SRQ Magazine | Love Local Modern Home 2019

FLORIDA’S WEST COAST | SARASOTA – TAMPA – ST. PETERSBURG

COLLECTION 2019 | PUBLISHED BY SRQ MEDIA

MODERNHOME FEATURED PORTFOLIOS DWY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS DSDG ARCHITECTS MURRAY HOMES SOLSTICE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

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CONTENTS

12 Beyond the Name Between high-rises going up downtown and historic homes going down in Burns Court, the development of the local built environment takes center stage. CFAS Board Chairperson David Lowe and SAF Chairman of the Board Dr. Christopher Wilson, sat down with SRQ to talk urbanism and optimism.

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Murray Homes creates a modern foyer that emphasizes the style and intent of the architecture.

Dreamweaver stool, Home Resource.

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CRAFT

PRODUCTS

CAMEO

BOOKS

TREND

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Custom Carved

Modern Outdoors

A Life in Pictures

Living Pages

Skynet? Not Yet.

Woodworker Greg Pennenga brings passion to the profession, He runs his own furniture design business, Pennenga Creative, where agencies seek his expertise and signature style.

Hanging canopies and loungers, barstools and fire-pits—get all the furniture and furnishings to create a modern and eye-catching outdoor paradise.

At 10 years, the Sarasota 10x10 speaker series packs hundreds of people into the Art Ovation Hotel for its ongoing events. Architect Michael Halflants looks to the future and the power of his audience.

From Frank Lloyd Wright to the advent of hortitecture and the art of outdoor living, dive into these architectural treatises and titles.

Local architects Guy Peterson and Damien Blumetti discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence in the craft and art of experiential spaces.

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MODERNHOME 2019 COLLECTION

PORTFOLIO

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From conceptual renderings to final photography, there are no surprises—clients know exactly what they’re getting from day one with DSDG Architects.

Custom home builder and high-end condo renovator Murray Homes goes where the market goes, and brings a sharp approach to design trends, luxury products and finishes.

DWY Landscape Architects emboldens the grassroots movement by creating space that encourages more time spent outdoors.

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture continues to broaden its horizons in every sense, building a diversified portfolio of projects designed in the spirit of human engagement.

DSDG Architects

ABOVE

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Murray Homes

DWY Landscape Architects

Solstice Planning and Architecture

SOLSTICE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE // Compass Haus, photography by Ryan Gamma.

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Enchanting Waters back elevation and interior living room area viewscape and project rendering.

Transparent Design

From conceptual renderings to final photography, there are no surprises—clients know exactly what they’re getting from day one with DSDG Architects.

FIRM // DSDG Architects CONTENT WRITER // Brittany Mattie PHOTOGRAPHER // ENCHANTING WATERS—Ryan Gamma Photography; BETONHAUS —Ryan Gamma Photography; LIDO HOME—Detlev Von Kessel

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

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rincipal Architect Mark Sultana, AIA of DSDG Architects and his team create client’s exact vision. With five licensed architects, two architects working on their licenses, three project managers, a draftsman, an interior designer and two assistants, DSDG is ultimately a full-service one-stop-shop from the ground up. “Pretty much the only thing we don’t do is actually build the house,” states Sultana. “But we will absolutely help you find the right builder.” The process can so easily become an overwhelming nightmare, but Sultana points out that it’s all about the team you create to make a project evolve and come together. And the way DSDG does things ensures a streamlined production—hyper-organized, yet an interactive and fun. “In the 18 years I’ve been doing this, as far as I know, it’s always been a pleasurable experience.” Expectations and plans are showcased as clear as glass so clients can see exactly what their end product will be. Right from the initial stages of the design process, clients can envision the space from sitting at the table, and from there, are apart of the collaborative effort to make ideas become reality.

At the first sit down, Sultana asks for a handwritten “wish list”, outlining the description of desired rooms, the relationship of the rooms to each other and approximate sizes. “From their words, we make the puzzle come together into the plans.” With an impressive batting average of getting it right the first time with minimal changes from the client, floor plans are then written out, approved and agreed by everyone. “It’s a team effort—everyone has to be happy with it,” he notes.

DSDG will then ask clients for magazine tear-outs of their dream home, photos on Pinterest or Houzz. These visual ideas make up their personal library the team references.

“We go through their library and ask, ‘What do you like about this picture? What don’t you like about this picture?’” he says.

“We have to be able to read the expressions of people we meet with to fully understand what they’re looking for. Our job is as much a mind reading exercise in the beginning as it is an artist to create the picture in the end.”

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“Developers and homeowners who spend the money on architecture get more for their investment. People want to see the quality, as well as live in it.”

Mark Sultana, DSDG Architects

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Betonhaus back exterior elevation and waterfront view. Lide House back exterior living spaces.

With a green light from the client, plans are then plugged in to generate 3D model images of the house that become unbelievably realistic renderings. “Renderings have come such a long way, to the point where on our last project we actually did a full VR walkthrough of the entire building,” Sultana says. “Every client receives these renderings so that there are no surprises in store.” This ultimately diminishes any mistakes and leads to less changes during construction. If any kind of changes do have to be made, it can be on the fly. “We can alter materials and colors directly in our software—so you’re not sitting out there on site with a paintbrush and your finish options,” he says. “You put it right in a computer, and it’s there.” Construction goes smoother, happens faster, and less changes mean less expenses. With the knowledge, experience and program technology DSDG encompasses, change orders are really down to super easy add-ins or upgrades, like adding more audio visual equipment or ornamental trees that weren’t there before.

From luxury tiny homes to doctor and dentist offices, DSDG’s streamlined process and architectural style remain a constant through-line. From Tampa to Port Charlotte, a passersby can pinpoint its high-end, modern touch from any which angle. Staying true to its signature

warm modern designs, a DSDG property sits on a point in Tarpon Springs—surrounded by Greek Revival and Mediterranean style houses. “It’s probably the only modern house in Tarpon Springs,” quips Sultana. Recently finishing up the Ringling Soundstage project at Ringling College, and currently working on an eight-story, 20-unit boutique condominium called Evolution on Golden Gate Point, DSDG takes pride in shifting from single-family homes to large scale city projects with ease. “The beauty of condominiums is that they’re multiple residences in one building,” says Sultana. “It’s a lot of space planning and organizing of plans. Often times we’ll do a floor plan that gets repeated many times in a building, but every buyer has a little something different they want to do, so we often make custom modifications to many of the units to fit people’s lifestyles.” The Infinity for instance, an 11-unit luxury waterfront condo/community on Longboat Key, entailed customizing every last unit. From the changing of a door to moving an entire wall, the team worked to meet the needs and wants of each buyer. “Architecture is very important and I think some people forget that,” says Sultana. “Developers and homeowners who spend the money on the architecture, get more for their investment.

People want to see the quality, as well as live in it.” MH

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

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DSDG Architects 1348 Fruitville Rd. Suite 204 Sarasota, 941-955-5645 @dsdgarchitects dsdgarchitects.com

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MODERN HOME D I A L O G U E

This page left to right: Image courtesy of Sarasota Architectural Foundation. Umbrella House. Photographer Anton Grassl. Image courtesy of Center for Architecture Sarasota.

BEYOND THE NAME

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The heads of CFAS and SAF have a candid conversation about the past, present and future of the Sarasota built environment. etween high-rises going up downtown and historic homes going down in Burns Court, the development of the local built environment takes center stage for everyone from industry architects to neighborhood aficionados. And with Center for Architecture Sarasota and Sarasota Architectural Foundation joining forces for the first time in an exhibition earlier this year, the two powerful advocates seem stronger than ever. CFAS Board Chairperson David Lowe, founder of DKL Design, and SAF Chairman of the Board Dr. Christopher Wilson, professor of architecture and design history at Ringling College, sat down with SRQ to talk G Wiz, tiny homes and why they’re optimistic about urbanism. WRITER // Phil Lederer

3 SAF is dedicated to increasing awareness of the Sarasota School of Architecture movement, helping to preserve or rehabilitate its irreplaceable buildings and demonstrating its relevance to the contemporary built environment.

4 The Center for Architecture was created in 2013 to ensure Sarasota’s architectural legacy is appreciated and that the designers of today have a forum. The Center for Architecture is a not-for-profit member-supported exhibit space and lecture hall; a meeting place and destination for people who believe good design matters. Through exhibits, lectures, tours and special events, the center provides a place where design professionals, community leaders, students and the public can admire, discuss and debate our built environment.

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Where did the love of architecture come from? David Lowe: It came for me through

mid-century architecture, primarily Victor Lundy and his work with dramatic forms. He did a church in Holmes Beach called Gloria Dei Lutheran, and it looked like a ski jump.

And then his Galloway’s Furniture Store, which now is unrecognizable next to Sarasota High School. As a kid, those buildings were amazing.

They had huge amounts of glass, they were transparent, you could see the structure and you understood how the building was put together. We shopped in Downtown Sarasota for Christmas, and we’d drive through Lido Shores. I always asked my parents, “Can we pull over and check out these cool houses?” Christopher Wilson: I was studying art history and they were showing all the paintings and sculptures, but, for some reason, I was drawn to the buildings. I thought I wanted to become an architect and went through that whole education, and I realized I didn’t want to design those things, but I wanted to talk about them. So I got my PhD in architecture history.

I don’t know how to explain it, but I like talking about buildings. Lowe: It’s more than just bricks and wood.

Wilson: The built environment is what it is. It sounds cliché, but a nice built environment leads to a nice community. Lowe: Architecture is about experiences, not just about looking at pictures and the form, but experiencing them.

What is the relationship between the two organizations, CFAS and SAF? Lowe: The intention is that we’re not in competition. We do have autonomy between the two organizations, and for now, we want to maintain that and try to complement and offer different services to the community. Wilson: Our missions are different, and that’s why there are two different groups. We are really focused on the Sarasota School and that’s where we put our efforts.

Of course, the larger picture is the built environment. And I would say your mission is a little bit broader.

Lowe: It’s a little broader, and really

trying to incorporate an educational component. When we had the University of Florida students here, we had it. And that’s hopefully coming back but in a different configuration. Not to say that SAF doesn’t do education. Wilson: It’s in our mission statement—to advocate for, educate about and celebrate the Sarasota School of Architecture.

What are your thoughts on the development we’re seeing in Sarasota? Lowe: I’m very optimistic. It’s going in a good direction. It’s a little scary in terms of the speed, but it’s 2019.

Sarasota downtown is an urban environment and we need to celebrate and capitalize on that urbanism. There’s nothing wrong with density. Density is good. It’s good to have people living in close proximity to be efficient with our infrastructure. The more we develop downtown, the less sprawl we have and the less dependence on the automobile. Wilson: I see an optimistic standpoint. I’m not a native, but I’ve heard all the stories about how Sarasota used to be and “Oh my gosh, everything has changed,” but that’s what happens. Things get bigger. It’s a good thing. Lowe: I’m excited about the architecture. You’re not seeing a high rise with barrel tile. There’s a modernist movement that Sarasota Architectural Foundation has been instrumental in supporting, and CFAS has also. My clients now are all modernists. They’re coming from different parts of the country, and they’re buying modern condos.

They want modern interiors. They want mid-century furniture. It’s an exciting time. I’m concerned about traffic and congestion, but I’m also a proponent of roundabouts. They work; people just need to think a little bit.

Why is it important to save older buildings? If someone wants to replace them with something stronger or even greener, why do we say no?

Lowe: Fundamentally, history’s

important too. It’s our military history. It’s our provenance. Why

is Sarasota here? Ringling? All of the early developers that came to Sarasota and put Sarasota on the map? We can’t just forget that. Historical architecture is important.

You experience those spaces, and they are our legacy. Wilson: When a building disappears, it literally does that. No one remembers it anymore. I always wondered, why is Lemon Avenue so wide?

It’s ridiculous. Well, look back in history, it turns out there used to be train tracks there, and there was a train station and that’s how people used to come to Sarasota from up north. But does anyone know that? When things disappear, that’s literally what happens. They just go and they’re gone and then they’re forgotten. And so the question is whether is that a good thing or bad thing. I think it’s a bad thing.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the Sarasota School of Architecture? Wilson: The Sarasota School of Architecture has gotten a bit of a renaissance, and people are more and more interested. The biggest threat to Sarasota School structures is that they were mostly built on waterfront property. That property is worth millions and millions of dollars now, and it’s usually a small 1,000-square-foot house that was built in the ‘50s, that has a kitchen people don’t want and bathrooms people don’t want. So the challenge right now is to educate people about the value of those structures and saving them. Lowe: The little mid-century homes become obsolete in terms of the way we live today, and so there’s not a desire to keep them.

But through efforts with SAF and CFAS, providing awareness of the importance of these homes and how advanced they were for when they were built, there can be enough interest to save those.

But not enough interest to save the G Wiz building?

Wilson: There’s a [George Smart]

quote that the biggest threat to historic preservation is not development, but vacancy. Because when a building is vacant and people think

COMING THIS YEAR CFAS EVENTS

We’re looking at an exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright Interiors, and we’d like to feature local architects and celebrate the good work that’s being done. We’re also featuring an exhibit called Four Sightlines, as in four sightlines between architectural photographers in town—Sean Harris, Ryan Gamma and Greg Wilson—and John Pirman’s artistic illustration. We’re going to juxtapose the photographer’s view and the artist’s view.

SAF EVENTS

Our big thing is SarasotaMOD weekend. It’ll be our sixth annual SarasotaMOD weekend, 8th through the 10th of November, and the theme is “Sarasota in the ‘60s.” We’re bringing back the Lido Shores walking tour, which is a fan favorite. And the Umbrella House.

Opposite page, clockwise: Image courtesy of Sarasota Architectural Foundation. Cocoon House.

Photo by Bryan Soderlind. Image courtesy of Center for Architecture Sarasota. Knoll Textile exhibit. Image courtesy of Sarasota Architectural Foundation. Revere House.

Photo by Wayne Eastep.

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they can’t use it, then that’s usually it.

That’s the end. And we just saw that with the G Wiz building. Lowe: And it deteriorated because it was vacant.

So you let it go if that’s your motivation. We think it is somewhat [the city’s] motivation—they let it go so long that it’s too expensive to repair.

So it’s obsolete, and no one has the interest or the funding to maintain it and bring it back.

How do we balance this preservation of the past while also encouraging innovation and growth in architects today? Lowe: It’s ultimately awareness, and the ability to provide maybe financial assistance, to give property owners opportunities to save a historic structure and incorporate it into the way we live today, versus, economically, just having to tear it down and build something new. Mira Mar is full of tenants and the commercial area on the street is really vibrant, and that’s a good example of a historic building being kept. But I was frightened of the DeMarcay. They saved the front facade and it kind of looks like an Old

West thing. They’ve got this slice of the old building and then this new building that isn’t really modern, isn’t really historical. I don’t think it knows what it wants to be. Wilson: It’s always easier to have a blank slate.

And just knock it down and then you’ve got a blank slate. It’s more difficult, but more rewarding, to keep something, add onto it, change it, renovate it. But it takes more effort, it takes more time. By the way, with the DeMarcay leaving the facade, in architecture history we call that façade-omy.

Not impressed by facades?

Wilson: Who are you kidding? It’s

obviously a mask. “Here’s an old building, we’re knocking it down.”

Lowe: But we’re leaving the facade just so everyone can see it. And they’re leaving it because they have to. It’s insulting.

Do you think the average resident understands the significance of the built environment? Lowe: Not at all.

Wilson: Unfortunately, no. And it’s

a very sad situation because it’s all

around them and they don’t know that it affects them. I don’t know how to solve that. Do you know how to solve that? Lowe: I don’t have the solution, but SAF, CFAS, SRQ magazine, Sarasota Magazine, even the Herald and AIA on certain levels, are a solid benefit, promoting and celebrating architecture in Sarasota.

How to solve it? I don’t know, but we’re all trying. Wilson: We have something called the Living With History series, opening up properties so people can go and see them.

They’ve been renovated, so people can see that you don’t have to knock down the building, but can replace things, upgrade them and still have the building. I must say though, we’re kind of preaching to the choir. Our effort is trying to expand beyond our membership. Lowe: At the Center for Architecture, we’ve experienced the exact same thing. When we have exhibits in the gallery, a good portion of our visitors are the choir. But we also get people off the street, and tourists will just wander in. And then our architectural tour series would again get a number of aficionados, but also people who are here in Sarasota wanted something to do, jumped on the tour bus, learned about some of our local architectural histories. So, we’re having some success in that regard. Wilson: Your tours are great. Lowe: And the lecture that SAF did at Ringling on Florence Knoll? There were a number of visitors to that lecture who weren’t just the usual group as well.

What are the exciting trends you’re seeing in architecture right now in Sarasota? Lowe: There’s been a rebirth of modernism and more of a shift towards quality of the spatial environment, as opposed to decorative applications of stylistic elements. The architecture is hopefully more about defining the space, and being nice and clean and simple. The downside I see is a trendy architecture that’s not just here in Sarasota. Go to UTC, for example, buildings so fresh and clean and fun, but they all have the same vibe. You could almost pick out a kit of parts, and that’s unfortunate.Wilson: Generally there’s been this kind of superficial experimentation with

new materials. It’s not figuring out, “How can I arrange this building in a new and different way?” but more, “What can I put on the surface?” It’ll go because that’s all it is. Lowe: UTC again: the use of porcelain tile that looks like wood or some tile that looks like something else. There’s a place for it, but now I see it on the face of some of these modern homes. I just see that as a bad trend and really disappointing.

What are your thoughts on the tiny home movement?

Wilson: Sarasota School was the first tiny homes. Lowe: About a

year ago, I thought it was done. But recently, I went to a tiny house exhibition up in St. Pete, and I was really impressed. Lo and behold, one of the exhibitors is right here in Venice— the Tiny Studios. There’s another one called Container 360, and they’re converting containers that students at Bay Shore High School will use.

The movement is alive and I was very surprised. Wilson: The only reason they work is because you take this and you fold this down, you move this over and here’s your kitchen.

And when it’s time to sleep, you’ve got to fold this up, put this over here.

It’s all about this interchangeability.

On an everyday basis, are you going to deal with that? On the other extreme, do you really need one of these McMansions?

What missed path could we have taken, that you believe could have strengthened the architectural foundation of the community? Wilson: In the ‘60s, the routing of US-41 through downtown. The city downtown is now cut off from the water. You were downtown and you had this direct relationship with the water, which doesn’t exist anymore. You’d have to cross the highway to get to it. Lowe: I agree with Christopher, absolutely.

There was nothing built between Gulfstream and the shoreline. As a pedestrian, you could walk right down to the shoreline and enjoy the water. They tried to make it look pretty by making it a park, but the experience of getting from downtown to that is horrible as a pedestrian. MH

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

Conceptualizing Modern

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xcelling at building luxury spec homes, custom homes, waterfront estates and renovations, the boutique development and construction team behind Murray Homes Inc. is highlyregarded among Fortune 500 CEOs, California real estate developers, buyers from New York and Florida alike. British founder Steve Murray learned the intricate ins and outs of the home building business from his father, John, a master luxury homebuilder in London. Since hopping across the pond to set up business in Sarasota in 1999, Steve Murray has now logged 20 years and 150 projects in the Gulf Coast’s finest neighborhoods, from Lido Key and St Armands, Longboat Key, Siesta Key to Harbor Acres, Casey Key, and Bird Key. Murray Homes has achieved impressive growth in two decades and earlier this year they had to use their expertise to find themselves a new home.

Without losing sight of their preferred concierge-style, small company approach, the Murray team moved to a more spacious, centrally-located office on US41, west of the Trail. “Our goal is to continue to grow organically and carefully, maintaining our focus on our core values. Every person who walks in this door gets their own individual personal experience based upon their aspirations for life, family, and leisure.” The team set to work renovating the existing building and transforming it into a signature space to encourage creativity and act as a hub for current and future projects. Clients, contractors, vendors, architects and designers have all given a resounding thumbs up to the new digs. “Our redesigned space has the ability to allow for discussions to be more forthright, focused, accurate and productive”, he explains.

As Sarasota continues to gain notoriety for its iconic Mid Century Modern architecture, it is attracting a wider audience than it used to. Out-of-state developers and prospective Florida homeowners are increasingly intrigued to check out the home of the Sarasota School of Architecture. “Our small but perfectly formed city attracts

FIRM // Murray Homes CONTENT WRITER // Brittany Mattie PHOTOGRAPHER // Ryan Gamma Photography and Mark Borosch

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Custom home builder and high-end condo renovator Murray Homes goes where the market goes, and brings a sharp approach to design trends, luxury products and finishes.

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The 32” disappearing wall blurs the line between exterior & exterior

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Clockwise this spread:

The simplicity of the architecture is captivating.

Emphasizing the style and intent of the architecture.

Aria LBK complete condo renovation.

A room with a view.

professionals, designers, architects, and potential customers from different parts of the country and abroad, and these folks bring innovative ideas about how they want to live, which we then shape to encompass the Florida lifestyle. We specialize in defining those ideas and delivering them specifically to where you’re sitting on the back deck having a cocktail.” The scope and scale of each home construction project varies greatly. One client may be focused on creating 2,000 of square-foot outdoor living space, another might wish to customize the interior to display and protect art collections or family heirlooms, yet another may need an intricate design for a 1000 bottle wine cellar. It doesn’t really matter what the particular requirements are, clients feel confident that Murray can deliver.

Before that cocktail on the deck though, it really starts with the raw land and an opportunity, Murray notes. Both he and his wife are Realtors©. “My connection with the real estate industry allows us the ability to appreciate and service both ends of the spectrum, and we understand

how to optimize a lot to its greatest potential.” Residential land acquisition can be complex. It often takes someone with both construction and real estate knowledge to navigate the acquisition of a waterfront lot—to ensure clients can build what they want on it,” he notes.

Innumerable City and County regulations, storm drain and flood issues, velocity zones, build costs, and tree removal restrictions are just a few of the many hurdles to jump before receiving the green light to break ground. In addition to ensuring the clients can build what they want, another crucial element of the process is to establish how they will use the home. How many kids do they have?

How many grandkids? Is this a forever home or a stopgap before downsizing to a condo? You need to know your exit strategy before the architect puts pen to paper. “We really want to give accurate advice and information, so we encourage you to buy the right lot and find the right architect and builder to create your dream home.”

Supporting the Murray Homes’ philosophy of Dream Big. Build Better. Live Well! MH

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“Every person who walks in this door gets their own individual personal experience based upon their aspirations for life, family, and leisure.�

Steve Murray, Murray Homes

Murray Homes 2900 South Tamiami Trl. Suite 1 Sarasota, 941-906-7000 @murrayhomesusa. murrayhomes.com

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Nature’s Cure

DWY Landscape Architects emboldens the grassroots movement by creating space that encourages more time spent outdoors.

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he full-service design and planning firm DWY Landscape Architects, has been integrating horticulture, art and architecture into projects throughout Florida since 1999. Celebrating his 20th year, David Young, ASLA, RLA, believes that Landscape Architecture is a creative process focused on the interconnected relationship between architecture and surrounding natural systems. Studying this correlation gives rise to an aesthetic with qualities of purpose and beauty. Young feels good landscape architecture has the ability to elevate the human spirit by enriching one’s environment and, ultimately, their quality of life.

By focusing on the clarity of space, employing sustainable practices and emphasizing continuity with the architecture, the exterior elevates the built environment. It can be captivating – drawing you outdoors, which is important when you live in Sarasota. Young still sits down to a drafting board rather than a computer every morning, and immerses himself in the experience of each space he designs, layering sketch on top of sketch until all of the parts and pieces come together. You may have experienced a garden designed by DWY when visiting a local museum, beachside park or place of worship. The more intimate settings of a home or hotel showcase how the design intent of DWY is to make you think twice about ever stepping indoors.

“I recently picked up a copy of Outside Magazine, and it had a feature recognizing the psychological health benefits of nature—it segues nicely to the benefits of what we do,” Young shares. “If you go and walk through the Redwoods or Myakka State Park, you’re definitely going to come out the other side a better person—just spiritually it allows you to inwardly focus and decompress.” Though you may not always have the opportunity to drive out to a state park, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your own little sanctuary. “That’s really what we’re doing—creating those meaningful environments for people to get out and connect with what is essential and natural,” he explains. The real challenge is to improve the relationship between people and the environment so that our interests become more in-tune with nature. As Landscape Architects, we accept our role as steward of the land and the built environment.

The recently completed Sarasota Modern Hotel was inspired by mid-century design. “This project was the vision of a wonderfully creative development team led by architect Stephen Chung,” shares Young. From the beginning, the development team wanted to bring the landscape inside and David was happy to consult on some of the interior finishes. Hotel guests and locals

FIRM // DWY Landscape Architects CONTENT WRITER // Brittany Mattie PHOTOGRAPHER // David Young and Wyatt Kostygan ModernHome | 2019

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DWY Landscape Architects 300 South Orange Ave. Sarasota, 941-365-6530 @dwy_la dwyla.com

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

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“We effectively melded the design ethos of mid-century modern design with the destination’s regional character through space, substance, form, material and program .”

David Young, DWY Landscape Architects on Sarasota Modern

alike are drawn to the ambience of mid-century modern—the clean, structural lines of the edifice, juxtaposed with the organic plantings. DWY designed a green wall, planted with a simple but lush palette, and brought tall slender solitaire palms into the double-height lobby space. The low planting areas on either side of the entry vestibule draw the experience of the pool deck through the entire lobby space. When considering the exterior landscape, Young seized several opportunities to extend greenery into the vertical elements of the pool deck and the main facade of the building. The most exciting opportunity was the green wall at the exterior dining patio. “Visible as you enter the hotel through the main lobby, the vertical wall is clad with natural oolite limestone and planted with ferns and epiphytes; below is a basin of water, with aquatic plants that spills over the perimeter wall into a second basin at grade.” Both the water feature and the landscape weave together the two main areas of the pool deck and make for a uniquely stimulating experience. Design considerations throughout the project focused on connecting indoor and outdoor space, harvesting natural light, articulating clean lines with little embellishment, and utilizing authentic regional materials. “Overall, we focused on the arrival sequence, streetscape, pool areas and green walls,” Young explains. “We effectively melded the design ethos of mid-century modern design with the destination’s regional character through space, substance, form, material and program.”

On the other side of downtown, Epoch Condominium is planned as a new luxury condominium on the Sarasota skyline with dramatic views of the Bayfront. Also inspired by the Sarasota School of Architecture movement, DWY incorporates natural and inviting elements for residents to feel the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits of environmental design. “This project is also the product of an experienced development and design team including Nichols, Brosch, Wurst, Wolfe & Associates and B. Pila Design–both of Miami,” Young says. “We were honored to have been selected for this legacy design commission.” The entry/arrival experience is that of a luxurious boutique resort— implementing a calming water feature on the ground-level, lush tropical landscaping and elegant hardscape walkways with lighting. On the amenity level, the programming and design include a sleek 70’ pool with a shallow wet-lounge area, spa, intimate lounge seating with fire elements, large pergola with outdoor kitchen and bar, personal pool-side lounge pergolas and dining areas surrounded by regional plantings.

While recent projects have taken on a larger-than-life scale, the single-family home will always be at the heart of DWY’s practice. For individual homeowners wanting to create their own outdoor retreat, Young recently contributed to “Design Your Dream Home,” a podcast created by architects Doug Patt and Stephen Chung. In the episode, he discusses insider tips, ways to create your own outdoor space, and shares his own creative process of collaborating with architects to program cohesive designs and shape each environment. MH Podcast found on thedougandsteveshow.com.

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MODERN HOME C R A F T

This page: Custom designs from Greg Pennenga adapt to any setting, photos courtesy of Greg Pennenga. Pennenga in his Lime Avenue workshop, photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

CUSTOM CARVED If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire Greg Pennenga.

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or Greg Pennenga, woodworking and furniture design came naturally—a passion long before a profession—but when an accident while apprenticing in the workshop of Dale Rieke’s Wood Street Studio claimed three fingers on his left hand, a promising career was almost cut short too. It took three hard years of recovery, retraining and recuperation—three years without so much as standing in front of a saw blade—but Pennenga kept the faith. “I never reconsidered what I should do, never thought about anything else but building and designing,” he says. “No looking back, man.” And today, Pennenga runs his own furniture design business, Pennenga Creative, creating shape tables and custom built-ins out of a workshop off Lime Avenue, where individuals and agencies like Sawa Design Studio seek his individual expertise and signature style, making each project distinct from the one before. “My real strength is that creative approach,” says Pennenga. “I don’t like to make the same thing twice.” WRITER // Phil Lederer PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY // Wyatt Kostygan

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How would you sum up your design philosophy?

Pennenga: Considered. Everything about my furniture is intentional.

Whether I am building a mid-century-influenced coffee table or a more traditional style media center, I am striving to consider the relationship of every detail.

Where do you find inspiration? Everywhere. The organic chaos of a banyan tree root system. The rigid balance of Guy Peterson’s architecture. Ray and Charles Eames, Mondrian, Ferrari, George Nakashima. I get the biggest boost of inspiration from being inside well-designed spaces. Currently, The Sarasota Modern has my favorite bar atmosphere and any of Mark Caragiulo’s restaurants.

Where does your creative process begin? For me the process starts in my head and continues in my head for far too long.

Once I can imagine a set of solutions I get on the computer and start drawing. I am not a “build-as-yougo” guy. I spend a lot of time (too much!) in planning and design.

How do you balance creative impulses with a client’s needs? Great design is essentially creating elegant solutions for a client’s needs. A piece’s function should be obvious. My design process is anchored by the client’s need. The form and the function are inextricable from each other, both are the most important part.

What design rule do you always follow? Which do you always break? The only rule is consideration. Make every second of the piece intentional. I seem to always break Occam’s Razor, i.e. I overthink everything.

Is Pennenga-designed furniture the focal point of a room? I want my work to be part of a perfect composition. I want my work to be in a situation where the space is greater than the sum of its parts.

What woods do you prefer working with? I really like white oak right now. It’s cool and earthy and very hard. Well-built white oak

furniture will last a lifetime. I also really like walnut. It finishes so pretty that you really need to try hard to make an ugly walnut piece.

How would you describe your signature style? Sculptural, clean, with a bit of Brutalism.

Tell us about one of your hardest projects. The Floating Leaf Table. I built this table for one of Sawa Design’s clients. It is packed with custom, one-of-a-kind design elements. To start, it needed an asymmetrical shaped top fit in a very specific space. The base had to feel very lightweight while supporting quite a substantial top.

There is shop-sawn veneer laid out in a radiating pattern along a curved seam, which was very challenging.

Inlaid aluminum stitches, a light grey finish, knife-edge detail, the list goes on! I would lay awake at night agonizing over how I was going to tackle each one. I don’t think I slept all month long. I worked through because that agony is my fuel! I live on the anxiety of pushing myself into designs I haven’t done before. It’s a blessing and a curse.

How do you try to push the bounds of your craft? I incorporate new design elements into every piece. It is important to me that everything I build be special and new. I get bored very easily. If I’m not stretching my design/build skillset, I lose interest.

What’s your dream project?

I have two dining table designs that I’ve been working on. I’m dying to build them for someone. And I’d like to build out a functional space that is just this side of an art installation.

A space like a hotel lobby, social club or co-work space that is almost 51% form/ 49% function.

Real avant-garde stuff but you could actually spend time there.

What’s the best part about woodworking? This is the most difficult to answer.

All of it. Sharp hand planes. Welltuned table saw jigs. Tightly fitted dovetails. Specialty tools. Weathered workbenches. Solitude. C ollaboration. Improvement. A client’s happy tears. All of it. MH

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MODERN HOME FURNISHINGS

MODERN OUTDOORS

Buoy up your backyard dwelling for a sundrenched setting that not only invites, but inveigles you to stay.

Compiled by Olivia Liang, Britt Mattie

CEMENTED SERENITY The CleoAlu outdoor dining table designed by Marco Acerbis, seats eight intimately and emulates the feel of natural minerals with a powdered-coated aluminum structure with grey fibre cement. The minimalistic form contributes subtle elegance to the outdoors while maintaining the splendor of indoor dining. Available in two cement versions—a light grey/white and a dark grey/graphite. Request for quote,

Soft Square, 1506 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-554-4068.

LINES OF ATTRACTION DREAMWEAVER A play of pattern and space, kick your feet up on the Dreamcatcher Stool 80.

The Kenneth Cobonpue design adds clever play and unexpected personality to the outdoors. Made with polyethylene fibers, nylon and steel, this conversation piece will captivate all attention and curiosity upon entering your boho-mod enclave. Home Resource. $1,010, 741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

Kenneth Cobonpue’s Hagia End Tables build a social scene of visual intrigue.

Hand-woven on a steel frame, these tables are the perfect sidekicks for morning coffee, afternoon cocktails or evening indulgence. Available in black and white. Home Resource. $750 each, 741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

LUNAR LANDING Cradled by teak legs, Dedon’s LOON floor lamp brings the minimalistic sophistication of indoor lighting to any backyard oasis. The warm, ambient light reflects the natural glow of the moon, creating the ideal atmosphere for any garden, yard or patio. Available in large and small sizes, Dedon strives for outdoor enjoyment without compromise. (S) $960, (L)

$1,310, Home Resource. 741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

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GAME OF THRONES Sit high or lay low with the Yoda Easy Chairs or Barstools by Kenneth Cobonpue. The rattan-like PVC vines utilize their natural tensions to randomly rearrange and cradle whoever is seated. The wild grass-like form extends and expands backyard nature from the ground up, seamlessly combining indoor and out. Home Resource. $1,630, 741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

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MODERN HOME FURNISHINGS

NESTING SEASON NESTREST by Dedon provides the perfect suspended seclusion for your backyard sanctuary. Crawl into this oversized bird’s nest, hung under a tree or by the pool, sheltered and concealed in the sun-spattered spa within. This hanging lounger can also stand alone with a separate NESTREST base, made of the same sturdy Dedon fiber weave. Home Resource, $20,220,

741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

BURNING LOVE Elegant and functional, the Kove Firepit by Brown Jordan Fires will complement any backyard seating arrangement. The round shape, delicate edges, intimate flame and functional ledge makes this the ideal fire pit for entertainment and enjoyment. The most eco-friendly fires available today with no smoke, soot or ash, these clean-burning fires can also be used indoors. Available in three striking finishes—Natural, Graphite or Bone.

Soft Square, $2,995, 1506 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-554-4068.

UNPLUG ON THE RUG The first Nanimarquina line of exterior rugs designed and hand-loomed specifically for comfort in the open air. The Tres Outdoor collection offers the homeyness of a living room right under the sun. A mesh of vibrant textures and fibre blends, these rugs will have your feet thanking you. Available in sandy brown, back, and yellow color textures. Home Resource, $1,859, 741 Central Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-6690.

GEOMETRIC GARDENS Herbs, succulents, aloe plants or flowers, garden with style with the Jackie Planter

by Talenti Outdoor Living. Decorative and functional, these powder-coated aluminium stands encompass nautical rope basket planters, are weather-resistant and add geometric greenery to pool areas, porches, yards and patios. Available in White-Grey and Graphite-Dark Grey. Soft Square, request for quote, 1506 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-554-4068.

COURTYARD CUISINE With clean lines, ample workspace and substantial storage, enjoy your meals outside with ease. A sophisticated and sustainable addition to a hip outdoor living space, the Drop Kitchen Module’s custom-designed profile by Cane-line emits elegant and modern living for backyard chefs and bartenders.

For a complete set, pair this kitchen collection with the complementary dining set. Soft Square, $8,350, 1506 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-554-4068.

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A LIFE IN PICTURES Celebrating 10 years of 10x10 with Michael Halflants.

WRITER // Phil Lederer PHOTO // Wyatt Kostygan

T

he concept was simple as it was intriguing: assemble 10 speakers, each armed with 10 slides and five minutes, and highlight some of the interesting and eccentric characters populating this Creative Coast in a fast-paced, jam-packed, hour-long event. And today, the Sarasota 10x10 speaker series packs hundreds of people into the Art Ovation Hotel for its annual events. Yet when local architect Michael Halflants revived the series in 2009, dormant since its founder left for Portland years before, he found an uphill battle. Like a nomad, he found shelter where he could—making venues out of bars on Main Street, in concrete studios—anywhere that could, and would, host the straggling crowd of 60 or so, including speakers. 10x10 was the underdog, but, Halflants believed, an underdog with something special locked in its jaws. As an architect spending his days with other architects, he welcomed every opportunity to expand and explore outside of his circle, to see what Sarasota had to offer elsewhere. So he and his organizing partner (currently local artist Tim Jaeger) invite speakers from all walks of life, including not just artists and architects, but politicians, world travelers, inventors, activists and even cheese-mongers, all to share their passions and stories. “I want to see what makes a life,” says Halflants. “Sarasota is an ever-changing, ever-growing community, and I’m surprised every time.” And with his own audience ever-growing as well, Halflants looks to the next 10 years with an eye to turning this community engagement into community action. “Trying to be more than a conversation,” he says.

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This page:

Compass Haus.

Opposite page: White Haus.

Signature Aesthetic Surpassing rule and order, Jonathan Parks, AIA, of SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture continues to broaden his horizons in every sense, building a diversified portfolio of projects designed in the spirit of human engagement.

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

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W

hile still pursuing and excelling in luxury waterfront residences, Jonathan Parks, AIA and his team have been expanding the last few years—taking on many more public, city projects, that inevitably turn into significant topical structures. Running the gamut of Hospitality, Institutional, Commercial and Residential, Parks aims to be known simply for innovative designs, instead of recognition on one singular style of architecture. With a manifold portfolio that stretches from the modern renovations of Paul Rudolph’s Sarasota High School and The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the artful design of The Art Ovation Hotel, the newfangled parking garages of Palm Avenue and St. Armand’s Circle, and achieving one of the highest LEEDrated homes in the nation, SOLSTICE is gaining regard beyond Sarasota. Inquiries in recent years have led to projects as far south as Miami, and as far north as Pennsylvania, the Great Lakes regions and D.C. His forward-thinking pioneering to conceptualize and plan progressive city projects has advanced the burgeoned revival of The Rosemary District, turning a derelict, abandoned garden into what is now Rosemary Square, the new home of Spice Station, The Overton, Sarasota Contemporary Dance Studio, Sarasota Ballet School, the Arnold Simonsen Players Studio, and more. Parks brought the Rosemary Square concept and designs to a developer, put a qualified team together, and now outstanding community establishments have been birthed that not only bring the community hip, new places, but contribute to the reputable name Sarasota holds for its instrumental modern architecture. Nevertheless, Parks’ goal continues to design truly memorable, timeless landmarks, with importance placed not only on the tangible characteristics of volume and shape, but also on immaterial elements of transparency, light, shade and space.

FIRM // SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture, Jonathan Parks, AIA CONTENT WRITER // Brittany Mattie PHOTOGRAPHER // Ryan Gamma Photography and Greg Wilson Group.

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“We approach each new work with a foundation in context and with the aim to elevate the individual experience—however lofty that might sound.”

Jonathan Parks, AIA, SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Clockwise this spread:

St. Armands Parking Garage, Rosemary Square (courtesy of Snell Engineering), Art Ovation Hotel, Element House.

HAVE YOUR DESIGNS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS? My design approach has certainly evolved, but it always includes meaningful collaboration with the client. I always search for that perfect balance between rationalism and romanticism. The tipping point where nothing can be added to the project and nothing can be taken away.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF SOLSTICE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE AS OF LATE? The focus of the firm has always been about design. People who really like design either seek us out or are simply attracted to our work. What is new over the last few years is our involvement with many public projects. Many of our building designs have been in private hands and the general public did not have the opportunity to see our work. But with the completion of the Art Ovation Hotel and adjacent Palm Avenue Parking Garage, Rosemary Square and the Overton, St. Armands Parking Garage, Perry Harvey Park in Tampa, renovations to the Van Wezel and Municipal Auditorium along the bayfront, and the adaptive reuse of Paul Rudolph’s Sarasota High School, the focus of our work has broadened greatly in the last few years.

SOLSTICE’S PROJECTS SPAN ACROSS ALL FIELDS. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR ‘BRAND’ THROUGHOUT THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS? We have had the privilege to design and complete many different types of buildings for our clients, both within and outside Sarasota. A great part of what we focus on is a dedication to regional design, as well as the look and feel of our projects. We approach each new work with a foundation in context, both regionally and at a site level, and with the aim to elevate the individual experience–however lofty that might sound. These are not “cookie cutter” designs.

SOLSTICE has always had a great core team that has worked with me for many years and this engenders a deep familiarity with my design principals.

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MODERN HOME PROFILE

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DO YOU DESIGN WITH THE IDEA OF MAINTAINING A SIGNATURE AESTHETIC IN YOUR WORK, OR DO YOU VIEW EACH PROJECT DIFFERENTLY? This is a great question to ask an architect because it sheds light on how they view the aesthetics of their own work. Our work has always been based on regionalism.

What regionalism means is that a project that I would design for Sarasota, FL would not look like the same type of project in Seattle, WA or Saratoga, NY or San Antonio, TX. Even if it was for the same client. This idea is not new, but we find ourselves consistently taking this path on every project.

The goal is to remain authentic to the inherent architecture, materials, natural light, climate, and individuality of a location.

This is the harder path to take, but it is the most satisfying when you stay true to your principles and can then design, construct and share the end result.

DO YOU FIND YOU INCORPORATE CERTAIN TRENDS IN YOUR ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGNS? As a rule, we are focused on unique design solutions that tap into ideas of space, light and form. Designing projects using this process typically keeps us clear of things that are trendy. Also designing with the underpinning firmly set in regionalism allows us to keep our focus on sustainable design, but I have been working this way for over thirty years. It is rewarding that now LEED and USGBC finally have a system to memorialize our efforts and encourage sustainable building throughout the industry. So, this is an area of our work that we keep on pushing for a higher level of excellence.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU? I do believe an architect’s career arc is made up of the choices you make and the choices you do not make. Previously, my focus was solely on completing projects in the Sarasota area and I made a choice to graciously turn down commissions offered in other parts of Florida or out-of-state. But as the office has evolved and technology has made us all neighbors, I realize we can accommodate both types of clients. Now we are designing projects from New York to Miami along with our projects in Sarasota. MH

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SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture Jonathan Parks, AIA 1900 Main St., #202 Sarasota, 941-365-5721 @solsticearchitects solsticearchitects.com License No. AA-26003286

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MODERN HOME B O O K S H E L F

COMPILED BY BRITTANY MATTIE

LIVING PAGES This season’s architectural treatises come bound and printed for the ardent designers, planners, builders and appreciators.

Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright Paul Hendrickson. Release Date: October 2019. A premier

Living with Charlotte Perriand: The Art of Living Cynthia

American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 1,000 structures, of which only 532 were completed. Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he coined “organic architecture.” He was also known as a rank egotist. Hendrickson helps readers form a deeper, more human understanding of the often misunderstood and mysterious man.

Fleury and François Laffanour. Release date: July 2019. A catalog of the great French architect and designer’s work, object-by-object. Charlotte Perriand is known for her playful mix of materials, shapes and styles. Her chairs, tables and bookshelves are shown explicitly in this portfolio, in all their different iterations, both up close and “at home,” as installed in the living spaces of collectors. Photographs of both historical and contemporary settings show how her furniture stands the test of time and taste.

The Art of Outdoor Living: Gardens for Entertaining Family and Friends Scott Shrader. Released March 2019. For an-

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. Released March

yone who wants to live well in their garden, this guide is a spectacular resource to creating stylish and livable outdoor spaces. From pools made private by lush plantings, bedrooms opened up to the backyard or integrated bar seating by an outdoor oven, California native and exterior architect Scott Shrader creates covetable outdoor rooms for clients including Ellen DeGeneres and Patrick Dempsey. In his first book, he shares the grounds of 12 properties, all specifically designed as modern, chic gardens and livable outdoor spaces for cooking, entertaining, playing and relaxing.

2019. From the Instagram-sensation home-organizing experts (with a fan club that includes Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mindy Kaling), here is an accessible, room-by-room guide to establishing order in the home. Tackle the mishmash of summer and winter clothes in the closet, declutter the dreaded junk drawer and structure the kitchen pantry, as the authors walk through paring down belongings in every room, arranging them in an easy-to-find way and maintaining the system so you don’t need another do-over in six months.

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MODERN HOME B O O K S H E L F

Kinfolk: Issue 31 Released March 2019. The quarterly magazine Kinfolk focused on architecture this past spring, paying homage to the architects “with dreams too big for city planners to swallow.” The writers delve into an investigation of the history of utopian design and include a photo essay about the most visionary projects that have been demolished, or simply never built, over the last century. They also interview those who have bridged the divide and made some of the strangest and whimsical building designs a reality.

Abode: Thoughtful Living with Less Serena Mitnik-Miller and Mason St. Peter. Released April 2019. A beautifully curated collection from the husband-and-wife owners of General Store, this book shows off their effortlessly cool, quintessentially California spaces and offers a look at how to recreate that style anywhere. Take a glimpse into the couple’s process and guide to manifesting modern, simplified interiors. The tastemakers make a convincing case for living simply, and their time-tested methods maximize openness, use elemental materials and amplify natural light.

Hortitecture: The Power of Architecture and Plants Almut Grüntuch-Ernst. Released May 2019. Two seemingly opposite elements, this textbook explores how plants and architecture can combine to plan future cities that feel closer to nature.

Through architectural, biological and technological research, the Institute for Design and Architectural Strategies explores this ideal with the aim to influence urban design. Hortitecture documents and shares 33 international experts’ vital projects, critical reflections and expertise on ecosystem applications, plant materials and experiences on the creative construction of nature-based architecture.

Houses: Extraordinary Living Phaidon Editors. Released May 2019. This coffee table must-have showcases the diversity of and experiments in domestic living. Explore 400 of the world’s most innovative and influential architect-designed houses created since the early 20th century. Houses celebrates Modernist icons and awe-inspiring feats of technological, material and spatial innovation in the 21st century. Styles presented include Modernism, Postmodernism, Brutalism, Regionalism, Deconstructivism and International Style. MH

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MODERN HOME I N N O V A T I O N This page: Iwan Baan, Dutch photographer.

AI & ARCHITECTURE Artificial intelligence already inhabits the modern home, but will it be designing them too?

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etween self-driving cars, computer-generated pop music and algorithms to predict every want and need (not to mention those creepy path-finding robots learning to navigate even the most unforgiving terrain with an untiring and murderous prance), the advent of thinking machines sometimes seems poised to depart the realm of science fiction and become everyday reality. And as even actors, animators and digital artists question their roles in the coming new normal, architects check the foundation. WRITER // Phil Lederer

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“THE REAL QUESTION IS CAN A COMPUTER create Picasso?” says Damien Blumetti, principal and founder of Damien Blumetti Architect in Sarasota. Artificial intelligence (AI) has already infiltrated the home, he says, and in almost the most science fiction way possible—as a friendly support system that helps regulate the home, responding to the resident on command and predicting their preferences.

Smart is a synonym for intelligent, and all the things that make the modern smart home a smart home—adaptive lighting, responsive air conditioning, automatic locks—add up to something of a primitive artificial intelligence. “And that’s something that we take for granted,” Blumetti says.

Newer designs, including one he worked on in Casey Key, take the adaptive approach even further, outfitting the home with windows that change tint according to time of day, time of year and sun exposure. In the future, this could expand to AI-controlled facades that morph entirely to respond to climatic conditions. But can AI design a house? “Absolutely not,” Blumetti says. “There’s a misconception that, because we use computers, the computer is doing the work and that’s absolutely not the case.” The modern computer makes up a powerful tool in the architect’s toolkit—allowing quick calculations, massive data collation and impressive imaging software—but, for some, it’s not even a primary tool yet.

For Sarasota architect Guy Peterson, the process will always begin with “the power of the pencil”—a Black Warrior pencil, to be exact—and yellow tracing paper. “Call me old fashioned,” he says, “but I believe in handmade architecture.” And hand-drawn designs are what Peterson presents to every client, for every project he’s ever done. Part of it, he admits, is for the client. If he brings in a computer rendering, it may look slick, but the clients have no idea if Peterson ever really touched it, or if he handed it off to staff or a contractor. “But when I come in with hand drawings that I’ve spent weeks developing and annotating,” he says, “they know that the architect they hired did the work for them, that I’ve invested my time.” At the same time, it’s also just the way the art works for Peterson. “It’s intuitive, it’s tangible—something about the sound of the pencil going across the paper,” he says. “If you don’t like it, you wad it up and throw it away.

Then you do another and just explore ideas.”

It’s that artistic exploration that both Peterson and Blumetti have yet to find within the cold mechanics of even the most advanced computer. Architectural inspiration, like any other art, comes to the practitioner in myriad and mysterious ways, says Blumetti, and currently resides outside the bounds of any architectural software he’s come across. The closest thing he can imagine would be some sort of program that picks random features and styles and mashes them together in the quest for something “unique,” but results in something piecemeal. Blumetti calls this “Frankenstein” architecture; Peterson calls it a “Mr. Potato Head.” Neither is impressed. “I just don’t think that’s how the emotion in architecture is created,” says Peterson. “Architecture is emotional and it’s about space. It’s about raising people’s spirits and creating beautiful experiences, and I don’t think a computer thinks that way.” MH

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