Photos by Andrew ReevesFor many years, painter Christopher Griffin used the huge storefront windows of his home-studio at 464 O'Connor Street to exhibit bold and colorful canvases. But after this year's remarkable transformation of the building, Griffin's artistry is embedded in the walls themselves.
“I have created a whole sculpture out of my home with historical, environmental and social concerns etched into concrete,” explained Griffin.
The artist teamed with local architect Andrew Reeves to reimagine the historic structure, originally built as a confectionary in 1901. The commercial front is now the home of an organic cosmetics boutique operated by Griffin's wife, Oresta Korbutiak.
Calling it the “Engravings” building, Griffin and Reeves have entered the project in the city's 2009 Urban Design Awards.
Construction was staged so that the exterior became Griffin's canvas: his multiple engravings that span the exterior walls were etched on the fly into fly-ash concrete.
“I literally had minutes until the concrete began setting and in order to not hold up the workmen, I had to work quickly with no time for standing back or for changes.” he said.
To make his marks, Griffin used a 14-inch knife fashioned from a casuary bird femur bone, an implement he acquired from a traditional hunter in Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Engravings on each side of the building represent the four elements: fire to the south (sun and sunflowers); air to the east (birds); earth to the north (caribou); and water to the west (whale).
Always respectful of the building's heritage, Griffin also etched some of the history into the exterior. Using a vintage metal typeface, he embossed the names of all 22 former owners into the concrete.
The Griffin family residence rests atop the boutique on the main floor. Sustainable elements in the redesign include the fly-ash concrete as well as re-claimed wood, solar power used for hot water, and a living green canopy.
“The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Griffin.
“The fact that people will literally get out of their cars for a closer look and that strangers will pause in their busy lives to comment and examine a piece of architecture is a measure of success.”
