the barber’s haircut | an architect’s home three notions of architects’ relationship with housing
joylyn teskey
Graduation affords decision of living like an adult. Jane Jacobs’ dreams meet winter walk-to-work reality. Rent an apartment : investigate perfect partis for future house. Temporary oasis from critique by architectural friends, allows for accumulation of equity. Short term deci- sion-making allows for irrational thinking: no laundry or closets, but the view! And that old fridge! Virgin attempts at place-making include frequent painting and rearranging of furniture . Buy a new (or nearly new) house : endure endless whispers of incompetence or insanity. Likely face shouts of selling out by your architect friends (secretly jealous of your rootedness.) If not blessed with designer spouse, face hours of negotiation in Home Depot, explaining why ‘pretty’ will not do. Cringe (in private) at the beigeness of your block; feel grateful for basement and yard for Rover to roam. Buy a condo : perpetually renovate in vain attempt to make your own. Seem very responsible to parents yet avoid childbear- ing question by moving to slightly seedy 1. Architects borrowing houses, initiation. Politics of home amplified: where we live as definition of our architectural identity. Temporal depiction of archi- tect as artist, practitioner, neighbour, family member. An inconclusive investigation of infinite domestic possibili - ties.
nice sink, pity about the tub.
2. Architects building houses, declaration. Believing you have something to say, venture forth into the realm of the architect’s house. Simple declaration mired with philosophical debate. Only occasional dreams of History professor screaming reminder of moral obligation of architects. Tear down an existing house : waste resources. Destroy history, yet gain old trees, existing neighbourhood. Face wrath of zon- ing board, historical preservation friends. Declare house either fabric or jewel, note displeasure of others with either decision. Go suburban : environmental implications of sprawl. Spend hours staring at fencing options, balance architectural implication of lattice. Negotiate architectural standards, de- sign palace only to have sneaking suspicion your house still looks like everyone else’s. Find an affordable downtown lot : social implication of gentrification. Worry about state of local schools in time for future offspring: consider boarding school. Further guilt. Snobby friends, worried parents will not visit until crack house next door cleaned up.
neighbourhood. Walk to work, drive to Home Depot. Lust after Italian cabinets: settle for Ikea. Follow interior design friends to trade shows/secret sales. Constantly negotiate dreams with resale value. My own downtown condominium : perpetual bathroom renovation. Door to mas- ter bath’s tub closed in: parental labour, dry- wall purchased twice as ‘friendly neighbour’ steals from parking space. Handmade floor tile: bargain price (same with glass pedestal sink.) Faucet: bought on eBay, likely stolen, as no manufacturer identified in suspicious anonymous packaging. Sink pedestal: copy- ing Kohler with Ikea butcher block. Toilet: installed by genius husband. Light fixture: to be determined, temporary bare bulb potential long-term solution. Total cost: $395. Total time: 8 months, still incomplete. Kitchen, flooring, master bath still to go. Owner sadly proud of state of affairs, wear as badge of honor.
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on |site 13
housing | houses | house
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