A House as Clay or Stone
It is amusing to me looking back at the lists of criteria and desires and necessities I had going into this project. We think of our built (and even natural) environments as something we shape and dictate. We treat our surroundings as if they are merely clay at our finger tips, ready to be molded into any form that we see fit. We seem to believe that if only we try hard enough or force something into submission, that suddenly, our world will shift to cater to us, cradling us in our own self-entitlement. While it is true that we can impact the world around us, it is far more often that we are the ones changing. Something I carried away from my studies in landscape architecture is that the land will often tell you what it wants to become. Its various slopes and textures and forms will communicate to anyone willing to take the time to slow down and ponder. It isn’t just about what we want and need but rather what should happen to make things right.
Many of the things that we initially wanted for the Little Blue House revolved around creating a lifestyle as much as just physical features. After all, a home is a place that we live in not just observe or stage to impress our friends. Over the past couple of years Rebekah and I have grown very fond of the concept of being more self sufficient. I believe that the catalyst for this was copious amount of time that we spent in the kitchen cooking with each other, creating wonderful meals, strengthening our relationship as well as bringing ourselves and our friends a little closer together. It was the culmination of several factors that led to the jump to the drive to become self sufficient: my incessant desire to research my every curiosity, the belief that we are stewards of the Earth, as well as the desire to live dynamic, real, and healthy lives. To us it was very disturbing that people often have no clue as to what they are eating or where it comes from, nor do they have an idea of whats in that shampoo or hand soap or any of the many medications that they consume without question. What would people do without large supermarkets or big box retail stores? I’m pretty sure to some, the world would stop turning, the skies would go dark, and the impending doom of the four horsemen would come riding through the fiery horizon.
So along those lines we desired room for agriculture such as a large vegetable garden, some fruit trees, herbs and possibly chickens. A well equipped kitchen with room for crafts (candle and soap making etc.) was a must. An eventual storage building with large freezer, room for canning supplies and dry storage of food and tools was also placed on the list. Efficient and environmental installations such as solar and tankless hot water, rainwater capture, highly efficient heating and decentralized AC units were also planned. The home would be three bedrooms with two bathrooms, with a slightly modern but warm style. Much beyond that we had no clue!
It has been about 9 months since that initial list was created and it is nice to say, that many of the things remain on the list, and many more have been added. I have spent many hours designing, thinking and observing what is needed within the LBH to really make it successful. A bee hive and espalier orchard were added to the self sufficiency list, providing an ample source of fruit, olives (and oil), as well honey and beeswax for candles and beauty products. Ideas for within the house have increased many times over from a very different floor plan, concrete counter tops, a glass-shrouded spiral staircase, a gas fireplace and many ideas for storage and creating the most out of the 1068 square feet we have to work with. Spreadsheets have been created and plans are being made on a daily basis. Being the nerd I am, many concepts have been modeled in Vectorworks to give us an idea of how things will fit together and look in the end. The style of the house has evolved into a very interesting mix of “honest” materials, clean lines, and a warm environment. Outdoors there are several garden areas, an asia-inspired sitting area, a small back patio, a larger front patio, an outdoor shower with a flowing stream that winds through the plantings. It is exciting the play with the many possibilities.
Renaissance sculptors believed that the individual blocks of stone would communicate what was to be carved from them before a chisel was even touched to the face. These artists would often sit and examine the blocks for hours, waiting for the epiphany, often believed to be a flash of insight from God, that would tell them how to commence. The LBH to me is much like the marble blocks of the great sculptors. There are only a few marks from the chisel upon it, but its true and final form will only be found through patience, hard work, and attention what its trying to tell you within.
-k. vincent