WHERE DID ALL THE PEOPLE GO
On signs of life in architecture. Plus, a new-to-us coffee spot in Boerum Hill.
Happy Sunday. It’s a beautiful weekend to be a tourist in your own city.
On the recommendation of one of my Architecturally Curious friends, I spent the morning at IXV, a zero-waste coffee shop in Boerum Hill founded by a former J.Crew designer. Their sidewalk shed was built from reclaimed wood salvaged from an old Connecticut bathhouse that once stood down the road from IXV’s namesake. 497 Pacific St, Brooklyn.
Thanks to Drafted for sponsoring this week’s issue. Drafted lets anyone generate and remix home layouts instantly, then export them to PDF or CAD.
Where did all the people go, I wonder, as I scroll in pursuit of spaces more lived-in. Somewhere among our glossy magazines, we’ve lost signs of life.
I’ve found a few.
Some make me wonder where I’ll grow old, and whether my home will feel as beautiful and loving as theirs does.
Others take me back to being a kid again, swinging at dusk in the courtyard, dodging the geese and dog at your feet.
It’s not necessarily people I’m after, but signs they were there — a fire that needs tending, shed door left open in case someone stops by.
Imagining sandy feet and drinks after surfing with my friends.
Or cooking dinner for my family, in the same place it’s been done for a century.
Talking about everything and nothing under the sun.
Reminding myself that architecture is meant to be lived in.
Where did all the people go?
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: ARARAT HOUSE (MARTINA GEMMOLA), MAISON AMTRAK (MARK MAHANEY), HARRIERFALL HOSTEL (YUMENG ZHU, XI YOUJI STUDIO), GARDEN PAVILION (ALEX SHOOTS BUILDINGS), WALK-STREET HOUSE (JOE FLETCHER), NISHIJIN MACHIYA (YOSHIHIRO MAKINO), FOREVER MOVING (JUSTIN CHUNG), MUSIC BOX (TREVOR MEIN)
Next week, bring your flip flops. We’re taking a look at AMERICAN SUMMER.