tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51920566919599165272024-02-19T07:40:22.891-08:00Colin Edward Slais, Architect/DesignerI'm a medical, dental and general office designer and a passionate architect about other personal/professional interests relating to residential design, Frank Lloyd Wright, "Optimista" (our own home), design ideas, furniture design and miscellaneous articles on life, etc.
"Architecture is the choreography of life."Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-12398606558209719742015-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:002015-01-26T13:16:17.518-08:00Barrel Chair 2.0 with Nested Footrest<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For an architect, the urge for creative expression never ceases. As I was sitting in my home studio office several months ago, I looked at the corner chair I had purchased online and always felt that something else should replace it - something better, of course, but what? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being an avid Frank Lloyd Wright fan, my thought for quite some time was to buy Mr. Wright's barrel chair design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That would have been great, but for the cost! Then I could just "hear" Mr. Wright saying, "You're an architect. Why don't you design and build your <em>own</em> barrel chair?" So that is exactly what I've done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Below is the circular plan of the chair showing the geometrical relationships. I printed it out full scale to use as a template when assembling the plywood pieces. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's held together with wood glue and exposed brass wood screws. The seat is a pre-cut, pre-assembled piece of pinewood from Home Depot. The rest of the chair is 3/4" birch plywood with sanded acrylic seatback and curved base collector piece from a company called Clear Image (<a href="http://www.clearimagelaserservices.com/">http://www.clearimagelaserservices.com/</a>). The circular cut-outs at the bottom of each "leg" reiterate the circular theme as well as make the chair lighter. I'm really liking the 2-tone staining of my furniture designs to better express the structure and different pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The footrest tucks underneath the chair when not in use. I got the seat cushions from Furniture Design Solutions (<a href="http://www.furnituredesignsolutions.us/">http://www.furnituredesignsolutions.us/</a>). I had to then get Mr. Wright's Taliesin I table lamp (seen on the bookshelf), which happened to match the chair with wood color and shoji screen shade. I hope that Mr. Wright, if he had seen this chair, might have said to me, "Well, Slais - not bad. Not bad at all". Thank you, Mr. Wright, for all of your continued inspiration!!</span></div>
Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-29050041972296339542014-10-14T14:35:00.000-07:002014-10-14T14:37:22.318-07:00What I've Learned from Frank Lloyd Wright<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over the years I’ve come to
appreciate just how lucky I was to have known what I wanted to be “when I grow
up” from age 12. In 1981 we built our house only a mile from the apartment in
which I grew up in St. Louis. I rode my bike to the construction site every day
for the 6 months it took to complete and absolutely fell in love with
architecture, especially residential. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I came across Frank Lloyd
Wright’s work while attending the University of Kansas, where we had Taliesin
alum such as Curtis Besinger and Victor Papanek. This was when my travels to
Mr. Wright’s buildings across the country began and still continue to this day.
We’ve all heard people say that you can’t learn only through books and
classrooms – that you must experience your interests first-hand. This became
apparent after spending time inside and out Mr. Wright’s work and speaking with
numerous original homeowners who told us stories and experiences that were not
in any books. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After visiting well over 100 buildings around
the country (spending the night in some of them) as well as reading dozens of
books by Wright and about Wright and listening to audio of Mr. Wright speaking
to apprentices about architecture and life itself, here is what I’ve learned
from Frank Lloyd Wright:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><em>Appreciation for Nature</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Wright's work
is synonymous with Nature, capital “N”, and his architecture makes you realize
the benefits of your greater connection to it. Most if not all of Wright’s work
occurred in natural settings with enough acreage to create a private, restful
atmosphere. His buildings “hug” nature, literally, through the use of planters
extending from the structure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The buildings grow from the site instead of being
put on top of them. Mr. Wright often said that a building “should appear to
belong where you see it standing”. Nature was Mr. Wright’s stage, and the
building provided a front-row seat to the sights, sounds and smells of birds,
rain, the rustling of leaves, deer, changing sun angles and the snow. This is
exactly the experience at the Penfield House in Ohio, where the view to the
landscape is through 12-foot French doors from the built-in Living Room bench
seat. We sat for hours watching deer and feeding the birds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You become relaxed
as your biorhythms attune to the site – you connect! The troubles of the world
slip away in this parallel universe. It’s quiet, peaceful, joyful!! It’s also very
difficult to go “back to civilization” after you’ve experienced Mr. Wright’s
architecture. You wonder why you’ve been living in what you have for all this time.
I remember sitting with Ken and Phyllis Laurent in their Living Room, all warm,
dry and cozy as a storm passed by. It was wonderful! You begin to “see” Mother
Earth in her infinite variety and understand that she is the ultimate context
in which all man-made structures exist. Wright’s work was “green” before it was
popular or necessary to be so. We’ve tried to bring this Nature appreciation
back to our own house, Optimista, by connecting inside and outside through
design, as well as feeding the birds every day and maintaining the landscaping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><em>Appreciation for Beauty and Integrity</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr.
Wright’s work has been rightly described as “works of art” in and of
themselves. Wright called architecture the “Mother Art”, and had an
appreciation of music, literature, and sculpture – believing in the integration
of the arts and architecture. One of his best examples was in Midway Gardens, a
beer garden/restaurant/entertainment complex built in Chicago in 1914 (unfortunately demolished in 1929).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Wright’s work has made me
cognizant of scale, proportion and the consideration of what the eye sees - where
it rests. He said that ornamentation (not the enemy by the way) should be “of
the building” and not as merely surface application on it. Mr. Wright designed
niches and/or shelves with proper lighting specifically for a Client’s painting
or sculpture as an integral part of the overall design. Part of the meaning of
the word “Organic” (the name for Wright’s architecture) is “part is to whole as
whole is to part”. There is design continuity throughout the entire building as
a whole, just like there is in Nature itself. Nothing is out of place or
disparate from the design theme. The design integrity is maintained through and
through. As I walk through the design of our own home, I have always tried to
think about what the eye sees as you move through the space. Where should a
piece of sculpture go? What looks right? Would a mirror here allow you to see
the sky through that high window? What do you see when you turn this corner?
Does the custom furniture I’ve designed for the house relate and “fit”. Is
everything you look at beautiful? How could it be better?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><em>Appreciation for a Cultured, Civilized Life</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In much of my readings about
Frank Lloyd Wright there are many references to him and Mrs. Wright being good
hosts to Clients and visitors at both Taliesins. They had their infamous Easter
celebrations every year, where Wright would wear his white suite and shoes.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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Taliesin always held small concerts, had tea time, and fabulous dinners. Guests
would be entertained and enjoy the beauty of Wright’s architecture and overall
property. The way of life at Taliesin was completely their own making – a life
that encouraged you to be the best representative of humanity. I’ve read from
original Client accounts of visits to Taliesin that Taliesin didn’t “go by the
ways of the world”. More recently I’ve come to admire this and tried to create
this kind of environment for my wife and myself. I’ve learned that you can
design the way of life you want to live – regardless of what is going on in the
world. Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of the free, creative individual who has
space and comfort in our great Democracy has inspired me to think about how my
wife and I want to live – that we make life happen instead of life happening to
us! Recently I’ve been shopping for a tea set, which I would have never thought
of if not for an appreciation of Wright. We want to host and entertain properly
more often. We want to show off our own unique home and fill it with friends,
family, peace and love. We want to serve guests good food and wine in a
beautiful space surrounded by beauty with Classical music filling the air. </div>
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Mr.
Wright always dressed impeccably, out of respect for himself and guests. He
said that you acted differently, more nobly and with dignity when you dressed
well. We also want that for ourselves, which is quite different from our sweat
pants and T-shirt culture.</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In all the books I’ve read, especially by
original homeowners themselves, about their lives in their Frank Lloyd Wright
house, they all were enriched and uplifted by the experience. They were
educated, not just academically at a school, but by Mr. Wright and his
architecture on the joys and possibilities of what it meant to be truly humane.
Wright Clients traveled, were open-minded, well-read, and had a desire for
learning. They were involved or had an interest in the community, the arts and
education. They had purpose in life – a reason to get up every morning and make
the most of this day. They were, and still are, the best of America. I want
nothing more than that kind of life for my own family, and as an architect
mentored by Frank Lloyd Wright, am privileged to keep trying every day to
achieve it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Colin Edward Slais</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Optimista</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scottsdale, Arizona</span></div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-44193451392888675352014-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:002014-08-01T07:43:25.231-07:00Nutrition Company Corporate Office<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Client's brand was all about a modern knowledge of nutrition along with healthy activity and energy. Their office has a contemporary, sleek, lean image expressing what the company represents to its clients and shareholders.</div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-10454931380621324692014-08-01T07:34:00.000-07:002014-08-01T07:34:26.516-07:00Internet Company Corporate Headquarters<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Client for this project wanted to express the youth, energy, teamwork, fun and tech savvy that was the image of the company. A more casual mix of work and play were incorporated into the design using a variety of materials and textures portraying the slightly more "edgy" atmosphere the Client intended.</div>
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<br />Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-10999225890871178172014-08-01T07:23:00.003-07:002014-08-01T07:23:47.014-07:00Lux Executive Offices of ScottsdaleThis project consists of 8500 sf of executive offices featuring an entry lobby, reception, conference room, break room, training room and multiple smaller meeting rooms and sitting areas throughout for a variety of business services.<br />
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-16597742955694864682014-02-18T08:53:00.002-08:002014-02-18T08:53:52.542-08:00The Vision Center of West Phoenix Project<div style="text-align: justify;">
I stopped by this recently-completed project of my design to take a few quick pics. This is my best commercial interior medical office project to date in my 19-year career here in Arizona. The Client and I were on the same page all the way. Walls of various colors as screens <i>defining</i> space instead of <i>confining</i> it. All elements clearly separated and expressed as planes about space. The design inspiration came from the likes of : The De Stijl Art Movement, and architects Mies Van Der Rohe and Luis Barragan. I even created my own art piece specifically for the space hanging in the waiting room. A complete synthesis of function, art, ideas, simplicity, clarity and beauty!</div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-15653673234810694692013-10-09T09:51:00.002-07:002013-10-09T09:54:41.340-07:00Frank Lloyd Wright and Longevity<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Mr. Wright’s Organic architecture “returns us to our natural biorhythms in connection with nature” said an original homeowner. We are so fortunate to still have some original Frank Lloyd Wright clients/homeowners with us, though the number is declining with each passing year (Mr. Wright’s doctor, Mr. Joe Rorke, recently passed away in his 90's). We are also grateful to have some of those who lived and worked with Wright here to pass down personal stories and teachings to the next generation. There is a wealth of knowledge still among us that we must continue to appreciate and not take for granted. To know that those having direct contact with Mr. Wright can still share their wisdom after 50 years or more is a testament to their longevity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have had the great fortune of traveling the country over the years visiting nearly all of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes and buildings (even staying the night in a few). The experience, inspiration and knowledge gained from not only seeing the work first-hand, but listening to the stories told by original owners is an education not to be had any other way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">During my conversation with several original homeowners, it occurred to us that there were a lot of Wright clients who lived (and are still living) to be quite advanced in years. After some quick research, it was discovered that many lived well into their 80’s, 90’s and even 100 and beyond (most noticeably Wright’s son, David, who passed at 102, and his wife Gladys at 104!!). A lengthy list of Wright Clients and their ages was developed, just going back to the 1930’s. So, at least as far as the Usonian period goes, there were/are several dozen octogenerians and nonagenerians. Just as a side note, many of Wright’s apprentices lived and continue to live long, productive lives as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Is there a correlation between Wright’s architecture and the homeowners’ length of life? The research seems shows some kind of correlation. If so, then how? Could it be that Wright’s designs “return us to our natural biorhythms” as one homeowner postulated? Could it possibly be that Organic architecture’s principle of a close, harmonious relationship with Nature helps support the health of its occupants? Perhaps Mr. Wright’s organic architecture is so purely humane, peaceful, natural and beautiful as a work of art, helping nurture a desire within for a healthful lifestyle. Maybe being an integral part of the changing seasons, the birds, deer, garden, trees, helps reduce stress and thus more effectively sustains life itself. Can living in a home as a respite from noise and chaos also have a profoundly spiritual resonance with the soul making it dance and maybe keeping us in this world a little longer? One homeowner’s granddaughter exclaimed, “I can’t tell you how much the impact of the birds, and the light, and the openness and the harmony, and the beauty affected me”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Nowhere else have I personally experienced such serenity, beauty, comfort, ease and joy as in a Frank Lloyd Wright home, and Wright received numerous client letters thanking him for this lifetime thrill of living in his creation. Isadore and Lucille Zimmerman wrote, “The beauty of the house defies verbal description, while utility is so married to beauty that the two become one”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Wright once asked his apprentices if they felt they had contributed a note of concordance and sympathy with their fellow human family. I think the answer is quite apparent, and the fact that so many of his clients and apprentices went on to live happy, healthy, productive, fulfilled, long lives is confirmation enough that his architecture was the most attuned to that life ever created, inside or out.</span>Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-55797354197768610582013-08-26T13:12:00.002-07:002013-08-26T13:22:15.669-07:00I Like Architect Craig Ellwood's Work....<div style="text-align: left;">
Craig Ellwood (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Ellwood">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Ellwood</a>) is an architect whose California work I admire, at least from articles/photos I've seen. I have never personally experienced his buildings, but he was a disciple of Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe</a>), another one of my architectural mentors. Here is Craig Ellwood's design philosophy, which I greatly respect...</div>
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Craig Ellwood stated his architectural philosophy in the March 1976 issue of <i>L.A. Architect</i>:<br />
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"The essence of architecture is the interrelation and interaction of mass, space, plane and line. The purpose of architecture is to enrich the joy and drama of living. The spirit of architecture is its truthfulness to itself: its clarity and logic with respect to its materials and structure.<br />
"Building comes of age when it expresses its epoch. The constant change in technology demands a continuously maturing expression of itself. When technology reaches its fulfillment in perfect equilibrium with function, there is a transcendence into architecture.<br />
"The truth about truth is it <i>is</i> – waiting for us to discover it. The consciousness of truth is not static, but ever progressively unfolding. We must strive for intrinsic solution, not extrinsic effect. The moment form becomes arbitrary, it becomes novelty or style – it becomes something other than architecture. Materials and methods will certainly change, but the basic laws of nature make finally everything timeless.<br />
"Architecture, by its own nature, must certainly be more than an expression of an idea. Art in architecture is not arbitrary stylism or ethereal symbolism, but rather the extent to which a building can transcend from the measurable into the immeasurable. The extent to which a building can evoke profound emotion. The extent to which a building can spiritually uplift and inspire man while simultaneously reflecting the logic or the technique <i>which alone can convey its validity to exist.</i>"<br />
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House by Craig Ellwood</div>
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Farnsworth House by Mies Van Der Rohe<br />
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-4478710164750482822013-08-23T07:55:00.001-07:002013-08-23T08:09:05.447-07:00Another Dental Office Finished!!<div align="justify">
Another happy dental Client!! We had spectacular collaboration in our design of this Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Office between the Client, dental equipment supplier and the contractor. What a great team effort! The colors are warm, soft and bright. We always try to introduce details, accents and lighting for artwork and to add interest to the space. It's a very calming, elegant, spa-like space!</div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-12412953993773992522013-08-22T11:09:00.001-07:002013-08-22T11:09:55.707-07:00Pediatric Dental Office Just Completed!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We and the Client are all very pleased with our design and completion of this brand new pediatric dental office. The theme was an old time street fair with little shops to visit along the way. We used lots of color to hold children's interest and enliven the space. We even specified smaller chairs for kids in the game area of the Waiting Room (THE most important area, as far as the kids are concerned!). Hats off to the General Contractor, (Van Dental Construction), who did an amazing job all throughout construction. Thanks guys!!</div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-12698486406400664012013-08-02T09:24:00.000-07:002013-08-02T09:24:32.056-07:00Cost-Saving Concepts in New Custom Home DesignAs an architect interested in getting the most out of the least regarding high quality design of custom modern homes that are still cost-effective, below is the most exhaustive list of cost-considerate design concepts that may help keep your new home project on budget:<br />
1. Reduce size (provide for the space you really NEED).<br />
2. Reduce # of materials.<br />
3. Reduce # of different Trades.<br />
4. Reduce material (reduce unnecessary height).<br />
5. Reduce labor/time.<br />
6. Simplify shape/"footprint".<br />
7. Reduce # of corners/turns/angles/curves.<br />
8. Reduce amount of built-in cabinets.<br />
9. Reduce # of plumbing fixtures (is a bidet really necessary).<br />
10. Reduce electrical needs/equipment (no special lighting from Europe).<br />
11. Reduce # of different paint colors (unless DIY).<br />
12. Simplify roof shape(s) (no complex valleys, ridges, turrets, domes, etc.).<br />
13. Use stock "off-the-shelf" materials/products.<br />
14. Use local materials & labor (Home Depot/Lowe's are good resources).<br />
15. Use materials in their natural way.<br />
16. Utilize the machine (straight cuts - geometry).<br />
17. Reduce # of finishes.<br />
18. Utilize modular systems/design - grids.<br />
19. Reduce waste of materials.<br />
20. Flat sites with existing utilities are usually less costly than sloping sites.<br />
21. Pre-fabrication can sometimes be more cost-effective.<br />
22. Reduce frivolous accessories/applique/ornamentation.<br />
23. Simplify the drawings and details - reduce # of sheets of plans.<br />
24. Reduce # of doors/hardware if possible.<br />
25. Maintain consistency throughout the home instead of a hodge-podge of different rooms.<br />
26. Use passive solar design.<br />
27. Kitchens & Baths are most expensive rooms - reduce, simplify.<br />
28. Reduce "special-order" items that have long lead times.<br />
29. Reduce # of times you change your mind during construction which leads to Change Orders.<br />
30. Plan for essentials 1st, then work toward extras or bonuses.<br />
31. Get Preliminary Cost Estimates during design to compare against budget.<br />
32. Buy less expensive furniture, window coverings, accessories, fabrics - it all adds up.<br />
33. Plan things in stages to eventually get all you want in due time. Patience saves $.<br />
34. Reduce # of different roof materials.<br />
35. Economize landscape/hardscape by maybe using younger, smaller plants. Use dryscapes.<br />
36. Pools are expensive - be prudent with size, shape. Reduce # of pumps, etc.<br />
37. Use as much open plan as possible - reduce # of walls that compartmentalize.<br />
38. Shop around & compare everything - patience saves $.<br />
39. Plan for future and install infrastructure now rather than after construction.<br />
40. Good architectural design should not require much interior designer/decorator add-to's.<br />
41. Try to use conventional construction/techniques/methods.<br />
42. Do some of the work you can yourself.<br />
43. Maybe use hollow core doors or even curtains at closets - solid core at bedrooms/baths.<br />
44. Build your own furniture out of plywood and 1-by or shop garage sales and refurbish.<br />
45. Combine/group plumbing areas to save on pipe lengths.Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-87435275462157657272013-03-14T08:30:00.000-07:002013-03-14T08:31:50.038-07:00"Optimista" in Black & White<div style="text-align: justify;">
We named our home "Optimista", Spanish for "optimist" (no secret there!) because that is how we feel about the home, our lives and our future. It is full of color and life in relation to the desert in Springtime (click on the "Optimista Home Remodel" tab to view).</div>
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However, I also love the 1950's, and the black & white photos of a bygone era (I was born too late!). I guess because of my photography background (and lots of time in the dark room - back in the early 90's), I like black & white because of the focus on composition (and some nostalgia). So, in that spirit, here are black and white photos of our home for a different perspective. Somehow it does feel like another time. What do you think?</div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-39320549889187384582013-02-27T14:34:00.000-08:002013-02-27T14:34:56.191-08:00Tips/Guidelines for Commercial Tenant Improvements and Remodels<div style="text-align: justify;">
After 18 years as an Architect in the business of commercial tenant improvements ("TI's") and interior remodels, I have my fair share of valuable experience to pass along to anyone involved in such a project. I hope the following tips/guidelines help:</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">1.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">The Beginning:</span></u></strong> What is your goal, dream, vision, business model, passion?! Consult your Accountant and Financial Advisor and look at your financial situation, the market, marketing strategies. Are you expanding, opening your own office, partnering, relocating?</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">2.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Lender:</span></u></strong> This is everything. Work with the appropriate lender for your project type (some, if not all lenders specialize in specific niches or areas of business). Lending institutions differ in what they can offer regarding downpayment, rates, LTV info, payments, etc. We work with lenders to provide necessary information during the process.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">3.</span> <span style="color: red;"><strong><u>Location. Location. Location!:</u></strong></span> Determine your best location for success. New clientele? Will current clientele follow you? What are the demographics for the area (a Broker can help with that)? Does the location have good visibility/access from major streets? What are the adjacent or nearby businesses (will they help support yours)? Is the location convenient for you and clientele? What is your daily commute? What amenities are in the area that can help support your business? What are the signage options/locations for office visibility and advertising?</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">4.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Broker:</span></u></strong> Work with someone who listens and understands your business/career goals. A Broker can search and give you the information you need to make informative decisions for business success. Your Broker can get you the best deal possible for your space and budget. We work with Brokers to provide necessary information during the process.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">5.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Architect:</span></u></strong> Contact an Architect sooner than later in the process to help determine the amount of space required for your needs and budget. An Architect can work with you, the lender and the Broker as part of a team. An Architect can prepare a Space Plan showing how the requirements fit (or don't fit!) into the space at which you're considering. An Architect can consult on design, schedule, process, City Permits, construction drawings, builders, etc. The Architect also works with the Engineers required to complete the plans for a Building Permit. Many Clients hire an Architect after they have already signed the Purchase/Lease Agreement "locking" them in to the space, so the Architect has to "force" the design and "make it work". It would be better to engage an Architect sooner to help in the selection of a space based on the criteria.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">6.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Design/Construction Drawings "Plans":</span></u></strong> Coordinate with your staff early in the process to create the best design at the start. Think about any details you want, the day-to-day needs, what works and does not work in your current office. Obtain all the specifications (sometimes known as "cutsheets")/information on any equipment for design and enginering purposes (electrical requirements, exhaust, heat gain, plumbing line, etc.). Get your I.T. person involved for input, server requirements, electrical needs. Get your equipment supplier involved early for coordination and equipment purchase. Follow up phone conversations with emails so communication is clear and accessible/retrievable (memories are short!). Create a folder/file specific to the project to keep documents, drawings, correspondence. CAREFULLY REVIEW ALL design drawings/documents sent to you for review/signature of approval. Call the Architect if you have any questions. Time is money, so the more efficient and responsive in a timely manner you are, the more money you can save.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">7.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Builder/Contractor:</span></u></strong> Use a competent Contractor with experience in your project type. Use a commercial Contractor (NOT a residential Contractor for a commercial project - the 2 are entirely different). Take Preliminary Cost Estimates provided by Contractors with a grain of salt. Without ALL of the construction drawings, Contractors can only make assumptions and estimations. Final Bids are almost always more than prelims., so consider a contingency in your budget. Beware - changing the design during construction or adding to it could cost you more money. Give your Contractor timely information on finish selections, flooring, paint colors, cabinet materials/finishes, appliance sizes/types, TV and monitor mounting locations/heights. CAREFULLY REVIEW the Contractor's Bid with the Contractor BEFORE signing the Construction Contract. Discuss ALL project details, expectations, process, schedules (both construction and payment), and what is both INCLUDED and EXCLUDED from the Bid.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">8.</span> <strong><u><span style="color: red;">Marketing/Promotions/Advertising:</span></u></strong> Consider working with a marketing professional or a graphic designer for logo design, signage ideas, business cards, brochures, etc. Launch or update your website and maintain good, consistent social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Electronic Newsletters, etc.). Offer promotions, discounts, loyalty rewards, specials to bring in business. Have a Grand Opening and/or Open House to engage the community. Send out post cards or create an ad in a movie theater or radio spot!</div>
Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-7929884265518944522012-11-21T08:29:00.000-08:002012-11-21T08:32:43.994-08:00Optimista Foyer Area Rug Design<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spoke with a local custom rug maker about the area rug design just created for the Foyer at Optimista. Can't wait for it to be made and installed. Check out the photos below!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This new area rug design above for the Foyer at Optimista uses all of the elements and colors from the Foyer itself: Gold circular mirror, moon-shaped glass table with black metal corbels, and the stenciled pattern on the wall which comes from the door patterns. The sage half-circle shapes come from the half-circle window in the Living Room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Optimista Foyer above with all of the design elements for the new area rug design: Gold mirror, glass table with corbel supports, and stenciled patterns on wall.</span></span></div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-91403898185113348002012-11-08T11:51:00.000-08:002012-11-08T11:51:49.844-08:00Optimista Sunlight<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The light changes all the time here at Optimista. We're still noticing sunlight, shadows, and reflections bouncing off of things all through the day. I happened to catch a small piece of sunlight reflecting off something and landing directly on the little St. Martin statue, making him "glow". So cool!</span></span></div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-81382852140025142342012-11-05T10:06:00.000-08:002012-11-05T10:06:07.227-08:00"Optimista" Open House!<div class="_wk mbm" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had a very successful Open House at Optimista this past weekend. Everyone commented on the house, great company, cocktails, and of course, the food! Thanks to </span><a href="http://www.mydinnerkitchen.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.mydinnerkitchen.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for such a tasty event!</span> </span></div>
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Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-76355721030751622222012-11-01T13:18:00.000-07:002012-11-01T13:18:32.823-07:00David & Gladys Wright Home Appears to Have Sold!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frank Loyd Wright's David & Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, AZ appears to have been sold to an anonymous buyer who plans on preserving it!! Check out the link </span><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20121031frank-lloyd-wrightdesigned-home-sold.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20121031frank-lloyd-wrightdesigned-home-sold.html</span></a>Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-80128397847146143792012-10-26T08:57:00.001-07:002012-10-26T08:57:33.200-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel On PrairieMod Website<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home remodel at <em>Optimista</em> has been featured on a great website </span><a href="http://www.prairiemod.com/features/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.prairiemod.com/features/</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Check it out!!</span>Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-87810460730882634472012-10-24T14:04:00.001-07:002012-10-24T14:04:33.333-07:00Dreaming Summit Animal Hospital<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Just completed this 6,300 SF animal hospital on 1.25 acres near a residential neighborhood in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Litchfield Park</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Arizona</st1:state></st1:place>. It's owned by veterinarian Matthew Hillebrand and his wife Kristi, who have a staff of over 10! The interior of this veterinary clinic is open, spacious, light & airy with lots of windows. All of the rooms surround a centralized <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Open</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Treatment</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The Dog Ward boards up to 5 dogs and even has its own TV! The Dog Kennel is large enough for 19 individual kennels. An expansive, fenced Dog Yard is in back with a grass area and even a small play pool to keep cool. Cats have their own room complete with individual cat condos and carpeted climbing tree, all visible through a generous full-height window to the adjacent Waiting Room with vaulted wood ceilings. A unique feature at this pet clinic is the drive-through window for quick customer service in picking up food, medications, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photos by Colin Edward Slais</span></div>
Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-80204056917953728172012-09-26T10:29:00.000-07:002012-09-26T10:29:14.217-07:00"Green" Ways to Save $ and Our Planet<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following lists are simple, straightforward, lower-cost "Green" ways to save you money and help save our planet from further deterioration. This is a no-brainer because you save money while saving the Earth. If everyone did these things, we would greatly reduce our demand for energy/water/gas, which would reduce costs, carbon footprints, drilling, need for Mid East oil, depletion of resources. Conservation is cheaper and faster than alternative energy, at least at this time. We will have cleaner air and more fresh water. There aren't many win-win scenarios in life, but this is one of them. Take advantage of the small bit of knowledge gained here.</div>
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<strong><u>PLUMBING:</u></strong></div>
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- Low-flow faucet aerators (1.0 GPM - gallons per minute).</div>
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- Low-flow shower heads (1.5 GPM). They are better quality these days to get shampoo out!</div>
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- Lower the water pressure @ hot & cold valves underneath sinks.</div>
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- Slower, longer, soaking-type ground irrigation instead of old sprinklers where evaporation occurs.</div>
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- Water-saving appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, etc. - more available these days).</div>
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- Fill dishwasher/washing machine with full load for less use.</div>
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- Low-flow or dual-flush water saving commode.</div>
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- Rain water collection system w/ filter for grey water use (irrigation, flush commodes).</div>
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- Irrigate plants/lawn with condensate water from A/C unit.</div>
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<strong><u>ELECTRICAL:</u></strong></div>
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- CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs.</div>
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- Ceiling, desk or floor fans.</div>
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- Programmable thermostat - set to use more power at Off-Peak times. Turn up/down a few degrees according to season/comfort to save some $. Dress warmer inside in winter and cooler in summer.</div>
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- Reduce # of light bulbs in Bathroom/exterior light/ceiling fan fixtures.</div>
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- Portable heater units.</div>
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- Water heater timer or solar powered water heater.</div>
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- Solar panels.</div>
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- Good insulation in walls, roof, etc. Seal all openings/penetrations especially @ windows/doors.</div>
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- Turn off unused lights/devices and in unused rooms.</div>
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- Turn off power strip or unplug devices to reduce "phantom power" draw.</div>
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- Change HVAC filters regularly.</div>
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<strong><u>VEHICLE:</u></strong></div>
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- Run engine for about 1 minute @ 1st use of day. It's less efficient when running "cold".</div>
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- Proper tire air pressure.</div>
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- Regular standard maintanence (oil change, filters changed, tire rotation, etc.).</div>
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- Cruise control if long distances on freeway.</div>
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- GPS and map out all routes for the day. Group your trips for efficiency.</div>
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- Carpool, bus, mass transit.</div>
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- Drive the speed limit - smoothly. No abrupt starts/stops.</div>
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- Fuel-efficient vehicle.</div>
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- Avoid rush-hour traffic if possible.</div>
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- Turn off engine when using phone if possible. Don't let it idle too long.</div>
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- Some gas additives may help improve mileage.</div>
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- Turn off engine immediately upon parking.</div>
Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-16576643844281908142012-08-21T08:41:00.001-07:002012-08-21T08:41:35.278-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel - Living RoomClick on the "Optimista" Home Remodel tab for the <u>Tuesday, August 21, 2012</u> post on the Living Room portion of our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired whole-house remodel!Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-34382507041849635652012-08-16T08:20:00.001-07:002012-08-16T08:20:27.211-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel - Master BedroomClick on the "Optimista" Home Remodel tab for the <u>Thursday, August 16, 2012</u> post on the Master Bedroom portion of our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired whole-house remodel!Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-26638670791088415472012-08-13T07:57:00.004-07:002012-08-13T07:57:33.547-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel - OfficeClick on the "Optimista" Home Remodel tab for the <u>Monday, August 13, 2012</u> post on the Office portion of our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired whole-house remodel!Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-80507774574464800072012-08-09T07:28:00.000-07:002012-08-09T07:28:46.002-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel - BathroomsClick on the "Optimista" Home Remodel tab for the <u>Thursday, August 9, 2012</u> post on the Bathrooms portion of our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired whole-house remodel!Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5192056691959916527.post-27567195410545379352012-08-08T09:17:00.000-07:002012-08-08T09:24:41.677-07:00"Optimista" Home Remodel - KitchenClick on the "Optimista" Home Remodel tab for the <u>Wednesday, August 8, 2012</u> post on the Kitchen portion of our Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired whole-house remodel!Colin Edward Slais, Architecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890144432477234551noreply@blogger.com0