Studio/ SLAB Inc.

2011-05-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

We look forward to seeing all of you at the opening of :

"TIMEless"

on Thursday May 26 at the "Superfront Gallery" at space BLUE B-208 in the 'big blue whale' AKA the Pacific Design Center

"Uniting the design disciplines of set designing with Architecture through the interactive work being done currently globally is truly something that has been nescessary for a long time. We architects share such a rich tradition of drawing, thinking, and building. It is about time we have this exhibit to share with students of all ages and interests!"

FW: Trek Shots 1

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

enjoy

Martin Roy Mervel AIA

Principal

Studio/ SLAB Architects

310 279 3393

www.studioslab.com

Human design with integrity in discovery.......

From: Scott Chambliss [mailto:scottchambliss@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 4:26 PM
To: Martin Mervel
Subject: Trek Shots 1

Hey Martin-

This and the emails that follow contain images I can blow up to 13x19 for the show.

Choose whatever you like. And if there's an image you'd like a construction drawing for, just let me know which one.

Thanks,
Scott Chambliss
Design Boss

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3582 - Release Date: 04/18/11 23:34:00

"TIMEless" the architecture/film exhibit wants your work immediately...

2011-04-20T09:03:00.001-07:00

Hi Michael,

Good to see you on the jury yesterday at school.

Our life blood is the discourse of our profession.

In the "TIMEless" exhibit, we are advancing the conversation of our profession's work as it interfaces with technology advancement and the medium of film.

In order to participate, we require your work this week!

That means:

1. putting us on your radar

2. organizing a few pictures with your assistant(s)

3. sticking them in the computer

4. pushing the send button

5. kicking back and smiling

6. living lucky in the space of cultural stewardship!

7. celebrating life

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Spencer and I are looking forward to advancing the vocabulary that all of us are evolving through, pushing limits and learning from each other!

Cheers,

Martin Roy Mervel AIA

Principal

Studio/ SLAB Architects

Direct: 310 279 3393

www.studioslab.com

Human design with integrity in discovery.......

"TIMEless" the PDC exhibition on Film and Architecture

2011-04-05T10:01:00.001-07:00

Hi Alan,

I look forward to seeing you at Woodbury for the Julius Panel discussion.

We are filling up quickly, but I want you to be aware of this exhibition.

If you know folks who have a contribution, please share this.

Cheers,

Martin Roy Mervel AIA

Principal

Studio/ SLAB Architects

310 279 3393

www.studioslab.com

Human design through integrity and discovery....

2011-01-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

posting is fun...

New Year Greeting and wish for you...

2011-01-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to ALL...
I wish everyone who reads this to connect with inner creativity and express it NOW.

Subject: themes of numbers, quality, measuring successful work, and embracing change...

2010-11-27T20:04:00.001-08:00

Numbers count in everything

and account for everything;

but

how does one actually, objectively measure the evaluation of enduring quality when a creative object is made in :

A r t

A r c h i t e c t u r e

Industrial D e s i g n

M u s i c ?

If it is a new Francis Bacon painting

a new piece of Architecture by Morphosis,

a chair, how does one judge?

notes of Jazz in an unfamiliar tempo...

In all four categories, individuality counts- right?

One must recognize a unique flavor, language, or sound.

And with exposure to numbers then acceptance comes with use, marketing or production.

And,

individual authorship is what can brand the identity of success.

The process of making art while inspired by personal complexity is ultimately an act of solitary activity, originating from one individual.

And its success can be from a patron comission, or a gallery acting as the cheerleader or a mass production for the consumer market,

or a critic writing a review in a virtual blog or piece of paper.

But,

Architecture is a social act created by teams of people at inception like the process of biological differentiation:

from genetic material that is passed into the first two cells that subsequently multiplies into a breathing organism

that lives, and eventually dies, only to become recycled after time invokes it into hibernation and pentimento.

The industrial designer of today is marketed by comissioned designs in an "Ikea" fashion of pandering to a mass market

similiar to when Raymond Lowey designed washing machines and vacuum cleaners and trains.

In music, today's success relies on a viral distribution in the virtual medium of the internet

(I like to refer to this as "computer waves" ).

In this time of inflated information, when too much overwhelms one instantaneously and

many folks just long for a simple time to relax and discover balance,

the arts and the quality of inspired architecture counts more than ever.

And I wonder how to measure this with success?

Do ancient ruins standing thousands of years count more from the longevity of withstanding earthquakes and war?

Does the temporary shelter of cardboard count for the homeless individual

more for this person who endures one more night because that cardboard

acts like a lifesaver?

Perhaps it is in the relationship of the individual's perception

that connects with that piece of art, the space and experience of the architecture,

or the comfort and positive emotional connection with the Prouve chair, or the associative

memory with the Chopin sonata, that measures success.

We can agree on a scale where "universality of appeal" demonstrates success.

If a work of art, architecture, industrial design or music appeals to many folks over time

then it carries a measured stamp of approval.

"Pentimento" ( the term penned by Lillian Hellman ) will subsume function and

cause it's form to be reshaped by the builder or the architect over time.

In a culture that has a sense of longterm "cultural stewardship" I pray that we

have the collective strength and awareness to build with the imagination and openness

that Thom Mayne is delivering now globally in Shanghai and soon in Paris.

My interest lies in the pushing of the envelop where my eyes connect

to the novel implementation and connection of disparate, elegant beautiful things, inspired

by flow and collision simultaneously; where the ebb of the tide will bring a new impression

and yield another layer of awareness; I live in the world that Albert Frey told me "A building is not complete unless it can change with the person."

and where my dear friend Julius Shulman mentioned his banana peel theory, "Don't slip on the banana peel." Meaning that we get in our own way

and must learn to just go and flow.

You gotta think outside the box unless you want to live in one!

Welcome to the evaluation of an artful planet in the world of art...

Maybe it is time to be less comfortable having the answers and learn to ask the precise questions?

Martin Roy Mervel AIA

www.studioslab.com

Practicing thoughtful design with integrity and intuitive discovery to lift the human spirit skyward.

HW-2X = double the fun in the Hollywood hills

2010-11-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

THE AERIEL VIEW FROM 500 FEET ABOVE THE SITE

THE ESTABLISHING SHOTS: (BEFORE AND AFTER)

THE PROJECT ANALYSIS

FLOATING VIEWS IN SPACE = BALANCE

COMMUNITY SITE SECTION (AND PLAN TOO) !!!

THIS IS ONE OF THE FLOOR PLANS...

THE CONCEPT SECTION IS ANTHROPOMORPHICALLY GENERATED (AS AN INTERNAL CRANIAL VIEW)

LOOKING ALONG MULHOLLAND HIGHWAY AT THE LOWER TERRACE AND THE NEIGHBOR BEYOND !

dateline: Elysian Heights……………………

2010-11-25T08:19:00.001-08:00

Mentors (like relationships) must serve both parties and breathe with resilience, for if each party gives less than their full effort, the creative process may not be served. Since Thom Mayne offered me work to build the “Flores” residence model (to be shipped out to the Tokyo GA gallery in two weeks for a Japanese exhibit 25 years ago in January 1985) I have witnessed growth, strength, frustration, pain, joy and elation, and internal struggle as well as personal and professional triumph. Some might say, “This is life, itself”. Yes- the grandeur of my profession is such that all of the above apply. When in question, just go down to your local building and safety or planning department. Life reveals itself to those who are open. The closed sealed boxes of our recent modern, mid (20^th) century era reveal a trivial spacial exploration, yet freed us up to utilize novel materials such as aluminum, steel, and formica, sometimes all together!

The intensity of architectural language that Thom Mayne has consistently delivered with his now successive and regenerative teams of design architects is paralleled by few. The titan form creator says, “The form is not important”. And as Architects, we might well scratch our heads, but as Thom evolves he attunes his energy and focused outward to make urban connections with alignments, hardscape, landscape, program, texture, spacial relations, in short the panoply that urban life offers in a classical sense, or a modern sensibility at our individual core. In the Shanghai Pharmaceutical “Dragon” we see complexity on a transformed level, where the dexterity of a master’s experience is refined, celebrated, and inspiring to me, a beginning student of architecture after 28 years “practicing”.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season; just stay awake in your chosen profession. Too many fall asleep in these next 2 months until the new year!!

Sincerely,

Martin Roy Mervel

AIA