According to the Leger Wanaselja Architecture website, the once open office space was divided into zones of sorts, to allow for a feeling of space division, but the plan looks really nice and open, welcoming, even split, I think. The room elements are made of salvaged, low toxic or resource efficient materials.

For the sign in area the architects actually designed both a desk and wall with Powerguard panels – photovoltaic roofing product. Very cool and innovative, right? The office is a showcase for the company’s product which is just clever beyond words.

Look at the cool conference room up close:

Lovely. I think I want this office.

To learn more about the design aspects and see more pictures of the Powerlight office space go right here. It’s a cool read. To see more great structure designs, visit Leger Wanaselja Architecture. They have many neat projects, but if I were you, I’d start with the elia/jones house – it’s a stunning home remodel.

[photos via Leger Wanaselja Architecture]

Post from: Blisstree

The Powerlight Office Space

Speaking of mice how about some neat barn conversions? I have been hunting these down so I can post them for my friend Marye from Baking Delights because I know she likes this sort of thing. However, even if you’re not Marye you’ll enjoy these.

Turns out that many of the best barn conversions are across the pond. Europe seems to have cornered the market on barn conversions and I actually found few that were gasp worthy in the U.S — some but not many. I don’t know too much about barn conversions but Hugh Pearman, a writer I enjoy has an interesting article on his site Gabion that notes, “Old barns are big, good-looking, places that were built from local materials and so look as if they have emerged naturally from the landscape. Modern agribusiness meant that thousands of them became surplus to requirements from the 1960s onwards. Which is why the barn conversion became a staple of rural living verging on cliché.” That explains some of it. The rest of the article, of course, goes into more detail.

Pearman also has one of the nicer barn conversions I’ve seen, built by Simon Conder, in said article.

Here’s a taste — there are many more photos plus a full description of this at Gabion so check it out.

If you just saw the following, you’d never believe that you were in a barn.

I wouldn’t want to have to clean all that glass but it is beautiful. This next barn conversion is for sale — if you happen to be UK based or are willing to move. I like this one a lot — especially I love the mix of bricks and wood. I’m not a huge brick fan but on barn conversions it looks great; very rustic.

Last up I have a U.S renovation.

This is a barn hayloft renovation more so than conversion — simple but I like it. The point was to create a pottery studio in one area of the home and to maintain a cabin in the woods feel. I’m surprised at how much I like the colors they used (not a red fan) and love how the door sits on the edge instead of smack on.

If you visit Barnrenovation you can see this barn’s entire renovation process in photos including before photos. They also have their plans posted.

If you enjoy writing related to architecture and design hit Gabion; Pearman has a huge treasure chest of archived articles that will delight you.

Coming up… I have a recant and some more info on an statement I made about Pittsburgh, more offbeat holiday gift guides, and a featured architect that I failed to post last week. Good times so stick around.

Post from: Blisstree

Super Fly Barn Conversions

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about tall. Tall is problematic. You realize this when you’re even just three stories up trying to lay a roof and the wind blows sand into your eyes and you almost fall off said roof. Yes I was wearing my safety glasses! So, much for safety practices working. Me climbing through the rafters half blind was so not the best time ever.

Anyhow, tall can be an issue and not just for freak accidents. There are structural issues, wiring, plumbing, and view codes. If you want to piss off some neighbors go ahead and build tall. All kinds of things. However, if you build just a little tall it can be advantageous. The point is to reduce our uptake of land and if you can build up, right there you save some land if you plan it correctly.

Anyhow this building is tall and old so I figured I’d make a speech. Now that I’m done here’s the awesome home. Zecc Architecture did this amazing restoration and conversion of a Netherlands water tower into an actual home. As materialicious put it, “These guys are good.” Which is the perfect thing to say.

Front door below.

Want to see how water tower home interiors look? You can, after the jump…

Many more amazing interior shots and the roof patio to see at materialicious.

We are at the second to last day of our Fall Harvest Scavenger Hunt — time to play catch-up!

Post from: Blisstree

Water Tower House

How much do you love your home? Enough to blog about it? Your home is an easy subject to talk about. Probably as easy as talking about your children. There are two, very good avenues, Houseblogs.net and Home and Tell. Both offering a community, or neighborhood, atmosphere to discuss your abode.

I could definitely see these sites being beneficial if you have a interesting home or you’re undertaking a large remodel. I know…interesting? Your home has some background: built in the 1800’s (Our New Farmhouse In Germany), is a mid-century modern masterpiece, created by (insert famous architect here). You could probably tackle the “interesting” in one detailed post. A day-to-day account of a major remodel (Grassroots Modern) captures a persons sacrifice. Offering education, tracking successes and documenting errors. All benefiting the community.

Post from: Blisstree

Tech Tuesday: Home Blogging

Why not hear from the architects side. At least in each of these stories the architects were paid for their WASTE OF TIME. The owner’s in these cases must have realized their unrealistic expectations. Getting caught up in their wants and not listening to reality of cost. If an architect is missing the mark on budget or cost estimations by up to 50% he has got a problem. This problem would have come to light by investigating and checking his references.

Technorati Tags: Architects, Horror Stories

Post from: Blisstree

Sweeping Generalization From Inexperience

MyDesignIn a presenter at Demo 2007 seemed out of place.

“A social planning and design site that simplifies any remodeling project.”

Well, there it is “social” it meets web 2.0 criteria, but a planning and design site for a remodeling project? Oh, I was excited!

It is in “Beta” (another web 2.0 requirement) I requested an invite….(hours later) I was accepted.

When you get in there it is obvious you are going to be given tools to collect design ideas you stumble across on the web.

The make it easy, the have an “add on” for both Internet Explorer and Firefox.

The best way to explain this is by an example:

You are remodeling your kitchen. You need a new sink, dishwasher, cabinets, faucets, range, micro….Now you are on the internet investigating, comparing, and finding things you can not live without. Every time you come across something on your list, you click “Add to MyDesignIn”, then click the image and it is added to your database of products needed for your remodel.

You are probably yawning at this right? I was because I was wondering what makes this different than say, Stylehive? Then I saw it, the “Create” tab. The “Create” tab has a window for you to create a floor plan of your kitchen remodel project. Just to the right of your drawing window you’ll see the images of the products you have collected. When you drag an image into your design it is automatically converted into a CAD model.

All of this creates an excellent visualization tool!

For who? A homeowner who is done using it after there remodel project is done? How many major remodels do homeowners do that would require them to create a database of products? One or Two. Then what? They move on. Then MyDesignIn is only as viral as the number of DIYer’s that are tech savy. Viral is a requirement for a successful web 2.0 company.

Let’s make MyDesignIn the most valuable tool to any size builder!

In order to do that MyDesignIn only has to do ONE thing, be able to import CAD files. If a builder could import any plan into the system and keep a database of “typical selections”. Now MyDesignIn has become communication tool, that shows exactly which plumbing fixtures are located in the Powder Bath. Eliminating confusion and mistakes on the job!

Take advantage of MyDesignIn NOW, besides it’s in Beta, which means they’re probably already working on the ability to import CAD files!

Post from: Blisstree

Web 2.0 Comes Home