Materiality

Glass can create unimpeded vistas or alter our perception of the world around us. We are judicious in deploying what is essentially a liquid material. Whether cast to create a permanent ice sculpture, or channeled to insulate and blur-glass is an ephemeral material imbued with meaning.

We allow concrete to express the physicality of its forming process. Linear boards stratify resolute mass. Cast in place forms give way to monolithic thoughts. Light playing on the surface can pillow or soften this material. It conveys a sense of longevity-something that will last beyond our time.

The first phase of the Magazine Street Museum project was comprised of restoring the historic masonry on site through a detailed, multi-step process. First, a series of stainless steel helical ties were installed in an approximate 18″ x 18″ diagonal grid in all existing walls. Then, a compatible fill material was injected into each wall filling all voids and cracks in order to create a monolithic, structurally stabilized wall. Next, selective tuck pointing and brick repair was done and all graffiti paint was removed. Finally, a rising damp course was installed in order to finish work on the walls. This process will stop the erosion and deterioration process and thusly restore the walls to their original structural integrity for many years to come.

Comprised entirely of 5 weathered steel plates, the Laguna Gloria Pavilions blend in with the surrounding landscape. The scratches and scarring of the steel plates will continue to age over time and become not only part of the art, but also serve as a canvas for the larger Sculpture Garden. Each façade is akin to a painting that will map the conditions of the site over time. The delicacy of the steel’s appearance and heaviness of the material, matches the careful balance of the garden’s natural environment and the art that lives in it.

The ancient Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, is the charring of the wood surface which creates a waterproof layer and a natural resistance to rot, insects, and decay. The unique texture of the wood allows for a flexibility of design in its utilization. From backdrop to façade, the material both blends within its environment or invokes a bold iconic appearance.

The choice of copper evolved from a study of its physical behaviors, environmental impact, and the sensation it evokes. Copper provides a sense of grounding and encourages strong engagement with the natural environment. The curvilinear and raw material also speaks to the ‘state of relatedness’ present in Indigenous worldviews, including the need to think sustainably for the future generations of this world. The elements of fire, air, and water will beautifully evolve the physical behaviors of copper, creating a tactile map that transforms over time.

The Chapel of St. Ignatius and the Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center at Loyola University aimed to be not only beautiful but sustainably built. Through our research we recognized that the building could be a model for future development, utilizing Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), the first such structure in the State of Louisiana.

Produced by SmartLam, who is the only CLT manufacturer using sustainably harvested Southern Yellow Pine in America, the material is sourced within 350 miles of the site.