Sparkflight Studios

Farmhouse in Warwickshire, UK (2017). Photo ©  Architecture 00 . According to the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission . Buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. In response, WikiHouse has developed a mission to “put the knowledge & tools to build beautiful, zero-carbon buildings into the hands of every citizen, community and business.” How it Works Designer Alastair Parvin presents a simple but provocative idea: what if, instead of architects creating buildings for those who can afford to commission them, regular citizens could design and build their own houses? The concept is at the heart of WikiHouse, an open source construction kit that means just about anyone can build a house, anywhere. Watch Alastair Parvin’s TED Talk, here . The big idea behind WikiHouse is the power of 'many small'. WikiHouse isn't made by just one company in one large, centralized factory, but b...

Artist's rendering of the new LACMA designed by Atelier Peter Zumthor (set to open 2024). Fly-through video by Andrei Juradowitch © 2021.  http://andreiucop.com/ THE NEW YORKER published a thoughtful article on Peter Zumthor's newly (and controversially) designed LACMA in October 2020. The article touches on several nuances of the project: local and municipal politic, meaning of art within cultural milieu and institutional structures -- all in the context of conversations with Zumthor in his hermitage in Haldenstein, Switzerland. Read the full article, here . Below is the latest release from LACMA: New galleries. More art. For all of Los Angeles. A new way to encounter the world’s cultures—past, present, and future. Over the last two decades, LACMA has sought to find new ways to embrace all the communities of Los Angeles County and honor all the world’s artistic traditions. Our goal is to make the experience of our collection richer and more accessible than ever befo...

Buildings are taking shape as framing nears completion at Wardelle Street Townhouses. Strategies for sun-shading and defensible space have become visible. Progress in construction is underway on a bright cloudless morning at our Wardelle Street Townhouses project. The construction site is electric with sounds of nail guns, bulldozers, and dirt payloads. Sparkflight Studios is excited to report that major infrastructure is in place, and buildings have taken shape. Wardelle Street Townhouses, located caddy-corner from the new East Las Vegas Library, consists of 12 buildings and 57 affordable apartment units for the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.  As building progresses, we regularly conduct field investigations and consult with the Contractor to ensure design intent is met. More construction updates to come as site improvements continue and building skin is applied! At Building 1 (image side left), exposed exterior framing receives insulation before sheathin...

Framing has begun on our Wardelle Street Townhouses project! Now that spring is here, we are finding joy in the blue skies and emerging flora. It is a treat to get outside and into the field during this beautiful weather! Our construction projects continue to roll forward despite the current crisis. During site visits, just as in the workplace, we are strictly following OSHA health and safety prevention measures, including maintaining safe distancing and limiting group sizes as much as possible. Despite the heaviness of the current situation, we are excited to report projects that are on the boards for Sparkflight Studios: Wardelle Street Townhouses, Pinto Campus Social Services Training Room, and Government Center Reroofing and Sealant Replacement. These projects are all in the construction phase! At Wardelle Street Townhouses, post-tensioned structural slabs have emerged as building footprints are taking shape. This project is a new 57-unit affordable housing complex for t...