Recently completed a before, during, and after documentation of the renovation of a seaside property in Cushing, Maine. Larry Bowne of Larry Bowne Architects in Syracuse, NY designed the renovations; renovations completed by Limoges Builders in Rockport, Maine.
Houses & Barns by John Libby has a stunning display of one of their timber frame barns in Freeport. If you are driving north or south on I-295, you won’t miss it at night. In the event your travel plans don’t include I-295, these photos will give you an idea of the creativity at work and on display. A fine example of the craftsmanship at Houses & Barns by John Libby. For more information, head on over to www.housesandbarns.com/
One weekend in NYC in video format…Structures, art, eats, and family…Enjoy and let me know your thoughts
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As 2011 comes to a close, it is appropriate to look back on the year. These photographs are a sampling of the work completed for clients including architects, designers, retailers, builders, developers and real estate agents.
Wishing you the very best in 2012!
Proud and honored to have my work on the Yasuda House in Tokyo selected for Sumiko Enbutsu’s new bilingual book on Japanese doll maker, Yamakawa Yasujiro.
Kiun-Kaku in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, was originally built by shipping magnate, Shinya Uchida, in 1919. It was updated by the industrialist and lover of the arts, Kaichiro Nezu, in the early 1930’s. The compound is just under 10,000 square feet and overlooks a magnificent garden on a gently sloping hillside. A mixture of refined Japanese elegance and Western architecture as evidenced by a Tudor-style guest room, and an art deco themed sun lounge…the epitome of luxury from a bygone era. Later converted to a ryokan (Japanese inn) in 1947, it was a favorite retreat for many of Japan’s most famous writers including Yukio Mishima, Junichiro Tanizaki, Osamu Dazai and Yasunari Kawabata.
In Shizuoka Prefecture, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, high on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay in Atami City, is a Japanese villa of special significance. Special advanced arrangements were made on my behalf to have a private showing of this historic property by Atami City officials. Their kindness and cooperative efforts are very much appreciated.
The villa is a below ground annex designed in 1936 by renowned German architect, Bruno Taut. Taut was a lover of Japanese culture and nature. The Kyu Hyuga Bettei is his overly successful attempt to find harmony with his work and nature. Seen from the ground level, there is only a lawn with a tall retaining wall on a very steep hillside. It is below this lawn that Taut designed and built his annex in which he sought to express something Japanese and something Western as well. The annex is composed of three main rooms, the Beethoven room (guest room), the Mozart Room (Western style), and the Bach Room (Japanese style). The villa remains as it was originally built, with fastidious care being taken to preserve all original furnishings and building materials.
With the use of additional lighting strongly frowned upon, I chose to capture the rooms in their natural light – the challenge being very strong natural light streaming in on one side and a very dark interior on the other side. A few photos from the day are below.
Leaving on Friday, I will be in Tokyo until July 18. I have some fantastic properties lined up for shooting. Check back in the days and weeks ahead for updates on some of the architectural wonders I plan on photographing. First up is the Kyu-Hyuga-Bettei in Atami City near the shadow of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. The underground annex was designed by German architect Bruno Taut in 1933. This will be followed by a visit to Kiun-kaku, a 10,000 square foot Japanese home built by a Japanese industrialist in 1919. Both sites look exceptionally extraordinary.
Stay tuned and check back soon!
Tom Weis, industrial designer, boat builder, cabinet maker, teacher, and founding member of See Why Studios in Rockland, Maine is up to some fantastic projects. He recently completed a kitchen system in a newly constructed Maine post and beam home. The “country elegant” design which Tom handcrafted is quite striking. For more information on what Tom is up to, please visit See Why Studios at <http://see-why.org/about.html>.
Dawn Harlor at Jaret & Cohn has a new listing in midcoast Maine. An exquisite property with panoramic views and fine details, it was a delight to shoot. For details on the listing, contact Dawn Harlor in Jaret & Cohn’s Camden office, 207-236-9626.
Take a short tour of the property in the gallery…
