Week Eleven: The Little House On the Hilltop Project

HIGHLIGHTS: Pole Barn Returns. Portland State University Architects Still With the Hill. Moving Along: To Do List.

COUNTDOWN: 32 WEEKS

Eleven weeks since I’ve shared The Little House On the Hilltop (TLHOTH) project out to the world. Where are we now?

Watching the weeks count down reminds me of being pregnant. Although unlike all the “What you can expect in Week [fill in any number, 1 to 40]” literature that’s available for that time in one’s life—this week, your child’s alien eyes will become more human; this week expect sharp jabs from little elbows and knees because the bones are shaping up; this week you will indeed swell to the size of a hippo, etc.—as well as little “pick-you-up” hints to help you manage—“Partners, remember to remind her that despite the veins, she’s beautiful,” “Little gifts never hurt,” that kind of thing—there’s very little literature out there for other life projects, and so, we muddle along and through, or at least people like me do, not knowing how to prepare, or what to watch for. Except for one thing: little gifts never do ever hurt.

Pole Barn to the Left of Me, Architects to the Right  The Pole Barn has resurfaced. I can’t remember, is this its second time? Anyway, let me tell you why: a building project with the PSU Architects cannot feasibly happen in the time we need it to (by the release of our wine). That doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned a joint project, NOT AT ALL. We LOVE the husband/wife architects. They’re from Austria. Vienna. I think I mentioned this Euro connection, but may not have mentioned it’s a team effort, and with the time I’ve spent in Europe (so much that I cannot donate blood, unless that’s changed now), I have very high regard for Europeans’ thoughtful use of space and style, looking at the eons they’ve had to work through in a limited area. Plus, we really hit it off, and they understood what we hope for our buildings and land. So, as of today, all is still a go with these two.

But there’s still the short-term, and our more immediate needs require something other than that camper that still has its own requirements: to be cleaned of its grass seed and mouse issues (no, the two are not related, although you would think so), mainly. Besides it being, well, a camper.

So Pole Barn, here we come! And I’m just as excited, thinking about spending weekends digging holes and pounding nails and rounding up friends for a good old-fashioned pole-barn raising! I pulled out my “Low-Cost Pole Building Construction” book again, and have loosely chosen a plan. I say “loosely” because the book will not be followed to a T. The idea is to create a functional structure with materials and more that fits our brand, obviously, so there will be many considerations with that in mind. But this will get me also setting up another goal I had for 2010: a horse-shoe pit. I’ve already spoken to someone at The Dalles Iron Works for the stakes, and all I have to do is say the word and the pit can begin to take shape. Just have to get the horseshoes; the two I’ve found walking the land will make too short a game.

I’m also still mulling over trying to contact Gehry Partners directly, for any information they might be willing to provide on the O’Neill Hay Barn, again, you never know; why settle for the ordinary if you can achieve the extraordinary? Or at least say you tried. Anyway, time’s ticking, and my Manhattan is getting warm. On to…

To Do List

• Write the creative brief for TLHOTH project to be used for both the architects and the pole-structure. It’s the best way to keep us on the straight and narrow toward a very objective goal, with specific criteria to meet. Can’t be all willy nilly about a business, at least not anymore, can one? If any of you want a decent creative brief outline, let me know – would be happy to talk you through it.
• IF I decide to approach Gehry Partners, to develop THAT pitch, or at least talk to myself a few times in the mirror before making a call. If it’s even a call. I almost think there’s no phone number TO call. I’ll figure it out.
• I’ve given up on lottery tickets. For now.

Go, Little House On the Hilltop!