We’re going with a theme for this round of inspiring projects so bear with me.  I was reminded of a few projects that I had stashed in my mental catalog and as I was appreciating them anew, I realized what was so captivating about each one………Place.  They all speak of their place.  I won’t go into placemaking, there’s a whole blog, or series of blogs on that topic alone.  What I will say is each of these designs embrace their site and use vernacular materials and forms to create an authentic response.

So let’s start with a work by the Rural Studio.  This bridge for Perry Lakes Park creates pedestrian access to an underutilized portion of the park.  The pre-fabricated trusses form roof shapes that accommodate people who want to stand or may want to have a sit and dangle their legs for a bit.

The Carraro Residence by Lake/Flato Architects used an existing steel structure from a cement plant that was being demolished.  They disassembled it, trucked it to the site then reassembled the seperate bays into a configuration that suited the program and site.   Now that’s what I call a screened porch.

Mathias Klotz is an Architect practicing in Santiago, Chile.  Casa Reutter was my first introduction to Klotz’ work.  What I love about this house is how the material palette and detailing mimic the site and trees.  Klotz also uses very inexpensive materials in different experimental ways.  For example he used OSB with a clear finish on the walls and ceiling of the kitchen.

To end, here’s another Chilean arquitecto, Smiljan Radic.  Radic’s design for the Casa de Cobre 2 (Copper House 2) was influenced both by the coastal terrain of Chile and the sagging roofs found around the area.  The copper which clads the entire house is produced locally.