Ground Source Heat Pump Basics
Posted by jenniferyoung on 4/5/12 at 4:30 pm
Why are Ground Source Heat Pumps so efficient? How much do they cost? Where can I learn more? We thought we'd put together a short white paper to get you started!
Friends, Fairies and Frosting at Frog Hill
Posted by laurakaupp on 4/4/12 at 8:21 pm
I could be wrong, but I think most architects dream about spending the night in a house that they have designed. You have basically lived in the house in your mind as it is being drawn, and mulled over every detail as it is being constructed, but you don't really know, after the keys are turned over, what it is like to live in it. So, this past weekend, I had the architectural pleasure of staying with clients in their house. I was super excited they invited me, and I am still reeling over my time with them - it was like a fairy tale with icing on top! So the trip starts off with me turning...
Better Know an LF Project: Agudas Achim Synagogue
Posted by cknop on 4/4/12 at 2:00 am
The Project: Agudas Achim Synagogue Location : Austin, Texas Project Team: David Lake , Kim Monroe , Matt Morris , Kenny Brown, Jay Pigford, Dale Riser, Clara Hightower, Paula Williams ANSWERS BY KIM MONROE (KM) AND MATT MORRIS (MM) Job Origin: (KM) RFP & Interview Completion Date: (KM) March, 2001 Program: (KM) Sanctuary that could ‘intimately’ accommodate 350 for regular weekly services yet could be expanded to seat 1000 for High Holy Days; Chapel; Social Hall (capable of being sub-divided into smaller spaces); Kosher Kitchen; Admin space with Gift Shop. LF Scope: (KM) Full Services -...
Stone Restoration at Mission San Jose
Posted by rbruce on 4/1/12 at 10:40 am
Many of us are familiar with the five historic Missons in San Antonio and their rich cultural and architectural significance in our community. Currently, the Mission San Jose is receiving extensive stone restoration on its facade, which is "one of the most spectacular Spanish colonial art treasures in the United States," according to Fr. David Garcia, who raised $15.5 million to fund the current Mission restoration work. The Rivard Report posted an article describing the life and work of the two stonemasons that have been brought to San Antonio to work on this delicate, intricate facade...
An Era is Ending...
Posted by rbruce on 3/30/12 at 9:36 am
Ted Flato is packing up his materials from the desk where it all started 25 years ago! It's time to make room for some new people starting next week, so he's parting ways with his old drafting desk station to keep everything contained in his library office. Feel free to spark your own spring cleaning frenzy!
Revenge of the Electric Car
Posted by gregpapay on 3/28/12 at 6:00 pm
The Papays took KLRN up on their offer for free tickets to watch the movie 'The Revenge of the Electric Car' last night at the LOL Comedy Club. Somewhere around 150 EV fans packed the floor to watch the movie and hear discussion from industry reps. The movie chronicles the path of four groups trying to break ground in the EV world, from GM down to a custom shop in southern California. I'm not sure the rest of the Papays we're loving it, but dad's dreaming of a post ICE world. Here's the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkRIu5a6Sb0 And Nico channeling his inner electrons with some dorky...
Material Testing
Posted by jenniferyoung on 3/28/12 at 3:41 pm
About a year ago, Bob and I nailed two samples of Cambia wood siding to a south facing exterior wall of Jamey Garza's studio compound in Marfa. After a year in the desert sun, through the diurnal fluctuations of temperature, the sample looks almost the same as a year ago. Cambia is a thermally modified wood (domestic and FSC). This treatment improves the dimensional stability and decay resistance of the wood. We plan to use Cambia on the Kruger's deck and hope it performs the same way!
Digital Pin-Up: Rocking X Ranch
Posted by randpinson on 3/28/12 at 2:00 pm
Above: northeast-living Rocking X Ranch is private ranch house and family retreat that is an addition to an existing residence located in North Texas. Consisting of six independent structures nestled among a grove of oak trees, each structure serves a specific function. A central “living room” acts as the public pavilion of the compound while the two guest wings, two accessory buildings and motor court complete the courtyard. Breaking up the program in this way allows the compound to be used comfortably for both large groups or just a family. The structures, built of local indigenous...
Timber Architecture in Chile
Posted by lewismcneel on 3/23/12 at 10:30 am
I got back recently from a photographing spree around the Lakes District of Chile…. The climate and natural resources of this region have yielded some interesting building traditions. Wood shingles, lapped board siding, and corrugated metal are employed with a lot of variety and creativity. Similar to Lake | Flato’s home base of San Antonio, German colonists of the 19 th century brought to the Chilean landscape some sophisticated tools and building forms from northern Europe. And also similar to San Antonio, local climatic conditions, available resources, and labor pools at hand began to...
Better Know an LFer: Rebecca Bruce
Posted by vyuan on 3/20/12 at 11:28 am
Rebecca is our ultra-charged, intern-managing, Revit-conventioneering, kitchen rule-enforcing, cyclist wo-man! Learn more about what keeps her going with our ten questions. Hometown: Leawood, KANSAS! Years at LF: 5 years Achilles Heel: Lemonade! The best in town is at CIA Bakery. Happiest Place: In my Womb Chair with a cup of french press Memorable Book: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri Prized Possession: Sorry non-cyclists, my Pinarello F3:13 Current Obsession: www.zillow.com Last Accomplishment: Becoming a Certified Revit Architecture Professional, hehehe :) Favorite Thing about San...