My initial plan for today didn’t come together, so a quick, shareable, fluffy video post is on tap instead; One of my favorite designers, illustrates how, at the core, an architect’s skill set is valuable outside of the regular realm of professional practice – in this instance specifically, in regards to “systems” thinking at a…
When CNN (or any other mainstream news agency) shares something about architecture, I’m always interested. This was an nice “fluffy” find this weekend: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lego-architecture-design/index.html I’m one of those architects who owe a debt to LEGO for sparking and fostering a curiosity about the built environment from an early age. This sentiment is fairly pervasive in…
Happy November! The cold temps are truly upon is as we’ve seen this past week, and for me that gets me inwardly focused on my house as I get it buttoned up and ready for winter. Fall is my favorite time to look through one of my favorite magazines – This Old House. Recently I…
For decades, a series of dilapidated farm structures on a rolling farmstead along Spearfish Creek defined quintessential rural Americana. When the original owner demolished the buildings and listed the property for sale, the new owner, Merideth Pangburn-Walker, decided to use the opportunity to create a restaurant that reflected the fondly-remembered old farmstead in both structure…
PROCESS: PH01:BRK is the most visible portion of the Passive House Initiative, an ongoing research project by the Department of Architecture at South Dakota State University to deliver high performance homes to the region that are faculty led, student designed, and contractor built. The initiative is seeking to become a regional leader and resource for…
Augustana University students had performed in the same Kresge Recital Hall for nearly 50 years. Nestled deep within the interior of a large Humanites and Arts building, its color palette evoked the 1970s, and the acoustics scheme was abstract and minimalist. Augustana came to TSP to help them formulate a list of improvements for the…
Des Moines, Iowa-based substance architecture and Tim Hickman, AIA, LEED AP, served as juror, considering 28 submitted projects, for the 2019 AIA SD Design Awards. One of the four awards given was for the NSU Athletic Fields & Pavilion project by record architect COOP Architecture. The building’s story is something like this; Northern State University…
Tim Hickman AIA, LEED AP, Principal at substance architecture When you enter an AIA design awards program you may wonder what the criteria for judging excellence may be. This year Substance Architecture was invited to organize the awards jury for the AIA South Dakota 2019 Design Awards. We were asked what we are looking for…
A little over a year ago, a group of AIA South Dakota members banded together to create a virtual space for public outreach to “build strong South Dakota communities and to connect ideas and expertise to address challenges in our state.” As the AIA South Dakota Communications board liaison, I wanted to take a moment…
The Black Hills are home to several historic buildings, each with their own unique story to share with visitors and residents. Badger Hole in Custer State Park is one of these buildings that is still around today, despite the hail, snow, and passing time. Badger Hole was home to South Dakota’s first poet laureate,…