From the Top at COBA in Belize. The highest point on the Yucatan Peninsula. Fascinating view of the region from a man made tower. The room at the top was no more than 3' wide but extended 9' high. I can not imagine someone falling from this height down the stairs as it was certain death. I climbed each step , however, I am sure that the Mayan had no rope to grab. One thing is for sure, you had to be in good shape to make this climb.

Masonry appears to be limestone with rough cut and stacked in a random order. The same with the stairs which had platforms on the side of the main staircase with areas, probably for small wood and thatched  enclosures.

Univ. Paris Housing -LeCorbusier

Paris, France

Richard Rogers

Paris University- Unite de Habitation

Muse de Arab

Lichtenstein City Hall

Outhouse behind Anderson Tavern and adjacent to the Blacksmith Shop at Historic Williamsburg. Archeology investigation  by Thomas Beverly

Private Residence for Doctor and Family Michigan

Azerbaijan Embassy

East Coast Wounded Warrior

 

New Project to start

 

Nursing Home - Waiting for contract to be signed.

(Georgian Manor, Chesapeake, Virginia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the highest point of Bermuda's Big Island

BACK Again!

 

 

 

From the Studio

 

These two new projects have developed  an approach to fractured minimalism. In a very real sense this is not new but the attempt to provide a minimum of materials and surround a space with some interesting frameworks for development is part of what is going on in this recession. As more and more of my colleges are moving and changing positions it is interesting to know that much of the forms in architecture is doing the same. The First image above is of a office partition system which is flexible and can reallocate space . The second image shows what can be done with a parking garage in an urban area while using only flat slab construction and tubes of metal and plastic.

Partial sketch Entry

Part of a growing trend in research facilities will use this linear concept  developed to promote interaction between the users of the building. The different disciples will increase the diversity of their  thinking and lateral learning. Unlike Vertical or Towers of knowledge, the lateral concept promotes the flexibility of spaces and has minimal fixed functions for egress and toilets

New Entry for an Old Nursing Home

This study of an entry was to conventional and required a number of delicate consideration of the Civil Site work. While this study was consistent with the existing brick and paneled exterior of the building, it was not accepted by the Corporation for a number of technical reasons. 
Nestled in a community and surrounded by residential construction it was necessary to provide a entry which would not be different the surrounding brick and siding houses. This first concept model provides an answer to both conditions while providing space for two car entry or drive though. The selected entry for this project was far less "heavy" and showed less more material diversity.

Lee's Hill Office building

Entry Front

144,00 square foot of building which was constructed by Whiting Turner in 2000. The project was completed on time and on budget. Something that people not in the industry sometimes think is not possible with the use of an Architect.

Although I will admit that my portion of the project was small in terms of the design (replicated form a previous project at Innsbruck, Virginia, the final project here was much different as it served one client. I was the liaison and managed the project in the field to gain an above average result. Like most of architecture these days it was a team effort.



Lee Hill Office One and Two Changes Hands Again!

You are looking at the rear courtyard of this 144,000 square foot office building which once housed the call center for CAPITAL ONE in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The building has fared extremely well since my design input in 2000. The Lobby has changed somewhat but the most important thing is that it has actually gotten better with age....all exterior buildings elements seem to be handling the hot and cold cycles very well. I would say that it is still a pleasant place to work.

The marque at the road now hosts 20 occupant firms in stead of one.

First Bay at the Planning Commission

Nursing Home addition -Hampton Roads

Choosing the most energy efficient module for the Home which houses Alzeimer's patients requires special attention. Part of the decisions which must be made is to concentrate on common areas, such as corridors,living rooms and dining areas or to provide more light in individual rooms. Part of the answer to this investigation is a compromise in the development of providing North and Eastern Sky exposure into the building. While each of the rooms has ample lighting from artificial sources, the results from studies show that natural light is more acceptable to the residents. Of the two modules above, the one on the right has a continuous supply of light from strip windows on the roof. The one on the left has the Georgian Dormers which have limited application in a modern building. and can provide light in only the room below.

Historic Determination and Building Code Investigation

Determining the possibilities under the IBC and recording the architectural features of a historic clubhouse.

Bank of the Commonwealth Finally Completed

This project was built on a very environmentally sensitive cut of land in Suffolk. The challenge here was to provide a new bank with drive though service windows and parking. While the color and the use of dolphins (yes dolphins!) were used as an added theme by the Directors of the Bank it still maintained good proportions. It was a very tight construction site. A Pergola in front  has seating to humanize the rather acute angle of a corner at route 58. My initial role with this project was to investigate the building code information  and search zoning alternatives. While the building looks traditional, it matches the surrounding residential buildings which are part of a historic city in what was once the peanut capitol of Virginia.

The plan generates the Look

Actually the Yakuza are more forgiving than mother nature!
The new buildings will have a significant impact on this sleepy little seaside hamlet. Most of the buildings which were created after WWII and resemble fishing shacks. Fishermen and sportsmen that live here rely on the water for easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

In the process of rebuilding some people look at materiality of their structures. In this particular case it is not New Urbanism or Colonial Revival . 

Since the colonial period kitchens of Colonial Williamsburg were actually built without a proper masonry foundations. Beams some buildings were placed directly on the crushed shells and sand base which was compacted by hand. Many accessory buildings did not  were set on the cleared earth site! As a result many foundations in Williamsburg rotted or in some cases burned down. Accidents  were common in the Colonial kitchens as testified by archeological overlapping of remains, i.e. Andersen tavern.

Today we have an opportunity to make a statement to posterity and to improve on our buildings. We must be foresighted enough as architects to do battle for the conditions which make our buildings last. I realize the tools for expression are available, but clear thinking must always be the part of our vocabulary.

So here is first building as it has expanded from the original floor plan to a new plan.

Designs for four Residential bulidings

House 143

House 145

House 157

House 187

The three buildings here represent proposals for replacement of the Tornado damage structures shown for the area indicated on a previous post. The codes have changed the area and population has changed since the original 1940's lots were purchased. It is ironic that we may try to prepare for a disaster but mother nature is the only true test of our efforts. The new materials and engineered products will undoubtedly play a big part in the reconstruction.   

Emergency Residential

During this recession it is hard to imagine any new residential construction in an area which is composed of many homes and seasonal structures. However, natural disasters have a way of provoking action. In this view which is part of the area hit by a series of Tornadoes which has become all to common lately, the county of Middlesex showed little resistance to 156-164mph winds. While many of the reports have gained exposure in the national media, we see here, a concentration of houses which is not uncommon in this part of the vacation community of Deltaville.

While little can be done to combat the cause of the storm, several measures which these 1940-50 houses did not employ for their construction will be used in rebuilding. In the coming weeks I  will post several designs which are in response to replacing the condemned houses along this corridor of destruction.

Five New Kitchens Documented

Progress-Andersen Kitchen

The progress of the Anderson complex of building. the schedule indicates that the new armory will be active 2013. The chimney is currently being fabricated on site for the kitchen with the bricks supplied from the Williamsburg factory.

Progress-Anderson Kitchen

handicapped sill with a heavy hinge $500!

Second floor opening for Fireplace of Loft

nailing pattern and detail at windows- a tight weather resistant corner


As in most kitchens of Virginia, this facility probably served a duel function of providing a place to cook for the Anderson Tavern and to supply food to the workers of the Armory which worked in the adjacent Tin Smith and Forge areas of the Armory. From evidence discovered in the immediate area, this kitchen may have had the first drainage for waste. A vaulted drain was discovered in the corner of the kitchen by the fireplace. This would have been a convenience to the activity. this appproximately 17' by 23' building had a pitch of 12/12 on the roof. All of the kitchens were located several feet fromthe main house or tavern a precausion to fires which wer a common practice in burning serveral kitchens to the grounds. I will be looking at the Governor's kitchen next.

Historic Anderson Kitchen

I am working on this 1770 kitchen which is in front of the Williamsburg Blacksmith shop off Duke of Gloucester Street in Historic Williamsburg. What is interesting is that the fire place and excavation of several buildings from this era have brick and in some cases no foundations. People built cheap and with an idea that later they would add substantial construction to replace the relative "fast and cheap" construction started. These wants and needs of Colonial era do not seem to have changed much. The slaves would live in the room above the kitchen.  The kitchen was always a place of activity because it was warm and  food was always being prepared. In the summer  the openings would have provide little ventilation  from the summer heat.

We are recording  the artifacts and building of earlier periods so that the reproduction of this kitchen and armory can be reconstructed. It is interesting that this kitchen would have provided food for both the Tavern which is about thirty feet away and the armory which provided forges for metal work to be done.  England stopped its supply of manufactured products after the war of 1776. Therefore, buildings which had heavy forging and iron forming were important for the colonists. The foundations of a storage accessory building to the armory has have only partially been revealed by the archaeologists. To see a webcam of the progress go to:

http://www.history.org/webcams/anderson.cfm

Foundation of the Storage Building Behind the Armory which was indicated on the Tax and insurance Maps but only recently discovered

Condos on the go

A proposal for 15 condos overlooking Pretty Lake in Norfolk, Virginia.

Proposal for a two story

The sketch represents a quick indication of the
serious nature of the recession in the
United States. A one story block building was designated for
renovation by a large real estate business to house
professional offices. Not a full two story building but a
Silver LEED certifiable building was proposed. In the end it
was decided to shelve the project until financing was
available.

Buckroe Village Retail Shops

In this times when fewer and fewer retail shops have been started it was good to visit this development which was started in 2007. A convenience store anchor owner wanted to develop the remaining property. A  small residential development is behind these building owned by the same developer.

The building serves as a sound buffer for the houses which are behind this development and provides for convenience stores. The stores are 2B construction and are all Mercantile spaces. Both the contractor and owner were clients who were easy to work during economically hard times. Everything that was designed was built with only minor changes to bring the job in under budget and on time. 

The Convenience Store from the West: my design for the entry of the Convenience store provided visual security and a playful entry into a very busy store. The only difference is that my color scheme included a red and white awning for concealing the security grill located above the storefront.