Jun 29, 2011

The Calgary Bungalow Project: Result(s)

The result(s) are in for the Calgary Bungalow Project. And there is a clear winner!



Kristy and Brad, the proud owners of this fabulous clean-lined bungalow in the Southwest of Calgary have owned their home for over two years. I love the modern grey colour palette, the inviting front porch and the 50's inspired front door, which I covet. They have completed some sensitive updates to the interior and exterior of the house but have kept the form and scale intact. So a huge thank you to Kristy and Brad - you have done a superb job of reusing your Calgary Bungalow! (Big Prizes to follow)

Interestingly enough, this was the only house image that was submitted for this contest. I had some excellent coverage and some intriguing feedback from readers (along the lines of "terrific idea - but good luck finding home owners in Calgary who want to preserve their bungalow"). So maybe we're breaking into some new territory here??

Of interest, Dwell on Design's annual show, in LA this year, featured a sustainable prefab home that takes inspiration from the small footprint of the mid century bungalow. Designed by architect Jonathan Davis, the 520 sq ft home features clerestory windows and a wide range of eco friendly materials. Feedback on the design has so far been positive, that it was a good use of space and very livable. (The entire house will be for sale on eBay July 5-15)

If this is the design of the future, maybe there is some hope for the Calgary Bungalow. I will certainly do a Part Deux of the Calgary Bungalow Project next year to continue to feature Bungalow redesigns when I come across them in my travels.

Thanks again to Kristy & Brad!


LP

ps. there's finally some green in the backyard.... Will update with 'afters' shortly - stay tuned!


Jun 15, 2011

Brutal Bus Tour

Busy little life lately, hence the scant posts in the past few weeks. We're still knee-deep in mud (litterally) for this year's landscape project. We're hoping to once again be one with sod by next weekend, so I will post some 'nearly afters' once we've rolled out the green carpets. (ha)

In the meantime, keep posted for plenty o' updates this week, including results from the Calgary Bungalow Project, an upcoming Cow Town Lowdown with People Food and an energy efficiency assessment of Prairie House.

For all you Calgary-based architectural enthusiasts out there, this Sunday is Calgary Heritage Initiative's first architectural bus tour. I've been working with a fantabulous crew to develop a tour of the architectural style we all love to hate, Brutal architecture, or beton brut, (french for raw concrete). This style became popular in the 1960s -1970s, expressed in buildings designed with raw angularity and geometric massing accented with exposed structural systems and treatments of board formed concrete. Calgary has some of the
country's premiere Brutalist sites, undoubtedly inspired by the city's setting against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

Calgary Telus World of Science

Many of these buildings in the city are under threat and CHI has partnerned with Calgary Architecture and Urban Studies Alliance (CAUSA) to raise awareness and understanding of our very own black spot of architecture.

Tickets for the Brutal Bus Tour (warrants a hair band t-shirt, non?) $30 for CHI members and $35 for non members. Reserve your tickets at rsvp@calgaryheritage.org. Introduce yourself to me if you join us. Would love to meet some new fellow MCM'ers in town.

More information:

LP

Brutalist inspired soundtrack provided by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists