Architecture
Art, Life, Work, & Gray Hair
Wed/Apr/2009 04:58 PM Filed in: Work
There's something reassuring about biographies, particularly autobiographies written by folks who started with nothing. I'm sure this is true for any field, but when you're trying to make it in any sort of creative business, be it film, publishing, performing, or any of the fine arts, it's nice to know that others have stood in your shoes and taken their first awkward steps in the world, only to stumble and realize that we're all born with two left feet (either that or someone with a fat wallet just tied our laces together and sprinted on ahead). Steve Martin's 2007 memoir, "Born Standing Up," is just that kind of book. Martin is a true Renaissance man. Banjo player. Comic. Writer. Actor. He's worn many hat's, some I'd prefer he hadn't (Clouseau? Really?) , but this is the first time I've ever heard him speak about how he got started. It was not a smooth trip up the ladder to success, and he shares the painful, quite candid details of how he found his way, his missteps, and his insights as he carved out his own little niche in the world. Martin is interested in movies, art, architecture, music, and film, and as someone who loves all those things, and started going gray at age 12, there are secrets to be gleaned by seeing the world from Martin's point of view. I highly recommend this book.
Buy the Hardcover - Buy the Paperback - Buy the Kindle - Buy The Audiobook
The Plaza Hotel Residences
Sat/Jun/2008 07:00 AM Filed in: Work
So, back to the plan. The bi-coastal lifestyle To be honest, I’m not entirely sure Manhattan would be my first choice for east coast haunts, but man, unless I could find an opening in the Dakota building, my dream choice of an NYC address would have to be The Plaza. On Frasier, Niles’ dream was always to have a one word address which he finally obtained when he moved into... The Dakota (hmm...that was a convenient bookend, but wrong coast. His Dakota was in Seattle). Anyway, just imagin being able to tell your guests, “Mike Attebery. The Plaza.” That has got one sweeeet ring to it!
Now, you too can own a residence at The Plaza, either by purchasing your own condominium, or buying one of the ever trendy new condominium hotel suites. Entry prices start at $2.5 and $1.5 Million respectively, which frankly, doesn’t seem half bad! Be curious to see how many units at these price points are actually available, and where in the building they’re actually located (!) but thats another story.
Of course, if you just want to stay there for a weekend (a special weekend), there are still rooms available as of March 1, 2008, now that renovations are completed and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (one of my faves) has taken over management of the property.
The Plaza Hotel Residences
Now, you too can own a residence at The Plaza, either by purchasing your own condominium, or buying one of the ever trendy new condominium hotel suites. Entry prices start at $2.5 and $1.5 Million respectively, which frankly, doesn’t seem half bad! Be curious to see how many units at these price points are actually available, and where in the building they’re actually located (!) but thats another story.
Of course, if you just want to stay there for a weekend (a special weekend), there are still rooms available as of March 1, 2008, now that renovations are completed and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (one of my faves) has taken over management of the property.
The Plaza Hotel Residences
Tom Kundig - Seattle Architect
Mon/Jun/2008 07:00 AM Filed in: Work
At one time, everyone at Electron Toast has felt torn between different locations and, frequently, alternate coasts. Then we settled on a simple solution. Instead of choosing just one locale, why not aim for a bicoastal lifestyle and enjoy the best of everything? Since we all have roots back east, but work frequently brings us out west, this made perfect sense.
Personally, while I l find New York exciting, there’s something about the Pacific Northwest, Seattle in particular, that just feels right. The first time I visited the area I was struck by the way nature and the elements seem so intwined with the character of the city itself. Driving through Seattle down I-5, you frequently pass under concrete overpasses that are literally draped with cascading vines that themselves grow out of planters from which evergreens shoot up towards the (frequently gray) skies.
Pretty cool.
In comparison, when you touch down at JFK and catch a cab into the city, New York can seem pretty damn dingy.
Then there’s the vibe of Seattle. Well, I’ll cut to the chase, the whole place in unique unto itself, and for me, it just seems right. Now that I’ve set down roots in Seattle, it’s been interesting to get a feel for the architecture and homes that seem to embody the feel of the area. I would never have thought modern home design could appeal to me as much as it does, but there’s something about basic, clean construction elements, when combined with a sense of place (think trees shooting up from concrete planters) that finds a natural balance, and the work of one architect in particular seems to grab my attention again and again.
Tom Kundig of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects has his fingers on the pulse of something truly unique and inherently Northwest. As apparent in his project highlights on the firm’s website, Kundig has a masterful touch when it comes to blending simple wood, concrete, and steel craftmanship into natural settings. If I didn’t already have a place in the area, Kundig's first mixed use development would certainly stand out as something I’d be interested in. Ultimately, I’d love to have the guy design a stand alone residence for myself and my family. Looking through Kundig’s body of work can be mind boggling at times. I’ve just finished going through his book and found any number of ideas I’d like to incorporate into renovations of my own Seattle residence.
If you’re in the market for a more laid back lifestyle in an incredible city, and you’d like to explore some options for staking a claim on your own piece of the Emerald City, I’d certainly recommend exploring the 1111 Pike Street project. It looks like a way to enjoy the one of a kind, much sought after architectural style of a man whose work usually comes at a significantly higher price.
For a look at some of Kundig’s single family residential projects, I highly recommend his book: Tom Kundig: Houses.
I’m currently working my way through a retrospective of the collective works of the partners at Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects. In particular, it seems Jim Olson might have his own unique style, one which, at first glance, seems to lend his projects a warmer, more personal appeal that I also find quite appealing. I’ll report back to you once I’ve finished the second book: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen.
Architecture like this is enough to make a person start collecting houses!
Personally, while I l find New York exciting, there’s something about the Pacific Northwest, Seattle in particular, that just feels right. The first time I visited the area I was struck by the way nature and the elements seem so intwined with the character of the city itself. Driving through Seattle down I-5, you frequently pass under concrete overpasses that are literally draped with cascading vines that themselves grow out of planters from which evergreens shoot up towards the (frequently gray) skies.
Pretty cool.
In comparison, when you touch down at JFK and catch a cab into the city, New York can seem pretty damn dingy.
Then there’s the vibe of Seattle. Well, I’ll cut to the chase, the whole place in unique unto itself, and for me, it just seems right. Now that I’ve set down roots in Seattle, it’s been interesting to get a feel for the architecture and homes that seem to embody the feel of the area. I would never have thought modern home design could appeal to me as much as it does, but there’s something about basic, clean construction elements, when combined with a sense of place (think trees shooting up from concrete planters) that finds a natural balance, and the work of one architect in particular seems to grab my attention again and again.
Tom Kundig of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects has his fingers on the pulse of something truly unique and inherently Northwest. As apparent in his project highlights on the firm’s website, Kundig has a masterful touch when it comes to blending simple wood, concrete, and steel craftmanship into natural settings. If I didn’t already have a place in the area, Kundig's first mixed use development would certainly stand out as something I’d be interested in. Ultimately, I’d love to have the guy design a stand alone residence for myself and my family. Looking through Kundig’s body of work can be mind boggling at times. I’ve just finished going through his book and found any number of ideas I’d like to incorporate into renovations of my own Seattle residence.
If you’re in the market for a more laid back lifestyle in an incredible city, and you’d like to explore some options for staking a claim on your own piece of the Emerald City, I’d certainly recommend exploring the 1111 Pike Street project. It looks like a way to enjoy the one of a kind, much sought after architectural style of a man whose work usually comes at a significantly higher price.
For a look at some of Kundig’s single family residential projects, I highly recommend his book: Tom Kundig: Houses.
I’m currently working my way through a retrospective of the collective works of the partners at Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects. In particular, it seems Jim Olson might have his own unique style, one which, at first glance, seems to lend his projects a warmer, more personal appeal that I also find quite appealing. I’ll report back to you once I’ve finished the second book: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen.
Architecture like this is enough to make a person start collecting houses!