Austin Tunnell

We completed the equity raise and closed the construction loan yesterday evening. We’re wasting no time: we’re breaking ground today. It’s time to BUILD! Stay tuned.

@pmcondon2 Ha, great to hear.

@AustinTunnell Love it. Made my day.

While large windows can be great, we typically opt for more vertically proportioned windows, or even smaller clerestory windows like this. They frame a view. This same view through a wide open piece of glass is not very interesting. It gives your eye something to look at, versus everything to look at. I love getting “glimpses”. Adds some mystery and interest.

@ianjanicki Never thought about it that way. Don’t think I have a good answer!

@AustinTunnell I see. Do you get efficiency gains there? Just curious how much more expensive butter joints are from a time perspective.

@TrinityBuildDFW @pmcondon2 Brent is really impressive.

@AustinTunnell @pmcondon2 Brent Hull has some great stuff on this. Did a whole hour at Build Show in Dallas this last October on classic order and proportional systems. Good stuff, fellas.

@ianjanicki Using modular which is 7 - 5/8 x 3 -5/8, which leaves room for a 3/8" joint for an even 4" and 8", so it's actually pretty standard! But yes, can do thinner joints.

@AustinTunnell Lovely. Quick q: why not tighter spacing between bricks

@Mr88AG Great examples!

@AustinTunnell Same principle why so many of my pictures I took in Europe recently look like these

@harrumph150697 So good. Yes, he's a genius. Pattern Language was a key book that got me into this over a decade ago.

@AustinTunnell "the view is so restrained that it stays alive forever ... its power will never fade" Alexander is a genius and his book is a work of genius to be read by all

@Mr88AG It's another reason why people love older buildings...but don't know exactly why!

@AustinTunnell That's such a good and under appreciated point

@pmcondon2 I had that written and deleted, ha! But 100% agree.

@AustinTunnell And they reflect the human body that peers through them.

@trappology Thanks. It's amazing how such a simple thing can be beautiful.

@AustinTunnell Beautiful

One of the simplest and coolest details you can do with brick: little “flutes”. Don’t think that’s a technical term but that’s what we call them. Still in progress here. Can also do in veneer, with less depth, but still very cool. Will explain more when we finish the detail tomorrow.

@DamonZumbroegel Oh man that's cool! And warm and beautiful. A great place to work.

@AustinTunnell This is the shed that came with my house in Yangon, Burma. I transformed it into my studio…..and played with brick details. Flutes and things!

@golloloma Did not realize that about Guilds hoarding knowledge, but makes sense...it was their IP. Yep, agree on modern concrete not being the same. Portland wasn't invented until the 19th century! And that's all our concrete today.

@AustinTunnell Remember, the Guilds hoarded the knowledge and did not survive civilization collapse. Modern concrete is proving it won't last nearly as long.

One of my favorite all-time buildings. Just stunning. And, an incredible feat of engineering. 142’ unreinforced concrete dome that’s stood for nearly 2,000 years. Utterly mind boggling—and inspiring! This is why we advocate for the revival of masonry based construction systems in the US.

@MelissaAntonac @Watchman_motto That's lovely!

@Watchman_motto @AustinTunnell !

The humble brick, and what you can do with it if you have the time and patience and skill.

@BillMcDonaldTX Red Frosty Velour (natural/uncoated tumbled modular) kinneybrickco.com

@AustinTunnell What type of brick?

@davidgcant Agreed. And thank you! The materials make it simple: just have to let them speak.

@AustinTunnell Hard to beat featured brickwork laid traditionally. Looks great.

@aussieflya Red Frosty Velour by Kinney (natural/uncoated) : kinneybrickco.com

@AustinTunnell What brick are you using?

@trappology I call it toothing when we do this:

@AustinTunnell I don’t know brick but I do love brick teething. Is that what it’s called? Do you like brick teething?

@Mo_Porkburger Concrete is masonry

@AustinTunnell The Pantheon is not made of masonry.

@radfugee Yep.

@AustinTunnell Kind of like brick dentil molding

@rickmanelius Ha, that’s right!

Not AI I get to watch this building grow every day on the way to work.