February 2010

You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2010.

Current events

February 26, 2010 in Architecture, CAST Projects, Events, Sustainability by Matt Hutchins | No comments

New spec house in Issaquah Highlands

We’ve completed the first community design workshop for the Sunset Substation pocket park and we’ve started a blog for the project at www.SunsetSubstation.org.  The results of the workshop are posted here and you can read a write up from the Ballard News tribune here and another article from KOMO’s neighborhood blog here. Now that we have some community input, we can start shaping their unique goals for bringing solar power generation and community space together.

In other news, Stefan is working through designing a micro-hydroelectric generation station for an eco-retreat/outdoor recreation center and meditation retreat in Colorado, and should be posting an introduction to the project and more information about micro-hydro.  Suddenly, we have a lot of projects which have some active or passive alternative energy components–very exciting stuff.

Tim is leading the charge on backyard cottages.  We have two custom cottages currently in design, and another design which will be available as a prefab.  We’re finalizing the pricing, so we will have a more comprehensive information available soon.

We’re also working with a homebuilder  to develop a series of spec homes bases on a fusion of asian design, modern spaces and out of the norm materials (see image above).  We’re especially excited because the house’s function emphasizes a series of landscapes integrated into living spaces, so we’ll have courtyards, pocket gardens, and salad gardens for growing your own vegetables off the kitchen.  Our big presentation is on Tuesday so I’ll post the schematic renderings afterwards.

Finally, this is the last weekend to see our WASTE NOT installation in the alley east of First Avenue, south of Occidental Park.  Anyone need 2500 2 liter bottles?

CAST Solstice Dinner

February 11, 2010 in Events by Stefan Hampden | No comments

While a bit delayed by seasonal colds, office deadlines, and the holidays – much appreciation to Tim and Diana for hosting a fantastic CAST dinner last night. Fun was had by all – with an especially enthusiastic kids table leading the charge. Further raising the culinary bar for our quarterly dinner - good food, wine and great company was enjoyed by all – thanks everyone!

IMG_1417

IMG_1414

BLOGGING A SEATTLE BACKYARD COTTAGE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
a CAST architecture case study project

February 1, 2010 in Architecture, Backyard Cottages, CAST Projects by Tim Hammer | 5 comments

7

We’ve completed the second round of design on our CAST architecture case study backyard cottage.

The plan has been fine tuned to optimize it for advanced framing. We adjusted the spaces to work better with Kate and Ric’s needs and have started looking at potential materials and finishes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Phinney Home Fair Follow-up

February 1, 2010 in Events by Matt Hutchins | No comments

Good turnout for the Phinney Ridge Home Fair.  I spoke to a few friends who had exhibited and the consensus was that the outlook for 2010 was pretty good.  Their anecdotes reinforced my feeling that we’ll see a bounce in work and the industry will get back on track (although not the bubble-hot track we’d been on).  Since architects are the canaries in the construction coal mine, it was great to hear other design professionals seeing the uptick in new projects that we have been seeing.

Also, I wanted to hit one point I missed in my presentation about How to Work with an Architect – taking the first step:

As part of the interview process, get the architects that you are interested in out to your house, your site.  It is critical to get their impression of your project, and plus in talking through the project on site you’ll get a window in to how they process information, how they work, communicate and if they have good ideas right off the bat.

We offer the first consultation free of charge, of course, because it is also critical for us to get an understanding of the project, the challenges, and get to know you as a client.

If you have additional questions about things I said in the presentation, or topics I didn’t have time to cover, please email me at matt@CASTarchitecture.com and I’ll be happy to address them!