Welcome to the Johnston Architects blog! Check out the links, stories, news, and opinion in the posts below. We'll try to keep things interesting, and we'd love to hear your opinions about anything we write about. We've also got a local events calendar that you can access via the link on the right, or you can view the embedded version at the bottom of this page. Be sure to check back often, as we're doin' daily updates!




Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Invisibility and Architecture!

As many of you will no doubt be aware, a short time ago, scientists published new findings regarding the real-world creation of "invisibility cloaks." If you aren't aware, or don't believe me, check out this article by msnbc.

Of course, there are some practical limitations to invisibility. They discuss some of them in that article. Because all you're doing is bending light around an object, the "cloak" has to be specifically tailored to the situation. That means if you leave the same plane as the object, or the object (say, you) moves, it becomes visible. Perhaps the most inconvenient aspect of this technology, is that bending light around an object means that light doesn't reach that object. So if you cloak yourself, or, as they suggest in the article, cloak a tank, no one will be able to see you. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see anything whatsoever - it will be completely black.

So, what's the application to architecture? Don't worry, although I do just like talking about invisibility, there actually is one! Scientists have theorized that the same sort of ideas could be applied to buildings to make them "invisible" to earthquakes! By creating large, concentric, plastic rings around a building, you could potentially bend destructive surface waves around a building, leaving it virtually untouched while everything around it crumbles. You can check out the full article on New Scientist.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Johnston Architects Project Featured in the New York Times!


Yesterday, The New York Times published an article about the "Miner's Refuge," a two-family home in the Methow Valley designed by Johnston Architects. The house was featured in the Great Homes and Destinations section, and can be read here.

Friday, June 12, 2009

New Events Calendar!

We've got a new events calendar up so you can stay up to date on events and lectures going on throughout the city. We'll be updating it frequently, and including links so you can easily buy tickets or get more information.

The calendar will be focused on events having to do with architecture, design, sustainability, engineering, and art. The site is www.johnstonarchitects.yolasite.com

Check it out and let us know what you think. You can also subscribe to our Twitter feed for instant updates on new events and reminders for the coolest events.