It is always a distinct pleasure to meet genius in a field of work. It is even better when you get to create and play along side of them. I recently have had the pleasure of doing just that with a developer/builder/real estate tycoon of epic proportions. He has been developing liveable spaces in the Short North Area of Columbus for more years than I can fathom. He has done this slowly with patience, care and dilligence.
Recently Richard Bruggeman embarked on a trio of condos that rivaled neighbors with concrete block, and urban genius. When I first met Richard, introduced by a long time pal from HS days at Worthington HS, namely his darling wife Tina, I instantly saw his kindness and gentle nature. What happened next was the sweet surprise. His insight and spirit of three living spaces that soar above the neighbors and create space from the clouds, borrow sun from the treetops, and open an inside world to all the beauty that an urban area is allowed to see, surprised my design eyes. I have been fortunate enough to work along side Richard to hone this creation into liveable spaces of gorgeous wood, industrial metal, and uninterrupted light. As the design details pull together, and the long time work men focus on their own craft, the rest of us get to see this expression of warm modern, not cold modern pull together.
I feel that my role has been so miniscule. It is almost like I was given a pallette to play on that was such brilliance and creation that I was allowed to shine, and dance to a drum that pulled me along, and nudged me to enjoy the beat. The hickory floors, doors, and built ins are varied and playful within the space. The hardware is natural, and the lighting plays along. The interior quiet spaces present a calm comparison to the active light living spaces. The loft of hickory, rhythmic play of windows, black steel railing and circular steel venting never becomes cold or unreachable. The warmth of sun on wood pulls you in. The kitchen is soft and playful enjoying its' stone versus wood combination and begging us to enjoy all the abundance of a large meal with friends and gather around it.
The condos become homes blended with the natural elements pulled from adjoining spaces. The reach to the sky is perfect. Soaring above noise or activity, the spaces are restful and yet totally energetic at the same time. True urban living with a quiet tone and celebration of the individuality of a neighborhood full of action and verve.
I cannot help but smile at the decisions that evolve. A concrete wall spills water for a fountain built of stone, natural metal and splasing water. Outside art bring color to a private patio framed in climbing soft color tones. Not a large space, but huge in ideas, interaction with the living spaces that spill onto it. A sensitivity of scale that works inside and out.
So as the luckiest designer on this planet plays a little rhyme of color, scale, texture, and home,
the client smiles and honors her with the greatest compliment of all. "It is coming together, isn't it?" She floats away.
No comments:
Post a Comment