Thanks to Lindsay. She has been working her ass off, sanding and sanding and sanding, while Mitch runs around and does his ‘Mitch Jobs.’ 
Please note the dust and lack of proper sanding equipment. Anybody else want to come down and work for free? Honestly, a huge improvement — thanks for the initiative and smile.
DesignBuildBLUFF is a program for graduate students to realize architecture that nurtures the spirit and improves the lives of all who experience it. |
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July 15, 2010
July 15, 2010
yeah, we went swimming too. Pretty much the same spot where you were.
July 15, 2010
We are honored to have so many generations willing to help us this year.
July 15, 2010
Who knows what is actually going on, but it appears that everyone is more than willing to follow the one guy who remembered to bring the drawings.
With a bit more sense, Maxine watches the parade from the shade.
July 15, 2010
Okay, so things are getting exciting again in Bluff and nobodies knows — as usual, blame it on Mitch.
The Colorado Crew presented themselves nicely over the past weekend, showing Maxine and Maurice 3 spectacular schematic designs. After dinner and conversation concerning the presented models, our clients threw the students outside to make their choice. Without the students, Maxine admitted true shock and bewilderment — it must be impossible to choose, each model a raft of basswood and cardboard glued together with amazing amounts of soul and love.
So we showed some models and stuffed our faces and had fun. Maxine had the hard decision, but she made it.
Although in the minority, Mitch still doesn’t like the roofs. But that’s cool.
Stay tuned. With apologies, the next real postings will be delivered by the students themselves, as it should be — it is their passion and hard work that makes such wonderful ideas happen.
Thanks to Rick and Rob for the direction that made this weekend happen with such style. Thanks again to Rick for supplying the images.
June 12, 2010
In the past week, the Scorup property has been overun with trailers, coolers, tools and people. Venture Scout Crew 832 has been using the property as a flop pad while they build a new house for Jonah Yellowman near Monument Valley.
dbB students take note: these guys get up early and work all day long! It appears that eating, taking showers and debriefing are the only down time they need. No leisurely mornings at the coffee shop, no late night games of washers, no long academic arguments over design intentions, no monkey business.
13 Venture Scouts and 8 adult facilitators from Pleasant Grove (including a contractor from American Fork) have proven that it is possible to build a home in under a week. Had the realities of the rural experience not intervened, this group would have accomplished their goal — after all, it is hard to build anything on time if your materials don’t show up as scheduled.
I am extremely impressed by the competence, consideration and motivation of this young group. With respect, this is how positive change begins — with a few hardworking people getting dirty. (Then showering in the Scorup House). Thanks — we hope to see you guys again soon.
June 4, 2010
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I had high expectations for Bluff; the program was the reason I applied to graduate school and moved to Utah.
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Design build Bluff inevitably exceeded my expectations and continued to surprise me from the first day of class to the last days of the project. Instead of the largest challenge being construction or design problems, I think it was trying to get 20 designers to agree on solutions. We were handed this project with barely any guidelines, any rules, and we were set free. The extreme lack of restrictions given to us by the design build Bluff staff was intimidating. We set high goals for ourselves and we knew if we did not accomplish them, we were the only ones to blame. We were going to hold ourselves accountable and that made our success that much more powerful. The completion of Studio23 has given me a profound confidence for my abilities as a designer, builder, and leader; an accomplishment no other past academic project has even begun to match.
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There exist a whole other side to the program though, yet another surprise, because my experience as an architecture student is only one small part of the educational adventure that is design build BLUFF. Everything from living in a small town to the cultural immersion within the Navajo Nation to getting to know Studio23’s future residents, Janet Yanito and her family, has opened my life to so many new ideas, social issues, and cultural traditions. Design build Bluff pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to consider the economic, social, spiritual, environmental, and cultural impacts of my decisions. I am perpetually grateful for this opportunity and hope to always live and design by the philosophies taught within design build Bluff.
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BOOM kiva,
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Erin Darby Schoop
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Sketch of Studio 23
June 4, 2010
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There were so many “best parts” to this experience in Bluff. One, we got to see our classmates change, grow, and become better friends. And we saw it in ourselves. Two, we saw a project come to complete fruition – something that started as a thought, a sketch, become a reality, which doesn’t happen often in school. Design Build BLUFF is one of very few true collaborative experiences, in school or anywhere. It’s very rare to see a completed thing which has had so many builders, designers, and craftspersons. Even beyond our 2010 Bluff class, visitors, family, and friends also played big role in completing this project. One of the more difficult lessons was realizing the beauty in this type of collage instead of focusing on a tight, single-minded design. Seeing the result of twenty different design intentions is really wonderful. The culture and landscape of Bluff is another “best part”. The colors of the cliff faces changed every day, the view of monument valley astounded me every drive home, and the Scorup property was a beautiful combination of serenity and utter chaos. And I think the really important thing is how you leave Bluff – how you will think about foundations differently because you dug them, poured them, and finished them. How you’ll think about details and connections differently because you figured out how to make them work in full scale with real materials; and how you’ll think about clients differently because you worked alongside one, hearing her story while applying native clay plaster to the walls she’ll eventually reside in. And how you’ll think about architecture differently because standing outside in the blowing sand and 90 degree heat while trying to get a gutter to go straight is so much more meaningful as well as enjoyable than drawing another section in CAD.
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Lindsay Neemann
May 25, 2010
Saturday was a bittersweet day as we finished up a few things, did a thorough clean, and took pictures of the completed house. As the last remaining students leave Bluff, our minds are filled with reminiscences and pride. But, we’ll get to those reflections later. For now, a few photos of the completed house.
hallway
living area... and curtains!
stove - southeast corner
kitchen
movable kitchen island
shelf detail
loft area
bedroom closet/stair
view from southwest
view from west
water collection at studio
May 20, 2010
It’s bonus week, and we’re still working hard. Tomorrow will be a short day so we can take time to enjoy the sunshine and river.
Colorado University students joined us at the Scorup property on Tuesday, they have spent the week touring Bluff, interviewing potential clients, and visiting previous projects. We’ve enjoyed the time getting to know the next Bluff group and passing on our infinite wisdom. INFINITE. Like, how to turn on the stove; How to avoid the morning breakfast rush; How to get the dogs to stop bothering you; Where to find food in Bluff; Where to find the sweet hiking & camping spots in Bluff.
AND… what happens when Mitch spends too much time with a group of people in one semester.
safety first!
Several projects in progress, coming along slowly but surely.
studio sink, done.
gutters, done!
water catchment system, almost complete
prepping kitchen shelves
kitchen shelving, complete!
stove & hearth (done! pictures to come)
Two more “last days” to come, with lots of small things to complete. Final product… coming soon!
Lindsay (and sometimes Trent)
Author:
lindsay.neemann
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Uncategorized, dbb 2010
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6 Responses
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looks amazing.
thanks for the post lindsay & trent!
going days without a bluff update is painful -
yep, this is a great post! good job linds (and sometimes trent)!
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A small contingent of DBB alumni are heading down this Memorial Day weekend…any current Bluffers going to be down there to show us around the new project?
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No, all of the students already left Bluff. So sad.
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Yamamoto-san, will you be down there?
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Yes, I will go down to Bluff with friends this weekend.
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looking good lindsay