaped to Venice Beach, California for a prenatal workshop with my favorite yoga teacher. My sojourn by the sea consisted of morning yoga classes and afternoons walks by the sea with a few further away excursions. One highlight was a visit to dosa 818. dosa is a clothing, accessories + housewares line designed by Christina Kim. Click to Read More
Cameron and I continue our Travels to Cold Bike Races Series having attended the US National Cyclocross Championships in Boulder, Colorado last weekend. While in Boulder we took in the races, some local architecture, and visited friends. Katie Compton taking control of the women’s pro race above. Click to Read More
During Greenbuild 2013 I had the unique experience of touring the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. A short walk from downtown, Eastern State was the world’s first designed prison intended to inspire penitence and rehabilitate its prisoners through the “Pennsylvania System” of isolation. Click to Read More
A group of Lake Flatonians attended the San Antonio AIA Awards Banquet last Friday. It is always exciting to put projects up for award consideration and very rewarding and humbling to be selected for recognition. It ended as a very memorable evening that saw the firm win a record 6 design awards including top honors for our Desert Residence and Cranbrook Kingswood Girls’ Middle School. Out of a Click to Read More
This past summer Cameron and I ventured to Hamburg to visit former Lake|Flatonians Heather Weiler and Jeremy Fields. Hamburg was a surprising mix of city & greenspace, modern & traditional, and beer & pretzels. Click to Read More
Earlier this month, I had a wonderful opportunity to revisit The Big Apple a.k.a. New York City. Besides attending a conference and meeting fellow architects and practitioners, the highlight of the visit was being able to see new sights and explore new areas that I had never been to before. What I like about NYC is that there’s something to see and explore during every visit. Click to Read More
In an industry where increased [and necessary] attention is being given to materials – what they are made of and where they come from – Lance Hosey reminds us that there is a third dimension we must not forget about. Read this recent post to consider how the selection of building materials can also be used to promote social equity…and check out the Living Building Challenge’s new program —JUST Click to Read More