Oaxaca

I had the pleasure of traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico last week. History and culture are overlaid and intermingled there in a way that creates a an incredible tableau of ancient and modern.

It's particularly gratifying to see modern buildings inserted into the urban fabric, which creates a vibrant character to the historic core. The city feels alive in a way that our "Colonial Williamsburg" approach to new construction in historic areas fails to replicate.

If you have an opportunity travel there I highly recommend it. The cuisine is recognized around the world for it's unique character and is alone worth the journey.

Amphibian Stage opening

Our project for the new home of Amphibian Stage Productions opened two weeks ago (the above photo is from the ribbon-cutting). If you live in the area I strongly recommend that you see the current production, which runs through November 18th. The play, The True History of the Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World, is performed entirely in the dark. It is an amazing sensory experience that is also emotionally shattering. As a critic said, "it is must-feel theatre."

Horizons

I spent the late afternoon yesterday at 7R Ranch in Palo Pinto, the site of a home we designed that is now beginning construction. Working with Landscape Architect Bill Millsap of Studio Outside, we placed the house to take advantage of this spectacular vista while preserving the rugged landscape of prickly pear and live oaks. The owners are looking forward to many hours enjoying the view, which can be savored from most every room in the home.

ASP in 360 West Magazine

The October issue of 360 West Magazine has a very nice article on the new home of Amphibian Stage Productions and the history behind the long search for the theatre. Much remains to be completed before the ribbon cutting on October 19th, but I can't wait to be posting photos rather than renderings. The full article can be found at http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=127838 beginning on page 108.

Coyote Urban Boutique

Construction is set to begin on Coyote Urban Boutique in downtown Fort Worth. Located on Houston Street across from Reata, it will offer women's clothing and accessories with an "urban edge". The major feature of the interior is a curved ledgestone wall defining a variety of display areas. It's also worthwhile to see the beautiful store identity and website designed by Bill Brammer at fusion29.

Ciudad Universitaria

I recently visited Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City. The entire 1,100 hectare campus is a UNESCO World Heritage site and includes a nature preserve and museums in addition to the university buildings. The campus also functions as a popular park serving the immense capital city. The Central Library, with murals by Juan O’Gorman, is the most recognizable building on the campus. The entire complex acknowledges history while creating an optimistic and progressive vision of the future. Definitely worth a visit...

Karl Benjamin

Karl Benjamin, a self-described "hard-edge abstractionist" and a major figure in post-war California art, passed away recently. I discovered his paintings several years ago when they were featured in a show on West Coast Modernism. His reputation has grown as more attention is been paid to artists outside the New York Abstract Expressionists canon. Hopefully a major retrospective of his work will be organized soon.

The latest from SILO

I just returned from Nashville, Tennessee, where I checked in on the progress at SILO, a Southern-influenced bistro in historic Germantown. As you can see above, the restaurant's centerpiece, a birch basket weave, has been installed, along with the reclaimed red cedar on the walls.  Both materials will be stained this week and the walls painted in warm, rich hues. The grand opening is scheduled for August 17, and excitement is building for this new venture by Chef Clay Greenberg.

Amphibian Stage Productions Theatre

As our design work continues, interior demolition is underway at 120 South Main, future home of Amphibian Stage Productions. The project consists of a black box theatre and offices for Fort Worth's most innovative troupe, which will now add to the emerging urban district just south of downtown. Special thanks go to our team:  Schuler Shook (theatrical), Summit Consultants (MEP), 2c Lighting (lighting), and Fort Construction- for their excellent work.

Opening

We will soon have an opening for an intern architect. This is because the very talented Juliana Ho is leaving the firm to move to Singapore. Juliana was our first full-time employee and has made invaluable contributions to our work. She will be missed but of course we wish her all the best in this new adventure.

Applicants should possess a professional degree and excellent design and presentation skills. Some experience is a plus but is not a requirement. Qualifications should be sent to info@ibanezarchitecture.com.

Neglected gem

While in Washington DC last week for the AIA National Convention I visited the M.L. King Public Library. This is one of Mies van der Rohe's last buildings and it was plagued with ill-advised "value engineering" from the outset. Because of it's poor condition there is a debate regarding demolishing the building and replacing it with a new structure. Mies' buildings are indeed difficult to maintain in pristine form, but clearly if it was restored properly this structure could take it's rightful place among DC's architectural treasures. Krueck + Sexton's masterful restorations of Crown Hall and 860-880 Lakeshore Drive show the potential beauty of this neglected gem.

AIA National Convention

Next week marks the 2012 AIA National Convention in Washington, D.C., during which those architects elevated to the College of Fellows this year will be honored in an investiture ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral. I am thrilled and honored to be one of these professionals.  The impressive neogothic cathedral seems an especially fitting locale to celebrate the power of architecture in the community, and I look forward to celebrating the occasion at this historic landmark with friends and family.

Amphibian leaps into the adventure

I am proud to announce my pro-bono participation in the renovation of Amphibian Stage Productions’ new home on South Main Street in Fort Worth’s Near Southside neighborhood.  A former nightclub, the building will be transformed into Amphibian’s performance space and offices, including a flexible black box theater, an open lobby, dressing rooms, a green room, and a set construction shop. 

The new space will allow this adventurous theatre company, now in its 13^th season, to expand their staffing and programming, and as their supporter I look forward to seeing the company continue to grow by leaps and bounds.

SILO takes shape

This week took me to Nashville, Tennessee for a site visit to SILO, a Southern-influenced bistro in the city’s historic Germantown neighborhood. Led by Chef Clay Greenberg and Co-owner Paul Cercone, SILO will serve up sophisticated farm-to-table food in a lively, welcoming setting.  The restaurant will be open for business in July.

A productive trip to the site included approving samples of various materials, including paint, concrete stain, and vintage Red Cedar for the walls.  A prominent feature of the space is a Birch basket-weave cladding on the curved wall (seen above), which is lit from below by continuous LED cove lighting.  The lighting in the restaurant is designed by Curtis Liberda of 2c lighting in Dallas, who I have had the pleasure of working with on a number of projects.

To learn more about SILO’s innovative menu, visit their website or Facebook page.

What Happens in Vegas...

Earlier this week I made a site visit to the Club @ LAS, an airport lounge I designed for the International Terminal of the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.  The Club will provide an upscale respite for international travelers flying with British Airways, Virgin Airlines, Korean Air, and other carriers.  

The Club @ LAS is inspired by both the desert setting and the architectural heritage of Las Vegas.  While the aesthetic is undeniably sleek and contemporary, it acknowledges the enduring appeal of the mid-century modern material and color palette.  Upon entering, travelers will find a variety of settings - social spaces for dining or a cocktail, places to attend to business matters, and quiet areas for reading and relaxing.

Above is an image of the Club’s setting within the International Terminal. The light-colored box on the right-hand wall is the construction entrance to the Club.  I look forward to seeing the finished product early next month.

"A House for..." exhibit

I urge you to visit the Fort Worth Center for Architecture (CfA) to view the current exhibit titled "A House for...". The pieces, in a uniform 11 x 14 format addressing the theme, are contributed by AIAFW members and range from photos to whimsical paintings. In addition, there are "guest" pieces: a beautiful signed original sketch by Renzo Piano showing his Kimbell Museum addition, a signed limited edition print by the late Ricardo Legorreta, and a book of photographs of Kahn's Dhakha complex by photographer Raymond Meier, signed by both the photographer and Nathaniel Kahn (who also provided a signed DVD copy of "My Architect"). All of the work is available for purchase via a silent auction, which will end at the Closing Reception on Monday April 30th from 6-9pm. All proceeds benefit the CfA (a non-profit, so you also get a nice deduction). Above is my entry- "A House for Luna (with a view)".

Atlanta Lounge

We've just kicked off another multi-carrier airline lounge, this one in the new international terminal at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta. The lounge has excellent visibility from the concourse, which is reflected in this initial concept sketch.

Getting an "F"

I am incredibly honored and humbled to be elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Special thanks to my sponsor, Joe McCall FAIA of Oglesby Greene in Dallas, for his frank comments and critical judgement. I must also recognize the support of Randy Gideon FAIA; for ten years at Gideon Toal I was able to work with some of the best clients imaginable. I'm looking forward to the Investiture Ceremony in Washington DC in May.

The link to the announcement:
http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2012/fellows/index.htm

Architectural Sketchbooks 2011 exhibit

We have completed the installation of this year's version of "Architectural Sketchbooks" at the Center for Architecture (3425 West 7th, Fort Worth). Six AIAFW members were asked to keep a sketchbook for one year and the variety of responses will be on display. Each participant has reacted differently to the assignment, ranging from a scrapbook of daily notes to a dozen incredibly detailed drawings. Mine is a combination of travel sketches, graphic meditations, and pages from my daily sketchbook.

The opening reception is Monday January 23rd from 5:30-7:00. The exhibit will be on display through February. (photo is of Mies van der Rohe's hands).