#clairelcardwell

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3 years ago

What Kitty Did Next - The Chesterfield Sofa Incident...

Claire L Cardwell · One night I was bored. · I wandered about the room. · Fingers decorated with paper cigar rings, a Romeo e Julietta in my hand. · I took the occasional puff and added some more brandy to my glass. · The men had draped their jackets all over the room. · Folio Cases and Briefs ...

3 years ago

Making America Beautiful Again - Trump on Architecture

Claire L Cardwell · I know I vowed in October 2018 not to write another article about Donald Trump or politics... and I have kept my promise until now! · Now I can't keep quiet, now I won't keep quiet. · Recently a draft executive order was leaked that will require all new federal buildings to confo ...

3 years ago

Beautiful Buildings Around The World Part 4 - 747 Wing House

Claire L Cardwell · Is it a bird? · Is it a Plane? · No it's a house... the 747 Wing House in California was designed by David Hertz of Studio of Environmental Architecture. · David wanted to design a home that had unobstructed views of the stunning mountain ranges surrounding the site. · The client ...

3 years ago

How to Choose a Good Builder

Claire L Cardwell · You can not be too careful when choosing a contractor or sub-contractor, go the extra mile and make sure you feel confident that you have chosen wisely before you start building. · We’ve all heard about construction nightmares – whether it be the architect who fails to submit pla ...

4 years ago

Architects I Admire Part Nine - Bercy Chen

Claire L Cardwell · Bercy Chen Studio was founded in 2001 by Thomas Bercy and Calvin Chen and is based in Austin, Texas. They have vastly different backgrounds (Thomas is from Belgium and Calvin is from Taiwan via Australia) but they share a similar design approach. The firm has won more than 20 a ...

4 years ago

Beautiful Buildings Around The World Part 3 - Drift House on Little Much Farm

Claire L Cardwell · I came across this amazing house recently and fell in love. It's on a hill side overlooking the Sahyadri hills of Mulshi and its lake, in Little Much Farm in Nandivali, India. The house was designed by Shonan Purie Trehan of Language.Architecture.Body (LAB). · The site has ...

4 years ago

What You Should Expect From a Set of Plans You Submit to Council

Claire L Cardwell · Recently I've seen some awful plans that were submitted to Council and will never be approved... I hope this article helps you to make an informed choice when picking an Architect/Designer - it's vital to take a look at a sample of their plans and check that they are registered ...

4 years ago

The Truth About What A Building Plan Should Look Like...

Claire L Cardwell · Too many people are getting messed around by inexperienced /unqualified or even unscrupulous 'architects'. My blood's been boiling for a while and I was horrified to see yet another set of bad plans just before Easter. In essence it was pretty lines drawn in the sand and then p ...

4 years ago

The Shrine of Whatslove by Wutopia Lab, China

Claire L Cardwell · In the Zhejiang countryside the Shanhai based design studio Wutopia Lab installed the Shrine of Whatslove. The red triangular pavilion reminds me of a huge bird's nest. · It's a robotically woven carbon fibre structure devoted to love and marriage. The Shrine was created in co ...

4 years ago

Crescentwood House by Claire Cardwell @ Blue Designs

Claire L Cardwell · This was another project that took a long time to complete. · I was first commissioned to design this house in 2014, the plans were completed and then the Client went elsewhere to a different architect/designer who did a completely different house. · Unsatisfied they came back to ...

4 years ago

Beautiful Buildings Around The World Part 2 - Bosjes Chapel

Claire L Cardwell · The Bosjes Chapel is set within a vineyard and pomegranate orchard. It is at the foot of the Waaihoek Mountain, in the Breede Valley, Western Cape, South Africa and was designed by South African born Coetzee Steyn of Steyn Studio. · The 6 metre high (19.68ft) Chapel has a scu ...

5 years ago

Beautiful Buildings Around The World Part 1 - The Mysore Palace in India

Claire L Cardwell · I have been fascinated with Indian Architecture for decades, but haven't as yet had the chance to visit... My father would often talk (and show me his photographs) of the incredible buildings and palaces around India, together with some tall tales - which were all true (apart fr ...

5 years ago

House Chidi, Copperleaf Golf Estate, South Africa

Claire L Cardwell · The Story of House Chidi, was a long one, in fact both my Client and I will both agree, it was hard work getting this house through the planning process. · However with perseverance (& a wee bit of the luck of the Irish French and some fast talking by Chidi and his lovely wife), ...

5 years ago

More Infamous African Wildlife - The Hadedah (You Have Been Warned)

Claire L Cardwell · Anyone contemplating a visit to South Africa (or even moving here) is understandably worried about crime. · It's not crime you have to worry about - No, No, No - It's the Hadedah Ibis. · That's right a bird. This bird is the reason you will leap out of bed at 5am on your first mo ...

5 years ago

My Imaginary Speech Addressing the United Nations

Claire L Cardwell · Ladies and Gentlemen, · Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, world leaders, ambassadors, and distinguished delegates: · I would like to offer my gratitude for your gracious indulgence today and for allowing me to address you all. · The unfortunate events at the United Nation ...

5 years ago

Things that make me go Nuts...

Claire L Cardwell · I was having a chat with Mum the other night (I am back in Old Blighty for a visit) and we were discussing things that were guaranteed to make our blood boil... High up the list were mispronunciations and jargon. · 1. Jargon and Mispronunciations · I hate jargon - phrases like ' ...

5 years ago

Will the Leaning Tower of Pisa Fall Over?

Claire L Cardwell · I remember my trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa - I must have been about 3 or 4 and when my legs got too tired, my Dad simply picked me up and carried me the rest of the way to the top - in a 'fireman's lift'. My laughing and screeching no doubt annoyed a few fellow tourists wan ...

5 years ago

Would you live in a Flat-Pack Home?

Claire L Cardwell · Many people mistake Flat Pack Homes with the 1940's and 50's prefabricated homes that were built for returning soldiers and their families after the second world war. With housing crises and natural disasters plaguing the world, architects and designers have come up with some in ...

5 years ago

Favourite Places of mine in Johannesburg

Claire L Cardwell · I first moved to Joburg in June 1999 and still discover amazing places to enjoy in this vibrant city. So here are a few of my favourite spots... · 1. Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens · Top of my list has to be the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens which is just up the road from me ...

5 years ago

Green Buildings are Healthier

Claire L Cardwell · According to a recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend nearly 90% of their life indoors. Yet the air we breathe indoors is about 2 - 5 times more toxic than outside. This is due to poor ventilation and off gassing of toxic chemicals from carpeting ...

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