We are always looking for interesting and practical methods to use recycled materials.  After convincing an Indiana farmer to bring us 10′ pieces of 100 year old corrugated metal siding to build a fence, we looked for a complimentary material that might bring a little warmth to the backyard for our fence gate…Wood.  After researching all the stains and sealers that are necessary to preserve wood from insects and rot, we started looking for a finish that was a little more natural.  We came across a Japanese method of burning wood to char the outside 1/8″.  The char protects the wood from weather and insects and gives it a crocodile scaly texture.  We decided to alternate the charred boards with natural boards to really highlight the difference between them.

Here is the process we used:

Left to their own devices, eggs will often try to roll away. To keep them in their place, w|c studio designed this handy egg rack. Whether storing and displaying beautifully colored farm fresh eggs, or providing a spot for bringing refrigerated eggs to room temperature for baking, the EGGstatic Rack is a beautifully simple solution for any kitchen.

EGGstatic Racks are available on Etsy.

w|c studio’s most demanding client to date was a flock of six chickens in need of an urban habitat. A tendency toward sustainable living didn’t stop with their interest in the local food movement; they wanted a home constructed out of reclaimed materials too. Fortunately, w|c studio had salvaged components from two fences and a kitchen removed from the property earlier in the year. Chain link fence frames were reconfigured to form the structure of the coop’s run. Boards from another dismantled fence serve as rainscreens on the coop itself. A corrugated metal roof wraps over and down the opposite sides.

For easy egg collection and maintenance, and to keep the hens dry and safe from predators, the coop floor sits 30″ off the ground. Below, a storage compartment holds feed and straw bedding. Cabinet doors salvaged from the kitchen demolition were installed for access to the top and bottom levels. The coop interior features all requirements for optimal egg production and avian comfort, a roosting bar, two nesting boxes, a heat lamp, and lighting.

By integrating teaching tools directly into the building, this proposed school for Gary, Indiana became a showcase for the Indiana Dunes National lakeshore.  Open air aviaries attract local birds and butterflies into the school gathering spaces, classroom gardens provide a space for class experiments to take place, and the green roof provides habitat for local birds and other wildlife.  The school proposal connects with existing trails and parks planned in the area as well as takes aggressive actions to restore the dunes after heavy industrial use.  The project was a proposal for the KIPP foundation, a college preparatory public school preparing students in underserved communities.

w|c studio participated in the Steedman Fellowship competition to transform a former ice factory into an incubator for growth in a decaying St. Louis neighborhood. Capitalizing on the open land and vacant buildings in the area, w|c studio proposed planting the vacant land with raised gardens and program the vacant buildings as year-round greenhouses.

The former icehouse will house a training center where residents learn how to grow, process, and distribute food. It will include aquaculture, vermiculture, and community composting. The fruits and vegetables will be sold on site as well as through fruit box delivery to homes throughout St. Louis.

Utilizing cost effective improvement strategies, brightly colored planter boxes were affixed at each window. A giant skylight brings light down into the dark interior, enabling the space to be used for teaching and meeting spaces.

Renovation of a vintage Rogers Park 3-flat began in the garden apartment. This formerly dark and dreary basement unit now has the feel of an open loft. Removing a hodgepodge of soffits and lay-in ceiling tiles revealed an extra twelve inches of valuable ceiling height. The exposed utility runs were organized, surface mounted, and painted white to match the fresh drywall ceiling, or wrapped in reflective insulation where appropriate.

The kitchen was modestly reconfigured for increased usability and openness, and built out with a few modifications (wine storage!) to standard IKEA cabinets for a semi-custom yet cost-effective solution. A portion of the workspace enclosure was removed to connect it with the main space and make the custom shelving accessible from either side. Eliminating the existing built-in bathtub in favor of a free-standing vintage model resulted in more floor space and natural light for the small bathroom.

w|c studio was invited to participate in showPODs, 7 temporary installation spaces in the Pilsen Arts District. The challenge was to use a single ream of standard white office paper to transform the empty space–to create something beautiful out of the boring.

A series of three actions was utilized to coax out the maximum volume and visual efficacy of one ream of paper.  Each of the 500 sheets was pinched, punched, and poked to change a standard office supply unit into a voluptuous “reamscape” filling the storefront at 1841 S. Halsted. Although this procedure may sound uncomfortable (especially if you are a piece of paper), each sheet adapted to its new shape graciously, eager to nestle its gentle curve against a neighbor and join in the light/shadow drama of the construct as a whole.

The Pinch: Each piece of paper was folded over on itself, opposite corners pinched together without creasing the sheet.
The Punch: A hole was punched in the overlapping corners.
The Poke: Magenta string was poked through the holes of connected sheets, and knotted.

See the REAMscapes on cubeme.com

Over the last 20 years, the post-industrial Ruhr region of Germany has undergone extensive ecologic and economic restoration. Using an International Building Exhibition as a platform for recovery, this effort has resulted in a regional park system, significant works of architecture and landscape design, and a new landscape typology that is used daily by residents and visitors in the region. The Emscher Park Design Guide addresses the six “work areas” of the initiative, including greenways, waterways, economics, housing, social initiatives, culture, and tourism, and is intended as a resource for designers in areas with similar industrial heritage.

The Emscher Park Design Guide is available for purchase on lulu.com: softcover, PDF

Fresh paint, a lot of elbow grease, and a few strategic updates went a long way in this 1200 square-foot apartment. The result is a cozy vintage space with a contemporary feel. Throughout the apartment, white walls balance the rich finishes of the restored wood trim and floors, and highlight the art and mid-century furniture selected for the space. Many of the existing light fixtures were re-purposed at more appropriate locations, and a custom fixture for the living room is in the works.

Two of the greatest eyesores before the renovation, the rusty radiators now provide visual interest to the room as sleek black forms. Tightly stacked birch logs in the firebox and an updated hearth add texture and warmth.

The kitchen was completely renovated. Several custom millwork details integrate with a set of crisp, white cabinets from IKEA. The wine rack, cook book shelving, and storage slot for chopping boards (below) and spices (above) add a custom look to a cost-effective solution, while meeting the user’s specific requirements.

AiR was w|c studio’s first speculative project. Located in a rapidly transforming neighborhood with a healthy arts community, we reconfigured the standard building type to include a live-in artist studio on the ground floor instead of a parking garage. An easement was negotiated with the neighboring property to share a driveway to the back of the lot (there was no alley access) freeing up building square footage for rentable income.

The property commanded a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline but only from the top floor. This presented a challenge as typically the top floor is occupied by bedrooms and therefore would not get the appreciation it deserved. We decided to re-locate the living space to the top level with a deck overlooking the city. The bedrooms were located on the middle level and the artist studio located on the ground level where easy street access was readily available.