Journal

Workhaus | 2010.09.05

Nice Workspace if You Can Get It!

By Alison Miller | Photography by Chris Whitten | Modern Luxury Dallas | September 6, 2010

CALL CREATIVE! The roster of Workhaus tenants includes a film editor, writer, interior designer and architect.

Contractors and freelancers, rejoice! A sleek new co-working space has arrived in Dallas. Launched by Ben Jenkins of the branding firm Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge (3723 Greenville Ave., workhauslodge.com) is the hip, light-filled alternative to coffee shop-hopping. Jenkins, known for his love of atypical workplaces, (think mobile office in a tricked-out Airstream) has traded traditional cubicle culture for a minimalist, members-only setting designed by architect Joshua Nimmo. Outfitted with Eames-style office chairs, glossy white tables, exposed brick walls and floating shelves full of art books, it’s stylishly unstuffy. Members come and go via keypad lock with 24/7 access. Sure, there’s a conference room and a coffee pot, but it’s the camaraderie that these creative co-workers are after. Added bonus—the digs are steps away from Gloria’s. Because happy hour never goes out of style.

Tags: Style, Ben Jenkins, Eames-style chairs, Gloria's, Joshua Nimmo, Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge
 
By Alison Miller | Photography by Chris Whitten | Modern Luxury Dallas | September 6, 2010

CALL CREATIVE! The roster of Workhaus tenants includes a film editor, writer, interior designer and architect.

Contractors and freelancers, rejoice! A sleek new co-working space has arrived in Dallas. Launched by Ben Jenkins of the branding firm Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge (3723 Greenville Ave., workhauslodge.com) is the hip, light-filled alternative to coffee shop-hopping. Jenkins, known for his love of atypical workplaces, (think mobile office in a tricked-out Airstream) has traded traditional cubicle culture for a minimalist, members-only setting designed by architect Joshua Nimmo. Outfitted with Eames-style office chairs, glossy white tables, exposed brick walls and floating shelves full of art books, it’s stylishly unstuffy. Members come and go via keypad lock with 24/7 access. Sure, there’s a conference room and a coffee pot, but it’s the camaraderie that these creative co-workers are after. Added bonus—the digs are steps away from Gloria’s. Because happy hour never goes out of style.

Tags: Style, Ben Jenkins, Eames-style chairs, Gloria's, Joshua Nimmo, Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge
 
By Alison Miller | Photography by Chris Whitten | Modern Luxury Dallas | September 6, 2010

CALL CREATIVE! The roster of Workhaus tenants includes a film editor, writer, interior designer and architect.

Contractors and freelancers, rejoice! A sleek new co-working space has arrived in Dallas. Launched by Ben Jenkins of the branding firm Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge (3723 Greenville Ave., workhauslodge.com) is the hip, light-filled alternative to coffee shop-hopping. Jenkins, known for his love of atypical workplaces, (think mobile office in a tricked-out Airstream) has traded traditional cubicle culture for a minimalist, members-only setting designed by architect Joshua Nimmo. Outfitted with Eames-style office chairs, glossy white tables, exposed brick walls and floating shelves full of art books, it’s stylishly unstuffy. Members come and go via keypad lock with 24/7 access. Sure, there’s a conference room and a coffee pot, but it’s the camaraderie that these creative co-workers are after. Added bonus—the digs are steps away from Gloria’s. Because happy hour never goes out of style.

Tags: Style, Ben Jenkins, Eames-style chairs, Gloria's, Joshua Nimmo, Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge
 
By Alison Miller | Photography by Chris Whitten | Modern Luxury Dallas | September 6, 2010

CALL CREATIVE! The roster of Workhaus tenants includes a film editor, writer, interior designer and architect.

Contractors and freelancers, rejoice! A sleek new co-working space has arrived in Dallas. Launched by Ben Jenkins of the branding firm Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge (3723 Greenville Ave., workhauslodge.com) is the hip, light-filled alternative to coffee shop-hopping. Jenkins, known for his love of atypical workplaces, (think mobile office in a tricked-out Airstream) has traded traditional cubicle culture for a minimalist, members-only setting designed by architect Joshua Nimmo. Outfitted with Eames-style office chairs, glossy white tables, exposed brick walls and floating shelves full of art books, it’s stylishly unstuffy. Members come and go via keypad lock with 24/7 access. Sure, there’s a conference room and a coffee pot, but it’s the camaraderie that these creative co-workers are after. Added bonus—the digs are steps away from Gloria’s. Because happy hour never goes out of style.

Tags: Style, Ben Jenkins, Eames-style chairs, Gloria's, Joshua Nimmo, Onefastbuffalo, Workhaus Co-Working Lodge
 

M Dallas Article | 2010.07.21

'Joshua Nimmo, Tapping into the American Spirit'

by Christina Gaona

http://www.moderndallas.net/joshuanimmo.html

The name of Joshua Nimmo’s studio, Nimmo American Studio for Progressive Architecture, provides valuable insight into the Dallas architect’s respect for the American spirit and its undeniable influence on his design work. Nimmo’s distinctly American creative process, one fueled by past notions of carpe diem and manifest destiny, values the process of problem solving, innovation, and the freedom to explore and progress. He consistently seeks to represent his work through “the positive values of what it means to be an American” – values that one can easily lose sight of.

The name of Joshua Nimmo’s studio, Nimmo American Studio for Progressive Architecture, provides valuable insight into the Dallas architect’s respect for the American spirit and its undeniable influence on his design work. Nimmo’s distinctly American creative process, one fueled by past notions of carpe diem and manifest destiny, values the process of problem solving, innovation, and the freedom to explore and progress. He consistently seeks to represent his work through “the positive values of what it means to be an American” – values that one can easily lose sight of.

Nimmo’s co-founding role in the design syndicate Bloc and his role in Workhaus emphasize the value of social interaction, cultural creativity, and the coming together of similarly-minded people. Whether pursuing a common purpose or without specific agenda, the philosophies behind both Bloc and Workhaus greatly influenced Nimmo’s desire to distinguish himself as a modern architect. For Nimmo, the birth of Nimmo American was a means of representing his entire value system. “The way I practice parallels my personal values,” says Nimmo about his lifelong quest to find himself through architecture. His minimalist approach to design is a product of profound philosophical deliberation and reflects a sincere appreciation for raw, basic materials and architectural honesty.

For Nimmo, modern architecture is about, “authenticity and trying to develop something that is more than just an object to be viewed. It’s about creating something that happens over time and something that you experience over time. It’s about spaces and about a dynamic system that is constantly interacting with the people that are in a building.” Recognizing the impact of design forces like sustainability, function, and space are key to the sense of balance that each of Nimmo’s designs carries. To experience a design, Nimmo emphasizes the importance of interaction between people and a space. This is what completes the dynamic system.

“My favorite client wants a modern design for similar reasons for me wanting to be a modern architect. It is not because they want to portray themselves a certain way – it is a client who is really interested in discovering deeper layers of meaning in modern architecture. Clients that are searching for something new, progressive, something that solves a problem in a better way; those are my favorite clients.”

“My favorite client wants a modern design for similar reasons for me wanting to be a modern architect. It is not because they want to portray themselves a certain way – it is a client who is really interested in discovering deeper layers of meaning in modern architecture. Clients that are searching for something new, progressive, something that solves a problem in a better way; those are my favorite clients.”

Nimmo’s most recently completed project, the Rusk Residences, was commissioned for and developed as one of Alan Kagan’s Dwellings series of modern homes in Dallas. Nimmo and Kagan’s collaboration on this project was inspired by a growing popular interest in modern architecture and a need for an affordable modern home market. The two men believed that, “if anything was going to sell, it would be something that was affordable and had value.” The two Rusk residences feature open areas and clean, simple lines and are listed at just under 300K. Nimmo’s ambitions for the Rusk residences reflect the flexible nature of modern design.

“Modern architecture is different from other types of architecture because throughout time you can define different types of architecture through style. Modern architecture is almost an anti-style. It tries not to have rules because rules inhibit its final potential – it needs to shed those parameters to open up possibilities for the final solution.”

Joshua Nimmo began practicing architecture professionally in 1997. Before the birth of Nimmo American Studio for Progressive Architecture, he worked directly with architect Lionel Morrison at morrisonseifertmurphy (MSM) and contributed to several important projects in Dallas including, the W Dallas Residences and the One Arts Plaza Residences. Nimmo is a LEED accredited professional and has gained popularity for his continuing efforts to push architectural boundaries. He is currently working on three projects – two remote studio/residences and one single-family residence. Construction on these projects will begin later this year.

Solar Decathlon | 2010.07.01

WWW.SOLARDECATHLON.ORG

Solar Decathlon Research Outline

I.  Preface

A.  There is some irony that the studies for energy savings were all based on suburban or rural models.  It’s projected that 90% of the future human population will be urban.  The efficiencies of the urban model for both energy and infrastructural requirements will be an absolute necessity for the human race.  By far, the most energy efficient move one can make is to go urban.

B.  According to experts, passive design is far more effective than active technologies.

C.  A vision for the future must not ignore A&B.

II.  Summary

A.  Holistic designs did best.  They successfully incorporated Passive Design ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design) with Passive and Active Technologies.

B.  No apparent magic bullet or smoking gun.  No single technology seemed to give anyone an overwhelming advantage. 

C.  Be efficient.  Efficient plans = less area to condition = less energy required.  Multi-use spaces are good.  A three in one space requires 1/3 the area as having a space for each use.

D.  The beauty to passive design is that it’s permanent; it doesn’t become antiquated.  Passive design is the smartest move one can make; it’s free to implement and highly effective.  A passively designed house can require as little as ¼ the energy as a home that ignores passive fundamentals.

E.  Smart home technologies were consistently used…ie:  http://www.livecurio.us/pages/feedback  and http://www.refracthouse.com/index.php/technology/controls_monitoring/

F.  Results:  http://www.solardecathlon.org/2009/final_results.cfm

III.  Notable Teams

A.  Team Germany:  http://www.solardecathlon.tu-darmstadt.de/home/home.en.jsp

  1. Won 1st Place
  2. Had about 4 times the amount of solar panels as most
  3. VIP- Vacuum Insulated Panels…

B. Team Illinois:  http://www.solardecathlon.uiuc.edu/

1.  Won 2nd Place

2.  Required ¼ the energy of Germany …Straight forward common sense design

3.  Supposedly created 4 times the energy than it needed

4.  Much less window openings than others.

5.  Airtap water heater… http://www.airgenerate.com/products/airtap.html

C.  Team California:  http://www.refracthouse.com/

1.  Won 3rd Place

2.  Californians… no 90 degree angles

3. Liked the building monitoring aspect

D.  Team Virginia Tech:  http://www.solar.arch.vt.edu/design/index.html

1.  Some cool technologies: http://www.solar.arch.vt.edu/design/technologies/index.html

2.  This was a great idea:  http://www.solar.arch.vt.edu/design/technologies/7.html

3.  Good performance considering the amount of glass.

​

Beauty as an objective.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty

Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction…
 

Beauty requires perception.

 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beauty

1.
the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest)…

 

Beauty is not confined to the sense of sight.

 

Perception

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perception

1.
the act or faculty of apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition; understanding.

 

Understanding

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/understanding

1.
mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation: My understanding of the word does not agree with yours.

 

understanding is relative =>  perception is relative =>  beauty is relative

 

Beauty is based on one’s understanding; one’s experience.  Beauty is learned.

 

greater experience =>  greater understanding =>  greater perception of beauty

 

Understanding is a prerequisite for perceiving beauty

 

To perceive beauty in architecture is to understand it; not as a mere object (or space) in a single instance but as an experience, system, and solution in and through time.

 

Durability, Functionality, Beauty (firmitas, utilitas, venustas) should not be segregated

 

Beauty = Functionality + Durability + …