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05-03-2005, 07:14 PM
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The architect of these buildings is actually quite talented. "Architect" is the proverbial word...my point being that many of the "new" construction townhomes in this city are actually built by vision-lacking contractors or talentless architects. This guy has a true appreciation for urban materials and concepts (I also think he teaches at Penn). The open house probably was haphazard because the contractors failed to meet their deadlines...which is too bad. Quite frankly, I don't think these are "trendy". Quite the opposite...as usual...since Philly is late to the game. Buildings like the Rag Flats are being built all over the Northwest (Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, SF) as well as in Europe. Furthermore, these are true examples of current day modern architecture, which until now had been interpretted by contractors in Philly to mean a combination of glass block, neon, dryvit, and cheesy leaded-glass windows. The only other examples of buildings in this vernacular I would say are 1. Capitol Flats in NoLibs (same architect - I would say his building jump started the building boom in NoLibs), 2. A cool green, glass, and stucco house on S10th or S11th in Wash West, 3. Metal Houses on North American in NoLibs, and 4. Old City 108 (perhaps). My point being...all of these developments sold out quickly and experienced almost explosive demand because there is a dearth of truly 'contemporary' or 'modern' architecture A la "Dwell" Magazine in Philadelphia. There is definitely a market for these homes that I would venture a guess and say is severely undernourished.
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05-04-2005, 08:58 AM
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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach
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05-10-2005, 06:15 PM
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The concept is awesome and the design is very innovative. The only problem I see isn't the exterior at all, but the interior layouts and dimensions. It looks as if the outsides of these homes were designed first, and then the interiors were laid out to fit. An example of this is the poor room sizes and 'seating areas' to fill in the dead spaces. The roof decks are quite amazing as are the stairs that lead to them. As for the quality.....it's OK.
The city needs more forward thinking designers....but more importantly the city needs good, well trained design. There are too many people trying 'contemporary' or 'green' design, but failing miserably. Architects should be seeing their projects through to the end and not just handing over a set of plans to a 'contractor' turned wanna-be-developer trying to make a buck. The result is a house that was designed to be modern, but ends up being covered with the wrong exterior materials, and the interiors are generic and have no resemblence to the theme of the exterior (this is more obvious on modern design). Sorry for the rant, I can keep going...... Point being Rag Flats is a good start......
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05-11-2005, 08:24 AM
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Maybe this isn't the point of the thread but that spot previously was an old garage/brownspace that attracted loitering, drugs and litter. Anything that was done there is an improvement. It's contagious and now I can see the entire block improving.
I haven't been inside but I also really like the design. It's bold and innovative, for Fishtown anyway, and not the same old cheap quick fix 'contractor' rehab. I completely agree with sam's and 3rd&Brown's comments. If you had told me somthing like this was gonna happen here 5 years ago, I'd a had a good laugh. It's pretty miraculous really. As far as the construction quality, isn't most new construction on the cheap side? As they say, they dont make 'em like they used to. I work with folks who bought new construction 10 years ago in NJ and the burbs and they're already falling apart. At least they attempted somthing worthwhile with the ragflats.
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05-11-2005, 08:35 AM
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I agree that it's heartening to see good things go up where bad things once were. And this wasn't a slam against the designer. I agree that the design is innovative and I know the neighborhood was excited to see those buildings go up (in fact, the reason we went by - it wasn't on "the list" was due to neighborhood chatter about it on Susquehanna).
My issue was that the construction looked haphazard and I still can't get over the fact that it wasn't ready (nearly) for the Open House. Larry, I agree that it has been my experience that new construction doesn't look as solid as older construction (and Mom, by older, I mean before the 70s...).
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05-11-2005, 09:17 AM
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Not to get off topic ... but does that mean you are leaving Roxborough (or considering) LM?
There is good/solid new construction and then there is shody new construction as the news media so keenly keys in on. I think there are some real advantages of new construction and old houses mean old problems.
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05-11-2005, 10:49 AM
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Not leaving.
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05-11-2005, 11:47 AM
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Quote:
Even the cathedrals are made out of glass these days.
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http://fishtown.us - Live in, work in, or care about Fishtown? Then visit fishtown.us! http://summerfield.org - Summerfield's Website Last edited by danroth : 05-11-2005 at 10:47 PM.
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05-11-2005, 09:43 PM
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IKEA KITCHENS .....$500K
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06-18-2005, 09:09 AM
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Inga Saffron column on Rag Flats yesterday.
http://www.macon.com/mld/inquirer/11914481.htm And the Rag Flats website has quite a few photos: http://www.ragflats.com/page/page/1903766.htm
__________________
Cheers, Jayfar -- “I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.
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