a work of art

fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.

john ruskin

directions on the road to sustainability

Here's an unusual reuse of materials in architecture in Berkley, California. A fence made from street signs, awnings crafted from hatchback windows, traffic-sign siding, and a gate fashioned out of Volvo station wagon doors comprise a mixed-use urban-infill project designed, built, and developed by Leger Wanaselja Architecture.

Not only were car parts and street signs reused in a sustainable way, but windows were punched into the southern elevation, allowing for greater passive heating. The building was insulated with blown cellulose, which consists of shredded newspapers and phone books. Old-growth Douglas fir and redwood were salvaged during demolition and reused as windowsills, walls, floor patches, and custom doors. Embossed wainscoting, laying dormant under a century’s worth of plaster and bad paint jobs, was restored to offer a historical decorative touch. Terrazzo kitchen counters consisting of recycled glass in a concrete matrix were commissioned from Berkeley-based Counter Production. Low-flow dual-flush toilets and energy-saving Scandinavian kitchen appliances were installed to reduce utility demands.

Now, I'm not saying that aesthetically I would personally choose these details, but this is a great example of the bountiful possibilities in recyclable and sustainable architecture!

exterior detailing

street sign fence

hatches from mazdas create a unique railing

road sign stairwell

gate fabricated with volvo hatches


Read more: http://www.dwell.com/articles/sign-of-the-times.html#ixzz0rDxMX4FY

-c.

inspiration found in the little things

hello, my name is christie and i am a 23 year old interior design student currently residing in atlanta. since a young age, i have always been passionate about art and music. i love historic preservation, sustainable design, baking, summer thunderstorms, and festivals and markets ... long walks on the beach, strawberry champagne- haha kidding! i love people who are creative and i love finding those who can become fellow 'compatriots in the search for a little passion on earth'.

well enough nonsense about me. the purpose of this blog is to provide a blank canvas where i can divulge things that i find inspiring or just plain interesting. whether it be design, baking, photography, fashion, nature etc. ... but really mostly design and baking because those two things i love the most.


so for a little inspiration for today, i leave you with one of my favorite quotes...

"in the depths of winter, i finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer"




-c.