Source: The Republic
A student at the J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program in Columbus designed two unique houses being built on the city’s east side geared with affordability in mind.
“It’s function and form working together,” Jim Blackstock said of his designs.
Blackstock, currently in his second year pursuing his Master’s of Architecture degree, teamed up with Cody Blackburn of Blackburn Properties for the project.
Originally approved for three triplexes near Beatty Street and New York Avenue, Blackburn believed it would’ve been difficult to find renters given the price-point “so we went the route of just subdividing and getting them split,” he said.
Blackburn is now building four homes on the lot— Blackstock is designing the first two at 42 and 62 S. Beatty St. The structures will be 1100 square-feet, two bedroom, two bath homes and set to be priced “at right around the $200,000 mark,” according to Blackburn. Construction of the homes is just underway and is expected to take about six months.
“They’re just simple, working class, first home buyers or someone downsizing, houses. There’s no upkeep, they’re just nice little houses,” Blackburn said.
Blackstock grew up in California before moving to Nashville, Tennessee for high school. He went on to study film and photography and spent many years working as an architectural photographer. His work often intertwined with TV and film— he spent eight years working on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.”
“I’ve worked around construction for many years, I’ve done a lot of TV shows involving building houses and remodeling and things like that,” Blackstock said. “So it’s interesting that I’ve been around this stuff in some capacity for probably 20 years.”
Blackstock’s background experience gives him a perspective some architects may not have in the same way, he said.
He and his wife, Lena, “bounced around a lot,” living in Germany, Canada and Scotland. Blackstock eventually found himself back in Nashville, the pair had a couple of kids, he had left the television industry and ultimately decided to go back to school.
“We heard about this program and we wanted to live in a smaller town because our kids are in third and fourth grade at the moment,” Blackstock said. “We thought this was a great opportunity to have a more relaxed life and I could, at the same time, go get my master’s degree in something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.”
The Blackstocks own a research design studio in Columbus called Process/Practice Studio. Lena Blackstock works on the research side of affordable housing.
Blackstock said he’s drawn to architecture for a variety of reasons.
“I’m drawn to the idea that you can create space that is both beautiful and functional, I suppose,” Blackstock said. “I think humans are naturally drawn to architecture and shelter. And it’s really nice when we’re around so much architecture that’s not fully fleshed out or fully thought through, that when you experience a piece of architecture that has some intentionality behind it, you really notice it.”
Blackstock and Blackburn got connected through a mutual friend who works in real estate.
“He told me about this opportunity, that he had these two houses, and he asked me if I’d be willing to help him think through how could we do a really affordable house that’s a little bit non-traditional, but is thoughtful in the way we’re thinking through sort of the layout and the amenities that would be needed in something like that,” Blackstock said.
For example, Blackburn and Blackstock settled on the idea of including two full baths, something that would be useful for people with a roommate, a small family or those with older relatives with them.
They tried employ simplicity wherever possible, Blackstock said.
“We thought about what’s the simplest form we could use? What’s the simplest slab that we can pour? How do we take these really simple forms and make something interesting with them?”
For the two houses, Blackstock designed “these voids to create a portrait on each side” of the homes. The concept of front porches serving as a connection point to the community was important for Blackstock as well.
“(The porches) could be private or they could be public, and they could be part of this really simple form,” Blackstock said. “Then we could use affordable materials and just be thoughtful about where to spend that money on design, where it doesn’t affect the cost of the house.”
When asked if he could recall a situation where a student had designed a home like this in Columbus, Blackburn said he couldn’t.
“Obviously my goal is to make money off of it. Also, it’s got my name on it, I want it to be cool and have an impact on the community and if that can help a local student progress in his career, I’m all about it,” Blackburn said.
The design process took a little “under six weeks,” a pretty short time frame as Blackstock describes it. The first month consisted of back and forth with the city’s Planning Department and sketching out ideas, then came initial floor plans and decisions on materials.
“We tried to be very holistic about it thinking through, what’s the smallest size we can get, but still have a laundry room and two full bathrooms and closets,” Blackstock said. “Thinking through things that people really want when they’re looking at buying a house, that really sets it apart. The design is part of that.”
Blackstock will stay involved through the build process.
“We’ve got a pretty good collaboration going,” Blackstock said. “… Cody’s really leading the whole drive, but he’s good about bringing me along and asking me questions and trying to figure out design problems that come up as we’re building.”
A life-long passion for —and analysis of— architecture have helped fueled Blackstock’s creation of the two homes.
“I would notice, why does this building feel better? Why does this room make me feel peaceful? And so throughout my life I’ve kind of been exploring that, and here I am in Columbus now attempting to do this.”
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to correct Jim Blackstock’s last name.
