Top 10 of our Current Architectural Inspirations, in Books
Our architectural practise centers on creating nice things, and we have no desire to delve there just for the sake of being ostentatious. The older we get, simpler things have resonance.
Our personal interests function differently. We like to understand and consider where the edge is. Throughout history many concepts or movements that are fringe transform and become mainstream. Consider how DaVinci and his contemporaries secretly practised of post mortem dissections. Dissections didn’t really become common medical practise until the mid 1800’s.
In terms of construction, we delve into thoughts that might be theory based, or not generally accepted ideas that have yet to gain traction. Mostly these seem to appeal to our inner hippie and romantic ideas of simplicity. (In reverse order to build suspense):
#10. Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to An Ancient Practice, Sukita Reay Crimmel +James Thompson
#10. Many of our selections are older construction methods and types that have been lost in time. In the rush for industrialization I believe some very lessons were thrown out as antiquated or less viable. Exposed finished concrete slabs are common in present day, but they are not without their problems. Slabs created back problems for some people and if not heated have a lifeless presence. Earthen floors are softer yet have the aesthetic of concrete floors. Earthen floors also a warmer, more tactile presence.
#9. Cabin Porn, edited by Zachary Klein
#9. Small cabins designed by both Architects and Craftsmen. Many of the cabins are off the grid but all have a simplicity that speaks to what a cabin should be. Off the grid has always been intriguing but as I get older chopping wood has less of an appeal. Even if fully serviced, a small cabin can have a homy-ness regardless of size. As architects, we appreciate the ingenuity of squeezing everything you can with a small space.
#8. Design of Strawbale Buildings by Bruce King
#8. I’ll have to admit, I am a little hesitant with strawbale construction but can’t fully explain why? I am confident that they can be detailed to have longevity, and structurally the 3’x4’ bales can withstand a load of 900lbs per lin foot. I can’t explain my reluctance. Strawbale construction would offer many environmental advantages.
I have read 3 other stawbale books, of the 3 this is the best. Some of the discussion and detailing is suited for warmer locations, but can be adapted to the Canadian climate easily enough. There is some discussion and presentation of earthen plaster finishing. The challenge in colder climates is how to attach a vapour barrier. Luckily, advances in paint technology have given us a rubberized paint that is tested to work as a vapour barrier.
While much of this is intriguing, it only gets you so far. If anyone is looking for assistance with construction, we suggest you contact Jorg Ostrowski of Autonomous & Sustainable Housing Inc (Calgary). I have seen first hand his cutting edge thinking on the building type. He is truly a strawbale whisperer.
#7. Salmela Architect, by Thomas Fischer
#7. Architects sometimes like to present themselves as clairvoyants. After all, not many people have the ability to be creative and technical at the same time. We rarely talk about our influences. One of our early influences is David Salmela.
This book chronicles the successful career of the Minnisota Architect David Salmela. Salmela is one of our favourites because of his eclectic style melding modern architectural language with Vernacular influences.
#6 The Rocket Mass Heater, Builder’s Guide by Erica Wisner and Ernie Wisner.
#6. Rocket Mass Heaters are a very new innovation that seems to have promise. Check our our blog on wood heat for more discussion. In short, Rocket heaters utilize a secondary combustion chamber and horizontal flue to both combust almost all of the available fuel then scrub almost all the available heat, storing it in its mass. This book shows many variations of the original design and a step by step documentation of the construction process. We recommend only using a certified Masonry Heater contractor to construct your own. This book is awesome!
#5. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian Houses by John Sergeant
#5. Frank Lloyd Wright remains to be a figure even 55 years after his death. He exemplifies the embodiment of American confidence and skill of the pre and post war era. His work may have been the first foothold into the interest of architecture for us.
The Usonian Houses are one of his lesser known initiatives. This book has an amazing amount of thought and consideration and whose ideas on modularity and customization are still relevant today. We have read this book probably 5 times and still find nuggets each additional read.
#4. The Rammed Earth House by David Easton.
#4. Rammed earth Construction is a construction type we have fully adopted in a few of our designs. Between our research and hands on knowledge we consider ourselves fairly knowledgeable on the subject. A good chunk of our knowledge was gleaned from this book. Mix design, forming, construction, this book touches all the bases.
#3. Builders of the South Pacific by Lloyd Kahn
3. It doesn’t get to be more Hippie than this…..Lloyd Kahn and his chronicle of the Craftsmen that inspired the Architects of the time and the return to the land hippie movement. 80% of the projects shown are in Canada as Canada (in particular Vancouver and Gulf Islands) as many Americans emigrated to Canada as a result of the Vietnam war. We have travelled to Horby Island in search of some of the remaining houses, but they are hard to find. Organic construction, earthen roofs, and uber hippie responses to the world at that time. It tookus back to a place we had never been.
#2.Tom Kundig, Works
#2. Tom Kundig was our gateway drug into Rammed Earth Construction. The older we get the more uncluttered we prefer things. In architecture school we first encountered the term ‘Gestalt Theory’ where ‘the whole is more than the sum of its parts’. Tom’s work does this and more. This book is Architectural candy.
#1. El Croquis, Issues 30+49 featuring Enric Miralles
Movies and music have always had their figures who peaked and fell before their time. James Dean, Jimmy Hendricks, Janice Joplin, the list is long. Architecture has Enric Miralles. With his blend of Modernism and Constructivism, Enric was one of a handful of Spanish Architects emerging from the political repression of the Franco era that truly gave Spain back itself. Miralles was based in Barcelona and the first Architect since Antoni Gaudi to match his genius. Always inspiring.