On Modern Architecture and Motorcycle-Riding

I wrote about the obvious benefits and clear connection between motorcycle riding and modern(ist) architecture before. But perhaps you didn’t read that post here, possibly you forgot about it, or maybe you even consider riders a loud bunch of stinky low-lives out to pilfer the local Savings and Loan bank.

Not so.

On Saturday, trying to avoid everything St. Patrick, I ran errands on the bike and then went riding in a nearby area. Did I get lucky.

In one single quiet residential street, I discovered fourteen (!) mid-century homes, some of them even sporting one of my favourites details, a butterfly roof. So today I checked the whole neighbourhood in our broker property database MLS, and found a plethora of mid-century modern homes. A few sold examples are shown below to give you an idea.

The catch: prices in this rather small area have jumped by leaps and bounds – 46% in the last 4 years, now reaching from the $350Ks to $900Ks – and are forecast to go up another 10% this year.

The other catch: I can't tell you about the location on my blog. Modern homes make up under 3 percent of all single family homes for sale in our area, and are not easy to find. Specialising in preserving, promoting and brokering modern architecture, I can not give the secret sauce away for free: brokering is the part that pays the bills. But if you’re interested in buying or selling, I’d be delighted to speak with you.

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Photos: SEF-MLS

Move-In Day for a Modernist House

Move-in Day!

After a full 24 months construction period (programming and permits not included), last weekend my clients finally moved into their truly modernist Fort Lauderdale home.

Stats:

2-story single family home
5,511 sf (496 m2) under air
17,400 sf (1,566 m2) waterfront lot
5 BRs, 4.5 baths, pool, gym, theatre, dog room, house fully connected
Construction period: pilings began Aug 2013, completion date August 2015
Construction budget: withheld

Here are some shots from the end of what was a very long move-in day:

The house is stricking when you approach it, especially at the dusky light I took these photos (with a Sony Xperia phone, mind you).

But even having worked as an owner's representative and consultant on this project from the start, and having been on site regularly for nearly three years, it remains fascinating.

Case in point: how the Lautner edge of the pool visually vanishes into the Intracoastal Waterway is fantastic. If you look closely, you only can differentiate pool and Intracoastal by the difference in the water surface.

Interested in building or buying a home like this? I can help; just ask.
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(All photos except aerial ©tckaiser – use or copying prohibited.)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a blessed and prosperous 2012!

Modern Home Christmas Decorations, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Photo ©tckaiser
 

Today is that most magical and ironical time of the year. It is the happiest and saddest of times, the most divine yet the most commercial. It is the spell when love or loneliness thrives or consumes. What is it about Christmas that opens up the heart of hearts and makes it more vulnerable?

Interestingly, the history of this holiday is in itself a paradox. Most Christians believe that December 25 is the actual day that Jesus was born, calculated nine months after the Annunciation when the Blessed Virgin Mary was singled out to be the Mother of Christ.

Some scholars have challenged this notion. They submit that in the 4th century, the Roman Church chose the day that coincided with the Winter Solstice, supposedly the birthday of Sol Invictus. They allege that the assignment of December 25 as Christmas day was a clever ruse to replace the pagan celebration called Bruma.

The universal theme remains the same whatever faith or country one belongs to. It is the ardent universal hope that the coming year will be better than the one gone by. The wish is backed by resolve to do whatever it takes to achieve ones definition of “better”, hence the ubiquitous New Year’s Resolutions.

As you celebrate this festive occasion, spare a thought for those who are unable to do so.

If you can, reach out and touch their lives in some way, no matter how small it may appear to be. It is the thoughts that count. And remember them in your prayers.

I wish all of you a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. Remember, its your choice!
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Published originally at http://lifeisreallybeautiful.com/