UNEXPECTED

There is always plenty of unexpected photos after a long wait of developing films, and I always get surprised again by the same photos a while after due to the nature of human memory. This site should carry the same function as physical albums that we used to have, guarding my memory and remind me those moments.

[flyingsofty]

URBAN CASCADE

Summer 2016 / Whitney Museum, New York City

Layers and layers of time and urban activities overlayed all in one place, NYC. It was so charming and dazzling. But at the same time I wish I could just remain enjoying it in this distance.  

[flyingsofty]

Week 3 (Feb 2017): WHITE AND WHITER

To be honest, it was completely a shock compared to the first fast track two weeks. There might be one or two days that I couldn’t figure out what is the progress. In true, the whole apt has been covered by multi-layer speckles and layers of paints. It was slow but for the ultimate white and clean finish that we were looking for. Also the same treatment has been applied in the bath room kitchen, and bedroom. It felt like something big is going to happen. It was just patiently waiting and preparing to be ready for every coming things. At least, that is the story for the kitchen. With floor materials on and all walls ready, we could foresee that the stage will be in the kitchen next week.    

[flyingsofty]

Week 2 (Fab 2017) : BACKDROP READY!

By the end of second week, all gyp boards were on, and even the kitchen floor was completed. It is the completion of a backdrop. Now any story can happen at the foreground. Here I declared that we officially move on to the next phase. from now on we will add all the interface between us (the user), and the apartment (the space). 

Ps. We somehow decided to move back in after this point in order to supervise the renovation easily. It was quite an experience.The space was somehow considered habitable, but still, I would not recommend it in any way if one doesn’t have a good reason:P     

[flyingsofty]

Week 2 (2017 JAN) : START ABOVE.

If one describes that the first week was stripping everything to its bone. I would say that the second week was to give it a layer of skin. And It makes sense to start from things that we will not be able to reach for the whole renovation, Ceiling. We didn’t have to worry for a moment of protecting the new ceiling once it was done.

The most rewarding moment for us this week is seeing how much height we actually gained from redoing this ceiling. By allowing ceiling runs from the lowest point and slopes up until it hits the front door, we literally gained at lease 1 feet overall. It doesn’t sounds a lot, but it feels dramatically different when walking into the space. And When we found out that we no longer almost touch the ceiling while raising our arms straight up, it was such a joyful moment that set a good tune for the whole project :).    

[flyingsofty]

2016 May

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2016, London by BIG

Something from your past, something from your current obsession, and something from others in order to make it your own. It was successful and fresh at the time. It was a statement to the world and to us, too. 

And because of that, I guess this one way relationship will probably still be going for another while.

[flyingsofty]

2015 May / Huchuy Qosqo, Peru

Are we sure that animals are at the lower level of Reincarnation than human being? I wouldn’t mind to join them here.

[flyingsofty]

PREP II _ WISH LIST / 2016 WINTER

As an architect, visual communication is the key. We might do a bit too much for a small renovation project like this, but guess what, we almost got exactly what we wanted as in the rendering. Since a contractor couldn't download our mind, we brought our imaginations in front of him. 

We used a booklet full of pictures, renders, and listed scopes to interview 10 contractors. It totally provided a great tool for them to estimate and for us to communicate. This even last till the end of our construction which our contractor was comparing a render with his finished work to verify if he captured the essence of the design. For this, I have to say we all did a great job. My wish list is more than 95% accomplished.

[flyingsofty]

Week 1 (2017 JAN) : DEMO!!!!

This was the moment of truth. All the maybes were going to be certain. You were about to really find out what you got. No matter good or bad, you all have to take it.

We were lucky! Things are pretty much as we imagined. No unexpected disaster hidden in the ceiling or no unwelcome guest living in the wall cavity. By demolishing ceiling and open small portion of walls, the circulation is fluid and the space is connected. It is like a person removing make-up on the face. You finally can tell it true appearance. 

Now, it is our job to make it true to itself and only apply a bit of lotion and foundation to it in order to prolong the existing good quality.

[flyingsofty]

SHADOW of THE RIVER

2016 Autumn / Grace Farm, CT by SANAA

Every visit felt like a short romance escaping all the burdens. Thank you SANAA and Grace Farm. 

And for the one who wants to escape the most, we still share this beautiful moment together because of what you are running away from.

[flyingsofty]

Green I grew up with

2016 March / Hualien, Taiwan

The Green grows at a place where rains two hundred days per year without real winter. It has always been my green until the first time I truly experienced Spring after Winter. The cheerful light green is the new green. For a while, I choose to overwrite my definition of real green. But now, I have grown older, and start to re-recognize this mature green.

[flyingsofty]

The Younger Version of YOU and the Older Version of ME.

2013 Winter / Grandmom’s Home, Taiwan

There is you in my mom, and there is my mom in me. So, here we are. You wore those clothes from long time ago which looks almost the same as my so called trendy outfit now. In true, we can be the same person but just in different stages of life.

What I really want to say is HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY, Mom, GrandMoms, and all the Moms.

[flyingsofty]

Your Moment with My Witness

2016 March / Dihua Street, Taipei City

Look at you! Standing at the most familar street, looking so proud and happy. So ready to your new path. You have all my blesses. Thanks for the little life who brought us all together. 

[flyingsofty]

PREP I _ MOVE IN / 2016 November

Move in was the plan. It is essential to be able to observe the nature of the space. Air, Sun light condition, and how we interacting with the space. During the time, many little things have been identified and included to the renovation list. 

Most importantly, we confirmed that we can raise the ceiling higher! In order to avoid too many surprises during demo, especially we are at the top floor, we opened two holes in the apartment checking the depth of ceiling cavity, and what’s behind. We were lucky that the 12X12 opening we created was right in between the joists. No further damage was done beyond that. It was pretty gagster, but it cleared our major concern all out within 30 mins.

I know It doesn’t sound efficient at all to move in & out, and not be able to live properly with all our procession. However, as an architect, we all know that you should know your site:).   

[flyingsofty]

It all began from here.

Last summer, we stepped in this well located, old but proudly standing brownstone-ish building hoping to find our ideal apartment which is extremely hard for an designer. Not to mention, it is actually for two architectural designs. After an intense 5 floors walk-up exercise, we all amazed by the view in front of us. For sure, we knew it is at a good location before we came, but we never foresaw the view it offered. After that moment, we just kind of ignoring all the little imperfect details that we saw after. I know...such an irrational act. But after confirming myself that we like the layout and the base of it, we kind of felt nothing we cannot fix after all these years professional training. 

With the help of our broker to guide us through different phases, tomorrow, finally, will be the first day of the renovation. We came to this point with tones of preparations and thoughts (or struggles?). To break all those preparations down, It has taken 5 months of searching, 4 months for closing, 2.5 month for hiring a contractor, multiple times of packing, and finally constantly designing. One thing we both realized that being your own client brings you into a process of endless self-debating. Well, it is all good now. Can’t wait to see Project Home forming day by day. 

[flyingsofty]

Vapor Raising At Altitude 3800m

2015 May / Near Cusco, Inca Trek, Peru

I can never get bored by starring at various stages of water. For centuries, this is the exclusive performance for those special people who lived at high altitude. I could only enjoy it with the help of so many modern inventions.  

[flyingsofty]

Reset 

2015 May / Machu Picchu, Peru

I know it is cheesy. But whenever I saw the first beam of light at sunrise, I couldn’t help but feel fulfilled and fresh. It seems we are all going forward to a brighter future which is true for another 12 hours probably. Indeed, this photo is to express my cheers toward all the new borns in my family and the coming ones from my friends. Babies are just like the first beam of light every morning. By looking at them, we see hopes, and we can all start again. 

[flyingsofty]

Inlander

2015 October / Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

As my own prediction, we moved one step inward, off the shore to trade for bigger space and more air to breath in. How much more that we will move away from the frontier in the future? Until the reminder of actually living in New York disappeared? Wait and see. Going to move again soon in one month.