Best Uncle Ever



I have an ever growing laundry list of homework items that need to be attended to as I am currently in the home stretch of my last studio project before thesis begins. Thesis, by the way, starts only a few weeks after this class ends; not in the fall as I had anticipated. I am starting a new job, starting a new part time gig, doing side work in my free time, and all the while watching the list of household chores grows. So why then, you ask, did I spend my last free Sunday in the workshop building a BeyBlades battle area for my nephew when I could have been preparing for any or all of the above mentioned items... because I am the world's greatest Uncle (this is a statement of fact - I have the sweatshirt my nephew gave me for Christmas to prove it).

If you don't know what BeyBlades are, check them out...they are really cool. They are pretty much a modern version of a spinning top, but they spin for a REALLY long time. They are also made of metal and intended to "battle" with each other. I'm not too sure what the battle entails, but my nephew seems to have a good idea. The only problem with these BeyBlades is that, when you use them on the floor, they take off in two different directions and end up nowhere near each other let alone battling. That's why my nephew, AJ, asked me to build him a BeyBlades Battle Arena and the reason why I spend my last free day cutting and gluing.

Check these out if you have time: http://www.beyblade.com/splash?redir=1

Until next time, 3 - 2 - 1 - Let 'em Rip!!!









[caption id="attachment_576" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Oh yeah - and I made him a box to put all his BeyBlades and BeyBlades accessories in so he doesn't lose anymore pull cords...[/caption]

Enough Vegetables to Make a Salad - Update!



A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on my plan of attack for this years garden (POST).Well the seeds have sprouted, the gardens are built and I am well on my way to having enough vegetables to make a salad completely from things I've grown. One problem, all my lettuce died... No problem... I'm working on the backup plan. For now, I'm going to focus on making sure the tomatoes, peppers (bell, jalapeno, habanero and cayenne) and the eggplants, etc make it to harvest.

In Need of a Vacation

Having a full time career, while working part time and going back to school doesn't leave much free time. Going back and looking through pictures from previous vacations really makes me want to get away from it all for a bit. I think it's time for a vacation...



































So It Begins - Last Studio Project Before Thesis...

Here it is, the last Studio project before I begin thesis. Drum roll please..... A Cohousing Community for a Philadelphia Neighborhood. This project is going to be designed for approximately 25 to 30 units, common spaces and outdoor spaces, and be located on Spruce and Juniper in Center City.
A Cohousing Community for a Philadelphia Neighborhood

Cohousing, an alternative form of "intentional community," was started in Denmark in the early 1970's. It combines the privacy of ones own residence with the convenience and communality of shared facilities - a communal dining room, children's play areas, workshops, meeting/living room and laundry room. Although the houses operate as self sufficient units, the shared areas are integral to the concept of community and cooperation.

A Cohousing community enables people of different generations and backgrounds to share their experiences, provide residents with a safety net and share a sense of family. These communities are created to encourage the extended family and neighbors helping neighbors.

Such a community also affords the individual the privacy to which we have all become accustomed and the financial benefits of home ownership while being part of a larger unit. Participants in a cohousing development take an active role in the creation of their community. Social interaction is a primary component; creating a sustainable environment, an artist community, a child-oriented community, a service oriented community, or a combination of these, are often goals. Successful communities are usually started by a core of people who choose to live in such a community, rather than by developers who want to sell their housing units.

Buenos Aires Velodrome - the final product



The architectural design process is just that, a process. Luckily, the process for designing an Olympic Velodrome in Buenos Aires, Argentina is over. Well, temporarily, until I go back and make a few changes and updates before using this in my portfolio. What's up next you ask... a well deserved week off of school and then the final push before thesis. Sounds like the next project is going to be some sort of housing development that focuses on sustainability. Until then, the final presentation pieces for the Velodrome are below, including a fully animated video flythrough with the soundtrack provided by Hoobastank. Enjoy!

Ed

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsjiQmMBns]

Structure as a Determinant of Form
This project includes designing a velodrome, an indoor bicycle racing track, that will provide both a world class sporting venue for the nation and a civic amenity for the Portenas in the neighborhoods surrounding the site. The site is located between the neighborhoods of Colegiales and Palermo Hollywood just outside of the center of Buenos Aires. It is currently an under used industrial area close to public transportation, airports, and the port, and not far from many of the city's other sports venues that are located just to the north along the Rio de la Plata. The intent of this project is to explore the tectonics of long span structures; not just from the standpoint of connecting two points and supporting a roof, but creating a meaningful architectural space, shaping the volume of the building, controlling daylighting, articulating building joints, surfaces and finishes, creating an identity on the interior and exterior of the building, and relating this new form to the existing surrounding context. The entire site is encompassed in the design concept which plays off of the juxtaposition of a dynamic structure like a velodrome and the often static, rectilinear urban fabric in which the building is sited. This concept is first witnessed at the macro, city wide level, and continues down to even the smallest details.

[gallery link="file" columns="2" orderby="rand"]

Enough Vegetables to Make a Salad



For the first time this year, we have a couple consecutive days with temperatures over 70 degrees. I'm not sure if Spring has sprung, but I definitely have the fever. With that, it's time to start planning this year's crop.

We first tried our hand at gardening 2 years ago and had some success (with things like tomatoes and beans) and not so much with others (like pumpkins and corn). Well, it's time to turn that around; not only am I going to grow enough vegetables to make my own salad, but I'm going to apply my year of master planning projects at Drexel and put it to good use. Well, on a small scale at least.

Since we bought the house, we fixed up the shed,  put in a fence, and built our first small garden. At approximately 8'-0" x 7'-6", it's enough for a couple plants, but not the whole salad. Hopefully, with the new elements below, we'll have enough room to grow everything we need.

Until next time, Capt. Greenthumb checking out.

[caption id="attachment_465" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="This is the back corner of our property on the day we bought the house."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_464" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Same back corner prior to beginning the first garden."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_463" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="First garden we put in about 2 years ago. Produced some good crops, but not big enough for this years expectations!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_468" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Plan view of the three planter beds planned for this spring. Includes dedicated area for tomatoes and a trellis for the cucumbers."][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_466" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Anyone interested in where I get these great looking scale figures!?!?!"][/caption]

Guess the Building

image

Who can guess the name, location and architect of this building? First 10 answers win a free subscription to the CMG workshop blog! Leave your answers in the comments below.

Buenos Aires Velodrome... will it actually stand up.



We've reached that part of the term, usually a little after the half way point, where we create wall sections and build structural models of a typical bay to see if our structure will work. This seems to be the point where my background in engineering and affinity for designing straight lines and 90 degree corners really pays dividends; especially during the model making part. Don't get me wrong, I think tensile structures, hyperbolic parabola roofs and "Bird's Nest" type structures are really cool, just not the first thing I gravitate towards when I start a design. The good news is, when comes to building these structures, my factor of safety will be very reasonable!

[gallery link="file"]

Victorian Front Porch



It's neat to design something small, bring it into the workshop on 11x17 plans and build it. Working on large scale school projects like a velodrome, that will never get built, is still pretty fun. However, designing a rather large, covered front porch that is, one day in the near future, probably going to get built, AWESOME!

My good friend, @squallco, and his wife and newborn, recently bought a home in a beautiful,  historic part of NJ, with plans to renovate and move in. Part of the renovations included a new porch that fits in with the historic character of the house and the neighborhood. The design intention was to design something that, with minimal ornamentation, fit into the existing parti, yet kept that modern, clean feel to it. We are still in the process of finalizing the designs, but to this point, it's been a lot of fun! Can't wait to take this to the next level!

[gallery link="file" orderby="rand"]

Latest StudioView360 News



The CMG workshop and the gang at studioview360 are working on some really exciting new projects. Right now, we are working on developing 3D SketchUp components and Revit families for a company that makes Emergency Lighting systems intended to be architecturally pleasing and visually unobtrusive when not in use. We are also working on renderings that show how well they integrate with the design during normal conditions, as well as their lighting properties during emergency situations. We're still finishing up several things, but draft renderings below. As always, we welcome your input for improvement. Thanks.


_____________________________________________________________________________




For more information, drop us a line at info@studioview360.com.

Mid Point for the Buenos Aires Velodrome






In a few short days, I'll be at the half way point for my Velodrome design. I finally think I have the concept down and incorporated, now it's time to start looking at details, structural , etc. The main design intention for the velodrome is to play off of the juxtaposition between the linear, orthogonal urban grid with the inherent dynamics of this type of structure. The facades along the streets, which incorporate parts of the velodrome program as well as market space as well as space for a branch of a local university, stay tight to the sidewalk and stick to the urban fabric. The interior parts of the site, which includes new, open park space, is much more dynamic, including a multimedia, interactive curtain wall which will add to the "movement" of the interior portions of the site. Stay tuned, more to come!

[gallery link="file"]

Home Made Valentine's Day Gifts from the Workshop



With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the workshop is busy making new seasonal decorations, including table centerpieces, garden decorations and a mantle piece for the fireplace! All very simple designs that make for a thoughtful gift. I have full size patterns available, just send me a message through the Contact page. Enjoy!





[gallery link="file" orderby="rand"]

Buenos Aires Velodrome - Schematic Design Phase



After almost a year of working on designing a master plan for the Drexel campus, it's finally time to start something new. I'm currently in the process of designing a velodrome (indoor bicycle race track) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The project description is as follows:
This project includes designing a velodrome, an indoor bicycle racing track, that will provide both a world class sporting venue for the nation and a civic amenity for the Portenas in the neighborhoods surrounding the site. The site is located between the neighborhoods of Colegiales and Palermo Hollywood just outside of the center of Buenos Aires. It is currently an under used industrial area close to public transportation, airports, and the port, and not far from many of the city's other sports venues that are located just to the north along the Rio de la Plata. The intent of this project is to explore the tectonics of long span structures; not just from the standpoint of connecting two points and supporting a roof, but creating a meaningful architectural space, shaping the volume of the building, controlling daylighting, articulating building joints, surfaces and finishes, creating an identity on the interior and exterior of the building, and relating this new form to the existing surrounding context. 

My initial design concept is to play off the juxtaposition between the site, a dense urban area with straight lines and well defined intersections, and what one might expect from a bicycle racing track - dynamic, motion fast and light, etc. I'm currently in the process of laying out the site. The actual velodrome is the largest building on the site. Right now, I'm thinking about taking the curtain wall on the eastern side of the building, giving it a big upward "swoosh," and making it a media panel that loops clips of bike races, etc.

Like I said, this is still the initial design phase, but I welcome any input or constructive criticism! Thanks!

[gallery link="file" orderby="rand"]

Pop's TV Stand

A few days ago, while looking for some inspiration, I picked up a book that a buddy recommended called "The Great Book of Woodworking Projects." While it has a bunch of great projects, many of which I intend to build, I could have saved myself some time and money by looking a little harder at what I already had. The image below was for a TV Stand that my grandfather (aka Pop) built a couple years back. When he was done, I held on to the drawing and taped it into one of my notebooks. With a little help from SketchUp, I modeled the table and came up with a pretty thorough material and cut list, and plan to build the table designed by the man that is inspiration, in one form or another, for almost every project done in the CMG workshop. Now I just need to find someone that needs a TV stand... any takers?

[caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Pop's Plan"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_302" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Pop's Finished Product"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_304" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="CMG Workshop Plan"][/caption]

Recycled Gadget Stand

 

 



A few weeks back, I wrote a blog post called Creating (Storage) Space, about the new storage I built in the top of my garage. In order to get some of the new structure in place, I had to cut down some old 2x4 beams and, instead of throwing them away, I hung on to them to see if I could figure out a good use for them. I wasn't sure what I was going to use them for until I went to visit the Coastal Research Center and saw the nifty little phone holder that @shhhoward made for himself and @thecurrentwave. It looks very similar to the image above. With a couple quick rips and dados on the table saw, the old 2x4's were cut to size and given new life. Reduce, reuse, recycle - any chance you get.



 

[slideshow]

MOVING DAY!


Hi Everyone! First off, thanks for following along and reading these posts. I looked at my stats the other day and had 5,000 hits! I'm sure that's not that big compared to other blogs, but it was cool to see that many reads. So, for that, THANK YOU!

Having said that, I'm going to be moving my blog to a new site. Same type of posts and content, same archives, new site. Please change your bookmarks, and if you would, subscribe to the new blog. The new site is:

www.creativemindsgroupworkshop.com

Thanks again and I look forward to sharing new content with everyone and learning from you as well!