May 30, 2009 by JP - 10 Comments

MASTER OF LIGHTNING | THE TESLA ROADSTER @VULCAN MOTOR CLUB

Vulcan introduced two new members into the fleet this week– The Tesla Roadster & The Lamborghini LP560-4. I’ll be honest, I was ready to HATE the Tesla. It just doesn’t resonate with what I love about cars– combustion, rumble, torque, balls. After a little coaxing I decided to hop in her and go for a quick spin– what a trip. First off, you can’t even hear it start. Secondly, the controls are very bare bones and simple– Drive, Neutral, Reverse. There are no gears to shift– it’s a motor that just keeps winding, so it accelerates smooth as glass & fast as lightning (0-60 in 3.9 seconds). It was a blast, and the fact that it’s in a beautiful British racing green made a lot of sense– it’s a green car, no fossil fuel consumption & no emissions. Just a trunk full of laptop batteries and a motor wrapped in a tight Lotus designed, all carbon fiber body, that screams when you step on the pedal. Pretty cool– but I’ll stick to the Cobra just the same. Old School.

Oh, I totally have to give my buddy Nick Maggio major props for inspiring me with his wicked photography– I’m a devoted disciple. I’m definitely no Nick, but I’m having a blast. Thanks bud.

Vulcan Motor Club's Tesla Roadster-- Green Machine

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May 22, 2009 by JP - 9 Comments

Groovy Home Built from Salvaged Finds | The 1970s Artist Abode of John Holmes

Home of art director John Holmes, and designed by William Kirsch, is made entirely from salvaged materials and goods: (L-R) Kathleen, Tavia and John relaxing on a second-hand wicker couch in the living room.

Hey now, I know what you’re thinking…it isn’t that John Holmes, ok? This John Holmes is an artist and Art Director probably best known by the masses for his original cover art for the classic novel “Jaws” by Peter Benchley. The guy was an eco-pioneer way ahead of the green curve– using all reclaimed building materials, windows, doors, fittings, furnishings, etc. to build this masterpiece in the San Francisco Bay area. Being a product of the ’70s myself, I can totally vibe on the look of that time– right down to the biased wood slats and overgrown plants. It feels like a living, breathing tapestry. And can’t you just smell the patchouli?

The home would go on to win the Sunset Magazine Home of the Year award, and was (obviously from these pics) featured in LIFE Magazine. Holmes later sold it, and two weeks later it burnt down to the ground. The Holmes family’s following home (also built by Bill Kirsch and made from salvaged materials) is a famous and renowned compound of 3 separate structures set on 44 acres set above Sonoma State University in Penngrove, CA. It went on the market back in 2012, originally listed for 4.35M.

Home of art director John Holmes, designed by William Kirsch, is made entirely from used parts incl. 85 stained glass windows. Here Holmes’ image is reflected in a living room mirror.

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January 26, 2009 by JP - 3 Comments

Have House, Will Travel.

tumbleweed_houses_2

Seeing ACL’s story Cottage in a Day instantly brought my wife’s cousin to mind– Dee Williams. Dee definitely moves to the beat of her own drum.

From Time— A few years ago, Dee Williams, a toxic-waste inspector, put her 2,000-sq.-ft. bungalow in Portland, Ore., on the market and moved into an 84-sq.-ft. cabin on wheels that she built using salvaged cedar, torn-up jeans for insulation and solar cells for power. Then she hitched her tiny house to a biodiesel truck and drove to Olympia, Wash., where friends let her park in a grassy corner of their backyard. Although Williams, 43, admits that she misses having room for friends to spend the night, she says, “I love my tiny house.”

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