Progress...

The interior team is swiftly moving along in the process of their design, focusing on perfecting the details that make the house that much closer to completion. With the tiling currently in process, the bathroom is well on its way. One of the many important things coming from the design of interiors is the process of trial and error. Such is true with lighting. We have been assigned the task of designing/building a medicine cabinet also doubling as a light source for the bathroom. After several weeks of design, we were unsure of the amount of light needed to correctly illuminate the space. After several suggestions, the only real option was to test it out. After a speedy mock-up was erected, we realized there was not going to be proper lighting for the space. It was back to the drawing boards. After fully correcting what was observed from the trial run, we corrected our mistakes and are now ready to hit production. Going through this process has made us realize the value in trial runs and how they really fine tune the details. From full scale mock-ups to tiny models, it is this attention to detail that makes the New Norris House so unique.

A special shout out to all team members who made the Foundry presentation look so fantastic.

Wood Floor Arrives!

Tuesday afternoon we received a load of reclaimed white oak floors from Salvage Antique, LLC. Scott Brady of Salvage Antique has been generous enough to donate the materials as well as aid in the installation of the floor in the coming week. The wood itself (originally cut down nearly 150 years ago) is quite beautiful is comes from a former barn in Kentucky. Check out the Salvage Antique website here to learn more about their product: http://www.salvageantique.net/

To finish the floors, we will be using an environmentally friendly product made by OSMO North America. Often floor finishes can be extremely high in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and this can adversly effect the interior air quality over time. We have been fortunate enough to partner with OSMO and a specifying a floor finish that is exteremly low in VOCs. Not only will this make our building healthier to live in, but it also earns us LEED points. You can learn more about the OSMO on their website: http://www.osmona.com/

Pop, Deltalok, and Drop It

The days are getting longer, the weather warmer, and my hours of sleep shorter, that's right, spring is here. With it comes the task of creating cohesive design solutions for several landscape elements. Samuel, Drew, my fellow Landscape Architects, and myself, have been working on designing a series of terraced rainwater filtration beds, raised vegetable beds, a cistern enclosure, and a plinth area near the back of the property. The challenge now becomes to make certain that these elements merge seamlessly with the house and the existing contextual conditions. Although we have been through several design iterations involving all the landscape elements, my primary focus of this post will be on our use of a product called Deltalok. "What is Deltalok?" you may ask. Well, my inquisitive friend, Deltalok is, "an innovative solution for erosion control, slope stability, soil retention and earth wall applications." While the Deltalok product can be used to retain extremely steep slopes (see below), for our project the product gives us the ability to seamlessly mold our landscape elements into the existing land. Each bag contains a unique mixture of sand (70%) and mushroom compost (30%) which can be seeded, plugged, or planted into providing an immediate visual impact, as well as an extremely strong retaining wall. We are hoping to begin installation in the bio-retention beds and behind the plinth next weekend, April, 2, and with over 300 bags to fill and stack we're going to need some help. Pizza (I'm not getting into the argument of Domino's or Papa John's) and drinks will be provided for anyone willing to donate a few hours of work. If you would like to see more about the product visit their website at www.deltalok.com

Nightlight

Eco-friendly paints

Paint for the walls and cabinetry has been ordered! The New Norris House team would like to thank the Sherwin-Williams Company and Rodney Bishop on Baum drive, Knoxville, for the donation of their new eco-friendly paint ProMar® 200 Zero VOC. The company is also donating the paint finishes for the cabinetry: ProClassic Waterborne and Premium Wall&Wood Primer. All products have low VOC content which satisfy LEED criteria.

Thank you again to Dwight LeClair and Rodney Bishop for making this partnership possible.

Changes to the Planting Plan

The primary ideology behind the design and construction of the Norris House is that of sustainability. In regards to the landscape, this umbrella term addresses three important concepts:

• minimal maintenance
• ecological integrity
• preservation of resources on site

In previous design iterations, the West flank of the property was designated as a meadow restoration era. Far more than just a "field", a meadow is a wonderland of biodiversity and an important aspect of many biomes. In our area, meadow areas are generally products of disturbance by man, grazing herbivores, or wildfire. Occasionally, they may be found over poor, thin, calcareous soils or in areas of frequent flooding. For our purposes, a meadow is a wise design choice if sustainability is the mantra. Although there is a certain degree of maintenance required to establish a meadow, the end result requires very little attention. Selecting native plant species, which are better adapted to extremes of temperature and moisture, ensures success in establishment and eliminates watering need thereafter. A typical lawn area requires frequent watering in hot, dry spells and a repeated need for mowing. Meadows only need to be mowed or cut back once a year. This makes a huge difference! Aside from minimal maintenance requirements, meadows also add to, and function within, the surrounding ecology. Containing a diverse array of native grasses and perennial forbs, meadows provide diverse food (seed, nectar, foliage) and cover options for a variety of micro- and megafauna. Establishing a functional meadow contributes to the local seed bank as well, serving as a source for early successional species that can readily spread into newly disturbed areas. Furthermore, a meadow can preserve on-site resources through the uptake of rainwater, filtration of sediment in sheet flow, and holding soil on slopes with extensive, intertwined root systems.

Sustainability is not the only reason why the establishment of meadow areas in a residential landscape is desirable; there is a certain aesthetic character achieved. Meadows are an excellent way to bring bold textural statements and seasonal interest to the landscape. These qualities, coupled with the sustainable attributes listed above, more than justify our decision to establish meadow swaths. Potential issues relating to steep slopes on the North and East ends of the property now present opportunities to establish even more meadow areas on site.

The chartreuse color represents the areas previously alloted for meadow establishment. The area highlighted in green represents the recent decision to extend the meadow across the path to wrap around the steep slopes on the North and East ends of the property.

Yesterday, following our meeting with TDEC officials regarding grey water usage, the landscape team took a good look at the area along the North property boundary. Taking into consideration the likelihood of ample Summer shade and consistent soil moisture, we once again discussed refining the design. From the fire pit plinth and rain gardens northward, the site conditions are less than ideal for meadow. Instead, we are considering the establishment of more shade and moisture tolerant species. A rich and visually striking mixture of Spring ephemeral wildflowers, woodland ground covers, and texturally bold fern species comes to mind.

The area highlighted in dark green, roughly corresponding to the tree line, represents where woodland plantings would be more appropriate than meadow plantings.

Another recent change to the planting plan is the addition of new shrub plantings. On the Eastern edge of the property, between the rain garden beds and the existing retaining wall, the slope is rather precipitous. The ideal way to address the problem is to plant something which roots deeply, suckers, and covers the ground quickly. One species (or a cultivar thereof) comes to mind: Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'). Not only does it cover the aforementioned bases, it is also visually striking throughout three seasons. In the Spring, its terminal branches are covered in showy yellow flower clusters. Come Summer, its fuzzy red berries provide a visual contrast with the glossy compound foliage. In the Fall, the leaves are ablaze with a striking spectrum of red, orange, and yellow. Somewhat like taking the hues of a maple-rich woodland and painting them across the ground plane. On the North end of the property, at the edge of the adjoining woodland, the landscape team has decided it to best to add scattered groupings of native shrub species. Repeating the same shrubs as are planted in the front-Itea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Mapleleaf Viburnum-provides unity throughout the landscape and brings more visual interest to the back yard. Adding a middle layer between the ground plane and the tree canopy above softens the look of the woodland edge, bringing a human scale element to the transition. Wildlife will delight in the additional cover opportunities; the onlooker will delight in the additional visual interest. Aside from the species repeated from the front of the property, we have decided to add some Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) to the planting scheme. Not the most showy plant, its merits are still notable. It is an excellent choice for erosion-prone areas (a steep slope with a drainage swale running through it?) because it colonizes like crazy. Sweetshrub's real claim to fame is its olfactory majesty. Indeed, one specimen can fill a patch of woodland with the most delightful apple cider-meets-strawberry scent in the Spring as its unusual maroon blooms unfurl. For this reason, it was named "boobybush" by distinguished Southern ladies during the Victorian era, due to the placement of the flowers within certain undergarments (an early version of "sustainable" deodorant).

The shrubs highlighted in the front were previously designed into the landscape. New shrub plantings are in darker green along the East end of the property (Fragrant Sumac) or shown beneath the tree line on the North End of the property.

Cabinet Excursion Part Deux

The cabinet production is in full effect now!!!!!! And we couldn't be happier!

With the help of our new found friends at A&M Supply, Blum Hardware, and Columbia Forest Products, we have been able to dive pretty deep in the construction of the base cabinets. They have been great help in the process of picking material and coordination.

It is still a learning process as our lead critic Steve likes to walk by and laugh at us as we struggling to figure the details out. I 'think' we have figured out the process of construction now and the wall cabinets should come together pretty quick. Although we are slightly behind schedule, we are trying to work day and night to get them done. We barely have time to breath, little alone blog, with how hard these 'research specialist' are working us.

As I digress, we are about 90% done with the base cabinets and should start the wall cabinets within the next couple of days. Hoping to install as soon as the flooring is installed, we are trying to get them finished by the middle of next week.

So until the next time I get a Union Break.... I bid you adieu!

Siding on My Mind

As the last couple of blogs have expressed, progress on the siding has been on many people's minds this week. The site crew was blessed with beautiful weather after Monday's torrential rains, and the excitement pushed the progress. Some of the group that usually stays on campus even postponed their tasks to help us out. Matt Childress and I were scheduled to tile the bathroom walls and ceiling after an extremely informative lesson from tile master Mr. Bob Brown last Saturday. But we decided to take advantage of the good weather to try to finish the siding on the east and west facades.

There was some work on the blocking that needed to be done around the door on the east side of the house before strong progress could be made. Once that was completed, the siding progressed from north to south past the canopy and front door. Also, the place for the vent for the stove range hood needs to be blocked out as well for the siding to be completely finished on the east side.

On Thursday and Friday I helped with the siding on the west side of the house. The first task was to install the box frame around the two windows looking out of the swing space. This was the first box frame I had installed. It was a tedious task of maintaining a continuous spacing around the window frame and keeping the box frame level. We used wood shims to maintain an even space around the window frames. The shims on the sides lined up with the furring strips on the wall, and we drilled through the box frame, through the shims and into the furring strips. After we finished the sides, we repeated the same process along the top and bottom of the frame. Once we cut back the shims to be flushed with the blocking on the wall, we continued putting up siding.

As we are positioning and nailing the siding, we have to think about how the water is going to run off the walls. Around the windows we have the cut a 10 degree angle that follows the angled slope of the box frame to assist in water proofing. We push the siding right up against the bottom of the box frame. On the top we leave a small gap so that water does not get trapped between the top of the frame and the bottom of the siding.

The most effective way to install siding is to have at least 2 people nailing the siding and at least 1 person cutting the siding to length on the chop saw. This process also includes checking and rechecking the spacing between each piece as well as making sure the pieces remain level. As Aaron wrote in the previous blog, checking the blocking as each piece of siding goes up is essential.

The siding on the south facade is complete and the siding on the east and west facades are expected to be finished on Monday or Tuesday. The completion will hopefully come in time for the hardwood floor to be delivered and begin installing, and as well as the tiling to begin in the bathroom.

What about siding?

The New Norris House envisioned facade is becoming more of a reality as warmer weather approaches. Spring is near with the signs of leaves on the trees in Norris TN, hopefully the bitter cold Winter days are behind us. Warmer weather for the New Norris House means lots of work on siding of the home's exterior. With only months left till the end of the semester the deadline to finish the siding and other exterior decks, stairs and ramp is becoming pressing. This week student have been and will continue to work in two group of around three students to help accelerate the siding process. Students will also likely put in some overtime in the next few weeks to take advantage of the nice weather and help finish the home's siding. The siding, a white cedar is being put up in a random pattern. The random pattern is generated using three different board sizes, a 4", 6", and a 8" wide piece of siding.

Like most construction project's not everything goes together quickly and easily and the New Norris House is no different. One problem that has arisen while working on siding of the home is that some of the wood blocking that the siding is drilled into was installed improperly. It is important that all the blocking be level so that when siding is being attached it is straight and plum. This is also important to create a clean uniformed facade which is what has been designed.

March interiors

March begins. With the promise of spring comes the urgency of decision making as the finish line draws nearer. An on-site presentation of the interior design concept to the entire team provided invaluable feedback, which allowed adjustments to be made and in-depth developments to be pursued. After his first visit of the house, the interior team had its final meeting with professor David Matthews (UT CoAD, chair of Interior Design); in light of the constructive criticism obtained from both presentations, we now feel that we have a strong scheme and a clear direction in which to go.

[ To read about David Matthews’ impressions of the New Norris House, see Reflections on Norris ]

color
The application of color within the realm of the Home had been addressed as static within the private realm. While the team still believes in the use of paint as a highly impermanent and personable element, the decision was made to limit the application of color to the inside of the marriage wall rather than the entirety of the rooms. The warm orange (swing space) and yellow (bedroom) of the wall now lend a hand to light as it paints on the white canvas of the house, defining those spaces as more intimate. The bathroom ‘nook’ remains yellow, as it becomes perceived as carved out of the marriage wall; in addition, the use of a warm color allows for a positive perception of the self-image, as bathrooms are meant “to make the occupant look good, not the room.” (David Matthews)
The next step is the choice of paint colors, most importantly the whites; the interior team has been coordinating with the casework team in order to obtain a harmonious relationship between the white cabinets and the walls. We have been very fortunate to establish a partnership with the Sherwin Williams Company through Mr. Dwight LeClair, who is in the process of helping us obtain 0 VOC paint as the house will be seeking LEED homes platinum certification.

furniture
In accordance to the design concept of the house, the interior focuses on emphasizing the common space and its relationship to the outdoors. As the “public” living space visually links together street, landscape and people, the furniture remains light in presence and the sight unhindered, while allowing for a flexibility of use. We are very excited to work with David Koch, who has enthusiastically agreed to donate one of his 3style table, which will be staged as an actor sharing its time between the swing space and the living room.

The design of a modular piece (alternatively used as a couch, lounge chair or bed) will start this week, with the immediate goal of a first mock-up achieved over spring break.

flooring
Salvage Antique’s white oak flooring was the general consensus, and will be installed next week. A clear finish will preserve the relatively light color of the wood, as a high contrast in value (dark floor v.s. white walls) would provide discomfort to the occupants.

casework
While the casework team has been working hard on the making of the kitchen cabinetry, the design of the swing space casework is approaching schematic completion through numerous discussions and collaborative efforts. The design includes the loft ladder and wall storage which accommodates a curtain that will allow for a more private use of the swing space. (The curtain height, texture and color are in the process of being designed.)

[ Further updates will be given about lighting and window treatments. A mock-up lighting session will happen soon in order to determine the best way to illuminate the space. ]

For architecture students to approach the task of designing an interior --more particularly this interior-- has proven to be an extraordinary mind-broadening experience. As a new member of the New Norris team, the design process has been at turns daunting, challenging, and intimidating, but most of all highly exciting. The New Norris House has been a constant reminder of how much we can give; of how far the urge to create spaces for high quality of living --that will to do good design-- may take us.