The Brain by Olson Kundig

I've had this very creative modern-with-industrial touches workspace -- called The Brain -- by Olson Kundig Architects since I saw it 2(!) years ago on Apartment Therapy.


It was built in 2002, which means it predates any real life steampunk inspired home design I can think of.

The Brain by Olson Kundig

I've had this very creative modern-with-industrial touches workspace -- called The Brain -- by Olson Kundig Architects since Allison pointed it out 2(!) years ago on Apartment Therapy.


It was built in 2002, which means it predates any real life steampunk inspired home design I can think of.

Triangular Smith Tower

I'm off on vacation, to the city that is the home of this find by reader Pica Maloria: Smith Tower.

See the little pyramid at the top? Someone lives there!


It's not quite as cool as a clock tower, but it sure has character, with the pyramid shape echoed by the triangular windows.

According to the architect's website, it was a caretaker’s suite and an old water tower enclosure


Find out more at Seattlest or at Castanes Architects.

I'll post again in a week! See you then!

Architecture of the Eccentric

Reader Lee Oakley pointed out some architectural gems on WebUrbanist.

Above is the Palais Ideal, built by mailman Facteur Cheval in Hauterives, France in the 1800s. Below is a13 story high wooden skyscraper in Archangelsk, Russia by the owner of a small construction company, Nikolai Sutyagin.



I enjoy how individuals can push beyond the realm of the "normal" into the fantastic, unbound by tradition and rules. You may not have the stamina to create something as awe-inspiring as these works, but they should serve as inspiration for doing the extraordinary, yet still beautiful, for your home.

For more (less steampunk) examples, fuller stories, and links, see the full article.

Bradbury Building -- Steampunk or Cyberpunk?

All the Bladerunner references in the recent Jake von Slatt interview reminded me of this link I had tucked away for just such an occasion. The Bradbury Building in LA was the set for J.F. Sebastian's home in Bladerunner, and even though Bladerunner is seminal cyberpunk, there's some definite post-apocalyptic Victorian industrial style here.


The Bradbury (almost certainly, but not conclusively proven) designed by George H. Wyman, reputedly based on a science-fiction novel set in the year 2010, was built towards the end of the 19th century.


So what do you think? Steampunk or Cyberpunk?

Credits: Images and history from BRMovie.com. Found in a steampunk context on MovieGeekette. Jake von Slatt interview found via BrassGoggles.

More Foundry Pieces on Ebay

King Cotton has posted more of their antique industrial pieces from the 1895 foundry in Georgia on Ebay.



I don't think these are quite a neat as the first set, but still worth a browse.


Glover Machine Works Listings on Ebay.
The original post.

Ebay Auction of 1895 Foundry pieces

There's an interesting auction going on over at Ebay -- of a foundry built in 1895.



King Cotton says We are fortunate to have obtained over 5,000 foundry patterns from the Glover Machine Works, in business since 1895 and was closed last year.



I don't know much else about it, but there are a lot of neat things that I think are very steampunk.

Glover Machine Works Listings on Ebay

Hundertwasser's Incinerator Works, Vienna

I was struck by the steampunk whimsy of this incinerator works in Vienna, designed by architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Most of his other work isn't very steampunk, but I liked the brass pipe, the swirling mural, and the minaret on top.

(thanks to my sister for pointing out Hundertwasser's work.)