daily inspiration

Not your kid's treehouse.

A picture from the first time I read about Portaledges.

Basic tree tent

I have the weirdest fascination with tree houses. That might be why my current dream project is a community of vacation homes based on sustainable no-impact living and suspended in trees. Since my admiration of livable tree houses has grown so has my collection of books based on the topic. Currently, my favorite author for this subject is Peter Nelson, author of both Home Tree Home Principles of Treehouse Construction and Other Tall Tales and The Treehouse Book. My mom also bought me a book containing varied tree house styles called The Treehouse Book by Candida Collins. (I had no idea tree house was actually one word, the things you learn.) I was dismayed to find a resort in the hills of Andalucia called the Tarifa Eco Lodge. However, the houses are totally not treehouses! They are houses on stilts. My lodges are going to be sustainable tree suspended houses with most of the comforts of home. I want to structure the sight like a camp ground. Smaller more tent like dwellings that are seasonal, to larger permanent footprint houses that are for sale. The tent dwellings are inspired by the below pictures. The same idea that is used by rock climbers to set up camp balancing off a sheer rock wall called a portaledge. I thought this URL was entertaining since I know 80% of the people who have heard my idea feel the same way, http://www.his.com/~pshapiro/sleepcomfortably.html. And in the same regard it's sad to know that if I am ever able to accomplish this my parents (at least my mom) will never dare to go in them. I've lost my sketches and notes on my idea but once I find them I'll post.

My design asthetic

It's something that always gets asked at the beginning of a new school year, especially when students and teachers are getting to know each other. It's a great way to see a person's point of view. My ultimate goal is to be the type of designer that can change their style based on the needs of the client. I'd rather have many varied projects than just getting stuck in my niche market. However, thus far I continually fall back into what my friends have lovingly titled, "Modern Masculine." If the world was full of snowboarding bachelors with loads of money I would be set for life. I have yet to find this mini utopia, so I'll just keep trying to expand my tastes.

Lets get it started!

I had a mini blog once before when I was going to school at Academy of Art University. While entertaining, it was a lot angrier than I had meant it to be. I'd like to think of this blog as more of a professional related blog. My thoughts on the theories taught in class, inspiring images, dream project I would want to work on. I haven't decided if I'm going to release this to the public. For right now it'll just be my virtual sketchbook.