DESIGN DAD

Life Moves Fast...

What an amazing week we've had. It never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes by with the day to day, but when you're more busy that usual it just flies. This past week was definitely no exception to the rule for us. The start of October is a busy time for us here; Keiran's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Grammy's birthday, throw into that mix a John Fogerty concert and a head shave fundraiser and its a whirlwind!

The night everything really ramped up I received a last minute phone call from Carl, Loreen's brother, inviting me to see John Fogerty as Carl's wife wouldn't be able to make it. SWEET! (Sorry Nicole) What an amazing show! We were witness to almost every major hit he ever had, and he's still got a voice of gold, with skills on the guitar that would give Jimi Hendrix shivers.

The very next day was Keiran's birthday party. Talk about an awesome affair, with 15 pint sized party troopers being granted superhero status after graduating from a rigorous training program. As usual, Keiran's mother went a little 'overboard' on the prep work (a standard carried by Cahoon Ladies I've been told), she made an amazing cake (with a little Photoshop help from me, and a rice paper and edible ink printer), a buffet of food fit for a small wedding, custom capes and masks for all the little hero's, and goody bags packed with an assortment of superhero fuels. Fun. Exhausting. Memories were made.

Birthday Morning

How Old!?

VIDEO: Ai Weiwei: NEVER SORRY [Trailer]

This will be an amazing film.

Ai Weiwei, hero to millions, is China's most famous artist/political activist/designer. In the film he gives the inside story to his work and life while striving to make a positive change through his art and social media in China. Though Chinese authorities have shut down his blog, held him in secret detention, beat him, and most recently destroyed his new studio, he will not stop battling to speak out against the ongoing problems in China. Journalist Alison Klayman directs the film and provides unique insight into contemporary China, and the country's most outspoken critic.

I am very much looking forward to seeing this film! Enjoy the trailer...

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry OFFICIAL TRAILER from Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry on Vimeo.

Architect: Bates Masi Architects

Today, I'm showing off the work of one of my favorite Architecture practices in the US. As with pretty well all of the architecture that I show on Design Dad, their work brings together an amazingly successful marriage of form and material. Bates Masi Architects is a small practice run out of Sag Harbour, NY. Each of their projects involves a uniquely targeted design approach to meet the clients needs/desires, including researching materials, craft, environment within an architectural scope. There are all kinds of subtle but highly innovative details they generate for each project. The firm approaches each project as an opportunity to enrich the lives of the client and all who interact with the architecture while enhancing the environment.

See for yourself why they rock.

Robbins Way

Amagansett, NY

Bates Masi Architects

Video: One-Point Perspective

I came across this awesome composition from Kogonada on Vimeo earlier. It's an incredible "flash-back" of some of the most important, and super cool, movies ever made. Entirely composed of Kubrick's original work, this piece offers an excellent argument for the power potential of a one-point perspective, while at the same time it fragments the scenes in such a way that multiplies the violent emotion and brings you quickly into that dreamlike world that exists only Kubrick's movies. Cool.

Kubrick // One-Point Perspective from kogonada on Vimeo.

Kindergarten

Wow, as parents well know, time speeds up faster than you ever thought possible once you have children. Of course that is aside from those moments where we expose the world to the full vocal capacity of our children during tantrums in the grocery store check-out, time has a happy way of slowing to a crawl for those special cases. I fully realized just how fast time is progressing today as we dropped off our little 4 year old (4.9 really) at his first day of Kindergarten. Wow. Sigh.

Boy Wonder

It all proceeded so fast! The walk to school was filled with smiles and laughter, both Keiran and Merrick were quite eager to get to school. We were directed to the gymnasium where the teachers were introduced and Merrick was in AWE of the basketball nets. Following the quick introduction, childrens' names were called then ushered out to their prospective classrooms. When Keiran was called, he walked up and introduced himself to his teacher (he always has been the most gregarious of us all), who led us to his class where we said our sweet goodbyes, giving kissing hands to hold onto for later - he made sure we had some too. A few blocks away the tears fell (poor Mama). With a happy-sad mix of emotions we realize that the Keiran is no longer fully in our hands. He is even now being molded by his peers and teachers. We can only hope that they understand how amazing he is, and how special he is to us. As Loreen pointed out, there is a great prayer that encapsulates our feelings. She wanted to print it out and pin it to his chest for his teachers to see.

Personally, I'm mostly just excited. School is exactly what Keiran needs. He is a social creature, and thrives when he's learning new things. The saddest thing to me is the fact that Merrick is loosing his day time play buddy, luckily it's just a few hours. I just can't wait to hear all about his first day of school tonight. I also wonder if Keiran's had his surprise treat yet, as we hid a tasty kissing hand (sugar cookie with a chocolate kiss) in his lunch to remind him we are thinking of him...

Kissing Hands

Architect: Lake Flato Architects

Lake Flato Architects is a great architecture firm located in San Antonio, Texas, where David Lake and Ted Flato lead a team of almost 50 people in a very diverse practice. The projects they take on range from gorgeous single family residences and ranches, to civic and cultural centers and state universities. While the project programs vary greatly, their designs are very consistent. The firm has developed a language that is easily identifiable across their projects; consistent use of natural and rustic materials, minimal and beautiful steel details, soaring roofs, and large open spatial volumes. I truly enjoy their work, and hope you do to.

Lake Austin House

Austin, TX

Lake Flato Architects

Video: MOMENTS

I came across this interesting video titled "Moments" by Everynone earlier today. I love the way it poetically discusses the idea by showing a collection of moments many people can swiftly related to. I felt it asked of me the question: "what is a moment?"

When asked to define a moment, I feel sensitive, almost nervous. It seems a private and personal thing. Perhaps this is because, to me, a moment is an experience. It is something to be measured, not by a length of time, but by an emotion. To be described through ones eyes, lips, and gestures. Not words. In my life, not one has been duplicated, each is unique. The best ones are those that catch me off guard, they are the seeds of poetry. Seemingly infinite, I know they are not. They will run out. So I try to ensure that I feel all of my moments completely, good, bad, blissful, turbulent. I make a collection. Each moment, a feeling woven into the tapestry of my memories.

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

SO, what is a moment to you?

Architect: Fearon Hay Architects

Today I am bringing you to New Zealand, to see some of the work of Jeff Fearon and Tim Hay of Fearon Hay Architects, one of my favorite architectural practices. These guys are gifted when it come to appropriate use of materials and details, and are able to generate great impact through subtlety. Their practice was founded on delivering incredible private dwellings, but has begun to move to hospitality, interiors, and commercial projects. Their work speaks for itself, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Shark Alley House

Fearon Hay Architects

Recap: Moss Street Paint-In

Wow, what a Day!

Keiran meeting a Wolf Fairy

The heat was turned on, not too high, but high enough to make people thirsty! Keiran sold out of all of his lemonade, twice! A big thanks to Tom for going out to pick up the second batch, cousin Tawn for getting us more glasses, and Nana for helping with the boys! Keiran made enough to pay off his big business loans and make a tidy profit. After deciding on a toy, he will even have a small amount to put into his RESP! (OK, not THAT much, but he is into the idea and that's what matters).

Packed Street

The street was PACKED with art enthusiasts for most of the day, and the art was top notch. There we're 150 professional and emerging artists set up and showing their work on the street, some were even working on new pieces while passersby could watch. There was music, food, performance artists (Keiran met a Wolf Fairy - with a really great costume and airbrushed body painting!), and a few fun stations for the kids to make their own pieces as well - we have a new clay pot and wind chime courtesy of Keiran!

Musical Men

A few of my personal favorites at the show were Tylor McNeil, Birgit Piskor, Mitchell Villa, Tad Suzuki and Blyth, Sean and Shawn of the Wood Pile Collective. I know there were many more that should be on that list, but I was a little busy chasing Keiran and Merrick for most of the day. Art sales were happening though, someone even made me a cash offer on my painted Lemonade sign! I couldn't refuse, so the sale was made, contingent on waiting until Keiran finished selling the lemonade. They came back to have me sign it and took it away at the end of the day. What a way to finish!

Tad Suzuki

Tylor McNeil

Mitchell Villa

Wood Pile Collective

Brigit Piskor

Side Note: Moss Street Paint-In!

Well, today is the Moss Street Paint-In, and the boys are ready! Keiran is running a Lemonade and cupcake stand (such a budding entrepreneur), and we're taking advantage of the foot traffic as well by putting up a little garage sale. Things are already looking better than last year, anything will beat the torrential rain that almost washed us all away then! I have faith the sun will soon poke its nose out from behind the clouds, and give us a great day.

Should be a blast, I can't wait to see all the talent!