Monday, March 22, 2004
So here's what I've been writing when not posting real blog accounts: my first stab at programming. It's probably not all here, but it's a start.
The Intangibles
I have lived in Portland for most of the last 9 years, 6 of them at the current Beaumont location. I like the scale of the housing in the neighborhood as well as its multifaceted character. Although a significant part of the project is an elaborate driveway, I rely on bicycling and walking for most of my transportation.
I welcome the use of new/industrial materials, so long as I can be sure that they are low maintenance. In keeping with the idea to keep the development as hassle-free as possible, each lot should have its own garage(s) and the interior park/courtyard should be landscaped for low, preferably no, ongoing maintenance.
In addition, I would like Mabel to be the kind of place that I can leave for months at a time without worrying about constant upkeep and security.
From childhood, I have grown up around remodeling/construction projects large and small, and I am familiar with the decisions, pace, and difficulties. I prefer to be more involved rather than less.
The kinds of places that please me are those that are comfortable and practical rather than grand and impressive. I entertain often, but usually it is small groups or family. I do not have a television; I spend most of my time at home in my studio, office, or living room listening to music and/or visiting with friends.
Having lived in numerous places in the United States and abroad, I like design that embraces international, cosmopolitan influences. That said, one thing I really like about my current house, a bungalow, is its small no-nonsense spaces and well-thought-out flow. I also appreciate convertible spaces. In fact, the entire downstairs of Mabel should be able to convert into a one-bedroom apartment, if needed.
As a bookbinder and tango dancer, I want Mabel to include a large interior space (hereinafter called the “bindery space”) that can serve multiple uses.
Generally, I would like to see Mabel and Galusha take advantage of light, views, and passive solar opportunities.
The Particulars
Goal: To create 2-house development, a garage at the northern street-front house, access to 3 lots and design interior space between them.
First priorities:
• Plan access driveway to incorporate utilities and lead to garages/homes on 3 separate lots
• First task is to define easement size so that it can be recorded and southern street-front property put up for sale May 1. A survey has been ordered (due April 9).
• Give consideration to type of fence that might be installed along south side of easement.
General:
• Excellent drainage thruout
• Low maintenance materials thruout
• Good-quality windows
• Security
• Plantings to require minimal or no care after established.
• Middle courtyard could channel swale/roof and driveway runoff to keep plants watered
• Take advantage of views to Mount Hood, southwest along the Alameda Ridge, and trees
• Ample storage space, some of which may serve as a wall between rooms, and built-in shelving
Mabel (2,900 square foot lot; 1,450-square-foot allowable footprint, per city)
Downstairs, exterior
• Install existing bike rack, easily visible
• Covered walkway between garage and entry
• Distinctive entrance
• Private patio area opens from interior bindery space
• Carport leading to press room
• Prefer smaller number of windows, placed strategically and high
Downstairs, interior
• Large closet at entry
• One bath with shower
• Finishes: Marblecraft surround and counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Utility sink near bindery space
• Utility room?
• Small press room with good ventilation
• Open bindery space with following potential uses:
-- Tango events
-- Classroom/workshop space
-- Gallery
-- Pingpong championships
-- Performances
• Bindery space links visually and physically to outdoor patio
• Corner and part of wall of bindery space devoted to cabinets and counter
Upstairs, exterior
• Bulk of the house’s windows go here, although quality of light/view takes precedence over quantity
Upstairs, interior
• One bath, with tub and 2 sinks
Finishes: Marblecraft surround and counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Stairs open to kitchen or just outside (btwn LR and K?)
• Kitchen with eat-in space and good morning light
• Kitchen more private than open, but with good access to DR
Finishes, etc.: Gas stove, ventilation hood, DW, Ikea cabinetry, garbage disposer, large stainless steel sink
• LR with gas fireplace
• DR, which can be exceptionally small and divide off LR via pocket doors, wall-like storage unit, etc.
• Balcony, at least one
• Explore possibility of interior balcony to overlook bindery space
• MB, small with low ceiling, with large walk-in closet and possible sink & vanity
• Second bedroom
• 1/2 bath attached to second bedroom?
Finishes: Marblecraft counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Office area can be small, nooklike, as in a cutout in a hallway or it can be in corner of second bedroom
• Small reading or library area
• Laundry room with space for air-drying clothes on rack and sink
• Wall/s of built-in shelves
Exterior and roof
• Rastra-like block, Zinc aluminum, tin
• Roll-up doors
Challenges:
• Use modern materials and give house home feel
• Protect privacy while stealing views
• Enhance security without a fortress feel
Potential extras:
• Dumbwaiter for groceries, etc.
• In bindery space, flat shelves on roll-outs for large sheets of paper, prints, etc.
• Wall bed for the bindery space
Galusha (5,800 square foot lot)
General: Design around save-able existing cherry and pear-apple trees.
Could use Mabel layout as template, but rotate it 45 degrees, adding second garage and upstairs bedroom over it.
Northern street-front house
Install oversize single-stall garage to provide segue between old and new development.
The Intangibles
I have lived in Portland for most of the last 9 years, 6 of them at the current Beaumont location. I like the scale of the housing in the neighborhood as well as its multifaceted character. Although a significant part of the project is an elaborate driveway, I rely on bicycling and walking for most of my transportation.
I welcome the use of new/industrial materials, so long as I can be sure that they are low maintenance. In keeping with the idea to keep the development as hassle-free as possible, each lot should have its own garage(s) and the interior park/courtyard should be landscaped for low, preferably no, ongoing maintenance.
In addition, I would like Mabel to be the kind of place that I can leave for months at a time without worrying about constant upkeep and security.
From childhood, I have grown up around remodeling/construction projects large and small, and I am familiar with the decisions, pace, and difficulties. I prefer to be more involved rather than less.
The kinds of places that please me are those that are comfortable and practical rather than grand and impressive. I entertain often, but usually it is small groups or family. I do not have a television; I spend most of my time at home in my studio, office, or living room listening to music and/or visiting with friends.
Having lived in numerous places in the United States and abroad, I like design that embraces international, cosmopolitan influences. That said, one thing I really like about my current house, a bungalow, is its small no-nonsense spaces and well-thought-out flow. I also appreciate convertible spaces. In fact, the entire downstairs of Mabel should be able to convert into a one-bedroom apartment, if needed.
As a bookbinder and tango dancer, I want Mabel to include a large interior space (hereinafter called the “bindery space”) that can serve multiple uses.
Generally, I would like to see Mabel and Galusha take advantage of light, views, and passive solar opportunities.
The Particulars
Goal: To create 2-house development, a garage at the northern street-front house, access to 3 lots and design interior space between them.
First priorities:
• Plan access driveway to incorporate utilities and lead to garages/homes on 3 separate lots
• First task is to define easement size so that it can be recorded and southern street-front property put up for sale May 1. A survey has been ordered (due April 9).
• Give consideration to type of fence that might be installed along south side of easement.
General:
• Excellent drainage thruout
• Low maintenance materials thruout
• Good-quality windows
• Security
• Plantings to require minimal or no care after established.
• Middle courtyard could channel swale/roof and driveway runoff to keep plants watered
• Take advantage of views to Mount Hood, southwest along the Alameda Ridge, and trees
• Ample storage space, some of which may serve as a wall between rooms, and built-in shelving
Mabel (2,900 square foot lot; 1,450-square-foot allowable footprint, per city)
Downstairs, exterior
• Install existing bike rack, easily visible
• Covered walkway between garage and entry
• Distinctive entrance
• Private patio area opens from interior bindery space
• Carport leading to press room
• Prefer smaller number of windows, placed strategically and high
Downstairs, interior
• Large closet at entry
• One bath with shower
• Finishes: Marblecraft surround and counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Utility sink near bindery space
• Utility room?
• Small press room with good ventilation
• Open bindery space with following potential uses:
-- Tango events
-- Classroom/workshop space
-- Gallery
-- Pingpong championships
-- Performances
• Bindery space links visually and physically to outdoor patio
• Corner and part of wall of bindery space devoted to cabinets and counter
Upstairs, exterior
• Bulk of the house’s windows go here, although quality of light/view takes precedence over quantity
Upstairs, interior
• One bath, with tub and 2 sinks
Finishes: Marblecraft surround and counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Stairs open to kitchen or just outside (btwn LR and K?)
• Kitchen with eat-in space and good morning light
• Kitchen more private than open, but with good access to DR
Finishes, etc.: Gas stove, ventilation hood, DW, Ikea cabinetry, garbage disposer, large stainless steel sink
• LR with gas fireplace
• DR, which can be exceptionally small and divide off LR via pocket doors, wall-like storage unit, etc.
• Balcony, at least one
• Explore possibility of interior balcony to overlook bindery space
• MB, small with low ceiling, with large walk-in closet and possible sink & vanity
• Second bedroom
• 1/2 bath attached to second bedroom?
Finishes: Marblecraft counter, Kohler fixtures, Nutone fan
• Office area can be small, nooklike, as in a cutout in a hallway or it can be in corner of second bedroom
• Small reading or library area
• Laundry room with space for air-drying clothes on rack and sink
• Wall/s of built-in shelves
Exterior and roof
• Rastra-like block, Zinc aluminum, tin
• Roll-up doors
Challenges:
• Use modern materials and give house home feel
• Protect privacy while stealing views
• Enhance security without a fortress feel
Potential extras:
• Dumbwaiter for groceries, etc.
• In bindery space, flat shelves on roll-outs for large sheets of paper, prints, etc.
• Wall bed for the bindery space
Galusha (5,800 square foot lot)
General: Design around save-able existing cherry and pear-apple trees.
Could use Mabel layout as template, but rotate it 45 degrees, adding second garage and upstairs bedroom over it.
Northern street-front house
Install oversize single-stall garage to provide segue between old and new development.
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