..... San Antonio Texas USA ...... .... Trey Rabke .....

Trey Rabke, San Antonio, Texas, USA : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2006

[ holiday getaway : rural : local timber : on footprint of former cabin ]

The Old Porch, Sisterdale, Texas, USA

Trey Rabke, Lake Flato Architects

“The project began directly before, or just after, the trip to the Glenn Murcutt Master Class, and the experience had a significant impact on the design of this and other projects since.

The Cabin “porch” is actually a personal getaway for me and my family. The stone porch, fireplace, and footprint of a former cabin were all relics, or memories that we wanted to preserve. The ‘parti’ became a big roof floating over and protecting them. I used native cypress wood extensively on the project - the cypress trees line the nearby river and we named our first born Cypress as well. I trust he shares the same insect / rot resistance….”

Situated near the Guadalupe River, the cabin is located on the footprint of a pre-existing cabin, to which a stone porch and fireplace were added many years ago. The stone porch and fireplace were reinforced and preserved as an element in the new structure.

The new cabin is reminiscent of hay barns in the area and classic ‘dogtrot’ houses. It is a simple gabled volume bisected with porch to one side and enclosed living on the other. The living area consists of a screened kitchen/dining area, book-ended by conditioned bedrooms/ baths. Rolling doors on the north and south secure the building and block winds.

Native cypress wood is used extensively throughout the project for structural elements as well as interior finishes.

Photos : ?. Wyatt and Andrew Granger for G&G

Lake Flato Architects -

http://www.lakeflato.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston2 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org