Ryan Thewes is a newer name on the design scene having recently set up his own practice in Nashville. I doubt he’ll stay a newer name for long though. His background, even just as a student of design, is already impressive. He’s been lucky enough to study and work with some amazing architects such as Don Erickson, Robert Green, and Bart Prince.
Plus he’s already completed and designed some stellar work. Some of it nicely offbeat – but still livable. If you recall, this is my favorite sort of offbeat structure, “Zany and livable.”
Thewes sent me some info on a structure …read more

Contemporist had the most amazing structure back in December. Honestly, really gorgeous. The building, close to Seoul’s Gangnam district is designed by Mass Studies Architects; a design firm I’ve heard of, but haven’t considered too much (I can’t consider everyone – not enough hours in the day). Had I spent any time at their site though, I would have seen this incredible building.

From Mass Studies Architects:
“This proposal is an attempt to incorporate as much nature as possible into the building within the constraints of a low-elevation, high-density urban environment of limited space. The building defines its …read more

Um, does this add-on freak anyone else out?

Bloomframe is an add-on balcony. The first Bloomframes will, according to designers/architects, Hofman Dujardin, be available early this year. You can add Bloomframe to a new or existing building. I don’t think a plain old balcony is scary. I mean, anyone can add a balcony on sure. Here’s the thing. This balcony folds right up.

The designer’s website, notes that, safety tests will be run (of course), but I just can’t say I’d feel all that safe with my fold-out balcony, say, 40 stories up.
For those not interested in folding balconies, Hofman Dujardin …read more

The other day when I showed the zeroHouse I mentioned that I like other designs from Specht Harpman better. First off I should say that any architect firm who has a structure category entitled, “Impractical” is worth a good look.
The most interesting impractical item to see is Specht Harpman’s Psychoplex; which is as odd as it sounds.

This Psychoplex is an imaginary theme park. The University of Texas at Austin has a newsletter bit about Psychoplex that puts what’s going on here into context. During a presentation of their work in the first Austin-based Pecha Kucha program back in May of …read more

Welcome to an easy round of bonus points for this December’s Reader Appreciation Contest.
Offbeat has featured some outstanding architects. Sometimes though, the architects we meet here aren’t as popular as other featured guests. Probably because this is Offbeat Homes and not Architectural Digest.
That’s fine. I am partial to the architects because they mastermind such visions of delight for us all to see but I get that sometimes other people can be fun. That said we had a very popular non-architect guest here at Offbeat Homes back in August 2007.
Who was it?
A. One of the stars of the X-Files television series
B. …read more

Happy December! Hope everyone’s having a good kick off to what will be a busy month for many of us. Where I live we were supposed to get snow this morning. I’m in Southwest Washington and didn’t believe the rumors and so far I’m right. Good news for me because I’m not the biggest snow fan — although beautiful houses do tend to look especially lovely dusted in white; we’ll absolutely be looking at some examples of snowy homes this month. I have one home in particular that I’ve been saving and saving. I’m pretty excited that December is here …read more

There’s been some nice happenings at Architectural Digest lately. They have a fun video up with their latest open auditions for architects and designers — sort of like a mini reality show but architect based. I thought the video was interesting. You can vote for your favorites. There’s also information on how to RSVP for their second open audition in South Florida in January.
The cool contest:
Currently AD is running a random drawing book give away for their newest book, Private Views: Inside the World’s Greatest Homes. 10 winners and an easy sign up. (No purchase or anything like that). I …read more

In the first post this week about SALA Architects I shared The Freeman House in River Falls, Wisconsin by Wayne Branum. Next up is something a bit more kooky.
This ultra unique Lake Superior Tower Retreat in Two Harbors, Minnesota was designed by Dale Mulfinger and Dan Wallace. According to the SALA site this project is still under construction although if that’s true it doesn’t look too far from finished. This home makes great use of a four-story stone and copper tower and a 30 ft high platform from which you can see the shore.

I like that the exterior is …read more

The new Harley Davidson headquarters was obviously not just going to be any old structure and architects Tony Owen NDM didn’t allow it to be. The Harley is a classic and deserves an amazing structure to house it’s headquarters and I personally really enjoy how it turned out.

The new building earned it’s shape from the bike itself according to World Architecture. The design premise took off from there as Tony Owen NDM notes, “The geometry of the engines forks and frames can be seen in the lines of the building. The building does not copy them, however, it suggests this …read more

Eco-architecture and architects comes in many levels and flavors. From easy green to extreme but every bit counts. Here are some beautiful (and cool) green structures. To learn more simply click on the links.
DeBoer Architects — the Gatehouse

One World Design — the Drew Residence (I love this home)

San Luis Sustainability Group — The first permitted straw bale building in California

Arkin Tilt Architects – Palter Residence  (Everything they do is amazing; check them out.)

I think what people forget is that often (almost 100% of …read more