A little architectural fun in Pittsburgh (Input needed) | FerrariChat
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A little architectural fun in Pittsburgh (Input needed)

Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by JasonMiller, Dec 26, 2008.

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  1. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    #1 JasonMiller, Dec 26, 2008
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    Alright, I bought a house at an auction.. Paid a whopping $3500 bucks for it.. The cool thing is its a four story home sitting on top of a large hill over looking downtown Pittsburgh. The home can be seen from the freeway and I feel its a great candidate for a "Modern" remodel.

    Any one familiar with Pennsylvania knows the architecture is mainly early 1900's Colonial or Victorian. This particular home is a simple rectangle and would be an easy exterior remodel.

    I am interested in covering the front brick with either stainless or corrugated metal and paint the sides a flat pastel color. I want people driving along the freeway to be drawn to it so I thought a bright yellow steel (non load baring) structure on the front and another bright color roof over a second floor balcony. I added frosted glass privacy on the balcony because a hot tub on a snowing night overlooking downtown would ROCK!

    I made a simple drawing and plan to use sketchup and draw something a little more professional..

    I am posting pics for your input! If anyone wants to contribute a drawing or photoshop with your ideas I would love to get different input. I am not asking for free architectural drawings just wanting artistic people to show me their ideas. If I use them you will get full credit for design and of course this house will be the official f-chat Pittsburgh crash pad.. I don't plan to live here just keep it for when were in town.

    Input please! I will scan my drawing and add it later this evening.

    Jason
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  2. kara

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    #2 kara, Dec 26, 2008
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    I'm 16 so certainly not a pro but I'm artistic (more in the fashion, metalsmithing & jewelry area though :eek:). I'm better at interior design vs. architecture but I have a few ideas, however if you really want it to be noticed then, yes a bright or pastel color would probably work. Really interesting house. I like it. I'd like to see your drawings and such so I'll check back later. Also really interested to see other peoples ideas...
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 GuyIncognito, Dec 26, 2008
  4. dkabab

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    #4 dkabab, Dec 26, 2008
    wait... you paid $3500 for a house.... NICE!
     
  5. JasonMiller

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    #5 JasonMiller, Dec 26, 2008
    Oh yeah! Pittsburgh is the mecca of unwanted properties..
     
  6. Far Out

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    #6 Far Out, Dec 27, 2008
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    $3500???? :eek: Congrats on the purchase! I hope there isn't a catch somewhere, like a heating that requires ten times the price of the building to be renewed! Unfortunately I have nothing of value to add, but I'd love to see the view you have from your future hot tub :eek:

    Edit: Thinking about it, I might have a proposition. You talk about a steel structure, maybe some diagonal element that would connect the upper left of the building with the lower right, optically "supporting" the balcony and being continued with new stairs to the front door...?
     
  7. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    #7 JasonMiller, Dec 27, 2008
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    Yeah I like that idea... I will put to paper your idea...



    Here is the drawing I made last night, excuse the lameness I am not an artist...
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  8. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 wax, Dec 27, 2008
    Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, B-

    Now, paint the proposal or the unaltered structure Steelers, Pirates or Penguins colors.
     
  9. David_S

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    #9 David_S, Dec 28, 2008
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    You said it was visible from the freeway...

    The building proportions aren't all that different from a Tanqueray bottle.

    Paint it up to resemble one & I bet you could pull in at least half of what you paid for the place in advertising revenue each month!

    At the very least, you'd certainly get some attention...
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  10. tritone

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    #10 tritone, Dec 28, 2008
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  11. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
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    #11 jsa330, Dec 28, 2008
    $3500....??! Good find, great look.

    Personally, I could give you a better classical/traditional idea than a modern one.

    However, your best "bang" is going to be with a contemporary-modernist approach using inexpensive/durable materials creatively.

    Some of the sketches contibuted so far look good.
     
  12. JasonMiller

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    #12 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008


    James, amazing! that looks cool. Thank you for your input... By any chance did you use sketchup software for that elevation?
     
  13. JasonMiller

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    #13 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008


    Hey Scott, The house is over 100 years old and to go back to the original "Row House" look would be preferable but since the home was "updated" in the 80's removing most of the original charm and features I thought as you stated, Bang for the buck.. I feel with little money the outside could be transformed into something different for this area.

    Other than commercial there are few "Modern" designs here. I am not planning to flip this house but to keep it, its literally 2 miles from downtown with the stadium, cool restaurants, waterfront etc. So I thought I would have some fun with it.
     
  14. tritone

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    #14 tritone, Dec 28, 2008
    yes to sketchup .... up to v.7.0 now ...

    btw: since I'm acclimated to left coast property prices, 3500 seems insane .... makes you my kind of client tho; having spent "nothing" on the property, you can now spend $$$$$$ on the remodel ;--)

    Tritone
     
  15. JasonMiller

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    #15 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008


    LOL, I feel that way as a builder too, many people have requested bids on remodels and you would think since they purchase properties so cheap they would spend some dough on the remodel?? :) I am finding that not to be the case..

    The properties are cheap for a reason, little expendable income here it seems...

    Maybe if I do this house up I can use it as advertisement for some construction work, at least until I go back to Texas in two years...
     
  16. JasonMiller

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    #16 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008
    Speaking of Left Coast properties, do you know the house on I-5 heading South between Encinitas and Del mar that's super modern? It seems to spiral up to the sky? I used to live in Del Mar in the 80's and that was my dream Miami vice style house :)
     
  17. tritone

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    #17 tritone, Dec 28, 2008
    ...and then they run out of bucks at the end of the project and want you to "cancel the Italian ceramic tile and just get something from Home Depot?"

    Definitely a yes to using it as an advert for your work; you don't have to be too specific as to the location.....close ups & interiors only ;-)

    Re; Cali house; don't know it, been gone from Cali many years. Might be a shooter on another thread here who find/shoots many cool LA places.

    I'll be watching for your posts during construction...........
     
  18. 599_GTB

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    #18 599_GTB, Dec 28, 2008
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    That here is a 5min job.... I am not an architect yet but in some years.... I would do something like this here....ok that plan here will looks very old in some years but I would do something with a lot of old stonework and wood.
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  19. JasonMiller

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    #19 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008
    Josef,
    Beautiful stone and concrete work.. I am sure that design would be very expensive :) Thanks for your input and idea, I appreciate it a lot!!
     
  20. JasonMiller

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    #20 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008
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  21. GuyIncognito

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    #21 GuyIncognito, Dec 28, 2008
    looks good! like the plexiglass awning. is there a way you can add more windows or sliding glass doors to the balcony?
     
  22. JasonMiller

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    #22 JasonMiller, Dec 28, 2008
    I will add a glass french door to the balcony instead of solid door.. I think that would look better...
     
  23. tritone

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    #23 tritone, Dec 28, 2008
    Jason -

    Put a couple of slightly arched roofs over the 2 upper windows, and a red carpet rolling out from the front door and I see a happy face! LOL
    Hope you do post pics as you build.

    Tritone
     
  24. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 jimpo1, Dec 31, 2008
    Hook up the pendulum thing on a pivot so it can blow in the wind. Be sure the far end of the arc doesn't coincide with where somebodys head would be if they're on the balcony.
     
  25. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 TexasF355F1, Dec 31, 2008
    I like it.
    I like it.

    Jason, what is the state of the interior? Obviously it'll be part of the remodel, just curious at how bad/decent/good the inside is?
     
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