Music in the Courtyard Returns to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Vestibule, an art gallery in Ballard, Seattle, has reopened in a new location, evolving from its original concept as a live/work space that doubled as an Airbnb. Created by Kascha Semonovitch and John Snavely, the initial Vestibule combined an art gallery with a short-term rental. This unique model allowed guests to "live within the art" and provided a sustainable funding mechanism for exhibitions through Airbnb rental fees. Semonovitch and Snavely emphasized their commitment to "public life," choosing to invest in a shared art space rather than a private collection, focusing on exhibiting art not confined to material, possessable objects. The original Vestibule, known for its vibrant art openings, required Semonovitch to frequently transform the space from a gallery to a more conventional Airbnb setting within a tight 24-hour window after each show. This demanding process involved removing furniture, painting, installing art, and then reverting the space back for rental guests. The decision to transition to Vestibule 2.0 was driven by the desire to continue supporting artists in North Seattle while eliminating the logistical challenges of the dual-purpose space. The new Vestibule 2.0 is located at the corner of 15th Ave NW and NW 60th St. While it no longer includes an Airbnb component, the larger space offers an expanded canvas for artists and allows Semonovitch to host more exhibitions. A distinctive feature of the new space is the "banana art" in the bathroom, an idea that originated from Semonovitch's six-year-old child and has since evolved into a humorous commentary on art and commerce, complete with a Spotify playlist of banana-themed songs. Semonovitch, also a writer and poet, actively seeks out visual artists for future collaborations. She discovers new talent by attending various art shows at galleries, schools, and organizations like 4Culture, and maintains a keen interest in artists she admires and their subsequent work. She has recently conducted numerous studio visits and expressed interest in showcasing installations by Tyna Ontko and Jia Jia, as well as collaborating with Michael Swaine of Futurefarmers. Demonstrating a commitment to democratizing access to the art world, Semonovitch issues open calls for submissions, such as the upcoming "carbon" exhibit. She believes that small galleries like Vestibule play a crucial role in providing opportunities for artists. Semonovitch also contemplates an exhibition exploring the intersection of faith and art, noting how many artists, particularly in a secular city like Seattle, have complex relationships with religious upbringings or spiritual practices that influence their work, even if these topics are often unspoken within the art community. Vestibule 2.0 commenced its new chapter with "Dinner with Agnes Martin," a group exhibition featuring artists such as Amanda Salov, Emily Gherard, Emma Royer, Ilana Zweschi, Lakshmi Muirhead, Season Evans, and Sharon Arnold, characterized by its textual and textural depth. The upcoming exhibition, Allyce Wood's "Soft Systems," will feature tapestries and open-studio weaving hours. Semonovitch draws inspiration from previous influential Seattle galleries like True's Western Bridge, Lawrimore Project, and The Alice, and acknowledges contemporary venues like Greg Lundgren's Museum of Museums, positioning Vestibule as a significant contributor to Seattle's current art scene. #ArtGallery #SeattleArt #Ballard #KaschaSemonovitch #JohnSnavely #ArtistCollaboration #Exhibition #CommunityArt #LocalArtScene

M3 Architecture designed a dedicated music studio for a client in Newcastle, New South Wales, addressing the client's need for a separate space to compose and practice string instruments with students, away from their main residence. The studio's design emerged from the challenge of relocating teaching activities from the family's front bedroom, which had impacted household privacy and logistics. The firm's director, Michael Banney, who is also the client's brother, aimed to create a 'backyard pedagogy' – a spatial environment fostering an easy transition between practice and performance for students. Operating within budgetary constraints, M3 Architecture utilized cost-effective materials for the studio's construction. Plasterboard was chosen for the interior walls and ceiling, while fibre cement was applied as exterior cladding. The studio is strategically positioned adjacent to an existing olive tree in the garden. A distinctive gabled porch extends from the studio's facade, serving a dual purpose by creating a sheltered outdoor recital space atop a decked stage area. The aesthetic inspiration for the studio draws subtly from Finnish architect Alvar Aalto's Finlandia Hall. This influence is reflected in the studio's white-painted exterior, the selection of warm-toned timber flooring, and a deep-navy rear wall, echoing the pale facade and rich blue interior details found in Aalto's work. This design approach aims to blend the grandeur of a public architectural masterpiece with the practical, DIY ethos often associated with a backyard structure. Functionality for musical performance is a key aspect of the design. The studio features raised ceilings, exceeding three meters in height, which are instrumental in enhancing sound reverberation throughout the room. Additionally, the space is equipped with a heavy curtain that can be drawn across two walls, providing a mechanism for inhabitants to modulate and control the acoustics as needed for various musical activities. The studio also incorporates a small bathroom at its rear and a fold-out sofa bed, allowing it to serve as a versatile guest room when the grand piano is moved aside. Beyond this residential project, Brisbane-based M3 Architecture is recognized for its expertise in designing educational and public buildings. An example of their previous work includes a center for abused children in Queensland, characterized by its decorative concrete walls and play areas sheltered by a scalloped canopy, showcasing their diverse portfolio in architectural design. #M3Architecture #MusicStudio #ResidentialArchitecture #NewcastleAustralia #AlvarAaltoInfluence #AcousticDesign #CostEffectiveMaterials #AustralianDesign

The Inglewood Residence, designed by Mark Odom Studio, is a 2,400 square foot Mid-Century Modern home located in Austin, United States, completed in 2020. The core design philosophy centers around integrating the dwelling with nature through a series of gardens and a centralized courtyard. Existing trees on the site played a crucial role in shaping the architectural design, both for preservation purposes and to enhance the continuous connection between the interior and exterior spaces. This integration is achieved through an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows that line each room, ensuring visual access to the surrounding environment and natural light throughout the house. Internally, the residence features terraced zones that serve to strengthen the programming of each space while maintaining a consistent visual perspective across the different levels. A continuous brick wall acts as a central circulation spine, traversing the house along its north-south axis and connecting all the individual areas. This design element not only provides a cohesive visual thread but also guides movement and defines pathways within the home. The project emphasizes a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living, promoting an immersive experience with the natural surroundings. Key design decisions, such as the placement of windows and the orientation of spaces, were made to maximize this interaction. The project details indicate that Mark Odom Studio was responsible for both the architectural design and the landscape architecture, working in collaboration with ESS Design+Build for construction. Other collaborators included PCW Construction, Inc. for structural engineering, Thrower Design and Neslie Cook for civil engineering, and Ruby Cloutier for staging and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). The materials used in the construction include Ceasar Stone and Ferguston plumbing fixtures. The wall installations utilized Quality Spray Foam and drywall by Render Carpentry + Paint, with weather barriers provided by Austin Waterproof Deck & Tex Tar. A&J Masonry handled the masonry work, while ESS Design+Build was responsible for custom terrazzo flooring. Eco Wood Treatment was applied as a sealer, and Air-Rite by Design managed the HVAC systems. Render Carpentry + Paint also contributed to the cabinetry. The Inglewood Courtyard House is categorized under residential architecture, renovation, and house interiors. The comprehensive involvement of Mark Odom Studio in various aspects of the project, including landscape, highlights a holistic approach to the design, where the building and its environment are conceived as an integrated whole. The use of natural materials and careful consideration of light and views contribute to the home’s Mid-Century Modern aesthetic and its overarching theme of connecting with nature. The project demonstrates how architectural design can respond to and incorporate existing site features to create a harmonious living environment. #ResidentialArchitecture #MidCenturyModern #CourtyardHouse #MarkOdomStudio #AustinTexas #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesign #Renovation #LandscapeArchitecture

This article explores the creative potential of courtyard gardens, emphasizing how their enclosed nature encourages innovative design solutions for smaller plots. It showcases various examples, illustrating how these spaces can be transformed into functional and aesthetically pleasing areas. One example features a house designed by Mexico City-based architects RA!, where a series of courtyards intersect the property. A small, raised area with a bar, situated off a living-dining room, and another outdoor seating space demonstrate how even limited courtyard dimensions can be ideal for entertaining. The design incorporates lush planting and minimalist lighting to create a cozy and convivial atmosphere that becomes more engaging as daylight fades. Another case study highlights a London courtyard garden where Studio Tashima collaborated with garden designer Cali Rand to maximize the utility of every inch. Architect Charles Tashima explains their approach to integrating nooks on either side of a central extension, ensuring that these spaces visually and spatially interact with the house. These nooks were specifically designed to be wide enough for practical use, such as accommodating a French-style bistro table and chairs, making them perfect for a morning coffee. This design philosophy emphasizes creating 'spaces within spaces.' The article also presents a home with multiple rooms opening onto a small courtyard garden. Here, Melbourne-based Clare Cousins Architects, in conjunction with Eckersley Garden Architecture, focused on fostering a strong connection between indoor and outdoor environments. Their design embraces a naturalistic aesthetic, utilizing pavestones set in a disordered manner with greenery growing through the gaps. This approach results in a courtyard garden that feels unexpectedly wild and free. Finally, East London-based landscape designer Miria Harris's work is featured, showcasing how different zones of a courtyard garden can be leveled to create intentional areas for specific uses. This method allows for a structured yet dynamic outdoor space, optimizing functionality and flow within the courtyard. Across these examples, the central theme is the versatility and transformative power of thoughtful design in courtyard gardens, proving that even compact areas can be reimagined into beautiful and purposeful extensions of a home. #CourtyardGardens #OutdoorDesign #GardenDesign #SmallSpaceGardening #LandscapeArchitecture #HomeDesign #CreativeGardening #UrbanGardens