Return of the Joan-i

And then 2015 happened! 

WOW!

With so many projects being birthed this year (I believe the count is at 23), this is truly the first moment I've had to breathe, much less blog, since we went into full production for the summer. In fact, we've been so busy, I just realized I'm wearing two pairs of glasses at the same time (true story). Now that the majority of our builds have been finalized - during a seemingly endless dance of inspections over the past few weeks - I will be updating the website with some of the photos from different projects. And I promise to get back to the blog... 

...right after we break ground next week on a cliffside pool. 

DTLA Loft Project

The Two Towers

Pack your Baggins and take a ride, or set up house, in this fantastical tiny home -

This is a house truck that you have to see to believe. Completely road legal, this off-the-grid house truck folds out and transforms into a fantasy castle. This is one Tiny House tour you don't want to miss!

(Elvis) Summer Homes

A tiny home built by Elvis Summers for Irene McGhee

A tiny home built by Elvis Summers for Irene McGhee

After spending some time yesterday looking at a project in the Trousdale Estates, my boyfriend and I discussed how many displaced people those homes could accommodate. We figured the entire unsheltered population of Venice could fit into one of the estates we drove past on Schulyer Road. Because, really, who needs a 80,000 SF house? What do you do with that much space? Perhaps roller-skate around naked, singing songs from Rent, whilst eating persimmons? I do not know.

Admittedly, as a builder and an artisan, I am astounded by the beautiful craftsmanship and architecture I see throughout Los Angeles. The time and energy put into creating a home that is also a piece of art is both inspiring and breathtaking. However, as a human being who is hypersensitive to the plight of my fellows, I am often saddened by the enormity of space and resources that go into creating these structures. 

I am well-known, and often admonished, for hauling unused materials (what we call "scrap") back to the warehouse. But we use it. We always use it. When Dirty Girl converted a crack house in Venice into a viable 3-unit apartment building, we used it all. When we get calls to do pro bono work, we use it. When someone needs a bit of something we have laying around, we use it. So I save it, with the hope that I will someday have somewhere to use it.

I've felt like I've had nothing to post lately, and we've been so incredibly busy with work, I really haven't made the time. Then I saw a video clip that inspired me, yet again, to make the time.

Elvis Summers - neighbor and friend, man with a hammer. He's awesome! Irene McGhee, mother, grandmother, beautiful soul - she's awesome! We hope we can help in our own little way with some resources and manpower, if he needs us. I have offered as much this morning after seeing the clip below. I hope this inspires some of you to take a minute to help out, whether it be with this effort, or with someone in your own neighborhood who needs a hand. The video and crowd funding links are below.

So, take a few minutes to feel good today by watching this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrzAHozt3fI  

And then take a few seconds to do something good today by clicking on this:

http://www.gofundme.com/mythpla

Your community thanks you!

Where The Wild Things Are

We ran across this lovely nugget of art the other day. Because nothing thrills us more than repurposing, and being that artist John Lopez takes it to such an artful and entirely original level, we had to repost the link.

The horse above is made of repurposed farm equipment. Really? Really!

http://news.distractify.com/pinar/old-farming-new-art/

Read all about the artist, and see more of his art, on his website http://www.johnlopezstudio.com

A peacock made of silverware. Really? Really!!!!!

The Blog Is Back In Town

Though I continue to fantasize about my upcoming retirement, I have given into the reality that “upcoming” isn’t any time soon. And that’s okay – I’m having the time of my life and the projects we have on the books for 2015 are going to be a blast!

Being that we have been busier than centipedes at a toe counting contest, I haven’t blogged in a while. In fact, it has been nearly two months.

Looking back, 2014 was an amazing year, with twenty-one projects completed.

When Thanksgiving began to poke its neck into the calendar, we had three projects running toward the finish line and four upcoming builds. I thought we were going to have a semi-quiet holiday; I even toyed with the idea of heading back to Boston for a few days. As life would have it – and as construction often does – we worked every day of December, though we did turn off our phones on Christmas Day. Before the year was out, we were contracted to ten additional projects – which are all currently running at full-speed – and, as if that weren’t enough, another nine clients and architects came knocking on the DGC door before the tinsel was off the trees.  Somewhere in between a Fa La La La La and Auld Lang Syne, 2015 rolled in. Heads down and eyes on the proverbial ball, we simply continued to round out construction and design teams to keep things flowing in DGC style.

And now it’s February. Really? Really!

So, to get back on the blog track, and to celebrate the fruits of our labor, I am again finding time in the middle of the night to write a bit about what is going on in the Dirty Girl world.

This weekend, alongside the ever-charming, well-dressed and ridiculously talented Ray Azoulay, DGC is incredibly excited to unveil the new Obsolete, Inc and Slete Gallery during a special opening reception, featuring artist Ethan Murrow’s exhibit: AGGLOMERATE – a confused mass.

Obsolete, Inc & Slete Gallery are now located at 11270 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230.

We are also working on a residential venture with Kelly Wearstler Interior Design and Yoram LePair in West Hollywood. Yoram was our architect on the Blue Jay Way project, and we are thrilled to be teamed up yet again.

Finally, in additional to many amazing residential projects that we are designing in-house, and a few where we have teamed up with outside design firms, we are totally jazzed to be working on a new commercial project that is totally up our alley. Stay tuned for details as this develops!

 

Inside Obsolete, Inc

Inside Obsolete, Inc

Deconstructing Donations

Dirty Girl Construction donates to charity throughout the year to different organizations. This year our donations went to the Venice Family Clinic; the LA Mission; Avon Walk for Breast Cancer; numerous school fundraisers in support of better education, sport programs and the arts; The Greg Hill Foundation; Camp Calumet; the Child Neurology Foundation. While those are all monetary donations, we also donate our time, knowledge and excess or deconstruction materials to various organizations throughout Greater Los Angeles, such as Montessori Schools and Habitat for Humanity.

In an ongoing effort to reduce construction waste, and as a reminder for those of you who are getting ready for a home project, PLEASE do not throw away what you are taking out of your house without taking a look at this list to see what you can donate from your deconstruction. 

Habitat for Humanity accepts the following:

  • Air Conditioning & Heating Units, Appliances (under 6 yrs old)
  • Major Appliances including: cooktop, sink, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, dryer, oven, range, stove (should be under 6 yrs old; must be working and in no need of repair; slight dents/scratches are OK)
  • Bathroom sink, hot water heaters, tub, shower, bath sink, towel rack, heating unit
  • Bed frames
  • Used bicycles and old bikes
  • Brick & Block (building blocks need to be palletized; free of cement/mortar)
  • Kitchen sink and Bathroom Cabinets, linens, towel, countertop, 
  • Flooring, rugs, wood floors
  • Roofing materials, shingles, roof tiles
  • Interior and Exterior (Raised Panel) Doors
  • Furniture you can donate: armoire, artwork, chair, couch, curtains, sofa, door, dresser, (no significant stains, wear or tears. 
  • Hardware and home decor
  • Lumber rough boards and uncut wood (no scrap lumber)
  • Exercise equipment
  • Tile (floor: minimum quantity of 20 sq. ft.; counter: minimum quantity of 10 sq. ft.) 
  • Trim & Moulding
  • Windows & Coverings, shutters, outdoor trim
  • Plumbing & Piping
  • Lighting & Electrical
  • Outdoor Living, pavers, brick walkways, concrete stones,
  • Various Home Decor
  • Unique & Vintage Items
  • Working electronics & E-Waste: stereo, speakers, computers, laptops, ipods, cell phones, TV, computer monitors, printers.
  • Full cabinetry (cabinets with backs on them - kitchen, bath, etc)
  • Wood or vinyl windows with dual-glazing (no aluminum)

Other organizations, such as Montessori, churches, retirement homes, halfway houses, etc, accept much of the above, as well as:

  • Paint (non-toxic, water-based)
  • Textiles
  • Fabric
  • Art supplies
  • Computers and other electronic equipment
  • Clothing
  • Writing supplies
  • Musical instruments

If you have questions about where to or how to donate, feel free to contact us so we can be of service to you.  Thank you for your support in helping us to help others!