Monthly Archives: April 2012
An Argument for Simplicity
As artisans we’re often compelled to make things that last, for obvious reasons. If the thing is functional we don’t want out efforts to be wasted; we want the functionality to remain in tact over time, hopefully adding to a thing’s value. If a thing is purely aesthetic, we want its beauty and meaning to […]
Sand Patterns 7
Farmer Jack London
Jack worked with Luther Burbank to develop a cactus to feed livestock. I don’t know why it’s taken me twenty years to pay homage to Jack London’s homestead in Sonoma, but the wait was more than worth it, and I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of the agricultural side of the great writer. […]
Goat Barn for the Edible Schoolyard
I designed my 118 SFÂ barn to accommodate three Oberhaslis goats in comfort. I’ve been having a lot of fun designing a tiny barn to house three Oberhaslis goats for the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley. The project is just a schematic concept thus far, but will not require much more design if I get the […]
Maritime Micropolis
The Berkeley Marina is a seasonal, maritime micropolis. Spending more and more time at the Berkeley Marina on board Suddenly has me thinking about the role ports and harbors have played in the development of a city’s character. With the salmon season in swing and the sailing season gearing up, the marina has been abuzz […]
Accidental Seascapes #1 & #2
Accidental Seascapes #1 and #2, 45″ x 11.5″ each, plywood, WD-40, cement-all. Removing the forms from my Deep Deck mold, I was surprised and delighted to find two accidental seascapes emerge on the plywood sides that were in contact with the curing concrete. I sprayed the boards with WD-40 as a release agent before making […]