From the architect. This apartment in Melbourne Australia was renovated to maximise access of natural light whilst opening up the circulation between spaces to create multiple openings and routes between each compartment, increasing the flexibility of each room.
As the living, dining and cooking spaces were open plan the design aimed to avoid having a stereotype functional kitchen as the backdrop to the living space. Instead the aim was to create a more ambiguous cooking area that appeared as a collection of art like objects, with the functional cooking equipment concealed within the sculptural elements.
Three objects were developed, a solid corian bench, a large metal arched door, raised off the floor and placed flat against the wall and a complimentary arched reveal. Between these three they hold the sink, oven, cook-top and fridge.
The palette of materials was chosen to compliment and soften the tones of the existing concrete floor and walls, adding warmth to the space.
Although very modest in scale it raises questions about an everyday domestic space we are all familiar with: the kitchen. It challenges our expectations and it takes a risk– stepping out of the ordinary and trying something different. It throws normality to the wind, reconfiguring something that we all know so well into a new expression.
It can seem like our lives are filled with busyness, noise, distractions, and often meaningless activities.
What if we could filter out all that noise, and focus on the meaningful?
What if we could find stillness instead of constant distraction?
I believe that most of us have that power. In my experience, most of the noise is there by choice, but we’ve fallen into patterns over the years and it can seem like we’re not able to change them.
Let’s talk about ways to filter out the noise, then how to find stillness and meaning.
Take the rest of today to notice what noise you find in your life. Even take a little time to make a list, whenever you find distraction or busyness.
For example, noise in my life comes from: email, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Twitter, blogs and other sites I like to read, text messages, Slack, and watching Netflix. You might have other sources: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, news, cable TV.
Once we’re aware of the noise, how can we filter it out? We have to decide that we want more quiet and meaning in our lives. That it’s important enough to “miss out” on some things in those noisy channels.
Then we can take action:
If you take these actions, you’ll filter out most of the noise.
What’s left? Time for quiet, stillness, focus and meaning.
Once you’ve filtered out the noise, you are left with a few interesting problems:
I think those are wonderful problems to be faced with. Most people never even consider them. Find gratitude that you can work on this at all.
Take some time to notice your constant need for busyness or distraction. For example, if you have a moment where you’re not doing anything — you’re waiting in line, you’re alone at your restaurant table while your friend goes to the bathroom, you’re sitting on your couch — what do you try to do out of habit? This is your pattern of busyness and movement.
Now see if you can let go of those patterns. Catch yourself, and instead opt for stillness and quiet. Try to just sit there and notice your surroundings. Soak it all in. Savor the moment. Meditate on your breath. Reflect on your day. Ask yourself what you’re grateful for right now.
Start building new patterns of stillness. For example, try morning meditation on your breath, even if just for a few minutes every day. Try going for a morning or evening walk, without your phone. Try turning the phone and computer off and just journal.
Start finding activities that are more meaningful to you. This doesn’t have to be done in one day — you can slowly experiment to figure out what’s meaningful to you. You might start writing a book or screenplay, for example, or taking photos or drawing or making music. You might decide to start a business or charity that changes the world. You might start to learn something that’s meaningful, or teach others. Find ways to help others and make the world a better place. Journal, meditate, exercise, make healthy food, declutter, make dates with people who are important to you.
When you notice yourself running to busyness and distraction, pause. Turn instead towards stillness and your meaningful activities.
Build a life around stillness and meaning, and notice the difference it makes in you.
From the architect. Located in Palm Springs, Ca, this home seeks to integrate the existing landscape and dramatic mountain scenery with indoor/outdoor living. The existing 1950’s home was tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac and demanded privacy. The mechanical systems were starting to fail and the finished grade at pool and deck were above the home’s finished floor, rendering the home at risk for potential flooding that could occur under heavy rain. Replacing the unserviceable home became more logical than trying to rehabilitate it. Focus then shifted to working around the existing landscape which included a koi pond that was maintained and fenced off during the construction process. Regrettably, a mature Italian Stone Pine tree had to be cut down as its roots were invasive and too close to the new foundation location; it has graciously been repurposed as table bases used throughout the site (observe main table in Lanai and small tables at pavilion).
Upon passing the split-face, concrete block feature wall and entering the home, a forthright composition of clean and durable materials is revealed as a backdrop to the client’s highly refined tactile finishes. Clerestory windows were used throughout the main living area to capture mountain views, while maintaining the desired privacy from the street. Passive design strategies are apparent in the space with generous south-facing glazing, operable windows throughout that allow for cross ventilation, and deep overhangs providing abundant shade during summer months while allowing desired warmth into the home during cooler winter months.
The client requested a great room program, but with a visual separation from the kitchen. The challenge to integrate an enclosed working kitchen within the large open space, was achieved by a lower ceiling volume wrapping the kitchen and separating it from the dining room while keeping it open to the abundant backyard views. In targeting to have a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience, spaces often revolved around outdoor spaces as is the case with the great room, office, and master bedroom hinging off of the lanai. Keeping true to the site topography, the master bedroom takes advantage of existing site conditions by sitting 18 inches higher than lower finished floor. The master bedroom is accessed through the office “bridge”.
A palette of authentic and durable materials give the home a robustness contrasted by graceful finishes. The preserved landscape provided the finished design with an immediate mature feel not often experienced in a newly constructed home.
Looking for a challenging new diversion that will keep your architectural mind humming? A new puzzle game from developers Dusty Road, Empty, may just fit the bill.
The object of the game is simple: to remove all the furniture from a series of brightly colored rooms. To do this, players must rotate the room in 3 dimensions, matching objects of the same color together. The game requires spatial reasoning and planning – remove the objects in the wrong order, and there may be no possible path to removing them all.
The game is currently available for download from the developer website for Android, Windows, MacOS and Linux at a pay-what-you-want price.
Check it out for yourself, here.
San Francisco – California – USA (by Florent Lamoureux)
Sig Nordal 