What I Learned this Semester

What I Learned this Semester

     As the semester comes to an end, my reflection back to all the things done during it is to be the next blog installment.  There were many field trips to various locations, a Design Expo that was attended, lectures on materials.  This class was not just about materials but how the material applies to commercial and residential usage and appropriateness.

     The most memorable one was the Jeff Seal homes.   His belief in quality and attention to detail was evident in both houses we as a class visited.  The first house, 4104 103^rd Street; had details such as no baseboards, barrel vault in the kitchen area, and French casement windows.  Two features that were put in the inside of the house were central vacuum system and fire sprinklers.  Outside was just as acquiesced.  A thoughtful statement such as a simply designed bell tower to pay homage to a villa’s bell tower spoke volumes.  Various depths of mortar joints spoke to his attention to detail.   The second house was on a much grander scale.  This house contains two master suites and a guest suite on the first floor.  Three laundry rooms, a two story piano room with a balcony overlooking the space, and a prayer room were just some of the special areas requested by the homeowners that are being built.  Since this house was still in the framing stage, we had the chance to see the bones of all the different recessed ceilings incorporated in the house.  Groin vaults are included in the various ceiling styles that make up the interior design.  

     The two other field trips that we went to that stand out in my mind were Leftwich Chapman and Collins Tile and Stone showrooms.  Chapman had amazing selection of tile, carpet, and flooring.  One of the carpet samples was so plush and soft that it was very hard to leave it alone.  Two of the unique flooring that they had was the cork and leather.  Collins Tile and Stone specialty is in granite, marble, travertine, limestone, various types of tile, engineered stone, and laminates.  The three types of finishes that can be put on a stone are polished, honed, and leathered.  Many hours could be spent looking at all there slabs.

     In conclusion, there were a lot of materials learned and researched during the course of this class.  There is better confidence in material selections because of the “know” behind the “why” was explained in this materials class.  Many trips were taken as well.  Three that stand out the most was the Jeff Seals Homes, Collins Tile and Stone, and Leftwich Chapman showroom.  Jeff’s attention to details and quality are a hallmark of his homes.  Collins is the place to get all types of stone.  Leftwich has such an amazing variety and beautiful products.

References

1.)    Things throughout the semester