Rebuilding Raleigh – Continued

By Rusty | Published: May 26, 2011

What words of comfort can you give to a person who has lost everything? A person whose home is so desolated that there is more tarp than house. The best I could muster was, “Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you.”

There is Daylight

There is Daylight

I’m usually pretty good with words, in writing anyway. But after the second meeting in a week, I’m completely awestruck at the perseverance and grace of my fellow man.

In two separate conversations, with two completely different clients, talking about the hard realities of what insurance will and won’t cover, deadlines, trying to get houses put together and occupied in time for the fall semester for their children… both families made it a point to reach out and offer a meal, to me, once all is said and done.

Knowing that come fall I will have the honor to break bread with these same folks, who just two months ago I would have likely never met, under a new roof that we’re building together.

It’s amazing, and humbling.

It’s not about your greatness as an architect, but your compassion.

Samuel Mockbee said that. I hope he’d approve.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged raleigh, rebuilding, Samuel Mockbee, tornadoes | Comments closed

Advanced Framing for Residential Construction

By Rusty | Published: May 24, 2011

Advanced Wall Framing, is a concept and phrase that the average homeowner may have never heard. In fact, if you’ve ever been in a structure built using these strategies, you wouldn’t necessarily know it. There are many different ways to approach wood framing, and ultimately the ‘bones’ of the building are almost entirely hidden from the perspective buyer.

The basic goal of advanced wall framing is to minimize wood in wall construction, saving in both material and labor costs, and  simultaneously increase the amount of insulation in wall construction, adding to the energy efficiency of a structure.

Advanced Framing Cross Section

Advanced Framing Cross Section

There are a lot of questions to ask when building a new home, and when interviewing builders about their construction process and qualifications. Make sure one of the questions you ask, is whether or not the builder is familiar with Advanced Framing techniques, as well as standards like Energy Star, and other High Performance building programs. Saving money on energy and saving cost up front during construction don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and advanced wall framing techniques can be one key step into making your new home affordable both today, and in the long term.

You can find more information about Advanced Framing in this PDF, courtesy of the US Department of Energy.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged advanced framing, energy efficiency, sustainability | Comments closed

New Projects

By Rusty | Published: May 18, 2011

I’ve recently picked up a few new clients and have a few new design projects on the boards that I thought I’d share. The first is a house originally designed by my mentor, David Davenport, which he’s allowing me to take over on and carry through construction in his place. It’s a great little modern summer house for a couple whose main residence is in Nag’s Head, the new home will be in Columbia, North Carolina near the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

Alligator Modern

Alligator Modern

Arising out of a concern for cost of this same house, I developed an alternate scheme with a more stripped-down program, with spans and framing focused on efficiency of building materials, and a very different aesthetic approach. While not being built in this location, I will offer this as an off-the-shelf set of plans in the future if there is sufficient interest.

Shed Modern

Shed Modern

I’ve also begun a small renovation and addition project to an existing craftsman house in downtown Raleigh. This is a contextual response to the existing home, with detailing intending to blend with the structure, while exploring a level of craft and unique detailing for the new outdoor living areas.

Robertson Screened Porch

Robertson Screened Porch

There has also been some progress on the Rebuilding Raleigh project. I’ve been working with a handful of clients, and have a couple first-pass designs on the drawing boards. While these are early passes, and will likely change between now and construction, I’ve decided to share them here.

An early commercial project just finished permitting in Holly Springs as well, and some in-construction photos of that should be coming soon.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Architecture, modern | Comments closed

Rebuilding Raleigh after the Tornadoes

By Rusty | Published: April 25, 2011

Over the Easter weekend I took a walk through a Raleigh neighborhood hit very hard by the April 16th Tornadoes. I’ve been through a handful of hurricanes here in Raleigh, and seen what I thought was some pretty bad storm damage in the past. The level of devastation from the storms last week, however, was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Tornado Damage on King Charles Road, Raleigh

Tornado Damage on King Charles Road, Raleigh

As soon as the storm passed us, just over a week ago now, I knew I had to find a way to get involved in the recovery process. So when a local builder called me last Friday to see if I was interested in helping rebuild, I jumped at the opportunity.

Three Project Sites in Raleigh

Three Project Sites in Raleigh

The project currently will consist of three to four houses which need to be either completely rebuilt, or have major renovations completed. All four homeowners I spoke with were still in the process of clearing debris and salvaging those personal belongings not completely lost in the storms. The process of dealing with insurance adjusters, contractors, city inspections, and utility companies for a new construction project can be a daunting one on the best of days, let alone after a storm like the one last week.

It is my hope to gather other local designers, suppliers, and companies interested in helping to donate time and effort to the cause. We have an opportunity to not just help people rebuild homes, but rebuild communities. We have an opportunity to not just build back what was there on April 15th, but to build it better. If we pool our resources and talent, we can show regular people what can be done on a modest budget. We can solve real problems and provide sustainable solutions not for industry recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do. Because it matters in the lives of the people around us. Because it’s what we do.

Samuel Mockbee put it this way:

Architecture has to be greater than just architecture. It has to address social values, as well as technical and aesthetic values. On top of that, the one true gift that an architect has is his or her imagination. We take something ordinary and elevate it to something extraordinary.

It’s time to rebuild Raleigh. How are you going to help?

Posted in Architecture | Tagged raleigh, rebuilding, tornadoes | Comments closed

Structures for Inclusion 10+1 Conference Report

By Rusty | Published: April 19, 2011

I was delighted to find, courtesy of Bryan Bell, a report on the eleventh annual Structures for Inclusion Conference.

Structures for Inclusion 10+1

Structures for Inclusion 10+1

The goal of SFI in a nutshell:

SFI officially opened with a call to designers to enable every person to be able to live in a socially, economically, and environmentally healthy community. This goal is not attainable without collaborative efforts that extend beyond the architect.

I mentioned in February my desire to go, and frustration with not making that a viable option this year. I’ve decided to make a commitment now, to attend the 2012 conference, and if possible I’d also like to attend the Architecture for Change Summit this fall.

I think it’s about time for me to start organizing a group from Raleigh to pool resources and head to next years conference… Who’s in?

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Architecture for Humanity, Katherine Darnstadt, Structures for Inclusion | Comments closed