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architecture, Atlanta Interior Designer, Clark and Zook, interior architecture, interior design, modern architecture, modern sustainability, small scale architecture
“We are facing an enormous problem in our lives today. It’s so big we can hardly see it, and it’s right in our face all day, every day. We’re living too big lives, crammed from top to toe with activities, urgencies, and obligations that seem absolute. There’s not time to take a breath, no time to look for the source of the problem. We are almost desperate for a solution.” - Sarah Susanka from The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters
Every year MA (Modern Atlanta) hosts the Modern Atlanta Home Tour – which leads modern design connoisseurs on a self-guided tour around some newly finished modern homes in the Atlanta, Ga area. Last year was my first year going to a few, not all, of the homes. While I enjoyed many of the homes I toured, there was one in particular that stood out in my mind in terms of its scale, unassuming street presence and thoughtful interiors.
Clark and Zook architects renovated a four-bedroom home to meet the needs of a young family with children. What I really enjoyed about this home was the scale – I wasn’t able to tour all homes, but this one felt good – like a great place for making memories. My favorite moment in this home (unfortunately not shown in the below photographs) was the carved out space for a child to play. While this home wasn’t overly slick with ultra-modern detailing, the home felt…well, good.
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This project makes a case for the small in terms of its scale, physical footprint and the fact that it was a renovation project. Small homes are ecological not only in terms of their size, but in their use of existing building systems and materials. Below are a few projects (realized and ideas) of small homes that can be viewed only in terms of their design (if you wish) – but go further to influence a sustainability that has an impact greater than its visual presence:
Alpine Hut, OFIS Arhitekti, Stara Fuzina, Slovenia (1,130 sq. ft):
small features: stone and wood sourced locally, thermal insulation is placed between wood cladding (black foil is put behind the wood to absorb solar heat), rain water collected through vertical pipes which are inserted into wood beams.
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Joshua Tree, Hanger Design Group, Mobile (387.5 sq. ft.):
small features: recyclable/reusable sheets of titanium and zinc, skylights provide natural light and ventilation, wood used to keep inside warm
beautifully small spaces, great ideas!
Joshua Tree – I love it when people take time do design thoughtful, innovative personal spaces that are also eminently useful — great work. May I assume from the graphic symbols that the meal peninsula can be slid/folded away?
Yes, Chris – I love this project too. Very well thought out and makes me want to live smaller. Very well designed and light always makes a space feel warmer and less cramped. You should check out the firms website – they go into detail about this prototype. http://www.hangar.it/en/highlights.php
pretty cool stuff!
Hi! Visiting through linked in (I graduated GT ID 2005) and I completely agree. Our family of 4 lives in a 1300 sq ft home by choice. Great post!
Wow! That is impressive Julia ~ the choice to live “small” forces you to make decisions – not only about the amount of “stuff” one accumulates, but it permeates into a philosophy about living. Hopefully this influenced you in your studies and you’re making products to make living small better! Thank you for visiting! (I graduated in 2004 – I’m sure we’ve passed each other at some point…)
It is said that when you dream, if you see a house, the house represents yourself. Its condition is a metaphor for how you are in that moment – derelict and abandoned or spacious and filled with a wonderful natural light. The comfortable unpretentious family home you’ve shown us, Dawn, appeals to me too. It relaxes and doesn’t demand, its welcoming.
For the ancient greeks, Music was the pinnacle of all human effort to the extent that bulidings and rooms were designed according to the proportions of major and minor chords, creating an exhilarating space (the aisle) or a sad place ( like a chapel in a gothic church).
I think perhaps that the house shown has some “happy proportions” too!
Well said, Nicholas! I had not heard that about dreams, but that make sense! I love a lot of the “modern” houses – the spaciousness, the expression of materials and the juxtaposition of volumes – but somehow my internal involvement stays just at the level of “admirer”. Touring the house by Clark and Zook in person made me happy and excited that that piece of architecture wasn’t trapped in all the typical trappings of a “modern home”. Thank you for your insightful comments!