VISITING A MIDWESTERN FARM

What better to welcome visitors to a working 1890s farmstead than an exhibit hall detailed with traditional forms. With an economy reminiscent of 19th century Illinois farm life, the Chicago firm of Teng & Associates, Inc. has built a barn-like structure for Kline Creek Farm. This visitors center has a character appropriate for the historic farm context, but on closer inspection it reveals modern construction and sensibilities. Next week we'll look around at the simple yet elegant award-winning building.

A WIND BLOWS THROUGH IT

To understand the architecture of the small Caribbean island nation of the Dominican Republic, one must first understand the wind. Harnessing this force is key to providing indoor thermal comfort in the tropics. To better understand the interaction of wind and a simple cabana design, architect Gregory Marx De Peña has applied computational fluid dynamics software. Next week we'll see how this fusion of low-tech and high-tech informs his process of designing "the definitive primitive hut for the 21st century."

AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO POWER TOOLS

The router is an undisputed king of power-tool versatility. It can shape, joint, plane, trim, carve, drill, and slice wood. It’s tops for cutting joinery ranging from simple to fanciful. You can use a router to cut mortises for hardware, to joint and trim lumber, to create recesses for decorative inlays, and to do so much more that it boggles the mind. Next week author and furniture maker Sandor Nagyszalanczy will explain more about these remarkable tools.