You never would have guessed

One thing architects strive for is to create new or updated architectural features. We look for opportunities for new shapes, materials, forms or even entire systems. The challenge is often related to modern technology, modern day desires or even the architect’s or client’s wish to simply be different.  However, in a recent project, we found an ironic twist to this “new age” challenge of being beyond creative.  For the renovation of the Mar Vista restaurant, an old fishing shack turned popular Florida restaurant, we chose to match the existing weathered cypress siding rather than create some new material.  Those new features happen in the interior and in other ways throughout the exterior.  But … in the process of determining how to go about recreating weathered wood, the contractor had an extremely creative and simple solution.  Vinegar and steel wool pads.  New material … old look … way simple solution.  Sometimes, you just never would have guessed.