Geodesic Dome Renovation
This renovation of a geodesic dome home includes a new primary suite and bedroom with a view of the forest; a new kitchen with lines of sight and sound to the living and dining areas; as well as new finishes throughout. The home was originally designed and built at the height of the energy crisis in the early 1980s. At the time, the homeowners wanted a "cabin in the woods" close to the city as well as a forward-thinking home that clearly took a position on energy conservation. How can something new respect and love what's old? How can the essence of a place be carried forward without losing what makes it special?
Location
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Design Team
Kevin Barden and Joe Rivers
Typology
Residential
Date
2022-2024
Interior Design
I/O Design Office
Structural Engineering
Larsen Engineering
General Contractor
Sexton and Associates
Photography
Leonid Furmansky
Process
Explore
Briargrove Park Renovation
Houston, Texas
Residential
The family for this renovation was looking to add a bedroom and bathroom to provide space for family to visit and stay for extended periods of time. Using the footprint of the existing garage for a new primary bedroom suite, a new garage was added help frame the existing swimming pool as well as provide a covered outdoor area for entertaining. Additional areas of the home (including laundry facilities and a coffee bar) were renovated to provide more functionality in how the family lives their life.
Minh Nguyen
Business Owner & Restauranteur
Food and Beverage
In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Minh Nguyen, the friendly figure behind Cafe TH in Houston, Texas.
The Architectural Vernacular of Houston
Joe Rivers
Writing
As the architectural historian Paul Oliver aptly puts it, “All forms of vernacular architecture are built to meet specific needs, accommodating the values, economies, and ways of life of the cultures that produce them.” In this article, we will explore the various dimensions of architectural vernacular and why it is essential for crafting designs that resonate with the heart and soul of Houston and the Gulf Coast.