The Dogrun
a place to share ideas
"It was a dark and stormy day, the scaffolding was shaking, Boogie was yelling at Bubba, "The sky's about to fall!" The year 1981. Whiskey Canyon Ranch. Outside Kerrville. I was under the influence of the mighty large RED pencil wielded by O'Neil Ford. He was fond of saying, "Ask the mason how the stone wants to be first..., ask Boogie or Bubba...the Hunt Brothers!..." Once Boogie and Curtis were working on the Alamo restoration and expansion with Ford Powell Carson, O'Neil was not happy with the size and shape of the stones, so they went to his home at Willow Way where he drew each stone out...
Another PechaKucha is upon us, and this is the first thematic one. For February, dynamic San Antonio couples are the presenters, in honor of dear Valentine's Day. Every duo will be great. If you're looking for Lake|Flato connections, Kristin Hefty is a former LFer, we have a sculpture in our office by Riley Robinson, and Paul Sartory is, you guessed it....Jamie Sartory's dad! (also, our Patrick Burnham designed this flyer!) Rick + Angela Martinez , Cinephiles Joey Fauerso + Riley Robinson , Artists Jake Zollie Harper + Amada Miller , Glass Blower + Artist Kristin + Clay Hefty , Architect +...
Business expert and "economic geographer", Jim Russell describes how the trend from a manufacturing-based economy to an information-based economy has allowed intelligent, resourceful (and typically young) demographics of people to migrate from the traditional "big cities" that served as industrial hubs during the 20th Century to smaller burgeoning cities, like San Antonio in the 21st. Silicon Valley in California is a classic example, but while California and most of the rest of the country have been struggling in this economy, Texas, and San Antonio especially, have not. Russell interviewed...
In November of 2011 friends helped Cameron and I completely replant our yard with native landscape. The design was drawn up by Hocker Design Group using entirely native plants known to be found within roughly a 50 mile radius of San Antonio. We focused on plants found to the drier west as an indication of what the future may hold for San Antonio’s climate. So out went the st. augustine grass and in went the buffalo grass; out went the crape myrtles and in went the beautiful (but prickly) cat claw acacias. We anticipated a beautiful new water wise landscape, but we did not imagine how much the...
Introducing our newest intern, Hellen Awino! Hellen is taking a semester off from UT Austin to join the Lake Flato family. Originally from Nakuru, Kenya, Hellen has since done the Texas dance, spending time in Austin, Houston and now San Antonio. One interesting fact about Hellen is she speaks three languages - Swahili, Luo and English. She's not stopping there either - she's currently learning Spanish and French! Welcome, Hellen!
Conceived as a unique blend of old and new, the nearly completed Nueces River Ranch carefully incorporates historical artifacts into a work of contemporary Texas architecture. As construction on this hill country residence comes to a close, the project has come full circle from early concepts of what the design would be. Evident in early concept sketches, our intention for the project was to create a design that referenced both Texas hill country vernacular and contemporary formal simplicity. Furthermore, materiality and heightened connection between inside and outside expressed in the...
I recently traveled to Vals, Switzerland, a remote village located in a valley high in the Alps. Vals has an interesting story: the village owned a failing 1960's hotel/spa complex built over the only thermal springs in the region, and in the early 90's, invited local architect Peter Zumthor to design the new thermal spa. Vals, still a tiny, distant place, is now an epicenter for architects from all over the world. Much has been said of the architecture: its uncompromising rigor of materiality and craft, the sensory richness of the thermal bathing experience. Most essential is Zumthor's...
For the second year in a row Lake|Flato has been a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Inspire U program. The program matches workplace mentors [Bigs] with children [Littles] from various schools in San Antonio. The relationships that develop through this mentorship program have been proven to empower adolescents to make more positive life decisions, attend college or university and go on to lead successful, fulfilling lives. This year a total of 17 LF'ers have joined or continued in the program from last year! Once a month 17 Littles gather at the Lake|Flato office to enjoy lunch,...
Leon Springs is a residence for a professional couple who wanted their last home to achieve the highest level of energy and water efficiency. Our clients wanted a sustainable home that used local durable materials and efficient systems, had healthy indoor air quality, and allowed them to connect on a deeper level with nature. There are 3 main forms that combine to create several outdoor spaces where the clients enjoy morning coffee, outdoor meals, and relaxation. The home sits lightly on a sloped site, taking advantage of great views and solar orientation. The roofs slope with the site,...
The marketing team is thrilled at the arrival of Jessica Vonderau, our new Marketing Coordinator and the most recent addition to the LF family. Growing up in Tipton, Indiana, Jessica says she can relate to John Mellencamp’s song, “Small Town”. A true Indiana native, she received her Masters of Urban Design and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Marketing from Ball State University. Her favorite Lake|Flato project is Armstrong Oil & Gas, appreciating how the architectural program breathed life back into a former derelict structure and created a unique and identifiable space around...
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