When we first saw the spread on this house in Print magazine Sept/Oct 2006, our mouths dropped open. A fiend for type and words, we are blown away by the sheer beauty this portrays inside and out. The idea of being wrapped in letters gives us warm fuzzy feelings all over. The home was designed by New Zealand graphic designer Catherine Griffiths.
The Pontahi House is a private residence encapsulated with 120 etched glass panels with texts by a former New Zealand poet laureate.
Griffiths had the opportunity to work on Pontahi House after she completed another typographical-sculpture treatment to honor local writers and poets. She suggested to the home's owners who were art lovers of all kinds to "wrap their house in literature."
The article in Print talks more about Griffiths' graphic work [which is stunning] in general, then specifically this home, but we felt like it was notable to post here for our readers so that it may inspire you toward looking at your home in new and exciting ways. Everything surrounding us can be beautiful from the grate in the street, to the windows of your world. Explore!
Photo Credit: Top photo, Bruce Connew; second and third photos, Jason Busch
Architecture firm: Architecture+, New Zealand
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I think it's cool that you guys read graphic design mags as well as home design mags. This is a lovely concept and I'll have to suss out a copy of Print to check out the full story.
Okay, but how did they do that exactly?
I'm not too knowledgable about the technique of etching glass but possibly powder etching?, or sandblasting?
I'm trying to picture how the project got planned and signed off on and I would imagine it involved a whole lot of taping vellum sheets up to see what it would look like visually. Personally, I wonder what the final price tag on that art piece was.
P.S work in graphic design hence the non-design mag reading materials. Glad you enjoyed
I like this too....but lack the window space and the view.
It would be easy enough to do....Have a sign shop laser cut your typography onto vinyl adhesive transfers, peel, and stick.
google the term 'wall words' for options/pictures on using vinyl letters. I want to put a custom phrase on the soffit in the kitchen.
That's lovely! Funny -- upon seeing this image I was immediately reminded of the text on the windows of a brewery next door to New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, in Wellington. Of course this particular line of text had been altered.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lulutrix/109470376/in/set-72057594077405234/
The artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres did "portraits" of people in text. He would interview his subjects, decide upon a series of important events that defined their lives, then mount the text on a running banner - usually in the top of the room, where the crown moulding would be. They are very beautiful and simple. Sorry I couldnt find a decent link to any images.