Something extraordinary

So today, I am reminded to always be pushing to do something extraordinary, regardless of the naysayers.

And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit -MLK jr

Cabin #6 Update

Late Night Projects Update

okay okay, I'm setting this one down

A few shots of the cabin with terrain.  Currently only exterior sheathing is shown as a finished product.
Will hope to continue as time allows with Trees, exterior siding, more fenestration & completion of door & windows. Interior space planning will also be completed.

Late night Projects

Late Night Projects

Inspiration can come in many forms, time to set it down and get back on paying work

Interior Stairs & fireplace

At times, an artist will find themselves up at all hours to work on a project.  This new design is one of those I can't set down.  I was inspired by two people to create a specific cabin that will be a blend of two separate buildings.  I'm pretty excited where this is going, here's a sneak preview.

Ultimately, the main goal is to achieve a format for Construction Drawings based on Sketchup.  It will be interesting to see where this little cabin takes me through this process.  It could be a product more robust like Revit is ultimately the way to go, as it incorporates both 2D & 3D in the same program and wildly used in the field.

To see more cabin plans, check us out @ our Cabin Plans

House Construction update

House Construction Update

A little Bungalow is built

Just updated my Houzz projects, one with a great little Bungalow built by http://www.renaissance-builders.com/, check it out:http://www.houzz.com/projects/330211/Bungalow--2

Building a tiny house on wheels

Tiny House on wheels

Inspirational blog...

I think it's great to share ideas, that's how we all grow and learn. Here's a great little blog about someone building their own tiny house.  Looks like it'll probably be more like a 5th wheel Camper, a house built on a trailer.

http://imbuildingatinyhouse.blogspot.com


If you're interested in house plans or cabin plans, get in touch, I've been drawing on lots of great designs we can work together on.

sddrawings.com

Gifts to the Street, a very brief recognition and study in urban planning.

Gifts to the Street

A very brief recognition and study in urban planning… or, The problem I have with Huntsville's newest art installation.

It doesn't take a long jog or walk here in the South to recognize when a shady bench has been installed for pedestrians, especially in the summer time.  This photo taken this morning, shows just such an installation in the City of Huntsville, AL (taken on a cold Fall morning).  Why it's put there when it's cold, I'm not sure.  Still sounds like a good idea though, though for a moment,  let's consider the problem with putting our backs to the street.

Someone undoubtedly had the good idea to do some planters, a bench and playfully colored awnings.  Looks great right?  Now, what is harder to see in this photo is the downtown street JUST on the other side of this canvas awning.  There is absolutely zero chance I'll be able to relax on this bench, knowing cars are zipping just behind me a few feet away.  So here's to who ever had the good idea to make an art installation; great idea, poor planning.  We want to at least see the Ford that mows us down, and before I get lambasted for my critical thinking, please read on…

Pedestrians have every right to feel safe from these fast moving metal boxes on wheels.  We do not do so well when taking them on, "Mano e Mano".  So if we were to design in several very easy fixes into our streetscapes, we could easily become a much more walkable town, see general health and mental well being surge.  I do not hold a PHD, though it doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the benefits of healthy exercise such as walking to contribute to a community's good health and mental well being.

My proposal is to offer Pedestrians a more friendly bench, in the form of "Gifts to the street".  This is where the general edge your house or business stops being part of your property and falls more into the public realm.

In this picture, you can see a very old rock wall that denotes the edge of lawn, clearly defining the house's property and the public domain. The water service should give you an indication of the age of this streets cape   

What the above design gives pedestrians, is a place to sit that faces a sidewalk and the street.  There is a sidewalk with a grass border and street trees.  The street trees serve many functions.

1. Shade in the summer
2. Blocking wind in the winter, while allowing sun light through
3. A mental and physical barrier from the street

Further more, on street parking offers yet another layer of protection for pedestrians.  So taking cues from long ago, you can see a much more safer "Gift" to the street, than the art installation.  Though this rock wall looks weathered, you can dress this up as much as you would like.  Look around you neighborhood and see how pedestrian friendly it is designed.

sddrawings.com

Sneak Preview

A Sneak Preview

After burning the midnight oil...

2d Cadd still is the best method of producing a quick and accurate set of plans.  Here is a client's house with a wing set at an angle.  For more unique designs, check out our projects after the jump.

sddrawings.com