Nov 19 2009
Cottam Hargrave celebrates the connection between thinking about architecture and doing architecture with their participation in this year's East Austin Studio Tour.
One of the firm’s pieces, Militant Grammarians, located on Cesar Chavez, is an exercise in framing views and earthwork. A specially-formulated concrete block with extra plasticizer and graphite dye sits on a three-foot mound and directs visitors' attention through an aperture and down a path leading to an eleven-foot diameter hole three feet below grade. A tipi covers the hole and directs visitors' views upward to the sky, emphasizing that the human experience is based on the context created in perception.
Militant Grammarians sits at 1808 E Cesar Chavez
Cottam Hargrave acts as the architect, the general contractor, and specialty artisans. This allows their architectural involvement and the concept to remain strong from the initial inception throughout the execution of the construction process. An intimacy of materials grows through the firm's collection of empirical knowledge, which can be seen in the two pieces on display for this year's EASTour.
Founding partner of Cottam Hargrave, Jay Hargrave, will share the firm's philosophy of process at an Architect + Artisan panel discussion sponsored by the local AIA this Friday. Hargrave is a native Austinite who actively encourages the connection between art and architecture in the community. Hargrave taught at the University of Texas School of Architecture, lectures at Continuing Education classes at the local AIA, and has been invited to join the Austin Museum of Art's Board of Advisors. Hargrave stated, "To conceptualize and realize an object is an intrinsically gratifying process. The ability to share the creative process with others in the world is an amazing gift."
EAST Austin Studio Tours
Cottam Hargrave has two “Happenings” on display for this annual event. This year activities are expanded over two weekends: Nov 14-15 and 21-22.
Dearthas:
1830 E MLK, in front of Flatbed Press
A modern totem pole that records the passing thoughts of pedestrians.
Militant Grammarians:
1808 E Cesar Chavez (the empty lot next to the Shuck Shack)
AIA Architects + Artisans panel discussion
1209 E. 6th St, Fri. Nov. 20, 5:30–7:30p.m.
Come see Jay Hargrave, Lars Stanley, David Manning, and Ryan Coover as they describe the importance of the art/architecture connection and how they have successfully integrated this in their practice. See examples of both architectural design and the work of the Architect-Artisan as well.
Source: http://www.cottamhargrave.com/