Shapely Havens (104)First, see how the shape and layout of living spaces can affect your level of comfort and style. Meet a Chicago couple whose home has a half-cylinder add-on that looks like it was plunked down on top of the house. The stunning third-floor addition marries a variety of functions in a single space.
Then, visit Ivan Beardsley, a Los Angeles artist, interior designer and practitioner of the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui. See how Beardsley applied concepts of furniture placement to his backyard pavilion to increase positive energy in his home and life.
Last, check out the Venice, Calif. abode of architect David Hertz. Because of his small lot, he was forced to expand his home upward. As a result, his family doesn't have just one breathing room—they've got seven! The house has seven patios that serve as year-round outdoor living spaces that reflect an alliance with nature.
Cylinder Add-On Facts:
- The third floor addition took three months to build.
- The metal exterior is made from 3 x 1-foot aluminum shingles.
- The desk's unique shape saves floor space while providing ample work area.
- A restaurant deliveryman once mistook the home for a disco.
Resources:
Aluminum Architecture
by Hugues Wilquin
Interior Redesign Industry Specialists
800-394-9212
www.weredesign.com
info@weredesign.com
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design, New York
www.si.edu/ndm
Feng Shui Facts:
- Feng Shui (pronounced "phung schway") literally means wind water.
- Feng Shui is often identified as a form of geomancy, which is divination by geographic features.
- Different schools of Feng Shui have developed over the centuries. These include the Form School, East-West School, Flying Stars, Life Aspiration and Black Sect.
- Ivan Beardsley is an award-winning designer.
- Modern conveniences such as cable television and Internet access are available in Beardsley's pavilion.
Resources:
Feng Shui Design
by Sarah Rossbach and Yun Lin
Feng Shui Society
+44-0-7050-289-200
www.fengshuisociety.org.uk
Feng Shui Times
An online resource for all things Feng Shui
www.fengshuitimes.com
Hertz House Facts:
- Much of the Hertz house is made of Syndecrete, invented by David Hertz. Sendecrete is an advanced cement-based composite—41% comes from recycled materials such as carpet floor fiber and ash.
- Syndecrete can be swept, hosed or cleaned by squeegee.
- The Hertz house is heated by a network of tubes in the exposed concrete floors.
- A wall running through the middle of the Hertzes' home was inspired by their son's fascination with the Dimetrodon (technically a pelycosaur, not a dinosaur), which was a sailbacked creature of the Triassic period.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Syndesis Inc.
2908 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403-3616
310-829-9932
www.syndesisinc.com/
Resources:
Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design
by Suzi Moore, Nora Burba Trulsson, Terrence Moore (Photographer)
Syndesis, Inc.
www.syndesisinc.com
Museum of Modern Art
David Hertz has Syndecrete exhibit as part of museum's permanent collection.
212-708-9400
www.moma.org
)
