Friday, February 19, 2010

Creative reuse

Call me crazy, but I think this use of architectural salvage in Chelyabinsk, Russia is sort of charming. I mean, given what they were working with it's pretty creative and fun! What do you think?
image via dark roasted blend

28 comments:

pve design said...

This reminds me of the Catskills of NY!
I love the creativity! Sustainable design!

Blue said...

Given what they're working with, I think it's pretty darn fantastic. Who could not be charmed by this? Well, maybe the neighbours have a different opinion.

Carole said...

The creativeness of all the gables and balconies save it from looking thrown together. Yes, it is charming but not sure I'd want it next door:-)

Terry said...

I with you. My favorite neighborhoods can absorb work like this. We have a gonzo house in our neighborhood. It been in progress for decades. You never know what you'll see next. As crazy as it is there is some unity holding it all together. I love the gonzo spirit of the owner, maybe not next door.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Yes, this is a house for the remote country, most definitely! Catskills it is!

The Shiny Pebble said...

It is interesting, but I definitely don't care for it. I bet it won't pass any type of building code.

home before dark said...

I think it is rather charming, but agree it needs its own space. On the other hand, it beats that godawful RVs that people park on their driveways (allowed by code in our community in neighborhoods such as mine that don't have covenants. Our neighborhood was the first "suburban" area and I am sure the founding developers would never have imagined what now is parked on people's driveways). This is art. What I look at is unfortunate.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

KK - so right! lol It looks a bit like a deathtrap for sure.

HBD - I know what you refer to. My parents for hte past 8 years haved lived way out in the country in the middle of nowhere pennsylvania. The 'farms' and houses you pass generally have a generation of rusted out cars, tractors and trailors parked out front along the road. I've never understood that! They are eyesores!

Pretty Lovely said...

I am so pleased to see your post on this adaptive re-use project. I think finding innovative ways to take what's still good and just make it better in architecture and design only makes the field more challenging and exciting.

Awesome find.

xx,
Sam

The Ancient said...

It's as if MacKenzie-Childs had taken up architecture.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Ancient - good comparison!! Now when I look at it that is all I can see. How didn't I notice that before?
Sam - it's my favorite part of design as well! Reuse requires much more creativity and has much better results generally.

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm! Fun and inventive but agree with KittyKate re regs. Can't see marie Antoinette here.Give me Petit Trianon every time!

Robert

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Lesley- polar opposites! Did I really post them both on the same blog? LOL -more petit trianon to come!

Caroline said...

It is a very inventive way to reuse other pieces of buildings to create a whole new structure.

lady jicky said...

I am a bit worried about that balcony! If they have a few people on it --- boom!
Otherwise its nifty!

Anonymous said...

or Mackenzie Phillips

Kwana said...

Very cool! You've won an award on my blog today.

http://kwanawrites.blogspot.com/2010/02/id-like-to-thank-academy.html

Unknown said...

i would so rather see this everyday, than a bad faux tuscan mcmansion with a cheap red tile roof and 4 car garage overpowering the facade (and the neighborhood).

Marija said...

For me, an important component of a "good project" is one that leaves me wanting to talk to the artist - ask questions, get answers, learn more. It may not be for everyone but you can't deny that this took quite a bit of creativity, individuality and open-mindedness! Marija

Acanthus and Acorn said...

I would compare it to a patchwork quilt. Wouldn't appeal to everyone, but you can certainly appreciate the hardwork, creativity and charm!

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

I had a brother in law that did this kind of thing to their house...not easy to live with or in, so not to any code...hehe

Karena said...

Pretty crazy and creative. I sure wouldn't want to be looking at it right across the street! And don't party out on that balcony!

Karena

Thombeau said...

Hi there! Just wanted to say how absolutely wonderful your blog is. And, if that's really your picture, how absolutely gorgeous you are! There, I said it.

Stephen said...

architecture & design are formost in my mind... & your blog is an inspiration. I am now a daily reader.

Laura Casey Interiors said...

I think it looks cool and Russian! I am laughing that Patricia wrote it looks like the Catskills bc. I spent my summers growing up there!

Stephen said...

This is a link how much we believe in architectural salvage:

http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/08/salvage_pieces_enclose_an_outd.html

I really like your blog, young man. Thanks you for looking at & commenting on mine.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Stephen, I've been following your blog for awhile now and have been bad not commenting more often. I love your outdoor living room! Portland is really one of my favorite cities -I can see why you guys moved there!

Daniel Hale said...

very kitch and dacha at the same time, maybe dacha meets Russian home Depot sample sale. very cool. Daniel