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.