Eve Lounge Poster - 1960's Redux7/2/2011 Perhaps it's in the air, but I saw this poster on the left on-line for Eve Lounge that is a perfect re-interpretation of the 1960's counter culture rock posters. We've been talking about 1960's retro design at Pine Street lately and have tried our hand at designing something in that vein. The poster above on the right is something I found in the garage from my 1960's school days. The letters are formed to take an object's shape and legibility is secondary. If the poster itself is compelling, then it encourages you to study it deeper to read the message. At the left is Chris' design for a T shirt.
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VW Bug The old VW bugs linger on and people who love them somehow manage to keep them running. This person did more then just keep it running. It's as the saying goes, "cherried out". I had been thinking about the Japanese aesthetic term , "shibui", a term that has fascinated me for over 20 years. In the last few years, the term shibui and wabi sabi have been discussed a lot in the design community. Hard to explain, but something shibui has a quiet reserved quality that continues to reveal itself over time. It's something you won't tire of in a few months. The opposite quality of shibui in Japanese is, "hade" or something bright and attention grabbing, but may not hold your interest over time. Shibui is a quality I like to see in buildings because buildings unlike today's fashionable clothes, stay around a while. While the old VW bug was designed to be simple lines and unassuming and might be considered shibui, this Volkswagon with its glowing metallic lime green paint, bright chrome trim, and fancy wheel covers has definitely moved to the hade side. Acanthus Leaf The acanthus plant in our lush garden on Pine Street has bright green leaves. A symbol of re-birth, it has inspired architects and artists since ancient Greece. It adorns the top of the Corinthian column. The Corinthian Column History and theory play an important part of becoming an architect. Without it the 1980's Post Modernism would not have happened. Post Modernism was a recall of historical styles and response to the spare minimalist International Style in vogue the previous 50 years. In the International Style, beauty was found in form and function - stripped of ornamentation. Beneath the unadorned building planes, however, Greek ideals of columns and proportions still resonate. I remember working in the office of David H. Horn FAIA in Fresno as a summer intern. I overheard him discussing the Greek ideas of expressing a column when he was designing the Fresno Federal Building (now the Fresno Superior Court) in the "modern style".
Today, we have "rediscovered" mid-20th century design. All things continually evolve. Of course some never lost their love of ornamentation. The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns are known as the classic order and the Corinthian column is the most decorative of the three orders with acanthus leaves adorning the top. The Greek column went on to influence Roman, European, and world architecture. Walk down any main street in American and you will see its continuing influence. I took this photo (above right) while walking on Sacramento Street where a charming, simplified and stylized depiction of the acanthus leaf adorned the top of a pilaster. Regalito Rosticeria San Francisco I love Mexican food. I love the taco trucks and the quick take out joints. Sometimes, though, you want something a little nicer - a place where the food is freshly prepared with care rather than assembled from a steam table - place that addresses all the senses. I lived in the Mission for 10 years and spent plenty of time scouting out different places.
I'm glad to report that the Mission now has several places for a more refined experience. Regalito Roticeria is tops in my book for both great design and good food. From the carefully chosen artwork to the aluminum Emeco Navy chairs, dramatic color scheme, and good lighting design, everything comes together and shows the designer's sophisticated taste. It is stylish yet doesn't shout for attention. It's only open for dinner and can get crowded during prime dining hours. Wait staff are dressed in all black outfits and describe the specials of the day. It's possible to linger a bit with a glass of wine and enjoy a leisurely meal. Parking can be an issue as it is just off the hot Valencia strip. Reservations are recommended. Do You Have a Hard Time Picking Colors?5/18/2011 Picking colors can have too many confusing variables. Years ago I taught a course on how to use color in design. I sat in on a lecture taught by an associate. He taught if you copied from nature, you couldn't go wrong. He showed slides after slide of plants and natural scenery. I felt smug and superior as my lectures were more "sophisticated". I talked about hue, color saturation, and the effects of natural and artificial light. Compared to my lecture, I thought his thesis limited and simplistic. This month with asparagus in season, I prepared some for blanching. Most cookbooks advise you to break off the woody stems and just leave the tender top portions. I followed a Chinese restaurant technique by shaving the tough outer portions of the base and leaving the tender interior. The transition of colors from purple violet to varying shades of green to white is sublime. Sometimes it helps to reduce the variables and examine only a few. I admit, my thoughts about my associate's lecture have changed. Manhattan Folk Art Museum Endangered5/15/2011 Photo - New York Architecture Architectural Record recently announced the sale of the Folk Art Museum (completed 2001) in Manhattan to its adjacent neighbor, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). MOMA plans to use the space for needed expansion and there is fear the building will be demolished. I saw the building when after it was done and thought it was a masterful composition of space and materials. Sad to think that the building's life may be so short. Click here for more details. Zuni Cafe - San Francisco5/14/2011 Zuni Cafe is located where the north and south of Market Street grids collide. They form sharp street corners and grow interesting building shapes. With its high storefront windows on three sides, Zuni takes full advantage of the view of classic old streetcars rolling down Market Street. It's a combination of brick, glass, wood, concrete and steel with a no frills interior. The bright yellow awnings and tall leafy sycamore trees on the sidewalk filters the southern sun creating one of the best eating environments in the City. I remembered reading chef-owner Judy Rodgers The Zuni Cafe Cookbook recipe for their famous hamburgers. Their technique is to season the meat with sea salt the day before grinding using fresh (not cyrovac'd) 18 percent fat beef chuck. I ordered it medium and it was pink, juicy and savory, even better than expected. This restaurant has been consistently good without food fads or unnecessary embelishments. Manhattan architect Robert Stern has designed many beautifully detailed houses and apartments. I know of one he has done in San Francisco's Pacific Heights recalling the Bay Area Shingle Style. Architects usually don't dress flamboyantly but rather conservatively for business reasons. The love of design and image, however, can't be fully supressed. In this advertisement featuring Robert Stern, I'm sure he thought alot about what he would wear. Well dressed reflecting his professional achievements - with just a flash of color. Flash of color - similar to the lunch bag in the post below? Homemade school lunches were important for our kids. They were taken in a cloth bag designed, crafted, and made by Chris. When that phase of our lives was over, the bag was put aside. I found it recently and the rush of memories of those days came back. Now I'm using the bag. I went to the market today to get MY LUNCH and I looked at the bag with new eyes. The design is still fresh and the lime inner lining cheers it up. It flashes into view occasionally telling you it's still there. Care in details is so important. Yesterday was Mother's Day. In reality everyday is Mother's Day. Once you are a parent you are a parent always - your kids always in your mind and heart. Katie created this arrangement to honor her mother Chris and picked colors she thought would please her. There's a nice range of texture and scale of elements. The large white lilies sets everything off and pulls it together. It's not too self-conscious. That's good. AuthorCatagories
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