Documenting Construction

This is what happens …

… when you buy a house that needs a lot of work. 

The saga started back in October 2004. I had been house hunting for a year and a half, and I finally found a place I could afford. 

It was a cute little brick house. And, yes, I know you’re not supposed to fall in love with a house, but I did. There was something about those wood ceiling beams …

My dream house was located in a central Tucson neighborhood that developed rapidly during the post-World War II years. The house wasn’t brand new, nor was it an antique. So, I dubbed it This Middle-Aged House.

Emotionally Needy House

Let me tell you something about This Middle-Aged House: It’s a place where basic building concepts like level, plumb, and square don’t exist. And it’s an emotionally needy house – it always wants something.

In early 2017, I decided to give it what it really wanted – and needed: A makeover. First step: Asking a home inspector to take a good, hard look around my property. The inspector’s report provided an excellent roadmap for my project.

The Jobsite Documentarian

Ever lived in a construction zone? I did – for two years. It was a documentary opportunity like no other. 

While my workers were busy, I had to quietly, unobtrusively, and safely photograph what they were doing. And, later, after processing the photos, I put their efforts into words and combined both elements with design.

The result: This Middle-Aged House, a 62-page coffee table book.

The book includes more than 60 photos of people working on projects inside my house, on the roof, and below ground.

Consider me your one-stop shop …

… for your next documentation project. I can take it from conceptualization to image and copy creation, and then on to book design and printing. To get started, contact me.