Revisiting Richard Meier

Visiting the Rachofsky House in Dallas I immediately fell into a blissfull calm as my eyes set upon the white uninterrupted walls. For months I have been in a mind numbing project chasing arhcitectural 1/4" reveals joining disparate materials of choice. Any architect will tell you that the reveal as a construction strategy is a bane and burden when its exactness becomes a sloppy mess. The reveal can be found in most Starbucks, hotel lobbies, banks, corporate lobbies, airports, museums, restaurants--you get the picture.

Before arriving to the house, I had done some research on the internet and consulted my yellowing white Richard Meier monograph book. This would be my first experience with a Meier house. The Meier houses, through photographs, have been my first encounter with his white blocks of relentless grids, inhuman volumes and the whiteness. The Rachofsky House returned my optimism to experimental spaces, anthropomorphic rhythm, and the defining anchor of house--the human body. Also, the house made me like Richard Meier again and with good reason.

Upon entering the house, the volumes of spaces are saddled around the second floor "living room" that houses large art works. This is the largest space in the house and all other spaces either look onto it, surrround it, cantilever over it or turn their backs to it. I believe its visual, spatial and experiential power is derived from the attentive surfaces--its enclosure, its frame, its openings. The walls and ceilings are rarely interrupted except by glass, small pinpricks of downlights and doorways. Otherwise the walls and ceilings are a continuous plane moving through and around spaces highlighting the best intrusion of them all, the human body. When a human figure stands at the third floor, the soaring volume immediately stands in good behavior. It becomes domestic, the Brady Bunch house, it wants bodies, families, a party. Let's face it, the Rachofsky House's main resident is art and there is nothing messy about its inhabitant. This house, unlike most homes, is begging to be public.

Nothing New at the Kimbell Cafe and I Think that's Fine

I have had numerous discussions with people who frequently eat at the Kimbell Art Museum's Cafe and I hear the same moan, " The food never changes. It's always the same!" When I hear this comment I think of Eisenberg's Sandwhich Shoppe on Fifth Avenue in New York City. People go there for the same things: the tuna melt, the lime ricki, matzo ball soup and the pastrami. It is always the same all the time. If things are repeated well especially food I think its a great reason to go. However, the Kimbell Cafe serves its food in a wonderful, modern space which makes going there a real treat.

The Kimbell cafe has the wonderful quality of serenity, only a combination of light and air could provide such an environment. The architect, Louis Kahn, located the cafe adjacent to an open air courtyard enclosed by glass on all four sides. Unlike the nasty courtyard next door at the Cafe Modern, the courtyard allows diffuse sunlight to pour onto its wood floor giving the space an amber glow while wisps of sunlight seeps onto the concrete above. It's a simple space. The architectural gesture of form is direct and appropriate for a restaurant. And the choice of materials are spare without being greedy with its affect.

Ovation: Dining and Entertainment

We visited Ovation Restaurant on Camp Bowie this past weekend when our friend wanted to introduce us to her new favorite restaurant. She told me about her favorite dish in detail so when we went I followed her lead.

We arrived for lunch into a dimly lit space. Most restaurants try to utilize all the natural light they get from the usual storefront windows. But Ovation's space is truly focused on the nightly entertainment. Therefore, all outside light has been blocked off, ceilings and walls are dark as well as the furniture. The presence of a small stage area and equipment can be seen from all the tables. I can only remember colorful glass pendant lights scattered around the bar area but not much more appeal. I suspect the food and entertainment are the two things to come for at this restaurant. We did not hear music but we did have a fabulous lunch.

My friend and I had the blackened grilled salmon which sat on a bed of potatoes, spinach, and onions. The salmon was wonderfully seasoned and perfectly cooked.

A Break from Blogging

Daily blogging can wear someone down but interviewing for a job can be worse, a complete wear and tear--it's exhausting. For those who work, I know, have no pity for someone who does not work a full time, get-in-a-car, sit-at-a-desk, listen-to-supervisor job. But starting tomorrow, I will continue to post musings on public spaces in and around Fort Worth.