Darwin Harrison Design

Barragan Objects - Part 1
Besides the great design, color and textures, it was great to see all the objects collected by Barragan and placed around his residences. It was obvious they hold great meaning which reminded me of the quote by Abramovic' painted on a wall during a lecture we enjoyed during the TxA Design Conference in Mexico City. I referenced the quote in my Blog summary on the TxA website and it really speaks to architecture at large if you think of buildings as objects. It is a reminder that maybe our buildings need this level of energy and emotional linkage to transcend mere utility.

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Check out my Blog article on the TxA website

https://texasarchitects.org/2025/03/04/2025-txa-design-conference-explores-mexico-city/

Just returned from an amazing TxA Design Conference in Mexico City. Amazing city, lots of great inspirations, speakers, projects, colors, textures and many talented architects coming together to appreciate and celebrate design.

Created this collage capturing just a bit of the intense colors and varied textures with some of the wild overhead wiring that grabbed my attention at every street corner.

Barragan Vignettes

Some images from recent TxA Design Conference. Images from Luis Barragan projects visited on the extra day. Inspiring trip, encourages me to try some bold colors!

Today is a day to celebrate by staying at home and feeling ok with it.

First Veterans Day Dinner at Patriots' Hall - it is up and running with events almost daily. So exciting to see the building put to use.

Also check out the article on USA Today
https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2024/10/16/building-a-lasting-place-of-solace-and-comradery-architect-darwin-harrison-designs-a-place-for-all-v/75701385007/

Design Architect: Darwin Harrison

Architect of Record: Steinberg Hart

Client: Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs – www.patriotshall.org

Contractor: Capital Constructors

Structural Engineer: Datum Engineers

MPE Engineers: HCE .com

Civil Engineer: Doucet Engineers (now Kleinfelder)

Lighting Design: Essential Light Design Studio

Acoustic Consultants: Bai

AV Consultant: HAAS Home Technologies

Timber Frame: Timberlyne (was Texas Timber Frames) .timber.frames

Stone: TexaStone

Donor Recognition Fabrication: Andalusia Design .design

Check out my blog article for Texas Architect magazine. The post recaps a whirlwind 3.5 days at the annual TxA Design Conference in Bentonville Arkansas.

magazine.texasarchitects.org

Yes, it’s that day of the year again.

Therme Vals
Equipment Room

The last Baths post. This may seem like an odd post but it’s always surprising to see the hidden stuff that is behind such an austere and elegant design. Most people never realize how complicated even the ‘simplest’ of projects are behind the scenes. I asked if they would let me see the pump room and just like the other parts of this amazing project, the equipment room did not disappoint.

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Therme Vals
Concert

We were exceedingly lucky to visit when a Christmas concert inside the baths was scheduled. The main interior pool was drained and the choir members sang while standing in the basin of the pool. At times other singers were spread around the spaces to create an amazing sound coming from all over. The stone walls created a magnificent setting. Check out the reel for one video.

The other side benefit was that I was allowed to get a lot of photographs that would normally not be allowed as taking photos is prohibited during times people are using the baths.

The concert was around 90 minutes and truly a unique and rare experience.

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Therme Vals
Details - there are so many simple, elegant details - photographs don’t do them justice.

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Therme in Vals
Exterior images

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More images of Peter Zumthor’s Therme project in Vals.

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