Nashville interior designer, discusses Abandoned architecture

A few months ago I was parading around on the internet (like a pro) researching for ideas for a new contract job for a local Dr's office. I never know how, or why, ( A.D.D.) but somehow I end up off track and two hours into another subject that has nothing to do with my original goal. But I find it fascinating and hard to turn away from. As I perused the web for architectural ideas I came across the subject of abandoned architecture all around the United States. Since this discovery, I have been obsessed with books, blogs, and pictures detailing the subject. Amazingly enough, several of these old buildings are in tack, but in major decay and disrepair.

Lavished with detail, incredible ideas and even some things shocking, the ingenuity and respect these architects put into their buildings, is admirable. What is so disappointing is that these beautiful dilapidated masterpieces, sit, crumbling further into nothing, worn and matured beyond their years. I have found many books and blogs dedicated to these tattered champions. Here are a few of my favorites:

Central State Hospital, Milledgeville, GA

Connector hallway between ward pavilions, Buffolo State Hospital

French Second Empire Surgeons residence 1864

1864 Surgeons residence, 2nd floor

Very little is known or available on this hospitals building, within the Fort Totten landmark district in near Bayside Queens, built in 1864.

A large room on the second floor contained what was by far the most bizarre artifact found within the hospital – a child’s riding grasshopper

Grand stairwell at daybreak, Brooklyn Navy Yard Hospital,

Samuel R. Smith Infirmary building The first floor lobby

Photos compliments of the fabulous blog, The Kingston Lounge

Nick Noyes architecture by Nashville designer Amanda Burdge

This home recently won the prestigious AIA Sunset West Home award. Nick Noyes, the architect, is undoubtably creative and disciplined. His look is always in the details, (and there are always so many details), but yet the finished product is clean, simple and refined. Located in Healdsburg California, Nick chose to use Plywood as the wall surface. And while most people may not think to use this as their finished wall surface, it works in this room because of the windows, soft white palette and high ceilings. Its superb!

Trailer Park P'nash!

SOLO 8 x 36 $139,900

SOLO Floor Plan

12x 33 BASIC

12 x 33 CUSTOM $220/sf

As an interior designer I am always seeking new ideas to make our quality of life better. So when I came across the idea of reinventing or repurposing the all American trailer park, it raised an eyebrow. Is it possible to take on an American icon of low income, white beater tank tops in combination of the stigma of true white trash, and make it stylish? The architects at ALTIUS ARCHITECTURE + SUSTAIN DESIGN STUDIO think so!

Trailer parks, as a form of housing development are extremely light on the land and their infrastructure is nowhere near as disruptive of landform, soils and flora as any other type of domestic architecture. The great news is Trailers are inexpensive and efficient to heat, can be designed with quality materials and for a contemporary market, use fewer resources to build, and are light on the land. So what would a trailer park look like that were conceived on the basis of sustainable development? And one that sought after an aesthetic of natural beauty, of forest and unpaved streets, community gardens and aquatic facilities powered by solar-thermal and solar-electric panels, and composting toilets? Well the the brains behind ALTIUS ARCHITECTURE + SUSTAIN DESIGN STUDIO claim one thing, "we strive to be 100% energy self-sufficient, using a fraction of the energy and water of conventional residential developments. We place strong emphasis on preserving the natural beauty, flora and fauna of our sites, and re-naturalizing the ecological features of sites that have been compromised. We believe in creating healthy, diverse communities that encourage participation in an organic lifestyle - from our cafe, to our community garden plots!" For more info, photos FAQ go to: http://minihomeparks.ca/

Photos and content courtesy of minipark homes.

Project Frog

Project FROG, is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2006 with the goal of "defining something that is not traditional construction, we're trying to bring the construction industry into the 21st century." states president Adam Tibbs

What does it mean to be a 21st century construction company? Most importantly, it means maximizing technological capabilities from the design phase all the way through the occupancy and operations of the building. Project FROG designs and manufactures buildings for commercial and educational use that are healthier, more sustainable, more affordable, and quicker to deploy than traditional building systems for corporate campuses or schools.
All images and info courtesy of Project FROG and DWELL magazine. For more info visit Progectfrog.com