House Catalogs

By Rusty | Published: December 28, 2010

It’s a well-known secret among friends and family, that in addition to my fascination with contemporary modernist residential design, and present applications of prefabricated housing; I also am absolutely amazed by past offerings and early forays into the Utopian universe of prefab.

Knowledge is mastery — the modern homebuilder knows his wants, sees his home before it is built, both exterior and interior and controls costs by A L A D D I N efficiency. (from Facts about the Aladdin Company and Aladdin Houses.)

One such catalog found its way into my hands as a Christmas present from my parents. Discovered among stacks of comics and magazines at an antique market in my father’s childhood hometown of Richmond, Virginia. This magical little nugget of history is the 1929 edition of the Aladdin Company Readi-Cut house catalog. The twenty-third such catalog, from a company founded in 1906, and remaining in operation for a full 75 years.

Aladdin 1929 House Catalog - Cover

Naturally, my interest was piqued by this most recent find, and I did some digging. A little bit of internet searching found this Retro Renovation article from 2009 with a quick overview of a 46 year archive of the catalogs, courtesy of the Central Michigan University Library. As I dig further and further into this most recent catalog, I will no doubt share more tidbits here and there. The catalog is chock-full of great one-liners like:

The pyramids aren’t portable, the Woolworth Building is not portable, nor are Aladdin Houses portable.

Facts about the Aladdin Company and Aladdin Houses

I’ll be sure to share more images and thoughts as I dig into these. As well as a long overdue post on the Stanmar catalog that has been on my shelf for years… Here’s a little taste of the awesomeness of that 1966 gem:

Abercrombie and Fitch House - Stanmar Leisure Homes

Not everything in the Stanmar is so deliciously modern, but some of them are quite delightful. Also coming soon, a little about the Arts & Architecture Case Study House Program.

Cheers, and Happy Holidays to all.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Aladdin Homes, case study houses, housing, prefab, Stanmar Leisure Homes | Comments closed

Homelessness and Relationships

By Rusty | Published: December 20, 2010

Charity is something I never thought much about when younger. Sure I knew the made-for-TV idea of Christmas, but in my mind it was always an abstract ideal, and an unrealistic concept.

At some point this changed. A softened heart? Growing up? I can’t quantify the change really, and I don’t have a clear demarcation of when my moral magnetic poles shifted. I only know that I’m more likely to give a guy on the street a few bucks than I used to be, and more likely to make a donation to (insert your charity of choice) than I used to be.

Which brings me to today’s little snippet of internet inspiration, courtesy of Hugh Hollwell, of Love Wins Ministries.

I had the unique opportunity to see this speech live, at TEDxTriangle in March of this year. Several other presentations were also very good, and I did a quick follow up on the event in March as well.

The Architect in me can’t help but feel a little left out when I hear Hugh say that it’s not a housing problem, that it’s a relationship problem… But imagine an Architect who built relationships with people, then from there went onto solve the housing problem?

I hope to find a way to bring the two together, and make both relationships with and houses for, the folks who need them. Maybe I should talk to Hugh about some grant-writing and non-profit development?

Posted in Architecture, Christianity | Tagged Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Hugh Hollowell, Love Wins | Comments closed

NC Building Code to tighten Energy Code for Housing

By Rusty | Published: December 14, 2010
Riverbirch Residence Framing

Riverbirch Residence Framing

WRAL reports that the NC Building Code Council has decided to increase energy efficiency in new homes by 15% by March of 2012. The International Code Council proposed a ‘Green Building Code’ earlier this year as well.

It remains to be seen whether or not the public will truly reap the benefits of such a change. Of particular concern, in order to offset the cost of these energy changes, certain compromises were made on the existing building code. (For example: No longer requiring Townhomes to include Sprinkler Systems.)

Let’s hope that as building professionals we don’t sacrifice public safety in favor of smaller energy bills.

Posted in Architecture, Development, Sustainability | Tagged energy efficiency, nc building code | Comments closed

Norma Burns Farm Receives Loan from Benz

By Rusty | Published: December 14, 2010
Norma Burns

Norma Burns

Norma Burns, wife of the late great Bob Burns, received a small business loan for her Bluebird Hill Farm project. A little about the farm from their site:

Bluebird Hill is a small farm where Norma Burns specializes in growing herbs, specialty vegetables, cut flowers, native plants, value-added farm crafts and food products. We incorporate the principles of permaculture to maximize the use of space in our raised beds.

The move, which Triangle Business Journal mentioned this morning, is part of ShadeFund, a joint project of the US Conservation Fund and the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities.

Since Bob’s untimely death in 2005, I have been looking for an excuse to go out and meet Norma, and check the garden out. My wife and I take our fresh vegetables pretty seriously, and it would be an honor to help make Norma’s dreams a reality. Anyone with the initiative and drive to take on such an extensive project deserves my business, and yours too.

Posted in Sustainability | Tagged BlueBird Hill Farm, Bob Burns, Mercedes-Benz, Norma Burns, permaculture, ShadeFund | Comments closed

Metrodome Collapse

By Rusty | Published: December 13, 2010

A massive snowstorm coming across the U.S. resulted in a rather spectacular collapse of the Metrodome:

The structure was a collaboration between Skidmore Owings Merrill Architects and Geiger Berger Associates. Interesting things to note:

  • The inflatable structure is, supposedly, the largest single-installation of Teflon on planet earth. (9-1/2 acres of teflon coated fabric!)
  • The roof has been deflated / failed on four other occasions since it’s original construction.
  • A primary means of snow-load management for the structure includes blowing hot air through the interstitial area between the two layers of fabric, thus melting snow on the exterior of the dome.

Fascinating stuff for my fellow Architecture nerds out there. And for my fellow football fans, fear not, upcoming games have been relocated to alternate stadiums, so you shouldn’t miss anything.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged collapse, minneapolis, skidmore owings merrill | Comments closed