Sep 19, 2009
Aug 26, 2009
The Curtis Urban Garden
From top to Bottom
1)Fence
2)April 11 - Earth Moving Day
3)Plot is prepped and ready for sowing
4)June - Week 10
5)July - Week 16
This summer I decided to turn the abandoned ally behind my house into a garden roughly 20x60 feet. I felt I was in need of a larger plot that could produce enough vegetables to sustain us through the summer and freeze or pickle the rest for the winter. My father and I cleared the alley and tilled the dirt on good Friday weekend. A good crop was produced considering some flooding setbacks due to the low ground along with the massive amount of rain fall in July. We planted corn, cow peas, green beans, okra, snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. The fertilizer I used was blood meal mixed with coffee and compost vegetables. Manure/topsoil mix was laid as a top layer. As a pesticide I used 'Organocide' which is a fish oil and sesame oil mix and applied as needed though the season. Weeds were controlled the old fashioned way of pulling except at the edges to control crawling grass and vines from entering the garden. Lisence plates were tied and strung across the plot allowing them to move in the wind, while being a reflective color one side did a descent job of keeping the birds and squirells away...at least 50% of the time. SO, I guess I could classify this garden as my first successful 'organic' garden by USDA standards at least.
Aug 7, 2009
Mrs. Pauline's Carriage House- current project
This shed was structurally failing due the original "brick" footings which led to the rotting of the sole plates and shifting of the entire structure. My neighbor originally wanted to tear it down and have another new pre-fabricated shed put in its place. After a closer inspection, I realized that a majority of the heart pine siding and interior studs were ok and could be salvaged. I was able to convince her that restoring the shed could be an option and would be a much more attractive solution while costing around the same as a new pre-fab shed.
I will post images as progress continues.
Jul 21, 2009
Wedding Masterplan- Hargis Retreat, Chelsea, AL
My wife and I were married in June at the YMCA Hargis Retreat in Chelsea, Alabama. Because our wedding and reception site was in an open field and not confined to one area, I decided to draw the site and use the 24x36 drawing as a map for guests.
ink on velum/ photoshop base texture
Jul 14, 2009
Knights of Columbus Masterplan Proposal- Glen Iris Neighborhood, Birmingham, AL
This project was a volunteer effort to provide ideas for my neighborhood association, developer, and the city of Birmingham for The Knights of Columbus property in my neighborhood. The property was in debate of becoming high-density apartments after the developer proposed it would be utilized for single family residential only. The 2 day charette consisted of myself, two other architects and a lot of brainstorming and drawing. The concept of the project was to rationalize the realities of the project and find a way to bridge the financial concerns of the developer along with the density concerns of the neighborhood. Our proposal consisted of providing the developer with the number of condos that would meet their investment yield while giving George Ward Park an entry from the eastern side and preserving the old growth trees along the southern edge of the property. The eastern park entry would also include small neighborhood retail along with a cafe/restaurant that over looked the new event lawn. We also proposed moving the fire station that sits a block away and is in need of new facilities to the corner of the eastern entry in order to integrate their presence into the neighborhood while also providing a sense of security for the new development.
ink on trash paper/ photoshop color
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DOG HOUSE - Birmingham Humane Society Barkitecture Tour
Our team for the 2007 Humane Society Barkitecture Tour consisted of Joel Solomon, Marshall Christi, Alan Haris, Emily Schmidt and myself. We built the house in 5 days and used all donated or found materials. The frame was built from yellow pine with western red cedar for the trim, decking material and rafters which were cut to abstractly represent a dogs mouth and a bone for the ridge beam. Exterior siding was cedar shake and a tire was cut to fit along the base as a water table. The roof was shingled using licence plates and dog food cans were used as a gutter which flowed down the downspout into the dogs bowls on the front porch. A operable louvered shutter was attached using a dog leash and a pulley to open and close. Tennis balls were split in half and used an an interior wall material. Interior lighting was achieved by using a small solar LED light. Our Doghouse won 'BEST IN SHOW' and was auctioned off for $1,100 which was donated to the Birmingham Humane Society.
Cabinet Restoration
stripped existing paint, sanded the doors on both sides, 3 coats of clear satin polyurethane
Salvaged Heart Pine Headboard
80 yr old (2x6) salvaged heart pint boards, planed and sanded, 2 coats of beeswax
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