Pinkcomma Gallery Welcomes Hometta
Showcasing the first fruits from Hometta's new design delivery model, "Welcome Hometta" brings to Boston 24 contemporary home designs from innovative firms across the country. One of these is over,under (also the heads behind pinkcomma gallery), a young jack-of-all-trades design studio that is helping Hometta redefine the space between prefab and not. I chatted with Mark Pasnik and Chris Grimley, two of the firm's principals and pinkcomma co-directors.
How did the over,under and Hometta connection emerge?
Chris: Simply, we wanted to bring affordable, designed alternatives to the forefront with Hometta. We really see Hometta as not only raising the level of modern design, but also 'elevating the cool factor' in the current traditional housing market.
Mark: Designing for Hometta was very much like entering a competition -- we weren't paid to design the house, but were given nearly free rein. Its a new entrepreneurial model -- if the house plan sells well, we get paid.
What were the biggest challenges in designing a Hometta home?
Chris: Since there was no site, the question became 'how can we create a set of rules to propel our design process?' How can we challenge the generic flat site? So we pushed the house into the land, and it became a game -- we split it in section, cranked it up and down, and then we split it in plan, cranking it left and right. As a result, we've got unconventional outdoor spaces, expansive views, a potentially habitable roof, and a name, the Crank House.
Mark: We wanted to create rules and abstract it to the point where dimensions matter -- for example, our long window openings were a product of our hermetic numbers game, fitting into a 2x2 measured horizontal/vertical scheme. Also, this isn't the first house we've designed, so we didn't have to battle 'first home syndrome,' where we try to cram in every design thing we learned fresh out of school. We're all beyond that.
The 2,439-sq-ft Crank House by over,under.
How does the Hometta model change the nature of the architect-client relationship? Since you're handing over already-completed plans, one doesn't necessarily even talk to the architect -- doesn't that create a certain level of disconnect?
Mark: Actually, when compared to today's mass-produced residential landscape, where only a contractor is involved, I feel that the Hometta model is doing just the opposite -- bringing the client and architect closer together. Since we envision these houses to be semi-customizable, we'll hear an amalgamation of opinions for what different clients want, creating a dialogue, a feedback loop.
Chris: I see it as the anti-thesis of prefab. The Hometta model is more interactive, and really embraces the fuzzy reality of construction. The bottom line is that we're bringing modern architecture to more people.
over,under is one of the only mutli-disciplinary design firms in the Boston area -- you dabble in not only architecture, but also in graphics, products, interiors, and urban design. Given the choice from a never-ending flow of projects, what realm would you guys gravitate towards?
Mark: That's just it - we wouldn't gravitate. over,under's got four principals, and we can all do architecture but we have our niches - Rami [el Samahy] is more urbanism, Roberto [de Oliveira Castro] is building, Chris is graphics, and I've got an editorial background. But all of us...we like to hop, we like to think at different scales. And in retrospect, that's what got us through the economy.
Chris: We get charged up about designing a Rockport book, or identity for the DeCordova, or a dog spa, a hotel, or a city. We're not a singular firm -- we've got rough edges to show.
Another one of their residential projects, the Marina del Sur beach house in Guatemala, is currently finishing up construction.
Products
-
Punctuation Page Markers
-
Make Your Mark Print
There's no better sentiment than one boldly encouraging you to realize your greatness, and there's no time like the present to hit the world with your best shot. Fire away!
-
Drift
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Related Products
-
Punctuation Page Markers
Inject a little personal voice into your study…
-
Make Your Mark Print
by Anthony BurrillThere's no better sentiment than one boldly…
-
Drift
When I saw this, I thought it was just like the…
Latest
-
02.03
Friday Finds 02.03.12
It's a balmy Friday here at Dwell's San Francisco office, and…
-
02.03
David Stark Pop-Up Shop
New York designer David Stark is the ne plus ultra of event…
-
02.03
Test Kitchen Before-and-After
In our February 2012 issue we featured the new experimental…
Follow
Dwell
-
Sofia Coppola has a nice loft for sale in Little Italy, but how 'bout those bentwood Breuer chairs? http://t.co/w4OdmvgZ #design #hubbahubba
-
Huge crowd at the sf #design center for @dwellprez and @dianabudds talking social media.
-
Getting ready for the social media and #design panel at SFDC http://t.co/gnBp543c
-
The new anteak line from @walkerzanger looks pretty good. #Design #tile
Interesting article ! Lots of luck !
RSS Feed
Add a Comment