Criss Cross House

Ever since the late 50’s designers and architects alike have strived for ‘Minimalism’ in their creations.

The movement was made popular by architectural figure head Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) who adopted the motto "Less is more" to describe his aesthetic.

Yet, one does not have to look far to see the inherit floors in this approach to design.

Whole documentries have been produced around the liveability of Van der Rohe’s Fansworth house and the construction issues associated with his Barcelona Pavilion’s exacting standards.

Paradoxically, minimalism is a very difficult thing to accomplish in design when working with budget limitations.

It will often butt heads against the costs associated with achieving this pure version of architectural refinement.

Rather than ‘Simplicity,’ I tend to gravitate toward ‘Symmetry.’ Symmetry, in and of itself promotes consistency.

A detail may be custom yet when it is replicated in an appropriate way the by-product is efficiency.

In our first design for 2019, we are embracing repetition to create a form that is consistently recognizable throughout the length of its main structure.

This recurrence is understood via the juxtaposing of two complementary aesthetic approaches, The outer most being recycled telegraph poles and the inner, expressed galvanized steel.

The bucolic poles bring warmth and texture with a degree of irregularity in the finish, while the steel is clean, refined and millimeter perfect.

This balance creates a visual middle ground, not too minimal and not too primal.

It's interesting to note that when a structure is set out in a recognizable grid, it produces a beautiful backdrop where the erratic nature of landscaping can shine.