CONNECTIVE MEASURES 2009
SCI-ARC THESIS EXHIBITION
LOS ANGELES, CA
CONNECTIVE MEASURES
The intention of a phenomenal art is simply the gift of seeing a little more today than you did yesterday.
-Robert Irwin
Being and Circumstance: Notes Toward a Conditional Art
Today, we are a culture resistant to permanence. Recent technological advancements, notably in communications, have played a role in this change, drastically altering our sense of relationship and further confounding our perception of small scale space, particularly the nuance. Buildings and spaces within those buildings once played an active role in this relationship, making visible to a receptive audience a very real sense of place. That visibility has since grown clouded, as static, everyday components can no longer compete with the vast sensory numbness of the present. Were losing theknowledge of place as we increasingly choose temporal routes through it.
As designers, it is often that we are presented with the arduous challenge of inserting a new architecture within the confines of the old. The complexity of the task quickly materializes, pertaining less to discussions of skill and execution, but rather unveiling itself as a series of questions: Where is the surface? Whats under it? What do we assume and where do we exercise independence? What is at the heart of this juxtaposition: the architecture of the re-imagined authentic? This thesis sheds light on two existing scenarios. 1) That we have lost our ability to receive the nuance. 2) That regardless of this loss, we are continually engaged in thecreation of architecture.
This thesis labors for place, offering a dialogue between that of the existing and newly conceived, recognizing that achievable permanence evolves out of an intimacy with that place: a careful examination beyond the surface.
Photography: Deborah Fuentes
Project Team: Jeremy Backlar, Deborah Fuentes, Erik Blanchard
GARDEN BENCH 2011
KNOW HOW SHOP " GARDEN SHOW"
NELAart
LOS ANGELES CA
The Creases: they're sharp. We cut and polished them that way. Its the good work, we all would agree that sustains our
perpetual forward motion, the desire and passion to dream, to build.
For us, an exploration into a particular idea: the bridging and subsequent union of the hard and soft works. An idea of high
craft and geometrical intersection, reclaimed materials tailored to new, the concrete jungle and green space.... and an orange grove, ...simply because you should. Construct facets and live well.
Glass Reinforced Concrete, Reclaimed Douglas fir, Steel.
PRESS
Check out the show!
http://vimeo.com/groups/107/videos/24205382
http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2011/07/27/green-seating-for-the-concrete-jungle/
http://arcfreeze.com/sharp-edged-seat-custom-bench-for-la%e2%80%99s-concrete-jungle/
http://dornob.com/sharp-edged-seat-custom-bench-for-las-concrete-jungle/
http://hortadoce.tumblr.com/post/8357910282/carats-by-blafudesign-this-furniture-piece-was
http://www.themetatrend.com/2011/10022/METATREND_22_Preview.pdf
Photography: D.F.
50 :1 ROTATING STORAGE BANK / PRESENTATION SPACE
CLIFF GARTEN STUDIO 2010
VENICE BEACH , CA
Man, by and large is predisposed to collection. Day in and day out we spend a great deal of time acquiring lifes precious necessities, all too often convinced that we have a place to put them. Truth soon revealed: we simply dont. There is just never enough good storage.
The B-50:1 attempts to answer mans most primal need, artfully organizing a bank of 50 separate storage cubbies into the convenience of a single partition wall.
Built entirely from pre-finished plywood over top of a structural steel under-carriage and pivot assembly, the piece was commissioned by The Cliff Garten Studio to fulfill a tool and supplies storage requirement, bringing much needed order to their expanding workshop.
Set on castors, the piece additionally serves as a rotating, spatial partition, accommodating a comfortable and safe work zone while offering an added measure of privacy for the studios conference area. The backside coincidently is clad in soft Homoste, providing 100sqft+ of presentation space.
The project demanded a meticulous care to detail including; face-glued construction with minimal fastenings, dado joints with customizable shelving and razor-sharp, mitered edges for a seamless, elegant appearance.
B 1095 CHAIR 2008
PROTOTYPE
Comprised entirely of water-cut, high tensile strength Spring Steel, The B-1095 lounge chair aims to provide a comfortablefit for a multitude of body types. As load is steadily applied, the yielding properties inherent in the material and enhanced as a riveted structural camber conform to the body affording the user a uniquely custom experience. Anticipating the near future of automated mass production, The B-1095 Lounger looks forward in its simplicity of parts cut cookie-cutter style from the generic sheet good.
BOTANICAL GARDEN, FROGTOWN
ALL SCHOOL EXHIBITION 2007
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LAZAR DESIGN/BUILD 2009
PREVISUALIZATION
MANHATTAN BEACH CA
Blanchard Fuentes Design is working closely with Manhattan Beach design/builder Steve Lazar on several commissioned render design sets for projects in the South Bay area.
LAZAR DESIGN/BUILD 2010
2112 THE STRAND
3100 THE STRAND
Manhattan Beach CA
Schumann Residence
MANHATTAN RESTURANT
333 MANHATTAN BEACH
coming soon!
I NTERMEDIATE CONSTRUCT 2008
INTERMEDIATE CONSTRUCT
What is artificial? What is natural? At what point does one end and another begin? Are they one in the same? These questions and others like it established the foundation of a 2007 undergrad thesis.
Realized as a series of experiential constructs combining qualities of water, air and light, Intermediate Construct was designed to arouse the senses, to stir the emotions asking the visitor for an acute awareness not readily available through everyday means.
Two separate constructs were envisioned: one, an outdoor installation offering twin water curtains forming a narrow arch. Once clicked to on, the visitor would find himself negotiating both the dangers and pleasures of constricted space as they neared the entry. The second located within an interior gallery space incorporated the use of directed light and fabric sails. Effects were enhanced through a shallow reflection pool defining circulation around the exhibit.
AHN RESIDENCE, PRIVACY SCREEN HOLLYWOOD CA
Hugging tightly into a curve of Mullholland Dr. in the Hollywood Hills is the Ahn Residence where a steep, craggy cliff replaces the traditional back yard while the front entrance sets back from an unrealistically narrow, dirt road. The client had asked for a design of a wooden privacy screen to enclose the front patio while still allowing natural light and air into the space. The screen was meant to integrate into an existing stucco wall which swept out as an elongated curve resting on top of the property line. Due to this curve, the screens design was realized as a pair of site laminated, horizontal stringers, accommodating a series of dado fit, vertically hung slats. A door was carefully designed into one wall to appear seamless.
OBJECTS OF DESIGN
FEATURED OBJECTS
The glimpse encourages the touch. The touch registers the subtlety. Is it smooth? The heft surprises me.
Realizing the hard and soft work demands a patient hand and the need for acute focus.
Object making continues to serve as our soundboard, where architectural aspirations are tested for future work.
Luxury materials are intoxicating.
Feathered Tool and Scabbard
Dimensions: 1" X 1" X 10"
Materials: Cocobolo, Leather, Steel, Brass
Ceremonial Vessel
Dimensions: 1" X 5" X 3"
Materials: Cocobolo, Bronze
Cantilever Drawer
Dimensions: 17-1/2" X 13-3/4" X 3-3/4"
Materials: Wood,Stainless Steel
Body Junk
Dimensions: 10" X 10" X 5"
Materials: Found Plastic, Glass, Steel
Photography: D.F
2202 THE STRAND 2010
MANHATTAN BEACH,CA
Photography & Graphic Design
HILLTOP APARTMENT REMODEL
2009
EL SEGUNDO CA
Los Angeles, besides its recognition as surf capital of the world and home of the freeway, also plays a distinguished role as an international business hub hosting a range of industries from a thriving aerospace / defense sector to film, manufacturing and finance, not to mention its offering as a year round tourist destination.
Travel is on the rise both to and from LA whether for business or pleasure, while mid price hotel chains continued to dominate the market, offering up dimly lit, spatially oppressive accommodations for tired travelers. Why sleep in someone elses bed when you can have your own? This: the premise of the project materialized as a top floor, one bedroom unit surgically converted into a fully furnished, short term luxury suite located within minutes of LAX.
The design includes new wood floors, granite counter tops, new fixtures and a twin pair of floor to ceiling height French Doors opening inwards revealing Terrazzo Balconettes. A pair of custom Steel Guard rails fit with Mahogany rail caps adds a measure of a security while encouraging the out door experience, flushing the space continually with fresh breeze and natural light.
