Thursday, July 20, 2006


Keeping the Spirit Alive in Design

Yesterday I was talking to a potential client who lives in the desert and we got to talking about the spirit that dwells in and around the landscape of a lot or property. It is that resounding voice that speaks to me as I prepare to design a house and unfortunately it's a very important part of the design process that more often than not is disregarded by most designers and architects. The site contains all of the secrets. It has been a while since I have thought about this. Spending hours each day in my office, mostly in front of my computer, can really make a guy forget about why I began on this path of eco-home designer. Really, it was my spirit that guided me to make those first steps. Running a business is not my forte and for the past several years the logistics involved in it have taken a toll on my spirit, BUT it is this awareness that will keep me on track.

I was also talking to a friend of mine who is still in architecture school and I was taken by his enthusiasm around design and construction methods. It was a raw idealism that bubbled up out of his soul because anything is possible and somebody has to do it. That is the spirit that I am refering to - Pure and unadulterated! If there is one thing I learned from reading and seeing Frank Lloyd Wrights works, it is that if something needs to get done, like a really amazing design or efficent building method, it will get done so why not strive to do it yourself. It is this kind of thinking that made Falling Water a reality.

Keep the Spirit Alive!

Bye for Now

Friday, July 14, 2006


Welcome to The Straw Bale House Plans Blog - Home of Organicforms Design


I would like to welcome you to my new blog, "The Straw Bale House Plans Blog" My name is Chris Keefe, a Southern Oregon home designer specializing in straw bale design. I will be documenting to you all of the happenings in the day of a straw bale designer and possibly some other interesting developments that unfold in my life. I welcome your comments, suggestions, praises. Welcome!