tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65127038416362580892024-03-05T22:40:39.310-06:00I Dream of Architecture(my journey from student to professional in the field of architecture)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-19247334914579293882009-08-05T07:00:00.005-05:002009-08-05T14:50:20.497-05:00Historic Arlington, TX: The Old Mayor's House<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFMVbLMX8NwfVHRgdI1QfgDjvepWh_JEO5hV_is4HZADYQyKl1wD2p7P61bxF0c-yLlHdqK0pi3a2aovgEPTtL1LZxCOGH1pKZqAQZNFlEq4I5KO0LWluTGUTYPieGQWMZreYILGVw/s1600-h/exterior3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFMVbLMX8NwfVHRgdI1QfgDjvepWh_JEO5hV_is4HZADYQyKl1wD2p7P61bxF0c-yLlHdqK0pi3a2aovgEPTtL1LZxCOGH1pKZqAQZNFlEq4I5KO0LWluTGUTYPieGQWMZreYILGVw/s320/exterior3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502023330407410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Old Mayor's House" 814 E. Abram St., Arlington, TX</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">(DISCLAIMER: This article is actually a heavily stripped-down, low-res version of a preservation presentation I had to prepare for my architecture class. These images are welcome for non-commercial use, especially students and historic preservation sites. If you want the high-resolution photos or the 4-meg Power Point presentation, contact me for details. ) The Powerpoint presentation is chronologically organized and includes the context. This blog entry article is more about the difficult journey of trying to get the information before the PPT was ever put together.)<br /><br />Our professor wanted to expose us to the Preservation side of architecture. Arlington, Texas has a number of historical sites scattered about. Of course, one must keep in mind that "historic" in the DFW Metroplex means it's older than about 50 years old, once again proving <a href="http://www.eddieizzard.com/">Eddie Izzard</a> correct when he makes fun of us.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"We've restored this building to the way it looked over FIFTY YEARS AGO!!!"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"Surely not! No one was alive back then!"</span><br /></div></div><br />Now, granted, we don't have any buildings that one can literally rent or buy that someone built before the advent of Monotheism. And one would be hard pressed to even find a building constructed before the 1900's over here. Be that as it may, we are slowly gaining an appreciation for our own history, so long as it doesn't get in the way of gigantic sports stadiums, theme parks, car dealerships, parking lots, or anyone with a large enough wad of cash to make us forget that maybe there was a reason for that quaint old place to stay there.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.arlingtontxhistoricalsociety.org/">The Arlignton Historical Society</a> seeks to preserve what few historic landmarks remain in "The Heart of Arlington," and our duty for this assignment was to help them present a case for preserving certain structures. I chose "The Old Mayor's House" on 814 E. Abram Street. I also had no idea what I was in for. For one thing, aside from this article that you are reading right now, you won't find a single reference to it on the web except for a tiny blurb on a scanned in 1-liner next to a single current-day photo, from a pamplet advertising to tour historic Arlington. Go ahead and look, this article will be here when you come back...<br /><br />...<br /><br />...Done looking? I couldn't even find a reference to the current owner. I tried contacting the Historical Society and received no answer. So far the only information I had been able to find out was from that one liner blurb on the pamplet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0WPVUSteHabr93ZhHCV4wFoGFVZpaP9LEmzqbuWubJDAXeQrDZyBy3vw_KT-_BiJ7iH6mIQeUGRKhXo2LNzKRGV2M1qFiEf-8Qm33VTtNpaK1e8ErAOUs22uV_LZQF9o3rNcGBPSzw/s1600-h/pamplet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0WPVUSteHabr93ZhHCV4wFoGFVZpaP9LEmzqbuWubJDAXeQrDZyBy3vw_KT-_BiJ7iH6mIQeUGRKhXo2LNzKRGV2M1qFiEf-8Qm33VTtNpaK1e8ErAOUs22uV_LZQF9o3rNcGBPSzw/s320/pamplet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366519152585396994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The only other thing online about The Old Mayor's House</span><br /><br /></span></div>On a hunch, my professor gave me the name and number of a very kind woman named Geraldine who was able to give me the current owner's name (Xavier Carrillo) and the greenlight to visit the site. Meanwhile, I visited the <a href="http://library.uta.edu/spco/">University of Texas at Arlington Special Collections </a>archives to see if I could find anything at all about the building. My search turned up absolutely nothing. I found one photo of the 800 block of East Abrams, but it was taken between 1910-1915, and according to the pamplet, the house was built in 1928, and the archives were closing for the evening.<br /><br />The next morning, I visited the site to find it was currently a Tax Specialist office.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdPq_9hb8XUWHnEEa1PiXcjzkWsSalfd0_zwkSgDQ3dhMoc5trmv7aLEy_32rOQ-UCDkZ3FOUrYp4IQ5eX9diIcMtgZ1bfh591Q3yL0FrWMHsN5UP419-025qGWOrlwmmFIXgzYxv4A/s1600-h/exterior5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdPq_9hb8XUWHnEEa1PiXcjzkWsSalfd0_zwkSgDQ3dhMoc5trmv7aLEy_32rOQ-UCDkZ3FOUrYp4IQ5eX9diIcMtgZ1bfh591Q3yL0FrWMHsN5UP419-025qGWOrlwmmFIXgzYxv4A/s320/exterior5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502021197011042" border="0" /></a>So, I headed along to the side of the office to get a better look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4QmMDMSTU8SAzF-ZTrrPn9cy2J__9hVCUoZiHNxC6SqO47z6dWtCJiA7ScjPKMzkN0-78t1mBRJ60643rvTxEWFrWeMzb1UQbudbCiYgvU0C_iKuykQ75s8RfbE0T9SxAFaX2-em3w/s1600-h/exterior4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4QmMDMSTU8SAzF-ZTrrPn9cy2J__9hVCUoZiHNxC6SqO47z6dWtCJiA7ScjPKMzkN0-78t1mBRJ60643rvTxEWFrWeMzb1UQbudbCiYgvU0C_iKuykQ75s8RfbE0T9SxAFaX2-em3w/s320/exterior4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502019560717090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFMVbLMX8NwfVHRgdI1QfgDjvepWh_JEO5hV_is4HZADYQyKl1wD2p7P61bxF0c-yLlHdqK0pi3a2aovgEPTtL1LZxCOGH1pKZqAQZNFlEq4I5KO0LWluTGUTYPieGQWMZreYILGVw/s1600-h/exterior3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFMVbLMX8NwfVHRgdI1QfgDjvepWh_JEO5hV_is4HZADYQyKl1wD2p7P61bxF0c-yLlHdqK0pi3a2aovgEPTtL1LZxCOGH1pKZqAQZNFlEq4I5KO0LWluTGUTYPieGQWMZreYILGVw/s320/exterior3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502023330407410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku8Ehv_7FllNgAKjCKsumywMPMeJ9RsvC3lFIa4t2YL11tEkIkH1MilS9bgfXAs66TgYsCRK2gTbLEeNiwj41koyyfTjzUWrZBd-55Gj1RtJyZD9Hiva3F99cZqNnNial2rsh583oKA/s1600-h/exterior6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku8Ehv_7FllNgAKjCKsumywMPMeJ9RsvC3lFIa4t2YL11tEkIkH1MilS9bgfXAs66TgYsCRK2gTbLEeNiwj41koyyfTjzUWrZBd-55Gj1RtJyZD9Hiva3F99cZqNnNial2rsh583oKA/s320/exterior6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502009450785714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIjCDCSoUMQgigipibkjOa4wu3nmhyphenhyphenaLtaucqVML98UEaTkHq5VQqP0o752HuCYcnMysxDgkhoQZ2tWG9FbsaN-Uwnpfq2gFKT5yqFqShKhaWbuCy3XCm2KuXXIVB9QZ3Pj6NBbr-WQ/s1600-h/exterior7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIjCDCSoUMQgigipibkjOa4wu3nmhyphenhyphenaLtaucqVML98UEaTkHq5VQqP0o752HuCYcnMysxDgkhoQZ2tWG9FbsaN-Uwnpfq2gFKT5yqFqShKhaWbuCy3XCm2KuXXIVB9QZ3Pj6NBbr-WQ/s320/exterior7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366502006899123202" border="0" /></a>It is a beautiful house, well restored <a href="http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/%7Etwp/architecture/tudor/">Tudor-Revival</a> House with what appears to be Mid-Atlantic Tan brickwork and stained-glass windows. The place has a very loved, well-manicured look about it. I head to the front and find it closed. Then I realize the driveway actually leads to a parking lot in back. Perhaps that would be where I need to park and enter through the back. No such luck, it's closed and locked too.<br /><br />Geraldine had greenlit my taking photos of the house, but I wanted to be extra careful not to offend anyone, so I called the non-emergency line for the <a href="http://www.arlingtonpd.org/">Arlington Police Department</a>, and informed them of what I was doing. For any students of architecture, history, photography, etc. Whenever you have to study a site, it's always a very good idea to let the police know exactly what you are doing, why, for how long, what you are wearing, and so forth. Otherwise, at best you might merely be stopped by the police and inconvenienced for half an hour while they figure out if your story is legit. At worst, you might get shot for trespassing by a panicked owner. My conscience clear, I stepped out of the car and got as many exterior photos as I could.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW3MIaE9b-lNqvQeoEZerV3i-Fu7qA63lcdeRhXb69tRLpuInRWAJ0_uvUJNSZRiJu1Y3GaFQiRH6hadizzJgSzJJGpP2eNCXku1U1mEPq6brDLHHfW1qVE1R9ZXaS3dh-Y-PWwpp0w/s1600-h/exterior1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW3MIaE9b-lNqvQeoEZerV3i-Fu7qA63lcdeRhXb69tRLpuInRWAJ0_uvUJNSZRiJu1Y3GaFQiRH6hadizzJgSzJJGpP2eNCXku1U1mEPq6brDLHHfW1qVE1R9ZXaS3dh-Y-PWwpp0w/s320/exterior1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506113118033970" border="0" /></a>The front photos aside, one thing I noticed is the house is now <a href="http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm">ADA Complian</a>t. Complete with a handicapped parking spot, a ramp. The house also now has a fire escape as a method of egress. Both would be required for a business, technically, but doing so is always difficult because one ultimately risks damage to the historic nature of the house, the look and spirit of the place can become ruined. I think in this case, they did quite a good job. The ramp access is in back, so that the front of the house is preserved, and yet it gives easy access and parking. I noticed on the side opposite the driveway was a very picturesque garden, and had to take a closer look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimee_3HWaQxHsYsCppx-nFNCA25R-ph1kxP7YSSu7UQPa4naf274murWz92_t0SUzdwCssLnJLqnboyR0BjRU7jUrMS9d1kSgpf8b6ApyvYvJ9hRUAB04V9-RokEioG1D28GCdnxO2tA/s1600-h/exterior2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimee_3HWaQxHsYsCppx-nFNCA25R-ph1kxP7YSSu7UQPa4naf274murWz92_t0SUzdwCssLnJLqnboyR0BjRU7jUrMS9d1kSgpf8b6ApyvYvJ9hRUAB04V9-RokEioG1D28GCdnxO2tA/s320/exterior2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506110210897938" border="0" /></a>Wow. Makes me wish I had one of these. What looks like a roof is actually a portico with a trellis, and a thick layer of foliage along the top. The flagstone, arches, greenery, and shade makes a great refuge from the heat and noise of the house's unfortunate surrounding context of auto shops, convenience stores, and fast food chains.<br /><br />I took another couple of pictures when sure enough, someone approached me to see what I was about. I explained my situation as honestly as possible and it turned out she was the property manager, had access to the interior, and would be happy to show me around the place. She even knew of a few old photos of the place and a few articles. I had struck archival gold!<br /><br />The first thing she showed me was a couple of photos of the place <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">before</span> it had been bought and restored by Mr. Carrillo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbezzEkSWLgnkUvR00p7xoKVPS8U1cmoR5XCgtLDPX0RpuPcGp1UYiajiYvNdwUzuBsHdPB0QgeWJnk-24OchdksYPs1yeFhWLHuEPRPTgOBjL5v6eSHh41-xvRRQCOGIuzVsErGGcA/s1600-h/pre-restoration2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbezzEkSWLgnkUvR00p7xoKVPS8U1cmoR5XCgtLDPX0RpuPcGp1UYiajiYvNdwUzuBsHdPB0QgeWJnk-24OchdksYPs1yeFhWLHuEPRPTgOBjL5v6eSHh41-xvRRQCOGIuzVsErGGcA/s320/pre-restoration2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506119123077362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPMDEWTkQekWLrGqwD36_l80QfGTy6AJeXEUcv_SieF8MkUXntOVuDaoyTuFRab3HVVLXUaMz0SKbMLxpCF2l0wHhCJEam4AGz1kr2JhXo1hCfvlNzLn0vORlETfV3FnETvChYE4CUA/s1600-h/pre-restoration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPMDEWTkQekWLrGqwD36_l80QfGTy6AJeXEUcv_SieF8MkUXntOVuDaoyTuFRab3HVVLXUaMz0SKbMLxpCF2l0wHhCJEam4AGz1kr2JhXo1hCfvlNzLn0vORlETfV3FnETvChYE4CUA/s320/pre-restoration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506113445242098" border="0" /></a>As you might be able to tell, the two front corners of the house had been cut out and replaced with large plate glass display windows. That's because it had been a dress shop before it had been purchased by Mr. Carrillo. It also had no central heating and air conditioning. It had no driveway, no parking lot in back, and the whole house itself, though handsome, was in a considerable state of disrepair. But Xavier Carrillo had seen promise in the place, and sought to restore its original beauty. He did a great job. In fact, he did so well, they gave him an award.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5UGlzhk-v_gK04mIIC1HYnjNE4nZe8TJI-gUyGIp0kT-6k0j092FjfRDxYmhaWNn4ygGTW0U8ClpGCzhH7RyK-B3i6yPy5mhzXctvq2IdTdmaW7ov0VzHRqrvG62nIpV9C0eNIv15g/s1600-h/article2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5UGlzhk-v_gK04mIIC1HYnjNE4nZe8TJI-gUyGIp0kT-6k0j092FjfRDxYmhaWNn4ygGTW0U8ClpGCzhH7RyK-B3i6yPy5mhzXctvq2IdTdmaW7ov0VzHRqrvG62nIpV9C0eNIv15g/s320/article2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506285917372610" border="0" /></a>The property was acquired by Xavier Carrillo in 1993, who renovated it over 9 months, and won the top honor "Excellence Award" in urban design in 1994 for revitalization of a city landmark. Here's a partial list of what he did:<br /><ul><li>Original slate roof was restored, though in 2006 had to be replaced with a standard composite roof due to prohibitive cost.</li><li>Plate glass window on northwest corner was replaced with brick.</li><li>Plate glass window on southwest corner replaced by arched window to match the rest of the house’s theme.</li><li>Back porch portico converted into interior space with large arched windows.</li><li>House completely rewired.</li><li>Brick was cleaned.</li><li>Central A/C and Heating installed.</li><li>ADA ramp installed.</li><li>Arbor, curbs, sidewalks, and a drive for rear parking were all installed.</li></ul>The property manager also showed me a few photos and articles of other houses restored by Mr. Carrillo, which looked great. He apparently restores historic landmarks as a personal hobby, and one at which I must say he's become quite proficient. I asked if they had any older photos or information on the house, at which point the Property Manager directed me to this painting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE9trHkT5vBSbsoIP_w0BYVl2zrWtXiBsMjFuv1HTGw0gdAF6Xf00Op4LYC9hHSUopQsC8uiksyOAxVuVo92lb_Pob3AJ7-TghulZysHECM-3engSgCQj43SbGEp26IdXLu5X4LltFQ/s1600-h/painting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE9trHkT5vBSbsoIP_w0BYVl2zrWtXiBsMjFuv1HTGw0gdAF6Xf00Op4LYC9hHSUopQsC8uiksyOAxVuVo92lb_Pob3AJ7-TghulZysHECM-3engSgCQj43SbGEp26IdXLu5X4LltFQ/s320/painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506272275985090" border="0" /></a>What you are looking at now is a painting of the house as it would have looked prior to the crude re-purposing the dress shop had inflicted on the property (~1950's). As you can see, there is a significant difference in the look of the place. The artist is a miss <a href="http://click.star-telegram.com/file.php?id=4033&catid=45">Gretchen Schwab</a>, who painted this in 1996 as a gift for Mr. Carrillo. The east (left) part of the house is shown as an open porch with an arched portico which has since been converted into internal space with arched windows and an external portico added. And, of course, no tacky plate glass display windows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZNisgtaJ7IFY6og3iWhmCd4Wd9gVgQt_b2ToXBzr5_yUbSkv3JMcfoIxWIINHLemNelvbe74h3y6nkbTRz7gqxQFPNdxTYd7YEMxBXbYdfbVexb08MaNUSZw0CzNr2TZvJYxuLo99Q/s1600-h/interior10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZNisgtaJ7IFY6og3iWhmCd4Wd9gVgQt_b2ToXBzr5_yUbSkv3JMcfoIxWIINHLemNelvbe74h3y6nkbTRz7gqxQFPNdxTYd7YEMxBXbYdfbVexb08MaNUSZw0CzNr2TZvJYxuLo99Q/s320/interior10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501651434120802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAHnZkNsytuvnZusgJbNGWRAtVCpgrN23RFCap2_H1qxX69PWuvfXGRLwijEXm1YrR4PKnkkLiNUG4OSZpjdz9exWGTYWPdPslqUkVKgbRBQqI33e8IT1fK-4fqlsxYRVWC2EVxezZA/s1600-h/interior9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAHnZkNsytuvnZusgJbNGWRAtVCpgrN23RFCap2_H1qxX69PWuvfXGRLwijEXm1YrR4PKnkkLiNUG4OSZpjdz9exWGTYWPdPslqUkVKgbRBQqI33e8IT1fK-4fqlsxYRVWC2EVxezZA/s320/interior9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501658746047826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiDrRtTqjaiLSw-vaC-YWI4VgGrRrJAitN_5H28Hir7Otzu9eHpqe2mpK5UUWY8jLz4ZMXjrS2ojJDeeTI0Te3vlQ0wRvmoWHioTmMZWVlYLSmLnbecS1IlNboj2tTTw76BEBwGjCOw/s1600-h/interior8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiDrRtTqjaiLSw-vaC-YWI4VgGrRrJAitN_5H28Hir7Otzu9eHpqe2mpK5UUWY8jLz4ZMXjrS2ojJDeeTI0Te3vlQ0wRvmoWHioTmMZWVlYLSmLnbecS1IlNboj2tTTw76BEBwGjCOw/s320/interior8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501663400998914" border="0" /></a>As previously mentioned, Carrillo internalized the arched portico space, converting it into a great connecting rear foyer. The room is beautifully decorated and the brickwork matches the rest of the house perfectly. The third photo you see used to be the back door leading to the portico.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLaL_eURi6YxE9F9_W52YzTjFcFgXGE85uABYdrdjKlNAFP1At8UKDRhxrawh6sUyTUuoRmrYo4_5buK88nqOkph6MK8mFovH9wks-X8RgGhMeD7ueHKLzynshQ54rDumkpLPsViW7A/s1600-h/interior7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLaL_eURi6YxE9F9_W52YzTjFcFgXGE85uABYdrdjKlNAFP1At8UKDRhxrawh6sUyTUuoRmrYo4_5buK88nqOkph6MK8mFovH9wks-X8RgGhMeD7ueHKLzynshQ54rDumkpLPsViW7A/s320/interior7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501666098744466" border="0" /></a>This is the other side of that door. We are now in the signing room, what would at one time have been the formal dining room. It is, likewise, beautifully done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVyIojQK_J-U2dUIu3yu9SxDx8iVFTZGFmiiXd9l2Ao9N72wWx7NjKttLAPqt5dyOcHYUuyXwFcfYDnwq0f6w_FW7Zb8IBVLYQzyWwRg2tXRQVjUylsR61HwMHiu5dd5xrwUFmd-CRQ/s1600-h/interior4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVyIojQK_J-U2dUIu3yu9SxDx8iVFTZGFmiiXd9l2Ao9N72wWx7NjKttLAPqt5dyOcHYUuyXwFcfYDnwq0f6w_FW7Zb8IBVLYQzyWwRg2tXRQVjUylsR61HwMHiu5dd5xrwUFmd-CRQ/s320/interior4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501819854231794" border="0" /></a>The fireplace is gas. I never did get a final answer on whether or not the actual framework of it is original or not.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzJ8f2Qldz-_8WeaZhzE-xTBnHzEK657tGbbS7CVxYxTmtQXHFOxXTCdkS2eJ2WbxKEwMyBa2iHaFOjbicRdQ8sMsCbIm0MExtEjh1BXd1AivvzBVJOixFalIGrSFRWQ9aRmYhcEKw/s1600-h/interior6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzJ8f2Qldz-_8WeaZhzE-xTBnHzEK657tGbbS7CVxYxTmtQXHFOxXTCdkS2eJ2WbxKEwMyBa2iHaFOjbicRdQ8sMsCbIm0MExtEjh1BXd1AivvzBVJOixFalIGrSFRWQ9aRmYhcEKw/s320/interior6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501667973764290" border="0" /></a>The dining room sports a simple, but elegantly vaulted ceiling...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0Nle8qmtCYmcOBgNwgxMr7d4aM6I8I66i7gamo54liJoH5ojZKJUBJhYLrhNA30kmfAqRm-0oOwmL1ha4d3cMEr-ecsCckkz7h7YxaN62tg1Lwd98_YMZL6U6XSATXkWgJdolOovyw/s1600-h/interior5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0Nle8qmtCYmcOBgNwgxMr7d4aM6I8I66i7gamo54liJoH5ojZKJUBJhYLrhNA30kmfAqRm-0oOwmL1ha4d3cMEr-ecsCckkz7h7YxaN62tg1Lwd98_YMZL6U6XSATXkWgJdolOovyw/s320/interior5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501812858159490" border="0" /></a>...with the original chandelier, which I later found out was designed by the home's architect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDzQm_CIgrkhMmrRgVV-Lyo4rze0pz7dRhSlmWRqGnByIZa8nGv44JA-TEgy_lH4rvGQHvODpvge_TKHfNRcX3OSJLn-UXsCTaU3tZMx2A02UeEJhLIE2Z4-t00ZK22PY_Ki4nkulmA/s1600-h/interior3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDzQm_CIgrkhMmrRgVV-Lyo4rze0pz7dRhSlmWRqGnByIZa8nGv44JA-TEgy_lH4rvGQHvODpvge_TKHfNRcX3OSJLn-UXsCTaU3tZMx2A02UeEJhLIE2Z4-t00ZK22PY_Ki4nkulmA/s320/interior3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501823109462306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF8phG-wghY5EmoAQyQ4wCqbwlv1yA-ayvyObbAvE2844shZh5QtS1zruO-GKhS8yc7UOMq3rqAa4MMfTqw8gUvmoInsPEPC_LTYJ2uRM6tXtTMskv0yQwQF2D0ui5CoWRE0CO6utWw/s1600-h/interior1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF8phG-wghY5EmoAQyQ4wCqbwlv1yA-ayvyObbAvE2844shZh5QtS1zruO-GKhS8yc7UOMq3rqAa4MMfTqw8gUvmoInsPEPC_LTYJ2uRM6tXtTMskv0yQwQF2D0ui5CoWRE0CO6utWw/s320/interior1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501830004934386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs7jiLjaTnrZwTHSXwOCgU76ueNgUSnF4Nm-YC2dLJF82Je9i8eMRKv4c4taz-IphwU62TbpG3jS2oKNUS89fu7LQiptszwMOWW0_mKdBiJGe0xc6jCs8V7D_76UHrxhqGYr2dvpT3g/s1600-h/interior2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs7jiLjaTnrZwTHSXwOCgU76ueNgUSnF4Nm-YC2dLJF82Je9i8eMRKv4c4taz-IphwU62TbpG3jS2oKNUS89fu7LQiptszwMOWW0_mKdBiJGe0xc6jCs8V7D_76UHrxhqGYr2dvpT3g/s320/interior2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366501826836594850" border="0" /></a>The stained glass windows are all original, as are the arched doorways. I'm not certain whether or not the doors themselves are, however. When I was attempting to get a better shot of the front door, I saw this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBPoHnKPo3OT7RY-jXMuejpnCY2AeJFTLYBFvzUfshwtXis2ZN6T57qU0zMFC_3DwYajiDJtZ8n6TX9tJoZoldsoOeBhr9A_Mu4X8ifg46q3ZV_BhIF_tjKk5_inopVMeQTCTrBKzEQ/s1600-h/phone2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBPoHnKPo3OT7RY-jXMuejpnCY2AeJFTLYBFvzUfshwtXis2ZN6T57qU0zMFC_3DwYajiDJtZ8n6TX9tJoZoldsoOeBhr9A_Mu4X8ifg46q3ZV_BhIF_tjKk5_inopVMeQTCTrBKzEQ/s320/phone2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506122494145634" border="0" /></a>When I asked about it, the PM told me it used to be a phone booth, and that Mr. Carrillo had decided to leave it like it was. As it turns out, this was an incredibly wise decision. When I returned to the UTA Special Collections Archives later that day, I decided to change my tactic, and search for things relating to "The Old Mayor" rather than the house. Barney C. Barnes was mayor from 1947 to 1951, and is the person the house got it's nickname from. By odd coincidence, <a href="http://www2.uta.edu/accounting/scholarships/barnes.scholarship.htm">he was also instrumental in getting UTA up and running</a>, though it wasn't called UTA at the time. Perhaps one of those photos, articles, or books somewhere would have something about the house.<br /><br />I should take a moment to mention that searching through Special Collections archives is a painfully slow task. In an age where high-speed wireless internet access and streaming video of nearly everything in the world is available on most modern cell phones, the archives are like a black hole of knowledge which never escapes to the digital world. Hardcopies are actually stored according to how many linear feet they take up. Checking out even one single item requires first thumbing through literal pages upon pages of finding-aids, guessing at what box might have something about what you're looking for, filling out a form, waiting for it to be processed, the box to be looked up, carted out, gloves worn to manually examine the contents one at a time. The vast, vast majority of the time you will not find what you are looking for, and will have to start the process all over again.<br /><br />Assuming you do find a photo, article, or anything else that you would like, you will need to fill out two additional forms, wait for them to be processed. The item you wish to have copied will need to be returned internally to a special lab where you might see your copy in about half an hour if you are lucky enough to only need a xerox of an article or post card. If you actually need a scan of a photo, it will cost you six dollars per copy and a few days wait. These areas are also typically only open during normal business hours.<br /><br />I don't say this to denigrate the UTA Special Collections by any means. They have their processes in place for very good reasons, and serve a vital purpose to researchers. What I wish to convey to the reader is that this type of research will not only seem alien to you if you've never done it before, but it is also not a quick process. Should you ever have a project that requires access to a Special Collections archive, expect it to take <span style="font-style: italic;">days</span> to find even one relevent item.<br /><br />Well, as it turns out, after three visits, there just happened to be a book (thus only a 30 minute wait for the reproduction) on historic politics in Arlington that had a photo of Mayor Barnes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aKEF49LGad8FCBGWpb2btqlef3CvQKOdPEwuJBLasHVZAZX2MbGofMl83LRNk45DukugT5PFm15xY32Gr7_7jpbYLp1YXUiFWg2V87g1YgaOYchcQSRczuFwyb0NMomDbmkBqBzfVg/s1600-h/barnes_phone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aKEF49LGad8FCBGWpb2btqlef3CvQKOdPEwuJBLasHVZAZX2MbGofMl83LRNk45DukugT5PFm15xY32Gr7_7jpbYLp1YXUiFWg2V87g1YgaOYchcQSRczuFwyb0NMomDbmkBqBzfVg/s320/barnes_phone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506277804084802" border="0" /></a>Recognize that phone booth? Now look closely at the phone. It's a rotary-dial phone, as opposed to a crank-switch. And why on Earth would someone have taken a photo of the mayor on the phone, at his house, while he obviously poses for the shot?<br /><br />I found the answer about two hours later, thumbing through the Special Collections' randomly clipped and saved articles from the Fort Worth Star Telegram.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96H-77LW6nKT4LQFPD8Z2q_V0hzhKMumf0vIX9c0QKCr12Ddspj3t9TsZn2DcP2m3c8gBOyLcChWuyWSRFlqGqmQdnim6JM_UC9fLvi8tYVafOwCF7VM2WlgONY8AwDiR1osGtBKBMQ/s1600-h/article3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96H-77LW6nKT4LQFPD8Z2q_V0hzhKMumf0vIX9c0QKCr12Ddspj3t9TsZn2DcP2m3c8gBOyLcChWuyWSRFlqGqmQdnim6JM_UC9fLvi8tYVafOwCF7VM2WlgONY8AwDiR1osGtBKBMQ/s320/article3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506280856892706" border="0" /></a>There's more to the article, but there's the important part. Or most of the important part. It turns out that, for at least a brief time, thanks to a deal brokered by B. C. Barnes, Arlington had the most advanced phone system on Earth, and that the very first use of that new phone system was at none other than the Mayor's house, at 814 E. Abram St. So, the age of the building aside (over 80 years old), there is reason number two for its preservation: an historically significant event, and photo documentation to prove it. Reason number three came after I'd finally gotten in contact with Mr. Carrillo, who, in addition to answering some questions about the house, had remembered that it had been built by a Mr. Hutsell. A bit more investigation finally gave me the name of the architect, Clifford D. Hutsell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODLGBYK6PpVWChovdrWgLHv1P6ADYysHEmVQ_3dZxyHukfOdTupSBRmmuNtB3C2aiYvwcnNHVEJu9D0BviN6Bv_O114IdOD_dYeItrRx4bEwlVjFT2SLbcgyMPv73KGBJeKwSRXl2XA/s1600-h/cdhutsell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODLGBYK6PpVWChovdrWgLHv1P6ADYysHEmVQ_3dZxyHukfOdTupSBRmmuNtB3C2aiYvwcnNHVEJu9D0BviN6Bv_O114IdOD_dYeItrRx4bEwlVjFT2SLbcgyMPv73KGBJeKwSRXl2XA/s320/cdhutsell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366506274306397074" border="0" /></a>Clifford D. Hutsell was a rather prolific architect in the Dallas area. After a trip to California in 1929, he was an architect specializing in Spanish Colonial revival style. His flamboyant style typically incorporated multi-colored ceramic tile, wide-arched stained glass windows, balcony porches, exterior stairs, and several houses of his together in a row would seem to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. He is credited as the primary architectural influence in the Lakewood County Club District as well as Highland Park--two of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Dallas. However, before he left for California, he was not an architect, but merely a Grapevine-born city planner who had tried his hand at designing two houses. One was at 1306 W. Abram St. The other was at 814 E. Abram St., designed for a certain cattle baron (Dave Martin) who had inherited a patch of land. The house was later sold to W. T. Waggoner (the richest man West of the Mississippi) who built Arlington’s 1st and only Horse Racing Track.<br /><br />So, there are two more previously unknown reasons for its preservation. The architect was a native-born Texan (an extreme rarity for the time, as most of our architects came from "Damned Yankee States"), and was a major architectural influence on the area. The last reason is because of the figures of note who lived there, (Waggoner and Barnes). Thus, the case for preservation is made. I will be producing a CD with my powerpoint, findings, and original photos for myself, the UTA Special Collections, and Mr. Carrillo, should anyone need more information. This article was primarily about the journey. The powerpoint is far more succinct and chronological.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-82360638799907500132009-07-31T07:00:00.002-05:002009-07-31T09:43:36.603-05:00Sketch: State Capitol "Flying Saucer" Bank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ22WOvSslGsziTPzcZKMYhObAOO2PrEpjfjEEu0IzfMvMnMe3WKYBpXF9hNQXQZ5UhG3fQArr6_JsnQm9o_Z0JSNnZmBKu3QEMsSue7Ol-AWvGWVDQEaNeSiBHQBE5mMz76Ktzqj8jw/s1600-h/okc-statecapitolbank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ22WOvSslGsziTPzcZKMYhObAOO2PrEpjfjEEu0IzfMvMnMe3WKYBpXF9hNQXQZ5UhG3fQArr6_JsnQm9o_Z0JSNnZmBKu3QEMsSue7Ol-AWvGWVDQEaNeSiBHQBE5mMz76Ktzqj8jw/s320/okc-statecapitolbank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360390413261254994" border="0" /></a>The Oklahoma State Capitol Bank was one of the more unique buildings to come out of the 60's. Built in 1964, this is the original look of the bank. It has since been pretty heavily modified for security and heating and air conditioning concerns. In searching for information about this bank, I came across a new blog called <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.oklahomamodernblog.com/2009/05/oklahoma-state-capitol-bank.html">Oklahoma Modern</a>. I rather like it, so I'll be linking to it. Apparently the author is also a big fan of <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/rest-in-peace-julius-shulman.html">Julius Shulman</a> as well. Shulman, incidentally, is the one who took this photo.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB2DNNaDbcshQKHXkz5Avmg374C8XM7VuQrgwu8IeVtw08hafwV0UXTynwFVQM6ylT0Ry-jYpUPAHfI_V_oGkC_-lA9JKr_Er5kIWH85tz0KzP1r5O5A-yiRPpL6MxctMmwKNzHZpAw/s1600-h/sk_okcbank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB2DNNaDbcshQKHXkz5Avmg374C8XM7VuQrgwu8IeVtw08hafwV0UXTynwFVQM6ylT0Ry-jYpUPAHfI_V_oGkC_-lA9JKr_Er5kIWH85tz0KzP1r5O5A-yiRPpL6MxctMmwKNzHZpAw/s320/sk_okcbank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360390418088490898" border="0" /></a>My sketch, as usual, did not come out very well. I sincerely home my ability improves over time. As it is, my saucers are drooping, my details are scarce, and my car is pathetic. But I persevere in hopes that one day I won't completely suck at sketching buildings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-73138474273268755002009-07-29T07:00:00.005-05:002009-07-29T10:43:05.648-05:00Rest In Peace, Julius Shulman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iQxuD0KHYSb5l_T9Jw4umeCHTXPjzVDlktVbSqGVn0phAOpGxvFxlnp4XC4FIMewezxGRuY0Qnx8CjEUVtRAxda-AgBG23C85dZ0qZGVvX3OHBJWjsDq6D_g-2r1ICeigqafnZAVaA/s1600-h/38908371.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iQxuD0KHYSb5l_T9Jw4umeCHTXPjzVDlktVbSqGVn0phAOpGxvFxlnp4XC4FIMewezxGRuY0Qnx8CjEUVtRAxda-AgBG23C85dZ0qZGVvX3OHBJWjsDq6D_g-2r1ICeigqafnZAVaA/s320/38908371.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363906061517920290" border="0" /></a><br />I only recently found out that <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/03/julius_shulman.html">Julius <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shulman</span></a> died at 98 on July 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, 2009. If you have not had the chance to do so, please <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-julius-shulman17-2009jul17,0,1393680.story">read his obituary</a>. He was to architectural photography what <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/">Annie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Leibovitz</span></a> is to people portraits, or what <a href="http://www.anseladams.com/">Ansel Adams</a> is to natural photography. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Shulman</span> was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Photog</span>, which is photographer lingo for "master of the lens." And among <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">photogs</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Shulman</span> was a grand master, an icon, accomplished something few others can ever do: capturing the spirit of a structure in one frame. If you are an architect, or plan to be one, studying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Shulman's</span> work should be considered as important as studying Palladio, Wright, and Le <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Corbusier</span>. The average layperson neither knows nor cares about golden scale, red and blue series, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">incolumniation</span>, or anything of the sort. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Shulman</span> made the genius and spirit of great architecture accessible to the general public in ways that no architectural set of plans or books could ever do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi4XD2ybTljgGvASPZz6Tcy2Z0Trp0t8h6b_yJ5BsnKzUEoYi1daoqytashwY3YmZMEgb-FxGRJnx6Mngu-Nl2b1Otutusx7o3jOuhJ6O_TT7Js_oX4dnOdl8r_eG1RsJzAPSCvMfuw/s1600-h/julius-shulman_48114367.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWi4XD2ybTljgGvASPZz6Tcy2Z0Trp0t8h6b_yJ5BsnKzUEoYi1daoqytashwY3YmZMEgb-FxGRJnx6Mngu-Nl2b1Otutusx7o3jOuhJ6O_TT7Js_oX4dnOdl8r_eG1RsJzAPSCvMfuw/s320/julius-shulman_48114367.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363904822016866098" border="0" /></a><br />Most people don't appreciate photography anymore because when you have a digital camera and a memory card that can hold thousands of images, why bother composing? Why worry about whether you have the perfect image when you can pick the best out of 100 or 1000. Why not just use hi-def video and freeze-frame on the right moment, crop it, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">photoshop</span> it, and print it? But there was a day and age when you often only had that one perfect moment in time, that would only exist for a split second before passing into regretful memory. A True <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Photog</span> might wait days, months, even years for the right moment, at the right time, in the right light, weather, and conditions, to attempt to capture that moment on film. A Master <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Photog</span> manages to actually accomplish this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh4Z7XuSW5NvhPqZHz00bQIeVvA8CK6KqC0yBOXjD8NmU60oGJlMxz2v-lquj-Ye4mMXRWdLUiMZdY9uolcXGu_WgDoWK1bnYCR3gfXGZ-Wn_8qWxxb1Uc6FP_H7WcNL_ebX95RzoZA/s1600-h/julius-shulman_48114398.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh4Z7XuSW5NvhPqZHz00bQIeVvA8CK6KqC0yBOXjD8NmU60oGJlMxz2v-lquj-Ye4mMXRWdLUiMZdY9uolcXGu_WgDoWK1bnYCR3gfXGZ-Wn_8qWxxb1Uc6FP_H7WcNL_ebX95RzoZA/s320/julius-shulman_48114398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363906593981621202" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Shulman</span> understood the essence of architecture in the same way that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Leibovitz</span> understood the essence of a celebrity. He understood the composition of the light, the time of day, the shadows, and textures in the same way that Adams did in nature. All three had the ability to capture the spiritual, mental, and physical essence of that moment in one perfect frame. And they did so with cameras that required manual focusing, guesswork on the proper f-stop for the lens, and rolls of film that rarely if ever exceeded 36 possible images. There was no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">photoshopping</span> the final product. You had hard tangible film, and if an accident occurred during development of the negatives, that image was ruined forever. There are a number of tricks that could be performed with an enlarger, the machine that shines light through a negative onto the photo paper, but nothing on the scale of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Photoshop</span>. If an image was poor, the light not right, the shot overexposed or underexposed, there was very little one could do to improve upon the original.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UKQKiZhodtOzUlut5S3ZqQbe4JksYGthjXLEGnNdTCjkbDCxN8HqN3up-QBes7lFqhf4ZdQr_b_vlSdEQ4s7aFNq87tm_ictPf-WigsH1bLbmjZfIEp-x7JSA4-_CxULK8cqWfS9NA/s1600-h/casestudyhouse22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UKQKiZhodtOzUlut5S3ZqQbe4JksYGthjXLEGnNdTCjkbDCxN8HqN3up-QBes7lFqhf4ZdQr_b_vlSdEQ4s7aFNq87tm_ictPf-WigsH1bLbmjZfIEp-x7JSA4-_CxULK8cqWfS9NA/s320/casestudyhouse22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360390869394738338" border="0" /></a><br />This is what separated master <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">photogs</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">amateurs</span>: the ability to compose and capture the essence of a moment and place so skillfully, so expertly, with so few resources at their disposal, that they elevated photography from mere documentation to the level of art so profound it could be likened to masterworks of painters. Some might scoff at the idea of photography as an art, or if so, might begrudge it ever being equal to that of the brush and canvas, or the sculpture, but I challenge anyone to ever deny that what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Shulman</span> accomplished, over and over again, was anything short of artistic genius.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhkkxg7EBf7_NCHXuqRt5zD9OfPd7u1YFOidbmFT1UrZmpRny3I4HzflyBEBfbT1jIt1rLuWA85_hmENChqeOkE9gFLM4oVgHz7j39VsciMWLzczPh-a8TIUGN1o9qxGr95jl8VMig/s1600-h/sk_case22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhkkxg7EBf7_NCHXuqRt5zD9OfPd7u1YFOidbmFT1UrZmpRny3I4HzflyBEBfbT1jIt1rLuWA85_hmENChqeOkE9gFLM4oVgHz7j39VsciMWLzczPh-a8TIUGN1o9qxGr95jl8VMig/s320/sk_case22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360390865904070546" border="0" /></a><br />This is my very humble attempt to sketch one of his more famous photographs, <a href="http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Case_Study_House_22.html">Case Study House #22, in Los Angeles</a>. It is also known as The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Stahl</span> House, and the architect is <a href="http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/slide/koenig/">Pierre <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Koenig</span></a>. I did not do a very good job on this sketch, but it's my own humble homage to this great man and champion of architecture. I had intended to visit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Shulman</span> after this summer semester ended, before starting the fall semester. I will now never have that chance. A hero of mine has died, after a very long, fulfilling life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUmQ8ZSgW84Ue_sWvOjWM34MC1ZOyz4GYknhv4IwAfuGnxvG4F6YI6s6T0oSxM0JURFn1M_NaA9yuYbc2_1ZFP2KPoMja_hTNEXdXsmi_2eECiQxue6Xcqyq_RUbYIU-dPDNZhHLLiw/s1600-h/45829993.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUmQ8ZSgW84Ue_sWvOjWM34MC1ZOyz4GYknhv4IwAfuGnxvG4F6YI6s6T0oSxM0JURFn1M_NaA9yuYbc2_1ZFP2KPoMja_hTNEXdXsmi_2eECiQxue6Xcqyq_RUbYIU-dPDNZhHLLiw/s320/45829993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363906063121360642" border="0" /></a><br />Rest in Peace, Julius <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Shulman</span>, you will be dearly missed...<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Brandon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Safford</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-51653354871867716202009-07-27T00:06:00.000-05:002009-07-27T00:07:09.690-05:00The 3D Midterm (Re-Planning and Model)As I mentioned in <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/3d-midterm-2d-pre-planning.html">this previous blog entry</a>, I've been working on my mid-term assignment. The general idea is that we would make an arrangement of geometric shapes that uses at least 3 of the rules of proximity and involves at least 2 basic pure geometric shapes. After the approval of our 2D layout, we are to make a 3D model of the result that explains the parti. In the last entry, my 2D model looked something like this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4w550fe1ETTaNMS9EvD0wBOY2GAZ1C_CJTQp2sXgKeuV60T5u4kGi6jUQ4gwNCJsYob-0Tb38N1YCNbAktDmL4tMj3tVztHKM26et_TJSUJc00CLdmQ6ZAqNToKkps4AorhY3pfYEg/s1600-h/2D-roughdraft-blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4w550fe1ETTaNMS9EvD0wBOY2GAZ1C_CJTQp2sXgKeuV60T5u4kGi6jUQ4gwNCJsYob-0Tb38N1YCNbAktDmL4tMj3tVztHKM26et_TJSUJc00CLdmQ6ZAqNToKkps4AorhY3pfYEg/s320/2D-roughdraft-blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362987136289036322" border="0" /></a>Yeah... that didn't happen, though the Professor liked the concept. She liked it a lot actually, but had a few cool ideas to toss in, like slicing the circles and honeycombs and rotating them 90 degrees. We also discussed perhaps making a beehive effect out of it. In the end, however, I realized there was no way I could make a good honeycomb model on my own, and I would need to simplify the concept considerably. But I still really liked the slicing effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQpuuRAXOf65MJVLfRvGHoSuyOv1iYBgMfsH4Om-utXPZyaSd6RiF97F6GBb7eSRnNwLaKSK5ThmVswcb5mKRuAIDq9RQyKiqCQ6Ag-_j0DKtouhff5kRJSAmoyiplgLpZvR8UZmnAQ/s1600-h/2D-final_draft.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQpuuRAXOf65MJVLfRvGHoSuyOv1iYBgMfsH4Om-utXPZyaSd6RiF97F6GBb7eSRnNwLaKSK5ThmVswcb5mKRuAIDq9RQyKiqCQ6Ag-_j0DKtouhff5kRJSAmoyiplgLpZvR8UZmnAQ/s320/2D-final_draft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986994194527682" border="0" /></a>As a result, this is what I turned in for the "final draft." Keep in mind that we can alter the draft <span style="font-style: italic;">slightly</span> during the modeling phase, but for the most part, this is what I committed to. To make it clearer, here's the same layout, but with the guiding lines and grid added...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYUrJKezjncVpXnHT2Yiex6dCizvRuGVfua6ePdPFoHb2XxvaOvxtar6j_5kyS1nRDNbdIxBDAtiygZhwOY9hxWhIWoZUnEQF35rGA6vXduBSjHfJPbfmbC3Gar4S5xZlfkUsYvmq3w/s1600-h/2D-final_w-grid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYUrJKezjncVpXnHT2Yiex6dCizvRuGVfua6ePdPFoHb2XxvaOvxtar6j_5kyS1nRDNbdIxBDAtiygZhwOY9hxWhIWoZUnEQF35rGA6vXduBSjHfJPbfmbC3Gar4S5xZlfkUsYvmq3w/s320/2D-final_w-grid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986991183204354" border="0" /></a>I call this the "gears" concept. Imagine 3 gears have rotated. The first gear is in the northwest portion of the parti. The large western hex has a slice rotated 90 counter-clockwise towards the north. The next gear, in the middle, slices a golden scale smaller hex, and smaller circle, and rotates them 90degrees clockwise (as if turned by the larger gear). The third gear is in the southeast, where the larger circle has been sliced and rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, as if turned by the smaller gear. For you gearnuts out there, no, I almost certainly did <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> get the correct gear ratio on these turns.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNX1NrlVrqA65Egm0SAhjB5nDB6YmksuhGLxqwCRN5Tr4ufoyf67BKmRN9S-4AKX1C6_oG7Sc0cb7JI1VlxBHFh3toO8gakjMR7z0Afyh2CY0XKkqMMdHhsgHjWWtX_Czzr02ibIurg/s1600-h/3D-planning-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNX1NrlVrqA65Egm0SAhjB5nDB6YmksuhGLxqwCRN5Tr4ufoyf67BKmRN9S-4AKX1C6_oG7Sc0cb7JI1VlxBHFh3toO8gakjMR7z0Afyh2CY0XKkqMMdHhsgHjWWtX_Czzr02ibIurg/s320/3D-planning-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986989898799282" border="0" /></a>So now, grandious schemes develop as to how I'm going to translate this thing into 3D. The concept I came up with, much like <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/cube-project-seven-to-sundae.html">the cube project</a> earlier this month, was overly complex. I planned on having crystal pillars with lights inserted into them, and the two bottom bases elevated, a mirror. The structures would be plaster of paris, the central pillars would be clear plastic (or dyed). This would be an experiement in light along with the assignment. The professor nixed the lights idea. Thank g-d.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv4J7AO8hqeXz5fg9415ysbGcuOH2WZsD49xhzeI2W9hdda3i39wMBtXap6Nc18fH7Secc5S_wWgfAFS7oPh9OgUvREO3YQ8RSttwhN6ut6nc3l__AIrwrsx5LEQLB07XtAlyFqcJZQ/s1600-h/3D-planning-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv4J7AO8hqeXz5fg9415ysbGcuOH2WZsD49xhzeI2W9hdda3i39wMBtXap6Nc18fH7Secc5S_wWgfAFS7oPh9OgUvREO3YQ8RSttwhN6ut6nc3l__AIrwrsx5LEQLB07XtAlyFqcJZQ/s320/3D-planning-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986982544977474" border="0" /></a>The final concept would look something like this. Each crystal pillar would support two floors at differing elevations. The elevations would increase by 2" for each floor, starting with the western structure and going up clockwise from there. Each floor would be a rigid, clear plastic sheet, so that one could look down from a top view and still see the 2D effect of the slice. The elevations tell the story of the slice directions. West, then North, then East, then South. The whole thing seemed quite beatiful in my mind, and I think had I a bit more time, patience, money, and skill, I could have pulled it off, even with the lights, and made something truly cool out of it. But no matter... leaving out the lights would simply mean more time to work on the actual meat of the project. Again, thank g-d that the professor nixed the lights idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7eJTg8ICXR97xHF2zZDLPgABxfpWY1_A-My8YsYaKZZ9FM7GPTzpP7EZvonl68mnf9C6-gs7E7vqVLTh5tEwPm_4jDQz3XobF5kN17GVPhBLe1EMT3JO6NfGO8IwAGcVOT3-Dv-BjQ/s1600-h/attempt1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7eJTg8ICXR97xHF2zZDLPgABxfpWY1_A-My8YsYaKZZ9FM7GPTzpP7EZvonl68mnf9C6-gs7E7vqVLTh5tEwPm_4jDQz3XobF5kN17GVPhBLe1EMT3JO6NfGO8IwAGcVOT3-Dv-BjQ/s320/attempt1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986494955009634" border="0" /></a>After the first day, I had basically managed to get all my materials together, make a huge mess, and a really, truly, horrible attempt at a hexagonal structure. See that white thing that looks like a crumpled ball of paper in the upper left? That was the hexagon. It gets worse, but I'll spare you the details there. Suffice it to say I only had one day left, and all my previous work had done was to tell me how NOT to build a model. This would take a lot more simplification...and measurements.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLBl_GY9USjQqGgYdoDxZLo8ah4M-f3zKVUqEDvg8CO42ha67NwwyjkYDg8sPmnrsB_hTQDLUWM4hSFiWmbGBBoEu9QbJhTu9gHn0x-vvscbY-qOcmt0yl1Kfehng9d0cDmxxAggAkA/s1600-h/3D-replanning1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLBl_GY9USjQqGgYdoDxZLo8ah4M-f3zKVUqEDvg8CO42ha67NwwyjkYDg8sPmnrsB_hTQDLUWM4hSFiWmbGBBoEu9QbJhTu9gHn0x-vvscbY-qOcmt0yl1Kfehng9d0cDmxxAggAkA/s320/3D-replanning1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986980806713810" border="0" /></a>The first thing I did was go back to the idea of using foamboard. Good old reliable foamboard, how I love thee. Only, building a complex shape out of foamboard required a good deal of math and also a lot of carving foam away from the corners so they would join properly. I also figured I'd shorten everything by an inch. I'm not sure how I forgot about that second part, because in the end, the floors ended up being 2", 4", 6", 8", with all the bases at effectively zero-elevation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sH0DKlQH67TjlS3uwUQyu5qgyNMqcujDjlfU-AbGjp9mSnx82V2_6VgIZCMXPeL5iZLvHn7YHy26mk0mQLMsVugbkHjkywSbwnk1fpf8LL4i9J0y_IekYVcqNnzgFvr0FV-FWDhdWg/s1600-h/3D-replanning2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sH0DKlQH67TjlS3uwUQyu5qgyNMqcujDjlfU-AbGjp9mSnx82V2_6VgIZCMXPeL5iZLvHn7YHy26mk0mQLMsVugbkHjkywSbwnk1fpf8LL4i9J0y_IekYVcqNnzgFvr0FV-FWDhdWg/s320/3D-replanning2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986503766694258" border="0" /></a>The 3/4 dome and 1/4 dome structures were actually far easier to develop, thanks largely in part to the hollow cristmas tree ornament I'd bought and cut for the job. Of course, I'd have to cut my PVC pipe a lot more precisely, so no more hand-saw. Instead, it was time to bring out the big guns.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AEgI9kDww6B8PtrteqyIzzXvz-9bbPXHcC4JqJ10eKZgQXNtcZh8KAbVKPkL8_qe-Y0T1B5HDA6PLdTrX9OjjUfPh3a8hnN4sTV2mLSsYnDP9KJxPqkaznlJv_QQPEfSwjVL39m7gg/s1600-h/saw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AEgI9kDww6B8PtrteqyIzzXvz-9bbPXHcC4JqJ10eKZgQXNtcZh8KAbVKPkL8_qe-Y0T1B5HDA6PLdTrX9OjjUfPh3a8hnN4sTV2mLSsYnDP9KJxPqkaznlJv_QQPEfSwjVL39m7gg/s320/saw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986488865692258" border="0" /></a>This is a compound miter-saw, capable of cutting at nearly any angle needed. It's used to cut molding. In this case, I just bought a thin plywood-blade (~130 teeth) and that worked fine for cutting PVC pipe. However, a word of advice to those of you looking to but this wonderful little timesaver for your own work: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">get the 10" saw, not the 7.x". </span></span>There's almost nothing you can fully cut through with a 7.x" miter saw. Not even a 2x4. I had to play all sorts of crazy-dangerous finger-arobics in order to cut what I needed, then flip it around and do the exact same thing, only in reverse. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For every single piece</span></span>.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcPTjfZOfbRAJ1Ynbf8DdJYKte1YXU5Zvo70iDCtU8UPlwn02ZaWD9Klgr4s_BW94tYLm_aLeAD4ZnWV8ABfNjx5oIe9Kf-L4FugnGB5sQKN_Of5mxOKsA4L3FhXvv9Wt1KsMGRzgXA/s1600-h/afterspray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcPTjfZOfbRAJ1Ynbf8DdJYKte1YXU5Zvo70iDCtU8UPlwn02ZaWD9Klgr4s_BW94tYLm_aLeAD4ZnWV8ABfNjx5oIe9Kf-L4FugnGB5sQKN_Of5mxOKsA4L3FhXvv9Wt1KsMGRzgXA/s320/afterspray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986486450235458" border="0" /></a>Once my shapes were properly assembled, I gave them a quick layer of white undercoat to help hide all the scotch tape I used putting them together. If I'd had another day, I'd have painted the model very carefully to improve upon this. As it is, I only finished the thing an hour or two ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu-5FDah3Mi8_eX5yosV4BtJA0RpwRORn5N5U8tFo3jlx7iKOTJGllp6E9d2Rx92lqZlXE7plrfjzRYeJxGk6-BnKJ0Cpg5RSr_0iKTpYEwutA0XCJaJ9qxbEBEGhP3uHRthccauIfA/s1600-h/tools.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu-5FDah3Mi8_eX5yosV4BtJA0RpwRORn5N5U8tFo3jlx7iKOTJGllp6E9d2Rx92lqZlXE7plrfjzRYeJxGk6-BnKJ0Cpg5RSr_0iKTpYEwutA0XCJaJ9qxbEBEGhP3uHRthccauIfA/s320/tools.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986074124009234" border="0" /></a>The table, with my tools, my drinks, and my replans. Before I continue, I must take a moment to thank my wife and son. I thank my wife, because she not only gave me the entire weekend to work on this project, she took care of all the chores, the boy, and and fed me as I toiled over this thing. She did so with a smile and grace I never would have been able to manage, even though she deserved so much more than what I was able to give her this weekend. I also thank my son, who occasionally forced my hand in taking a break and remembering the reason I was doing this in the first place. I feel terrible about missing out on time with him so much lately, but summer semesters are just like that. I thank him for trading his hours with Daddy for hours with Mommy. I just wasn't able to be a very good father this weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFC5dxlwPaF8Y7ub9xALVpsreNfJwKzJQ8vZsxgc9L2Z7wSAhc0Y8vYJNj6AqO7CQ04R-mDhUsLtQM-3nJEd0RmVdNE25DHgNoFpmkPZY3ZhH8N-_-afq3aSlx1aJsfkzU27FL-Zwg/s1600-h/model_draft-blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFC5dxlwPaF8Y7ub9xALVpsreNfJwKzJQ8vZsxgc9L2Z7wSAhc0Y8vYJNj6AqO7CQ04R-mDhUsLtQM-3nJEd0RmVdNE25DHgNoFpmkPZY3ZhH8N-_-afq3aSlx1aJsfkzU27FL-Zwg/s320/model_draft-blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986497014106674" border="0" /></a>So, here's my "Model Draft." I'm not really sure what we were supposed to call it. But you'll notice a few changes, such as the loss of the extraneous bases, the blatant circle to emphasize central slices, and the removal of the invisible lines. Here are the final results in 3D.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChnPM-yI5WWbzbYHLHfyM3VXryUR9nDQZf3kFxtwsedHIqRxlzxNmNxUoYDuh9IonkLM_BIyROyp4YrK9oMV7COxdEb1qiFvUEedC-HxQOh5kLugq4CVjOTWZsdOnkmVE5-Q8cWwwXA/s1600-h/topdown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChnPM-yI5WWbzbYHLHfyM3VXryUR9nDQZf3kFxtwsedHIqRxlzxNmNxUoYDuh9IonkLM_BIyROyp4YrK9oMV7COxdEb1qiFvUEedC-HxQOh5kLugq4CVjOTWZsdOnkmVE5-Q8cWwwXA/s320/topdown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986069914278290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLDuJrkZWnD1-Dmio8j67a_u5nVbcGNH3PMNjM5xTu4K6TUAejnhS8aGKXcT-lC9QcH89bE1_6KltQ2OHaFIGCF6WG4Sdp3_EhvfxeVjG2yXTHEp88I_Uj12ahEmAkbJyItCq66sbpA/s1600-h/southwest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLDuJrkZWnD1-Dmio8j67a_u5nVbcGNH3PMNjM5xTu4K6TUAejnhS8aGKXcT-lC9QcH89bE1_6KltQ2OHaFIGCF6WG4Sdp3_EhvfxeVjG2yXTHEp88I_Uj12ahEmAkbJyItCq66sbpA/s320/southwest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986065589511970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzr-j7irufhAwOg1p_dxn4gXW3Vwd1CeKcoB9Enzp4NMz88P7pN7E0qVFmTdr4L9cgMu_zW6YAFpj3Tcebp_sQ7nG-3V-g305XC2zwfp0LITTJjLql6hQ0CmZ1z7iMX7XTUBcXgDnDA/s1600-h/west2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzr-j7irufhAwOg1p_dxn4gXW3Vwd1CeKcoB9Enzp4NMz88P7pN7E0qVFmTdr4L9cgMu_zW6YAFpj3Tcebp_sQ7nG-3V-g305XC2zwfp0LITTJjLql6hQ0CmZ1z7iMX7XTUBcXgDnDA/s320/west2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986061658125394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy6-hySWNo1feQRdWEghWnmKY1E29f8FPRwI5MaTartcK91SFQchEUCd6hYMOsJpoN4Lx81QbqDQ1d0BRqcj0gMJfepNp3fAFyo6QMEAmfmJ1UxvByuhstR26MHHm16cDKalcNuwPiA/s1600-h/west.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy6-hySWNo1feQRdWEghWnmKY1E29f8FPRwI5MaTartcK91SFQchEUCd6hYMOsJpoN4Lx81QbqDQ1d0BRqcj0gMJfepNp3fAFyo6QMEAmfmJ1UxvByuhstR26MHHm16cDKalcNuwPiA/s320/west.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362986056742623538" border="0" /></a><br />The western view is actually quite similar to the one in the original 3D planning phase. It's just lacking the extra bases and elevation differences on the bases. The final result is a model that has a 13"x13" datum, and golden height of 8". The crystal pillars in the center were a bit of a paradox. In some ways, they came out better than I'd feared, but worse than I'd hoped. I learned a number of valuable lessons.<br /><br />The first is that if you are going to use polyester resign to form something, you need a leak-proof, non-pourous, easy to open and remove mold. One of my molds was made from aluminum cans and duct tape. The aluminum did peel off revealing beautifully smooth clean surfaces underneath, but the duct tape was a mess. Even worse, though, the "slice" had been created with a cut piece of paper towel tubing (actually model rocket tubing, but the point remains the same). Both leaked terribly, losing me about 3/4 the resign through the bottom and sides of the containers. After curing, when I removed them, not only did I end up having to cause a lot of damage to the exterior part of the crystal pillars to separate them (the carboard tube divided had leaked, remember, but the cardboard the tube was made of didn't come off. The stuff is bonded to it like expoxy. Goo-B-Gone, sand-paper, whittling with a razor...none of these things could fully remove the stuff. I resigned myself to having bad crystal pillars. There was no way to re-create them in my timeframe and budget. Which brings me to my second lesson...<br /><br />If I think I'm going to use polyester resin again, I need to order it bulk, online, and not from the local hobby store. I also need to design smaller things for it. That stuff is expensive! Anyway, the actual strength and relative shape of the cured resin was pretty decent. It does not exactly match the circle they've been aligned with, but it's a close enough fit that it gets the spirit of the parti across.<br /><br />Of course, I fully expect that the professor will want some things changed with it, though honestly I'm not sure how much I could actually change at this point. In any event, I look forward to the class discussion tomorrow...er...today... in a few hours.<br /><br />Good lord, I need to go to bed!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-4764645646570971172009-07-25T01:56:00.000-05:002009-07-25T01:56:59.310-05:00Photos: Meyerson Symphony Center (Part 3/3)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RpUvNsZR6ZvtyI48YY4OqZfIDQ6d4-KBUwCQH8PNij423F0N5A2TxiQ8c8I5zO7afm56Km-lDxsfIIfwCRNgJykmJz-ubYaa8M4nDzLkPLod5JB8IyDTReR08T_ZWWY-N3vlBDO6uA/s1600-h/inner-title.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RpUvNsZR6ZvtyI48YY4OqZfIDQ6d4-KBUwCQH8PNij423F0N5A2TxiQ8c8I5zO7afm56Km-lDxsfIIfwCRNgJykmJz-ubYaa8M4nDzLkPLod5JB8IyDTReR08T_ZWWY-N3vlBDO6uA/s320/inner-title.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274172859655730" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://meyersonsymphonycenter.com/">Morton H. Meyerson Symphony</a> Center in Dallas, TX, is a <a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/">Pritzker Prize</a> masterwork by <a href="http://www.pcfandp.com/">I.M. Pei</a> and <a href="http://www.russelljohnsonlegacy.com/">Russell Johnson</a>, nestled in the heart of the <a href="http://www.thedallasartsdistrict.org/">Arts District</a>. My class was lucky enough to be offered an in-depth architectural tour of it by architect Tom Cox. There are so many photos and so much information to cover, that I've split it into a three part series.<br /><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-13.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1: The Exterior</span></a><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-23.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2: The Lobby</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 3: The Concert Hall and Inner Sanctum</span><br /><br />This entry will cover Part 3: The Eugene McDermott Concert Hall (which you would only see if you had a ticket) and the mysterious Inner Sanctum (here there be dragons!).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKGLBHih2tMGFl4QYghZ7SQF6ftuU3fQ60xXcnbgXVB0xIwpvbH7Tl2qkOe16evHbCMxaxday04nVhc75rMeZnEsTMPsa9JFy0OZb092bLoL6PAStI1g7sYwjMU1LtyvGSPUreMCkQ/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgKGLBHih2tMGFl4QYghZ7SQF6ftuU3fQ60xXcnbgXVB0xIwpvbH7Tl2qkOe16evHbCMxaxday04nVhc75rMeZnEsTMPsa9JFy0OZb092bLoL6PAStI1g7sYwjMU1LtyvGSPUreMCkQ/s320/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274167341941986" border="0" /></a>It is nearly impossible to avoid being impressed by the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall. Though Johnson had final word in the hall, most aspects were still designed by Pei, including the case that houses the massive pipe organ. Unlike most organs, the case is designed to allow one to see the full length of the front pipes, though of course there are hundreds more hidden from view behind a thin fabric scrim. The organ is certainly intended as the focal point of the entire hall. In fact, the organist's chair faces the organ. He or she takes their conductor cues from a small closed-circuit TV embedded into the organ. Immediately below the organ is a unique feature to most concert halls, the "choral terrace." Assuming the program in question doesn't feature a choir, one can actually rent a seat here for relatively low-price. The reason for the lower price is, of course, because the accoustics weren't designed to travel up and backwards from the orchestra.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0cRGDaKzGHqJasg4jel5MbAAeOWo8DcDPrqEgtYIfMCzFoMgf37V-R5G_xDK0BF384XFPFGqp-uMnmNy7zk7EgdZZ7S9fS4KV4JpThJ0uN8EwbC-Tdwd3kBWuDcG6_wh5L62JJqlIQ/s1600-h/02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0cRGDaKzGHqJasg4jel5MbAAeOWo8DcDPrqEgtYIfMCzFoMgf37V-R5G_xDK0BF384XFPFGqp-uMnmNy7zk7EgdZZ7S9fS4KV4JpThJ0uN8EwbC-Tdwd3kBWuDcG6_wh5L62JJqlIQ/s320/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274043615732866" border="0" /></a>Looking straight upward we see the incredibly complex light booth which also includes various other systems housed in a nearly indescribable shape. I like to call it "The Mothership." I have a feeling that term would not be appreciated in more technical circles, but there you are. It looks like a giant UFO is hovering over the orchestra seating. But it has a definite absolute purpose. Nothing is left to chance or guesswork in here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt8_K0GMcF11m0aQyQ63SnKdmv2MauSrWMMDUHpFbO7ByL7SzXVjUbm5QFMiEuY1AUdAFurrXXzSE80HPCB1FRq_sTVO6TPt91esb8mcHKHIVv3kLv9lAw9dqfVTzdEddRf5srVdCpg/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt8_K0GMcF11m0aQyQ63SnKdmv2MauSrWMMDUHpFbO7ByL7SzXVjUbm5QFMiEuY1AUdAFurrXXzSE80HPCB1FRq_sTVO6TPt91esb8mcHKHIVv3kLv9lAw9dqfVTzdEddRf5srVdCpg/s320/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274043162056018" border="0" /></a>Take, for instance, the chairs. The wood is makore African cherry-wood. The upholstery is mohair. The reasons for this is that these two materials most closely resemble the acoustic signature of a human being when the chair is empty. You see, humans affect the accoustic sound of a concert hall just as much as everything else in it. If the chairs are not designed to mimic this signature, the sound will always be highly variable, dependent entirely on the size of the crowd. This way, you could have one person, or you could have one thousand people, and the sound should remain relatively the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBFffFRC6nSwSm8wiKWq_0chvHkcx4aCBhWHoI4EbN00wD0Ki-XXhDAEzs3ViwZO80vjpec_Y2KhwsBu4nOjHedL0XBjfbAa1iBw7FuhVVckSkqTER-vFT-Rj6SzcR9yo7Tiys2hDIA/s1600-h/04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBFffFRC6nSwSm8wiKWq_0chvHkcx4aCBhWHoI4EbN00wD0Ki-XXhDAEzs3ViwZO80vjpec_Y2KhwsBu4nOjHedL0XBjfbAa1iBw7FuhVVckSkqTER-vFT-Rj6SzcR9yo7Tiys2hDIA/s320/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274036935168898" border="0" /></a>In the back, up above the Grand Tier, near the ceiling are several grids in the walls. These grids hide a reverberation chamber of 72 concrete doors. If they wish to increase the volume and effect of a program, then doors are closed, increasing the reverb and echo effects. If more doors are opened, the sound is further muted. It's basically the reverse of a floodgate for sound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10cimpO9yDkycFN7zS2ZpQBwgli26KTSI3SaV6xyr7XqnkX4JenlU94UKvjDdz8SRwk8PQtGDR3eiQGwbJ9yPOiEyyntWgmsM_q-sd42T7TK9XgyLi9ZSqy9GJXtjChGRNMvO88XODQ/s1600-h/05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10cimpO9yDkycFN7zS2ZpQBwgli26KTSI3SaV6xyr7XqnkX4JenlU94UKvjDdz8SRwk8PQtGDR3eiQGwbJ9yPOiEyyntWgmsM_q-sd42T7TK9XgyLi9ZSqy9GJXtjChGRNMvO88XODQ/s320/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274032556182786" border="0" /></a>Pei wanted a soft, thickly carpeted surface for the floor of the concert hall, but Russell was dead against it. To have truly rich, remarkable sound, the floor needed to be a hard surface. However, the type of surface was not nearly so important as the fact that it was hard. As the orchestral seating area would be the focus of anyone sitting elsewhere and not looking at the players on stage, Pei tiled the main area in Terrazzo. The stair bannister is brown marble. Along the walls are various curtains that may be opened and closed as needed. Typically when a symphony is rehearsing, they will close the curtains to better simulate the sound that the audience will hear. The walls behind the curtains are 12" of plaster covered with a thin wooden facade.<br /><br />And up this staircase lies the inner sanctum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNglwSqSxFQHgfHAocJh1cJTQbt405DHfj_pJ12mq1F_sxzf_9nP5hG0Hwr1JNKSqDwgpzkFwUigfe5YIwQ0fdM7kVmjPiErE68L8e5GM-XHAXWmRk53BTQsueEe9a8Z4M437cfPqxFg/s1600-h/06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNglwSqSxFQHgfHAocJh1cJTQbt405DHfj_pJ12mq1F_sxzf_9nP5hG0Hwr1JNKSqDwgpzkFwUigfe5YIwQ0fdM7kVmjPiErE68L8e5GM-XHAXWmRk53BTQsueEe9a8Z4M437cfPqxFg/s320/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362274029386212642" border="0" /></a>The first level of the inner sanctum is either "The Green Room" or "The Greeting Room." Unfortunately I did not think to ask clarification. My guess is that it's actually the Greeting Room, because "The Green Room" would technically be the area behind the stage where the players are getting their costumes and props ready. However, since plays do not happen here, it's entirely possible that symphonic halls call this the Green Room. Regardless, this is where you go if you have a backstage pass and you want to meet members of the orchestra. There is a bar area provided...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4hvpLVqYM90lhlLBCVYo1S6-dUgGR_00ClK47Vd85XBh0_TrjwMbFYlvikPxgq0MxtoBab9dKBv8hN_pmnSf9hcxwRnTctznKSiVGAsamyf-ZJdO6NByE0sTMc5ngXczgb-I0m_o7Q/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4hvpLVqYM90lhlLBCVYo1S6-dUgGR_00ClK47Vd85XBh0_TrjwMbFYlvikPxgq0MxtoBab9dKBv8hN_pmnSf9hcxwRnTctznKSiVGAsamyf-ZJdO6NByE0sTMc5ngXczgb-I0m_o7Q/s320/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273889869375170" border="0" /></a>...along with a comfortable sitting area, complete with a genuine Andy Warhol painting. Unless one is Meyerson staff or a performer, this is the deepest anyone ever gets into the inner sanctum...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C07doDD4GWDBwN1QxLfb5ceRqrS4nuadhp9Nak4HhIz18AH4aigrTWaGrXaDwKUAGGN3ciw9yG9qhXfYYxQW7-IbsPukXILmsagzAOiUrNilTcc0BoxxSPBDtHYPP6qlmevJca5E8g/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C07doDD4GWDBwN1QxLfb5ceRqrS4nuadhp9Nak4HhIz18AH4aigrTWaGrXaDwKUAGGN3ciw9yG9qhXfYYxQW7-IbsPukXILmsagzAOiUrNilTcc0BoxxSPBDtHYPP6qlmevJca5E8g/s320/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273891289710130" border="0" /></a>Unless of course you happen to be an architectural class on a field trip! We continued through the back door of the G-Room and found a rather nondescript hallway referred to as "The Library." It is called such because of what is framed along the walls which, to be honest, I completely forgot to look at...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYaDfXa5KhI0-YMtM6CQbYiv26L0BmV6gWf905aoNsV3EjJ691JGre7WFNV9GnNyZQ37wPYijtnWCdx3mTsLKyN3hV3-lq4BdHHV9jVYa0T5_RI5-3NF_lAugDAbto7NEuwMj2lklvQ/s1600-h/09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYaDfXa5KhI0-YMtM6CQbYiv26L0BmV6gWf905aoNsV3EjJ691JGre7WFNV9GnNyZQ37wPYijtnWCdx3mTsLKyN3hV3-lq4BdHHV9jVYa0T5_RI5-3NF_lAugDAbto7NEuwMj2lklvQ/s320/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273888399279682" border="0" /></a>...because I was busy checking out one of the empty dressing rooms, which resembles a very small hotel room. In the photo on the left is my current professor, Ghada Mahasneh, and on the right is Arnie Radman, my professor next semester. Both have been excellent mentors to me so far.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PunK8Dkaj2aIzZ_8FMSKrsaiHhgYhs6k6peDGu7ulnBLjYCLmuS896x4AVEv1RF9hn38pbWt6dmhoaROs7ZpnFj_cnS348Sgwm2zjRJeL5LRnJorwCfNV8skuf-mYqvFdQA6iI1kMQ/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PunK8Dkaj2aIzZ_8FMSKrsaiHhgYhs6k6peDGu7ulnBLjYCLmuS896x4AVEv1RF9hn38pbWt6dmhoaROs7ZpnFj_cnS348Sgwm2zjRJeL5LRnJorwCfNV8skuf-mYqvFdQA6iI1kMQ/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273880511575538" border="0" /></a>I call this place "The Escape Route." On the left-hand side is the tuning room, where instruments are stored and musicians either prepare to go on stage, or recover from being on stage. On the right are two options. One can either head down "The Library" to the G-Room to greet guests, or alternately, they can make a clean getaway through a door that leads outside of the building.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDsjCMiz_SdG-i5PO5M6YUdyilW1QWmn5RR2ba6ILuYppJAsvNep4pZIPrQoBkQKbkwZr_-RwSuYqmuUU0RenyWah_I2TCj5mcovl9xCWl5X1Y9X2l0ivPlzbdr0m7jTFlTjwHHXaRw/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDsjCMiz_SdG-i5PO5M6YUdyilW1QWmn5RR2ba6ILuYppJAsvNep4pZIPrQoBkQKbkwZr_-RwSuYqmuUU0RenyWah_I2TCj5mcovl9xCWl5X1Y9X2l0ivPlzbdr0m7jTFlTjwHHXaRw/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273878453846290" border="0" /></a>I rather liked the painting on the far end of The Escape Route.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyrJCXfGNfAHouLG1-7opFdybAkkRd7T4d24_cRoGLfC713sSMPLMqeXhPF1-xWP6aXYbD2Vil4uJ0WjaS80NSrJtcdFACR21Rwv-ZR9-OJBTjgjrBiF1Uq_S5OiciDbvOy38JbU0tg/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyrJCXfGNfAHouLG1-7opFdybAkkRd7T4d24_cRoGLfC713sSMPLMqeXhPF1-xWP6aXYbD2Vil4uJ0WjaS80NSrJtcdFACR21Rwv-ZR9-OJBTjgjrBiF1Uq_S5OiciDbvOy38JbU0tg/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273618885430258" border="0" /></a>Looking backwards, and up, one can see the business offices of the Meyerson. I'm curious about the balconies. Is it so the staff can cheer on the performers before and/or after the shows? Is it so they can toss things down to the band, or have things tossed upward? Do they have water-balloon fights? What gives? Maybe it was just a nice gesture by Pei towards the unremembered, unthanked grunts who keep the place running like a well-oiled machine so that the rest of us can enjoy it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnc95KQZZNhALnlj9mkguKBryNqpja3kXc13iXFQs3ruabzZS08IOfcC4a0yrUw6VB2pvIWFopbjvmIpvjzxRVq-pgNq0BJWocPHy7OSfQBKRpuB8eSX7Oq_V6MRf8t-ejJTo8VB1Mg/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnc95KQZZNhALnlj9mkguKBryNqpja3kXc13iXFQs3ruabzZS08IOfcC4a0yrUw6VB2pvIWFopbjvmIpvjzxRVq-pgNq0BJWocPHy7OSfQBKRpuB8eSX7Oq_V6MRf8t-ejJTo8VB1Mg/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273614079811026" border="0" /></a>Inside the tuning room, one finds the same exact kind of lockers one likely had in high-school. Unless of course your high school was like mine and simply used holes in the wall because the chronically under-funded band department could only manage to get a bit of donated plywood to make open shelves. But if we'd had lockers for our hundreds/thousands dollar instruments (you know like the kind the sports department got so they could protect those $3 kick-balls?), then they probably would have looked like this. Simple, unassuming, effective.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0ugk0t5LtwUM39Sg8doobYZRZAZM7FpPLTXZ-qv4BeuRoCiBEznE7GFUei8gL0Eva3AEn3VF9lm-T4ED9IHLtwDJ_Tx7_cUQ0audh2zCIo4lpQdyYwK8xd8Ef4O3SLUXvskRoBPxA/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0ugk0t5LtwUM39Sg8doobYZRZAZM7FpPLTXZ-qv4BeuRoCiBEznE7GFUei8gL0Eva3AEn3VF9lm-T4ED9IHLtwDJ_Tx7_cUQ0audh2zCIo4lpQdyYwK8xd8Ef4O3SLUXvskRoBPxA/s320/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273612326597970" border="0" /></a>It should be noted that if you are a harp player, your instrument is so delicate that it requires a separate room for storage.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KzOPLLeI4EYNIIm88TwdT5izZjsuRR5fvqXNdh8-87jRjscMBTUfqRdKugm7pMJChpwxWKKf-9LUWc5T_T1A2FN3HYvTflqdWZGehQ68HYem34Kz4mGt2TCmxs7lbc1K-iW4pvTGfA/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KzOPLLeI4EYNIIm88TwdT5izZjsuRR5fvqXNdh8-87jRjscMBTUfqRdKugm7pMJChpwxWKKf-9LUWc5T_T1A2FN3HYvTflqdWZGehQ68HYem34Kz4mGt2TCmxs7lbc1K-iW4pvTGfA/s320/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273609504644818" border="0" /></a>Through the tuning room, a serene corridor gives ample light and solitude to musicians wanting to go over their sheet music away from the noise, or simply to collect their thoughts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkXLiaF0opNi_SCpiiJnIQgUKxFrvgLI7Pwn56EByjBPLOLxCGnmXjovbjb4wAGEFBbGvGUePXkZC1Th_cPxaS39BZ99iwIrPWGdSUezLbAKAKsU5HVeN3HplGMkuNJFv16veDHj8Lg/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkXLiaF0opNi_SCpiiJnIQgUKxFrvgLI7Pwn56EByjBPLOLxCGnmXjovbjb4wAGEFBbGvGUePXkZC1Th_cPxaS39BZ99iwIrPWGdSUezLbAKAKsU5HVeN3HplGMkuNJFv16veDHj8Lg/s320/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362273605224419602" border="0" /></a>Finally, the secret musician's lounge, where no music is allowed. This is their private oasis of space, away from everything and everyone. Off to the right is actually even a private courtyard where the remaining musicians who smoke could go out to nick a quick fix, if it weren't for Dallas now being a smoke-free city.<br /><br />And that wraps up the complete tour. I hope you enjoyed reading this three-part article as much as I enjoyed the tour. Special thanks to Tom Cox for all the great access and information.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-11795542187201707372009-07-25T00:52:00.001-05:002009-07-25T01:57:56.441-05:00Photos: Meyerson Symphony Center (Part 2/3)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd8H2cYlt2f-sfOAM6oNSpQcoUY2c_OxhKfmiXOcDGIwEQXPN725FAhONDDP-6kooE4_ngIEaASkJQSrrAqmQrjUIEMTvYBCcrv9EZCTJ55jB8vsIHxKL-W_KwHsct7kLM4xVN-jz3Q/s1600-h/inside-title.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd8H2cYlt2f-sfOAM6oNSpQcoUY2c_OxhKfmiXOcDGIwEQXPN725FAhONDDP-6kooE4_ngIEaASkJQSrrAqmQrjUIEMTvYBCcrv9EZCTJ55jB8vsIHxKL-W_KwHsct7kLM4xVN-jz3Q/s320/inside-title.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252360538786370" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://meyersonsymphonycenter.com/">Morton H. Meyerson Symphony</a> Center in Dallas, TX, is a <a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/">Pritzker Prize</a> masterwork by <a href="http://www.pcfandp.com/">I.M. Pei</a> and <a href="http://www.russelljohnsonlegacy.com/">Russell Johnson</a>, nestled in the heart of the <a href="http://www.thedallasartsdistrict.org/">Arts District</a>. My class was lucky enough to be offered an in-depth architectural tour of it by architect Tom Cox. There are so many photos and so much information to cover, that I've split it into a three part series.<br /><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-13.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1: The Exterior</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2: The Lobby</span><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-33.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 3: The Concert Hall and Inner Sanctum</span></a><br /><br />This entry will cover Part 2: The interior of the building that includes the restaurant/bar, the lobby, and other areas generally available to the public that don't include the concert hall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjQI9olVtC5f5vTX9DoQjcpNmtH8OCfER0rUxt47ZRov8E2hQQ7hDJUgJU2ZcX7xqznommfswUQaRXNl3WTrY-fe7vWpIBBbdBsms5fvkXwtwsqj9ngBL54lRsJzTZgMW5ycJ_dn6Iw/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjQI9olVtC5f5vTX9DoQjcpNmtH8OCfER0rUxt47ZRov8E2hQQ7hDJUgJU2ZcX7xqznommfswUQaRXNl3WTrY-fe7vWpIBBbdBsms5fvkXwtwsqj9ngBL54lRsJzTZgMW5ycJ_dn6Iw/s320/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252356761738770" border="0" /></a>The first thing to green one as they enter the Meyerson is the Grand Staircase that begins the ascent into the Concert Hall. This is, and will remain the focal point throughout the lobby area, even when it is out of sight. Though it is difficult to tell from this photos, but will become increasingly more obvious, the travertine floor tiles radiate outward from the stairs. The other thing that immediately becomes apparent is the sheer size of the place. It is huge. From the outside, it appears small, even quaint. From street level, one cannot possibly understand just how large this building is, because so little of it faces the main entrance, but it is huge. You could probably fit my entire college campus in it. Seriously.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKFFblC4amy6kLl_dQSi8QXGVMUYBZjjiWJSwuPP3cVUp_JpAI1rAgUq0SffQT-PjlMyyk82B0tChsYjHMjRXUcOKVAjt2lt-bjNhtn3DwGtxOxf54ZxwmNY-tbArS5u7mBbc-sG58Q/s1600-h/02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKFFblC4amy6kLl_dQSi8QXGVMUYBZjjiWJSwuPP3cVUp_JpAI1rAgUq0SffQT-PjlMyyk82B0tChsYjHMjRXUcOKVAjt2lt-bjNhtn3DwGtxOxf54ZxwmNY-tbArS5u7mBbc-sG58Q/s320/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252105629313426" border="0" /></a>Glancing left, gives us a nicely framed view of Pei's Fountain Place, which was in no way, shape, or form an accident, though I would not dare to suggest this were in bad form. Every surrounding building <span style="font-style: italic;">of note</span> is beautifully framed by the incredibly sound-resistant windows. Ah! Did I mention how quiet it is inside? Outside, the city noise is so loud one can hardly hear themselves think. Inside, nearly all noise vanishes. Enough so that footsteps may be heard clear across the otherwise quiet building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrzj3pV4yu0UvS0mKVKmyMNg-u834-Y4SSbg-LJJLFFn3Jdsi49D2C4Fq3vPPFH9HI7Tr5SJBEIfxX1jJNCbsAOdjtklFIGwtzT0cTNN8TrE3VahTYQrAYhNIJNA_BR8GKuLMvAUeeA/s1600-h/wife.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrzj3pV4yu0UvS0mKVKmyMNg-u834-Y4SSbg-LJJLFFn3Jdsi49D2C4Fq3vPPFH9HI7Tr5SJBEIfxX1jJNCbsAOdjtklFIGwtzT0cTNN8TrE3VahTYQrAYhNIJNA_BR8GKuLMvAUeeA/s320/wife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252356219017650" border="0" /></a>...those footsteps being those of my lovely wife, who is framed by the view that I.M. Pei most loved about the place. Down the left-hand hallway, all the way in the back, is a little restaurant and a server-station at the far end. As far as jobs outside of the concert hall proper go, the most prestigious job is the head waitor who works at that wait station, for he or she has the best view of the entire place...even when my wife isn't standing there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWJBR47PZ71SZCewbKpnKYhE0eX5cQ5Xyd8CT3c3hb0SjVRhTZsKTdEA5q8UlF2HfKN6mi2rkDWE4ER0DK07Zc5MsiASUG4jpbko9Wjan_y9QblH9AgHEU9NIJBLa6SBGWHn4cR3g-Q/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWJBR47PZ71SZCewbKpnKYhE0eX5cQ5Xyd8CT3c3hb0SjVRhTZsKTdEA5q8UlF2HfKN6mi2rkDWE4ER0DK07Zc5MsiASUG4jpbko9Wjan_y9QblH9AgHEU9NIJBLa6SBGWHn4cR3g-Q/s320/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252105543483666" border="0" /></a>Heading back into the central lobby, a few features become more noticable, such as the large portholes, which I would have liked to know more about. I realize the photo cannot possibly do the size justice, but I'm pretty sure one could literally stand on the ledge and not have their head touch the top of the window.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBUp08iN_0WvgQH0QOfUeB2V1XLluHe73SpfgnzcPMKs7eL0V9BfLaj2K3s5sCWxJy2NkdZdNeMo_ZOd_wkf6O8XCf3JLVbCuF6Fwe1BqgRPsDlVzKjYYX097qpVfiDqHi34dLhCpBg/s1600-h/04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBUp08iN_0WvgQH0QOfUeB2V1XLluHe73SpfgnzcPMKs7eL0V9BfLaj2K3s5sCWxJy2NkdZdNeMo_ZOd_wkf6O8XCf3JLVbCuF6Fwe1BqgRPsDlVzKjYYX097qpVfiDqHi34dLhCpBg/s320/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252099432004786" border="0" /></a>Since I often find myself walking around staring at the ceiling these days, I noticed this really long, odd-looking bar stretching from one side of the massive inner arch to the other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtePHd2N_pk0tknFW7sMEO-RhO2iAhjBUynGqWSOybD0VlGoOlNHtrX0uIyPztkME6ENMKi_T6aD1DpGKBO2sWQKA02mfoupHQjreEH7HEFc-toCFqfba7-SBouZndqzhbhmwhf7tQ/s1600-h/05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtePHd2N_pk0tknFW7sMEO-RhO2iAhjBUynGqWSOybD0VlGoOlNHtrX0uIyPztkME6ENMKi_T6aD1DpGKBO2sWQKA02mfoupHQjreEH7HEFc-toCFqfba7-SBouZndqzhbhmwhf7tQ/s320/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252089619257714" border="0" /></a>When I asked about it, Tom explained that the bar itself was actually a facade to hide the cables attaching the two ends of the arch. Because of the outward thrust that an arch exerts over time, the ceiling would eventually flatten and collapse. The cable keeps the opposite ends from expanding outward. In earlier days, a flying buttress or a heavier wall would be used, but they wanted as much space as possible.<br /><br />This is, however, a good question about the aesthetic sensibilities of whomever developed this fix. At the absolute minimum, this bar should have been painted to match the roof, so it would blend in much easier. At best, it should have a proper fascade to match the limestone. But this stark, black support is the second ugliest thing in the place.<br /><br />So what's the first ugliest?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUB0le7gausgAnIcW3eSKWCmWkOuw8Gw05TBo3NnwQr5EPaDKkGWXcz-bSpMNJAWKEj8UbW3I82-zCcZw8mILcqWglgaqhclvBHXqhXUVf4AJBjz3uSXBoLstSBpMZbNraVZUyLmFow/s1600-h/06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUB0le7gausgAnIcW3eSKWCmWkOuw8Gw05TBo3NnwQr5EPaDKkGWXcz-bSpMNJAWKEj8UbW3I82-zCcZw8mILcqWglgaqhclvBHXqhXUVf4AJBjz3uSXBoLstSBpMZbNraVZUyLmFow/s320/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362252085763910498" border="0" /></a>See that little rusty pronged thingy in the middle of the photo? That's the ugliest thing. It was originally thought that additional support would be needed to keep the arches from collapsing over time, and that support would stem from this anchor point. However, it turned out not to be needed. So why was it left? Perhaps they thought they might one day need it, which is all well and good, so why wasn't it covered? Or painted? Or something?<br /><br />Supposedly there was at one point in time going to be a large tapestry, or series of tapestries draped over the long black crossbar, but this never came to fruition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3aWXfS74L5ojOKFTBT89gYk-LPiFveOrwKre7BLJPsYr2JCgyBqqRASCXUC1ObBIjypCLfcayry6Pi6G6eF-pjz6LogR4y3oeD8veqTeF0jny-avWKrPZSNpC8qAd_4350NF7pyAZQ/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3aWXfS74L5ojOKFTBT89gYk-LPiFveOrwKre7BLJPsYr2JCgyBqqRASCXUC1ObBIjypCLfcayry6Pi6G6eF-pjz6LogR4y3oeD8veqTeF0jny-avWKrPZSNpC8qAd_4350NF7pyAZQ/s320/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251879402262626" border="0" /></a>I stand corrected. The ugliest thing in the building is actually, this guy standing in front of the Wall of Honor. But at least I leave at night. The rusty anchor doesn't. We have now headed to the right-hand side of the main lobby, and are looking at the large corner that goes downstairs. H. Ross Perot was the largest private donor, giving over $10 million of his own money to build the center. His stipulation was that it be named after his good friend <a href="http://www.alsbridge.com/about/morton-meyerson.html">Morton H. Meyerson</a>. Since Meyerson had already been working on the center project, and was well liked by the arts community in general, this seemed like a perfectly rational suggestion, and so Meyerson became the name for this architectural masterwork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO6GzhCvbMeMFI8zf8EzBJsnDOQVcKB117oLqEsHGxx5DNhMoHLCd0mqZUEYL8SMEDEyIXmIZ2ES8BZcmG21X8a4_j6vOXJ-XSI5ajRclUr43QE4dS5NEgUGeersX_HQLMIJppqn-mg/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO6GzhCvbMeMFI8zf8EzBJsnDOQVcKB117oLqEsHGxx5DNhMoHLCd0mqZUEYL8SMEDEyIXmIZ2ES8BZcmG21X8a4_j6vOXJ-XSI5ajRclUr43QE4dS5NEgUGeersX_HQLMIJppqn-mg/s320/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251876522629538" border="0" /></a>The Wall of Honor is quite beautiful. Most places are content to engrave their donors in some half-hearted fashion on a brick or rock, or a plaque, and are stuck somewhere no one will ever find unless they look for it. Nothing of the sort here; the donor's list is quite the work of art. The materials are important to note, for their quality. The walls are made from Indiana limestone, cut horizontally (not vertically, as is the norm). The floors are highly polished Italian Travertine Tile. The white bannisters atop the limestone are white marble. What little concrete exists here and there to join these parts together is a special architectural blend that matches well with the rest of the colors and is hard to find, much less to notice. The lamp shells are Onyx.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF7l6AMQNIy9VmdfsJTj0dP60BIYmaWs50rpJISvf6aGjGBrd_1aT0tq0DaEy8xP9sS2Heec_QAVxzwtEv1jrP9Q_9_oxDRLsB2NagxDKW3Qw75ulJwd4MGHstelwoDOJWxRQz4ok2Q/s1600-h/09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUF7l6AMQNIy9VmdfsJTj0dP60BIYmaWs50rpJISvf6aGjGBrd_1aT0tq0DaEy8xP9sS2Heec_QAVxzwtEv1jrP9Q_9_oxDRLsB2NagxDKW3Qw75ulJwd4MGHstelwoDOJWxRQz4ok2Q/s320/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251868794507618" border="0" /></a>And speaking of the lamps: the original design didn't even call for them. There were various empty spaces that needed <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span>. Hence the birth of these lamps. But they were another unplanned upgrade. The Meyerson was 40% publicly funded, and 60% privately funded. And after construction had begun, and materials got upgraded (such as from brick to limestone), and the lamps got upgraded, and costs began to rise, that was about the time the oil-based economy of Dallas collapsed. At the time, oil was what kept Dallas afloat--<span style="font-style: italic;">not culture</span>. But luckily for everyone involved, all donors involved saw the value, and the potential for what this meant. The Meyerson wasn't just to be a symphony center... it was to be a cultural icon. The sort of place that, decades, perhaps even centuries from now, humanity would look back on with awe and wonder in much the same way that we now look upon the Paris Opera House, or the Sydney Opera House, or Radio City Music Hall. It was the gateway through which Dallas passed from oil glutton to cultured patron of the arts. It was a very wise choice indeed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtza9paPf35IgeSL5dyz0Qb3hiptvWthPJSFm6YQtejH-S4M8IAI-oueTK3B2JdrleBxmliq5K9s2v0Ye9xeO3Y4yqvGddIcmXoHGTKUWhOueU9tLafRRaL6gf0BNPxqbX6AbOBXhyphenhyphen4w/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtza9paPf35IgeSL5dyz0Qb3hiptvWthPJSFm6YQtejH-S4M8IAI-oueTK3B2JdrleBxmliq5K9s2v0Ye9xeO3Y4yqvGddIcmXoHGTKUWhOueU9tLafRRaL6gf0BNPxqbX6AbOBXhyphenhyphen4w/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251864115647122" border="0" /></a>Down the stairs the rest of the way is a much more functional, subdued space. Though still quite beautiful, it is much plainer, less expensively made than the floor above it. The reason is that this floor exists only as a space to move from Point A to Point B. To the far right (off-camera) is the parking garage I showed in the exterior photos. Ahead on the right, behind the column, is the box-office. On the left, way in the back, is the gift-shop. To the left (off camera) is the stairs leading up to the lobby. There is otherwise very little reason to be down here.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P972cQfA6xsVpbhNqQVcpsrr5qhIs3JUDUsmQYXEr2lMKq-x1UflnoJcmD3grFEIqmiNJ35ALT16TKf7U48T-OpMhUEk0IpUqlO_e85WnhlTs_YO9u-GUEai36Q_3Z6KOllRxZn5rg/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P972cQfA6xsVpbhNqQVcpsrr5qhIs3JUDUsmQYXEr2lMKq-x1UflnoJcmD3grFEIqmiNJ35ALT16TKf7U48T-OpMhUEk0IpUqlO_e85WnhlTs_YO9u-GUEai36Q_3Z6KOllRxZn5rg/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251865816389090" border="0" /></a>Back up, and continuing on towards the back, we see that even the desks maintain the same form, material, and quality as the rest of the building. This desk form is repeated at least three times throughout different places in the lobby area. I get the impression that the steel trash cans, much like the shiny matching steel hand rails of the stairs, were not originally part of the plan.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-m-nr8istEs90bXhvVJoD8rt_fzbbYldBRrEXFA-lhKPphT_7RuzvG8lY4FpZCOx_N19iUgr2khXZdQyjihDy3HEu4eGjb6sOVJ6T7thxWeH282NjCA_uGMLa-WSHehIl7XdVS4CRA/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-m-nr8istEs90bXhvVJoD8rt_fzbbYldBRrEXFA-lhKPphT_7RuzvG8lY4FpZCOx_N19iUgr2khXZdQyjihDy3HEu4eGjb6sOVJ6T7thxWeH282NjCA_uGMLa-WSHehIl7XdVS4CRA/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251714092084322" border="0" /></a>Finally we reach the far right-hand side of the lobby, and looking back, find the entrance has disappeared far off to the right, and in fact, so has the Wall of Honor. Straight ahead, you can just barely make out my wife sitting on a bench. Then let your eyes slowly drift up the photo. If this doesn't give you an idea of the scale of the place, nothing will.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60lcCowf0IU4Ud9hTVORKd8urJvnMPeUM2FhJyRVjkGDZMxlJEEXP0T6BTx29Zai53iGRpNPptVEjyMOCqGo_Thhyphenhyphenx8_hk9_HyN_ntAiWHV-QW9-TXPVcgC08OXgzaagbeUFtY4MoaQ/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60lcCowf0IU4Ud9hTVORKd8urJvnMPeUM2FhJyRVjkGDZMxlJEEXP0T6BTx29Zai53iGRpNPptVEjyMOCqGo_Thhyphenhyphenx8_hk9_HyN_ntAiWHV-QW9-TXPVcgC08OXgzaagbeUFtY4MoaQ/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251713610073154" border="0" /></a>Eventually I get around to heading up the stairs to see what's around, and immediately find the <a href="http://www.cathedralguadalupe.org/">Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe</a> nicely framed by the window. The whole idea of the building is to be a social field for the surrounding business community to enjoy the finer things in life. Including the site of their own buildings, many of which have won architectural awards as well. Dallas has an incredible number of these. In fact, commit this fact to memory:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dallas will soon be the only city in the entire world to have Four Pritzker Prize winning buildings in one continuous block.</span></span><br /><br />That's like having four Pulitzer Prize winners all come from the same neighborhood. I honestly never appreciated Dallas in this way before. The per capita number of award winning buildings is such that I cannot help but wonder if one day in the distant future people might look at Dallas architecture the same way that we currently look at Greco-Roman architecture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25DBMFmawR5PHn___wTaYvcRhESpB7xc4FwGWm_MJ1MpGF6AGncvuiDpYv__Kar6JnUkKA-7WELFqV-82klDDXkCmDma4ycxrHqBo169WDwphsjMSdtsPDV23svKV5sqijiNW3fSw1Q/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25DBMFmawR5PHn___wTaYvcRhESpB7xc4FwGWm_MJ1MpGF6AGncvuiDpYv__Kar6JnUkKA-7WELFqV-82klDDXkCmDma4ycxrHqBo169WDwphsjMSdtsPDV23svKV5sqijiNW3fSw1Q/s320/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251712502065794" border="0" /></a>On the left-hand side is one of "the razors," incredibly sharp-angled walls that are often photographed. I was more interested int he view the hallway provided.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZFlcEOPT0grV6LiKXjiXoE2Bkk8y8G5d1INgcVcl4uSBWk9BKdygPABDr2Bw1PFz0_buAyXXL4HANPaOJz7cKpHf8LKuSCovKyCYEa0UsTaqO4lTwWPCTU7kWY8ltF1B3_RA6gW9Og/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZFlcEOPT0grV6LiKXjiXoE2Bkk8y8G5d1INgcVcl4uSBWk9BKdygPABDr2Bw1PFz0_buAyXXL4HANPaOJz7cKpHf8LKuSCovKyCYEa0UsTaqO4lTwWPCTU7kWY8ltF1B3_RA6gW9Og/s320/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251701574887138" border="0" /></a>Speaking of, the other side of the upper balcony gives a great view of "The Dallas Panels" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellsworth_Kelly">Ellsworth Kelly</a>. Note how this is really the only color in the place aside from that green tree in Pei's spot. This is very much by design. Pei wanted the eye's attention drawn to the crowds of people. Remember, this was to be a social place. He wanted people's eyes to be looking at each other to find color, contrast, and interest, not the building.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVdLTtVQCh63EUG2DbguslWuC3gNLDu4j1Wzx7hsUek7gMEsYnk0vJ6vxr9KV-KNmQmTQxI0nu-dylMCOkb0GpS9uHWe6iO9muBkLA6Npns1useVtpwafEUUq91u1rYoXBOB2BcIIoA/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVdLTtVQCh63EUG2DbguslWuC3gNLDu4j1Wzx7hsUek7gMEsYnk0vJ6vxr9KV-KNmQmTQxI0nu-dylMCOkb0GpS9uHWe6iO9muBkLA6Npns1useVtpwafEUUq91u1rYoXBOB2BcIIoA/s320/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362251699455485330" border="0" /></a>But really, to someone like me, the building is the best part. Unless my wife is there, then she's the best part. But other than her, I'm usually more interested in the building itself rather than the people in it.<br /><br />And now we proceed to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-33.html">Part 3, the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall, and the inner sanctum</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-83100522327053207382009-07-24T23:30:00.003-05:002009-07-25T01:58:29.947-05:00Photos: Meyerson Symphony Center (Part 1/3)<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3dq1D8oQeKZAM8Ne0DzGLbBQ8egFE5yHaoXHwmDhjYN8puce24jbRg7DG4vOiXwwkgtVJVv6isxFCUJD1MV55JcuYnaSuUBFoRFQMQewXEgCLnhlH71__7FlOuACtHvtkR5eLT9Hjw/s1600-h/outside-title.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 113px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124911773685426" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3dq1D8oQeKZAM8Ne0DzGLbBQ8egFE5yHaoXHwmDhjYN8puce24jbRg7DG4vOiXwwkgtVJVv6isxFCUJD1MV55JcuYnaSuUBFoRFQMQewXEgCLnhlH71__7FlOuACtHvtkR5eLT9Hjw/s320/outside-title.jpg" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://meyersonsymphonycenter.com/">Morton H. Meyerson Symphony</a> Center in Dallas, TX, is <a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/"></a>a <a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/">Pritzker Prize</a> masterwork by <a href="http://www.pcfandp.com/">I.M. Pei</a> and <a href="http://www.russelljohnsonlegacy.com/">Russell Johnson</a>, nestled in the heart of the <a href="http://www.thedallasartsdistrict.org/">Arts District</a>. My class was lucky enough to be offered an in-depth architectural tour of it by architect Tom Cox. There are so many photos and so much information to cover, that I've split it into a three part series.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1: The Exterior</span><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-23.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2: The Lobby</span></a><br /><a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-33.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 3: The Concert Hall and Inner Sanctum</span></a><br /><br />This entry will cover Part 1: The exterior of the building, the outside sculptures, surrounding grounds, and the context of the buildings around it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUOO0FgfkSG76KWzBZ6gcorHQpIHViadD1I2mbHVb3DynniBDkxJQ18OT7mlu1EWnfOIOXjIu4Y7npySosKK3RhUmVrq_oKJ1OAnT4sRVhNVklJX2o5BZEvHKFx5F6cKDh4jGeLpx-A/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 190px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124687369667714" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUOO0FgfkSG76KWzBZ6gcorHQpIHViadD1I2mbHVb3DynniBDkxJQ18OT7mlu1EWnfOIOXjIu4Y7npySosKK3RhUmVrq_oKJ1OAnT4sRVhNVklJX2o5BZEvHKFx5F6cKDh4jGeLpx-A/s320/01.jpg" border="0" /></a>An obvious, but very important fact should be considered when viewing the Meyerson: architects are not accousticians, and accousticians are not architects. When <a href="http://www.dallascityhall.com/">Dallas</a> chose to commission the Symphony Center, they wanted it to look new and modern and to have a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding business community. When the lights come on inside the Meyerson, they want it to be visible from the nearby skyscrapers and street level, and attract people to venture within.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmaP2fEUHmOdRaZz2Yv_DRL0zykJPfim2L8rBZ4pe_GHbxKTgZ8zFNoR4kNLea4xN8ZGq8zG3g9sNAko6yJhko8NabFPJdB9BcG8aWGFJmSpy0JhHL9QtVUSPnJX7GMskjGiyo3fWGA/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 261px; display: block; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124492771963442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmaP2fEUHmOdRaZz2Yv_DRL0zykJPfim2L8rBZ4pe_GHbxKTgZ8zFNoR4kNLea4xN8ZGq8zG3g9sNAko6yJhko8NabFPJdB9BcG8aWGFJmSpy0JhHL9QtVUSPnJX7GMskjGiyo3fWGA/s320/07.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Under Construction: Winspear Opera House)</span></span><br /></div><br />Unfortunately these two goals have a distinct disadvantage towards the true purpose of the center, which is to provide a high quality forum for listening to orchestral pieces. For one thing, the area is still heavily under construction. On one side, the <a href="http://www.dallasopera.org/the_company/winspear.php">Winspear Opera House</a> and the Dee and Charles <a href="http://www.dallastheatercenter.org/">Wyly Theatre</a> are being built. Across the street, <a href="http://www.cathedralguadalupe.org/">Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe</a> tolls out bells every quarter hour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYHGkye267ocq2G35qiDYR4VeTOlVQvT27svFX1XXnrhqJY2JEWC_F3aDxlRV0Uw8A_k4lfTIMW7aAcCyX1zhKtrRQy604WL8g2e2xf_zrPoOWiH6XfXuqTmhsuzAJ1avfTPjVxoUsg/s1600-h/06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 200px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124498578031490" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYHGkye267ocq2G35qiDYR4VeTOlVQvT27svFX1XXnrhqJY2JEWC_F3aDxlRV0Uw8A_k4lfTIMW7aAcCyX1zhKtrRQy604WL8g2e2xf_zrPoOWiH6XfXuqTmhsuzAJ1avfTPjVxoUsg/s320/06.jpg" border="0" /></a>Airplanes constantly fly overhead. Woodall Rodgers US Highway 75 borders one side. The <a href="http://dallasfed.org/index.cfm">Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas</a> as well as other high-traffic buildings bring an incredible amount of traffic noise to the surrounding area.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeCbxBw9i_1JWa5-RWLVsxtG1cPc61VoizkwcnpezGYJoDQZxBmU28Q8OotUYELtHGc-TjeXJVxnadyTPuTZJQKuwAZIQnf7YYi7v45280eFMn9ZkXkCSO7V129cHd-pbfAuDwibHUQ/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 213px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124345181149282" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeCbxBw9i_1JWa5-RWLVsxtG1cPc61VoizkwcnpezGYJoDQZxBmU28Q8OotUYELtHGc-TjeXJVxnadyTPuTZJQKuwAZIQnf7YYi7v45280eFMn9ZkXkCSO7V129cHd-pbfAuDwibHUQ/s320/12.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(I.M. Pei's <a href="http://www.fountainplace.com/">Fountain Place</a> and Corten steel sculpture De Musica by <a href="http://www.eduardo-chillida.com/">Eduardo Chillida</a>)<br /></span></span></div>Surrounded by a sea of cacophonous noise, a silent sanctuary for symphonic sound must seem impossible. If a great architect must be able to work with the local context, a great accoustician must be able to defy it. Clearly the pair's work was cut out for them. The first step was in isolating as much noise as possible outside of the center. To the right of this scene is a garden.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbagDaTTIvGkZIfIgVlqRhBGO6yVbbIbn0tbGBdMVOWnCsdbIMUCicEEYey4WyfwD1Ex0ZIw2jhYQpbj9QyNOfIaLNjqM2PlT26fqUDwfMPOo6IXaYCoR6Ho7ID8rREtJlYbwETr2D2Q/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbagDaTTIvGkZIfIgVlqRhBGO6yVbbIbn0tbGBdMVOWnCsdbIMUCicEEYey4WyfwD1Ex0ZIw2jhYQpbj9QyNOfIaLNjqM2PlT26fqUDwfMPOo6IXaYCoR6Ho7ID8rREtJlYbwETr2D2Q/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362241218595562770" border="0" /></a>The Meyerson was intended by the architect to be much in the spirit of the old conservatories, where one went there to see and be seen as much, if not more so, than for the purposes of hearing music. Pei desired a social place of many niches and the garden is but one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94SSwRZz_Sx08ANbXyXNcV2p8VSy6p0IdhWBifhiQjzIU1QP2_Jmf0RUkCh2ib3nUxlwpBTqwn7AhUqerL4bU-_9_PVZktwed3DYhh3m3R1HKs6l6hG7PZfU4ybJZpLNPvXXUxtyXyg/s1600-h/05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 219px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124677798697410" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94SSwRZz_Sx08ANbXyXNcV2p8VSy6p0IdhWBifhiQjzIU1QP2_Jmf0RUkCh2ib3nUxlwpBTqwn7AhUqerL4bU-_9_PVZktwed3DYhh3m3R1HKs6l6hG7PZfU4ybJZpLNPvXXUxtyXyg/s320/05.jpg" border="0" /></a>Note the detachment and irregular directions of the sidewalk. It gives the foot traffic a subtle sense of direction, ensuring that only the most scenic and beautiful angles are exposed to the casual observer. It also helps break up the sound. The alternating soft ground, hard ground, and foliage helps break apart the outside acoustic noise of the city.<br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UAWQ789zlpkFfLrS4WD1ubMnvaBCthB3tplJy2o3rHayyt4XMwdMpIGFZLPKw5Trf8EL_J5b9nRoYYjCgA3C2eO8lapJp9I60cETQKtGNM-0xCJjKw3sJcbANBIxKOjhVvidh9L8QQ/s1600-h/02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 245px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124688348144322" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UAWQ789zlpkFfLrS4WD1ubMnvaBCthB3tplJy2o3rHayyt4XMwdMpIGFZLPKw5Trf8EL_J5b9nRoYYjCgA3C2eO8lapJp9I60cETQKtGNM-0xCJjKw3sJcbANBIxKOjhVvidh9L8QQ/s320/02.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcZpZIMjlvwz5CzY119SAbKv9Ffo0OVhcWT-j38FxH2F8LOhvsLRr_vaRhqc5_soOD_OIEwajjyLhD0YiBqN1nCbCehO46QwC-59KCA79ph_IqpO4KuWE0Qz4bYAMUbTSIhmjVJsJtw/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 263px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124685890153026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcZpZIMjlvwz5CzY119SAbKv9Ffo0OVhcWT-j38FxH2F8LOhvsLRr_vaRhqc5_soOD_OIEwajjyLhD0YiBqN1nCbCehO46QwC-59KCA79ph_IqpO4KuWE0Qz4bYAMUbTSIhmjVJsJtw/s320/03.jpg" border="0" /></a>To the left is Les Ondines, by <a href="http://www.laurens-henri.com/">Henri Laurens</a>. At first, I had thought this to be one of the six companion pieces to <span style="font-style: italic;">L'Air</span> at the <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/kimbell-art-museum-my-architectural.html">Kimbell Art Museum</a> in Fort Worth, but as it turns out, they were completely different artists from one another (L'Air was by <span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">Aristide Maillol)</span></span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpzEWHR9-UHn_AYcOKKcISDrWPquaggkrPWQqpxkJuvErmVBl9nw3RtJyv5qL9rr8v5jeZm9rwO_E5008LFRAH2ddTB8Euo6PdHnknUk1GTSDMhe1qyvitMuck_Y-pqKpb4T_35hdJQ/s1600-h/04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 200px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124683251508754" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpzEWHR9-UHn_AYcOKKcISDrWPquaggkrPWQqpxkJuvErmVBl9nw3RtJyv5qL9rr8v5jeZm9rwO_E5008LFRAH2ddTB8Euo6PdHnknUk1GTSDMhe1qyvitMuck_Y-pqKpb4T_35hdJQ/s320/04.jpg" border="0" /></a>Of special note about the garden is that the air conditioning, the mechanical systems, electrical systems, generators, etc, are all outside, beneath this park. The noise is well absorbed by the park, and what little escapes is drowned out by the city. But far more important than the worry of noise it might create outside is the fact that it removes that much more potential noise from the inside. Not only does the movement of air itself create sound, but it also distorts it. The entire air reclamation system is a fine tuned work of art in and of itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzN5JVV3aCo8Ku6lyra5v2PlAYdMO7sQvltmguLspzIHH8J2GuuLqQ8AgV8nOXlcKLfJi48W_hKBcpsJRNvCrL24tGX9EDLBwEr9Bld8lkLVqAAv5OJ04Ad6dXeapzYpTd-shTR16A/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 213px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124335521174418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzN5JVV3aCo8Ku6lyra5v2PlAYdMO7sQvltmguLspzIHH8J2GuuLqQ8AgV8nOXlcKLfJi48W_hKBcpsJRNvCrL24tGX9EDLBwEr9Bld8lkLVqAAv5OJ04Ad6dXeapzYpTd-shTR16A/s320/14.jpg" border="0" /></a>The actual concert hall itself is the rectangular "shoebox" style so popular with accousticians. According to Russell, the shoebox shape was the best one for sound. This did not please Pei, who had little desire to create a box. However, the rule was that inside the concert hall, Russell would have the final word. Outside of the hall, Pei would have the final word. The never-ending series of compromises and arguments between the two resulted in the incredibly unique shape that makes up the Meyerson. Here, looking upwards from outside, we see the corner that begins the shoebox.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF7YP434jFdFc1CHI_34tRxACfoIzLHfS6weVJ_xv8-aB0uw5vvKaN0NHh8L3XtKAYjYYSJiNXqz0P0UcJooA7P6v3aMymhLUKa6mVLJ7Q3mkwolrvVZ22eC9-40GouYflNpkPl9zNQ/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124345544565938" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF7YP434jFdFc1CHI_34tRxACfoIzLHfS6weVJ_xv8-aB0uw5vvKaN0NHh8L3XtKAYjYYSJiNXqz0P0UcJooA7P6v3aMymhLUKa6mVLJ7Q3mkwolrvVZ22eC9-40GouYflNpkPl9zNQ/s320/11.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ewnQi2kDW6np2b-YikKDs7TOMVHjroepHB3Vdb0xUhYyVArf4BW_uVz9SglzNMBrLVj5_YbtsuNa1fHWUS4OAqNtS_2sbURarBVpmmtae3B4KUe4s6-oESavsMcW3YH32bj1R-uNiA/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 204px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124490755568418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ewnQi2kDW6np2b-YikKDs7TOMVHjroepHB3Vdb0xUhYyVArf4BW_uVz9SglzNMBrLVj5_YbtsuNa1fHWUS4OAqNtS_2sbURarBVpmmtae3B4KUe4s6-oESavsMcW3YH32bj1R-uNiA/s320/10.jpg" border="0" /></a>There is an incredible story behind this arch. Rather than butcher it by retelling, I'll quote part of <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3862/is_200003/ai_n8885683/pg_6/?tag=content;col1">the article</a> directly from "D" Magazine's 01 March 2000 issue:<br /><br /><blockquote>I. M. Pei's building design included a flying, angular arch in front of the Flora Street entrance. Temerlin said to Stone, "This is a lady who is building pyramids to her husband's memory. We should dedicate the arch as the Emery Reves Arch of Peace. It's a stunning architectural design. It can be a peace arch."<br /><br />Temerlin set about developing a presentation that would persuade Reves to make the major donation the symphony sought. Mullins arranged the appointment, which would take place at Reves' home in Southern France on June 22, 1989.<br /><br />Stone recalls, "That night, before we met with her, we had a dress rehearsal in Liener's suite. Liener had each page of the proposal blown up to four feet by three feet." Mullins recalls, "We each had a part in the program. Liener was very uptight. I said, 'Liener, she's going to give us two million. I know she is.' 'Well, I don't know she is. I believe in being prepared.' We were prepared."<br /><br />Reves held Mullins's hand during the meal. Mullins remembers, "We made polite conversation and finished the meal. I thought Liener was going to have a heart attack, he was so cranked up! He wanted to walk in the front door and say, 'Wendy, we're here; let's talk about what you're going to do for the symphony.' Leonard was sitting next to me, fidgety beyond belief, saying in an undertone, 'What d' you think?...<br /><br />After the meal, Temerlin opened up the conversation after dinner by saying, "Now, Wendy, we've come to visit you with a purpose."<br /><br />"All right. I'd like to hear what you have to say." Temerlin sat to Wendy's left and began his carefully rehearsed presentation. Wendy sat at the table with one hand on her forehead, the other hand in Bette<br /><br />Mullins's, ready to listen--but not to look.<br /><br />"Wendy had her hand on her brow the whole time I was reading," declares Temerlin. "She never looked up."<br /><br />Stone set up the easel and ascertained that the five pages of blowups were in order. Temerlin started reading. "Here we have it on a board."<br /><br />Reves interrupted. "I don't want to see that. You just tell me what you have in mind." Temerlin went through the proposal: the Arch of Peace, the reprints of Emery's book, the musical composition and recording. As he drew to the end of the presentation, he concluded by saying, "From everything I've read about Emery, I believe this is something that Emery would be very pleased to see happen."<br /><br />"So this would be the Wendy and Emery Reves Arch of Peace?"<br /><br />"That's right," agreed Temerlin.<br /><br />"Well, I don't want my name on it. I just want it to be Emery's."<br /><br />In a chorus, they all protested, "No, Wendy, your name needs to be on there, too. This arch will greet everyone who comes to the hall. This is the face of the Meyerson. It will look to the museum."<br /><br />Reves pondered for a moment. "All that sounds interesting. For two million dollars?"<br /><br />"Yes," said Temerlin, "and we'll do all these-<br /><br />"I don't want to hear that!" Reves interrupted again. For a moment she didn't move, then she squeezed Mullins's hand and said, "I will do it."<br /><br />At that instant, a deafening clap of thunder split the summer night as lightning cracked outside. For a split second, everything was illuminated as if it were daytime. "It was like a Cecil B. DeMille movie!" Temerlin remembers. "The French doors were open, and winds blew the curtains parallel to the floors. And it rained like hell. It was as if the whole thing was staged. I had goosebumps. I got caught up in the whole mystique and magic of the evening, as did we all."<br /><br />Wendy glanced upward, lifting her arms, and beamed, "Poochie is pleased." (Poochie is her nickname for Emery.) Leonard Stone echoed her sentiments and those of the rest of the table. "God in His Heaven is approving, too." Wendy Reves rose to close the windows and protect the room from the rain, which was coming down in sheets. She called for another bottle of Dom Perignon, and they toasted the occasion again.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />(source: "</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3862/is_200003/ai_n8885683/">MORT: MORT MEYERSON GETS RECRUITED, THE</a><span style="font-style: italic;">". D Magazine. FindArticles.com. 24 Jul, 2009. <<http: com="">>)<br /></http:></span></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlsgOziyMtZU6wTVpMkbltULX9TxPzjV8h82AQSxpcy_o6skxD93s2Y8UcjcnK2SmHThEhZDxiY7IQfTN_yakGym4WOjq09fKCNohLT8lO9-SEo_YNHVVeVbppDWs8VfaMD6gk4N5xg/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 213px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124334646973122" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlsgOziyMtZU6wTVpMkbltULX9TxPzjV8h82AQSxpcy_o6skxD93s2Y8UcjcnK2SmHThEhZDxiY7IQfTN_yakGym4WOjq09fKCNohLT8lO9-SEo_YNHVVeVbppDWs8VfaMD6gk4N5xg/s320/15.jpg" border="0" /></a>A second entrance primary entrance technically exists for those wishing to drive directly to the lower floor. The underground location helps suppress the noise as well as allow foot traffic to access the box office and gift shop more easily.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tpEhTij6RsFlMEou7fVIMCqPczOoi80natJ4OeASi_BbY2BsycC-rhLkuyWTRPyflNjfE6vD38NN62jGti07Ba0pdf34Hpd6B0BjKGwKB8XLmMdfoPH66Yj68_hD7ABXsEMJqP8ayw/s1600-h/09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px; display: block; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124489592900354" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tpEhTij6RsFlMEou7fVIMCqPczOoi80natJ4OeASi_BbY2BsycC-rhLkuyWTRPyflNjfE6vD38NN62jGti07Ba0pdf34Hpd6B0BjKGwKB8XLmMdfoPH66Yj68_hD7ABXsEMJqP8ayw/s320/09.jpg" border="0" /></a>Outside, the lamps one finds will be echoed throughout the interior. The shells are made of Onyx, though a different color of Onyx from the ones inside. The form and theme will remain, however.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-qr4amjMmu4RZyNvrZ5WsPaqaJVe8fW8WpykLHQt0z-cO_cRma0uUcFZl5FE2HPjbjJIrvRrcqVldl4z4tbXAGxk_e_4rDnGjTsswRC0q9evRTNQ8z42wPI988gZOm0r9v8-ZPYOHw/s1600-h/08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 218px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362124496678780002" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-qr4amjMmu4RZyNvrZ5WsPaqaJVe8fW8WpykLHQt0z-cO_cRma0uUcFZl5FE2HPjbjJIrvRrcqVldl4z4tbXAGxk_e_4rDnGjTsswRC0q9evRTNQ8z42wPI988gZOm0r9v8-ZPYOHw/s320/08.jpg" border="0" /></a>At last, we come to the front entrance of the Meyerson. The effect is only slightly marred by the ongoing construction and refurbishing presently taking place. In the next entry, we will examine the interior, starting with the Lobby. (<a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/photos-meyerson-symphony-center-part-23.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Proceed to Part 2</span></a>)<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-75873891007636867942009-07-24T07:30:00.000-05:002009-07-25T02:21:06.014-05:00Architectural Class Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgCfPSxvKeOhEjPqeGvhgcgcsIj3s00iQQ_ZcYTBdEcSMQ_v9h9YmgDN-7qyWV1K2cwOtZa3J5S__7AZKBCJuHg25ZtZIsoxUyitAtdgYBVVeE2sMFE1FTKg-OhKuz80JeXJkSDs2Ew/s1600-h/Meyerson_Class_Photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgCfPSxvKeOhEjPqeGvhgcgcsIj3s00iQQ_ZcYTBdEcSMQ_v9h9YmgDN-7qyWV1K2cwOtZa3J5S__7AZKBCJuHg25ZtZIsoxUyitAtdgYBVVeE2sMFE1FTKg-OhKuz80JeXJkSDs2Ew/s400/Meyerson_Class_Photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362293802617494770" border="0" /></a>Click on the photo for a larger version.<br />Photo is scaled for easy 8x10 photo printing.<br />Photo size is less than 150k for easy saving and emailing.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-13619337089315762972009-07-24T07:00:00.001-05:002009-07-24T08:28:34.010-05:00Sketch: Mediterranean Style House, Austin, TX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil84_7JQDKw6LK7IqCayZl08ZQGU3tPiUoxcVz97bBP-iEquAfvbl6z7WrRi924Fw95mmWfoe_3DHNU_NtjZTamNHHB77wOO10VvNAcED0OfCWZCI-ps1e6n6Y-sfiipVX5DSoJM-waw/s1600-h/austin_house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil84_7JQDKw6LK7IqCayZl08ZQGU3tPiUoxcVz97bBP-iEquAfvbl6z7WrRi924Fw95mmWfoe_3DHNU_NtjZTamNHHB77wOO10VvNAcED0OfCWZCI-ps1e6n6Y-sfiipVX5DSoJM-waw/s320/austin_house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362016214143324306" border="0" /></a>I'm still trying to decide if I like this house or not, but it seemed like a good practice to combine the curves, straight lines, and shadows that I've been practicing into one particular sketch. It did not come out as well as I'd hoped. In sketching it, I found the scene to be far more complicated to sketch than what I'd thought it would be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv32VyM3blr2UORZteC7dnXQAHuInOEPhIJfeiHFoESydTpDBTyXVGg8vIhke3Fmloh5lW7cTxT6qdPifeJHjOHr4Q9bKdyejuTTiKHL336C08zhmYF4_Hpkc-ZcvRyHwVmPPz7u5ww/s1600-h/sk-medi_house_austin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv32VyM3blr2UORZteC7dnXQAHuInOEPhIJfeiHFoESydTpDBTyXVGg8vIhke3Fmloh5lW7cTxT6qdPifeJHjOHr4Q9bKdyejuTTiKHL336C08zhmYF4_Hpkc-ZcvRyHwVmPPz7u5ww/s320/sk-medi_house_austin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360391530063531954" border="0" /></a>I did rather poorly on the pool, and the arches on the right-side are laughable. My inner lines for the windows on the right are off as well. However, drawing without a ruler, compass, or any other tools, I am happy with how straight and evenly curved the structure turned out. I think the strongest part of the sketch is definitely in the left-hand side.<br /><br />Our class took a field trip out to the Dallas Art's district and I got some incredible photos. I'll be sharing them as soon as I can edit them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-55005475049423783802009-07-23T07:00:00.000-05:002009-07-23T08:29:56.705-05:00Sketch: Rocas Rojas, MX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqUfnqFvSCJ39Y5bTaKJmqfG-XKLPBOc_dT3cfD2eKDDVQ2F-DZrbbDrUnKnMREhAMfFJHW3ZBHx_Gfs7mzzgB1cGUnhJ6Jc74N6DC7Nrwp7B2XknbBLyusoEMMKKRbZ2LhG4s-mm5Q/s1600-h/rocas_rojas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqUfnqFvSCJ39Y5bTaKJmqfG-XKLPBOc_dT3cfD2eKDDVQ2F-DZrbbDrUnKnMREhAMfFJHW3ZBHx_Gfs7mzzgB1cGUnhJ6Jc74N6DC7Nrwp7B2XknbBLyusoEMMKKRbZ2LhG4s-mm5Q/s320/rocas_rojas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360391320627329698" border="0" /></a>Here's another house by my favorite architect, <a href="http://www.dva.com.mx/">Diego Villaseñor</a>. Rocas Rojas, or "Red Rocks" is a beautiful work of art that almost appears carved from the red cliffs it crowns. In this house, he has mastered the harmonious relationship between the structure and the context of the surrounding environment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwynqJDg2H_Zxf8Ax5lMdeT_gVd0FVKSs-l5SLA5dW0YnO0k2kuyeqlDQerPQn7ZxkVGgx65HDd0VQQgVcCkEcO-F9t8mOfuH6glKwHvBHSqiHLWv_jfriuuc83hKTD1q_Pv14uBH6tg/s1600-h/sk-rocas_rojas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwynqJDg2H_Zxf8Ax5lMdeT_gVd0FVKSs-l5SLA5dW0YnO0k2kuyeqlDQerPQn7ZxkVGgx65HDd0VQQgVcCkEcO-F9t8mOfuH6glKwHvBHSqiHLWv_jfriuuc83hKTD1q_Pv14uBH6tg/s320/sk-rocas_rojas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360391312535689250" border="0" /></a>I think the sketch came out fairly well, but as always, I can see all sorts of ways it could have been improved. Sorry for the lack of entries lately, class has really kept me busy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-90475601553082299992009-07-19T22:41:00.004-05:002009-07-19T22:51:30.956-05:00The 3D Midterm (2D Pre-Planning)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjHq9VXODwzYdamhKTh03VgePAzZ8VCFvCR6Jk7lb0K9v2coB-Jfzx69q_BEt1VDaUoWShS11K2-r5hE5UJUOsikrz4YR0AdmhGu0hSvAme5r6QVeK8awn0kE2pGkQ4oeSNZPqEQXA/s1600-h/2D-roughdraft.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjHq9VXODwzYdamhKTh03VgePAzZ8VCFvCR6Jk7lb0K9v2coB-Jfzx69q_BEt1VDaUoWShS11K2-r5hE5UJUOsikrz4YR0AdmhGu0hSvAme5r6QVeK8awn0kE2pGkQ4oeSNZPqEQXA/s320/2D-roughdraft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360382669229339410" border="0" /></a>Am I sick in the head to be excited about my midterm project?<br /><br />The basic idea is this: we are to take at least 2 pure geometric shapes and arrange them according to at least 3 principles of grouping. Then we will bring our 2D designed before the class and have them and the Professor evaluate our concept, take into account their suggestions for improvement, and turn in a final 2D sketch, at which point we begin construction on the 3D model. For the 3D model, we expand our 2D sketch upward in a creative way that further enhances the concept.<br /><br />So, here is my rough draft for the 2D drawing, before it goes up for evaluation. I've explained the concept below:<br /><br />1. Axis, Symmetry, Hierarchy, Rhythmn, and quite possibly Datum and Transformation. Datum if my perimeter were one large hexagon that encompassed everything. Transformation if I used Triangles to split the hexagons, and perhaps pie wedges, and showed them with rotations throughout.<br /><br />2. Golden Scale - I gave Golden Scale a lot of thought on this one, but because of the nature of hexagons, I had to use a different Fibonacci sequence, so I started with 2's.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2, 2, 4, 6, 10, 16, 26, 42...</span><br /><ul><li>the width of the smallest hexes (2) is golden scale to the width of the medium hexes (4), and the largest currently drawn hex (16).</li><li>the width of the smaller cluster of hexes (6) is golden scale to the width of a medium hex and (4) the larger hex (16).</li><li>the part where the small circles connect to the medium hex cluster divides the entire arrangement horizontally into golden scale. (9.5 / 6)</li><li>the part where the small hex cluster borders the medium circle divides the entire arrangement horizontally into golden scale (6 / 9.5)</li><li>the center of the small hex cluster divides the entire arrangement vertically into golden scale on either side of the axis (4/6 or 6/4).</li></ul>3. The medium-sized cluster of hexes, plus the adjacent smaller circle, forms the boundary of a hex that is the same size as the largest hex. I had intended for the medium circle and smaller hex cluster to do the same, but I couldn't do so without messing up the linear arrangements, plus detaching the smaller hex cluster seemed to make the model more dynamic.<br /><br />4. The circumference of each circle fits either a matching hex cluster or the largest hex. (small circle = small hex cluster, medium circle = medium hex cluster, large circle = large hexagon)<br /><br />5. The linear arrangement is precisely arranged if using a triangular isometric grid system.<br /><ul><li>the center of the medium hex cluster corresponds diagonally to the medium circle on the opposite axis.</li><li>the smaller hex cluster lines up horizontally with the edge of the medium hex cluster and medium circle, diagonally with the centers of both the small circle and medium hex cluster on the opposite side of the axis.</li><li>the centers of the largest hex and largest circles are aligned along the axis.</li><li>the centers of the medium cluster, medium circle, and small circle, form the boundaries for the large hex and large circle.</li></ul>6. Spacing (incolumniation?) - everything is spaced apart in terms of the smallest hexagon (0, 1, or 2 apart).<br /><br />7. As for the 3D ideas churning around, so far the main one I have is a dome for the large circle, and possibly raising the largest hex up on columns, making it look sort of like a greek temple, or, if it's supposed to be solid, then the transformation would come into effect by possibly dividing the hexes into triangles and having their triangles evolve form within the hexes from left to right. Or, alternately, having the hexes that make up the two clusters at different heights to one another forming a spiral staircase effect.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-11009605995344242172009-07-15T07:00:00.003-05:002009-07-15T10:30:06.247-05:00The Cube Project (Seven to Sundae)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvv5h5FQrvKPkWY-73byup0bDYoAE8iTtPvxwhqcn94Xm7cE1bo7t83yxRLDmf5KC34PJMpy4pD7J8u1FOSRftFv00Wxxtg-F1_L7u3iwvkeKImg3qzt8pFLC8ClxkN8fayNyXvf57w/s1600-h/oops1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvv5h5FQrvKPkWY-73byup0bDYoAE8iTtPvxwhqcn94Xm7cE1bo7t83yxRLDmf5KC34PJMpy4pD7J8u1FOSRftFv00Wxxtg-F1_L7u3iwvkeKImg3qzt8pFLC8ClxkN8fayNyXvf57w/s320/oops1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358692600979732018" border="0" /></a>Following our exploration of <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/07/golden-ratio-in-laymans-terms.html">The Golden Ratio</a>, my Professor assigned us a task where we would need to take 3, 5, or 7 cubes that were proportional in Golden Ratio to one another, and place them in a way that was reflected Golden Proportion as well. Of course, being a bit of a nut about architecture, I'd already started thinking about this project before it got assigned, because there was a brief mention of it on the syllabus. My original concept was actually to have 2 Golden Ratio cubes intersecting, so that together they formed the footprint of a larger cube, and that the intersection between the two formed two other cubes of golden ratio at the corners. That would be a total of 5 cubes formed. In my head it worked beautifully. I started with a 1" cube, and did exact measurements to determine what the size of each cube would be...<br /><br />1"<br />1 5/8"<br />2 5/16"<br />3 3/4"<br />6 1/8"<br /><br />Then I fired up <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/">Google Sketchup</a> and began to arrange the two cubes to fit in the larger third, and suddenly realized what an entire paper on the Golden Mean should have taught me: Two Golden Ratio Cubes (GRCs) forming a third larger one in GR <span style="font-style: italic;">will not intersect with one another</span>.<br /><br />Oops.<br /><br />I was going to abandon the idea in favor of something simpler. Then I thought, "why not just work with the mistake and learn from it?"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMsCySymZ3_CMFGQ0W8Sb2LpSkGLKN7tLvqyEhaENI8ppZK71DPT8U4csbsSzabA444MgZlIByqLgkPZz8-PJyHqRkQ0XxjjNLG_UxIJtqnqW8RypyGwmLPRqx0-xsUBqxGIViYclIQ/s1600-h/workwithit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMsCySymZ3_CMFGQ0W8Sb2LpSkGLKN7tLvqyEhaENI8ppZK71DPT8U4csbsSzabA444MgZlIByqLgkPZz8-PJyHqRkQ0XxjjNLG_UxIJtqnqW8RypyGwmLPRqx0-xsUBqxGIViYclIQ/s320/workwithit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358692596111783074" border="0" /></a>So I did. I created a third, smaller cube in GR to the smallest, and figured out that I could not only use it to connect and intersect with both main cubes, but that it formed two smaller GRCs in the intersection. Perfecto! And it made a total of 7 cubes, even better! All I needed to do was adjust my sizes, the 2 largest GRCs would up the ante a bit.<br /><br />1"<br />1 5/8"<br />2 5/16"<br />3 3/4"<br />6 1/8"<br />9 15/16"<br />16 1/16"<br /><br />I finally created sketches to illustrate the idea. It had a little supporting column in back that would intersect the rear cube to create the 1".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCeJTzvxvKEkz_x_YdYi1YawyfMwTMIwUjbyhzJurvFmFCV8nHNvA5fVDrQLt32XckhHgSOSXRl2I6R9v-xBVeUmIrzUCIojqg64U_HwJtNv06Lv_suR3QGhTfGGsBaJ1wZaKajfWDQ/s1600-h/idea1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCeJTzvxvKEkz_x_YdYi1YawyfMwTMIwUjbyhzJurvFmFCV8nHNvA5fVDrQLt32XckhHgSOSXRl2I6R9v-xBVeUmIrzUCIojqg64U_HwJtNv06Lv_suR3QGhTfGGsBaJ1wZaKajfWDQ/s320/idea1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691806413892530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV101GA-HhFCo66ruTrv-6Tgj5Sr00LC0e9duZvN7CyBtH0c0Y6zTsVh_D018xMQAOtqx9jjiW9c5pTc5OoxPZu5Jn9iM-VT9Q9wtnF0wuYGUoCGRL-YaAgnGwYFw0cwd8mH3k-snfOA/s1600-h/idea2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV101GA-HhFCo66ruTrv-6Tgj5Sr00LC0e9duZvN7CyBtH0c0Y6zTsVh_D018xMQAOtqx9jjiW9c5pTc5OoxPZu5Jn9iM-VT9Q9wtnF0wuYGUoCGRL-YaAgnGwYFw0cwd8mH3k-snfOA/s320/idea2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691801497853570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WYXsae3LYJVejj0sGP4C3kBneLW5177dvwFyCz9WtTCFOn0xNVLWCUNMUq3ypxa2PvHEDPubr2ex4dkCHf1NVxlQjcyuNRmDC3VftEPbT-g-ABaBVNnenSlzFg49RSntZwFGtYibAw/s1600-h/idea3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WYXsae3LYJVejj0sGP4C3kBneLW5177dvwFyCz9WtTCFOn0xNVLWCUNMUq3ypxa2PvHEDPubr2ex4dkCHf1NVxlQjcyuNRmDC3VftEPbT-g-ABaBVNnenSlzFg49RSntZwFGtYibAw/s320/idea3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691651477842050" border="0" /></a>It should be noted that my skill with Google Sketchup is minimal at best, so that's why the sketches are so messy. But they conveyed the basic idea and would serve as fine references for the purposes of measurement. I sent an email containing the plans and concept idea to the Professor and hopped in the car. It was time to go buy the materials.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMel6xQ_wfhHdKIFXxbUJboate1ckiJ1AmRmX-D7VnUjrC9_haKyLzmhfdU9Wn0loYYJsXHNO6NEJPT5Up1_UscGhWOwL9b0kOU_pIMimgpga5PXLATI3wlRuhrZp_-orxxsuo0oWbAA/s1600-h/imp1a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMel6xQ_wfhHdKIFXxbUJboate1ckiJ1AmRmX-D7VnUjrC9_haKyLzmhfdU9Wn0loYYJsXHNO6NEJPT5Up1_UscGhWOwL9b0kOU_pIMimgpga5PXLATI3wlRuhrZp_-orxxsuo0oWbAA/s320/imp1a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691649514605602" border="0" /></a>I figured this would be perfect. I'd use floral wire to create the cubes in wireframe, and then wrap them with 3 different primary colors in cellophane. The overlapping cellophane colors would in turn create a new color, like orange, purple, or green when they formed a cube. It would be a brilliant experiement in light. w00t!<br /><br />It seemed quite simple in my head.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQivQf4EfEO_-5xdp6Wu6JV8bzhXF5IvTfjPNFZBvO0qTY4rBkr0j348LCUBZEbEXHYl1awWkbWbtbCQexCuaoHNsJY_dNn3m6M-aX93FkEfZ0CdZpawE6J86SX4_Dh_IOIyY9vRv6w/s1600-h/imp1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQivQf4EfEO_-5xdp6Wu6JV8bzhXF5IvTfjPNFZBvO0qTY4rBkr0j348LCUBZEbEXHYl1awWkbWbtbCQexCuaoHNsJY_dNn3m6M-aX93FkEfZ0CdZpawE6J86SX4_Dh_IOIyY9vRv6w/s320/imp1b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691642723745618" border="0" /></a>In reality, it was not nearly so simple. The first two hours were spent wondering how to get the floral wires to connect to one another. I eventually figured out I could twist and braid them together but it was a slow process that yielded messy results.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkz761dZoM7EDveeni9vxrUqUugvKNJcANuMCfCYJMcuF0I7xIlneoaQhF7z-NGYHgP7EJ_JYZxIgP3C2UlBzt5amXHOyRy6qE-rIadHKz8vi73Hxe9VdgslJoJ6i-SCa1qpmObP7xw/s1600-h/imp1c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkz761dZoM7EDveeni9vxrUqUugvKNJcANuMCfCYJMcuF0I7xIlneoaQhF7z-NGYHgP7EJ_JYZxIgP3C2UlBzt5amXHOyRy6qE-rIadHKz8vi73Hxe9VdgslJoJ6i-SCa1qpmObP7xw/s320/imp1c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691634727825746" border="0" /></a>The first cube should have been my indicator that this could not end well for me. But I figured any bends and messes in the model would slowly resolve themselves once I tightened up the connections, wrapped on the cellophane, and snipped off the corner bits... sure, sure. I continued working...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIRntM9kHl-kNMyMzVafhORHeXhyphenhyphen-i84GYmZDMUT4nk224C2JfU1omzhmjJ59ad5S_3ad1lJgjOEib9dN7cg763yje_gnAyfHH7glKM39OfC_-w-Q_0LuVOfU-rnupfcvpgAzltBoaA/s1600-h/imp1d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIRntM9kHl-kNMyMzVafhORHeXhyphenhyphen-i84GYmZDMUT4nk224C2JfU1omzhmjJ59ad5S_3ad1lJgjOEib9dN7cg763yje_gnAyfHH7glKM39OfC_-w-Q_0LuVOfU-rnupfcvpgAzltBoaA/s320/imp1d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691630278541218" border="0" /></a>I truly hate it when Picasa Web server rotates the images automatically. Anyway, it's not important... the finished wireframe looked like crap, and it was going on 8 hours since I'd laid out the materials. Still, I stubbornly pressed on, having hit that stage of not caring, rather I just wanted the thing to be over and done with.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfa3qiRcZLCCwos9RPGsCOeEb8khJ1Zr8aoiaftrBpu2uekCD2061_EiY32d_aGN-eIfU9OuPtpgHncXTRl8tYYbUMsrFGptSE65hKcwSy0qYO8TcFVGOSgeWCmIUaGkSAeyPcwnvyQ/s1600-h/imp1e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfa3qiRcZLCCwos9RPGsCOeEb8khJ1Zr8aoiaftrBpu2uekCD2061_EiY32d_aGN-eIfU9OuPtpgHncXTRl8tYYbUMsrFGptSE65hKcwSy0qYO8TcFVGOSgeWCmIUaGkSAeyPcwnvyQ/s320/imp1e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691424433888050" border="0" /></a>I think this part gave me a little hope. Even though the wires looked like crap, the cellophane effect was pretty cool... at first.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwzuMlDApg1_HoO_uD_p1RMgVhHHeEsEFAf7EPUC3BLAAniCh9hMB96iHyck3qSbrvHgtrASBrSLTAU4B-mj66pstZLXWDSY08PkXCZn2x9WBbjav-gPKIcOhLHj9K6oPHnFfK16J6A/s1600-h/imp1f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwzuMlDApg1_HoO_uD_p1RMgVhHHeEsEFAf7EPUC3BLAAniCh9hMB96iHyck3qSbrvHgtrASBrSLTAU4B-mj66pstZLXWDSY08PkXCZn2x9WBbjav-gPKIcOhLHj9K6oPHnFfK16J6A/s320/imp1f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691416565158162" border="0" /></a>Again, Picasa Web server rotates my photo for me. I hate you, Picasa. Anyway, the effect of the cellophane worked about as well as a raw potato put into in a soup with too much salt. It doesn't make the soup taste any better, but at least at the end of 11 hours, I felt like I'd actually tried my best, even though I wasn't finished. It was awful. I was ashamed of what it looked like, but at least the theory from paper had been proven as possible. But the difference between proving a concept and demonstrating it professionally is the difference between "reciting a hilarious joke verbatim in monotone to the blank stares of coworkers" and "bringing down the house at the Apollo." Sunday closed with me trudging off to bed, knowing the project would be due Thursday, and that I would be turning in a massive disappointment as my first major project.<br /><br />Monday, the plans I'd sent to the Professor were replied to. She wanted to discuss the project with me. I met with her after class and she gave several helpful suggestions that I'd fervantly wished I'd gotten before I started the project. Still... her advice gave me new inspiration and ideas, and I realized that my biggest failure on the project had not been in the concept, or even technically the implementation, but in the materials.<br /><br />Floral wire SUCKS for making cubilinear structures that are supposed to support themselves. The Dernier strength is such that it will barely even support itself and it does so with a telltale curve under the gravity of its own weight. It's difficult to cut, because the wirecutters don't cut string well, and scissors won't cut wire, so you have to use two tools for every cut. And the only way to join it to itself is to braid it with messy pigtails that, when you snip them, result in the joining between two separate wires to be lost.<br /><br />I realized what I needed was a material that was easy to cut, easy to measure, can structurally support itself well, and is already a level plane. It needed to be light and relatively cheap. And since it was about ten o'clock on a Monday night, it needed to be able to be bought at Wal-Mart.<br /><br />FOAMBOARD!!!<br /><br />I arrived back home around 11 PM with several rolls of scotch tape, several sheets of black foamboard, white foamboard, and some red posterboard. This time I didn't even mess with the camera and trying to document my steps. I was a man on a mission.<br /><br />I used the same concept for the plans but made a few adjustments. Since the cubes would no longer be transparent, they would have to be implied by their footprint. Since the "cutaway" view was allowed, I could use vertical walls for the largest cube as support for the two "floating cubes".<br /><br />Best of all, the Professor recommended I simply use a Fibonacci sequence for the GRCs rather than the exact measurements I had before. This made measuring considerably easier, since the smallest unit I had to worry about now was 1/4" (the thickness of my foamboard). My new measurements were now:<br /><br />1"<br />2"<br />3"<br />5"<br />8"<br />13"<br />21"<br /><br />When the final piece had been slid into place, I stepped back and looked at the clock, 5:45 AM, Tuesday morning. I then grabbed the camera and snapped some photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7A75DLdP2-3dUQwUWuPc6I_Y7aL2rRnbGmuhEuL5q47ENdBAcGOI07zBPEl5xDrR5rU3EBFBJWnMlTNxR2HIMJ0sBu-QDcSuGj4Q-P1gAkaG30jasYqkLasuSECgasrf1ytayuM4dw/s1600-h/imp2a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7A75DLdP2-3dUQwUWuPc6I_Y7aL2rRnbGmuhEuL5q47ENdBAcGOI07zBPEl5xDrR5rU3EBFBJWnMlTNxR2HIMJ0sBu-QDcSuGj4Q-P1gAkaG30jasYqkLasuSECgasrf1ytayuM4dw/s320/imp2a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691404882796338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPaS9UVqk0dgtIDvhonFTbQ1lVHsTZHq2FEfoLsoJyAkYKI9L5Cl_xhNyKgd8_DHsapOJbCn7JZe8t6zLqdquZEJYhAzmufoO3jADHy7jVZzBDQNvNkr5gWIS59OLXWiOYYTtWW6w_g/s1600-h/imp2b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPaS9UVqk0dgtIDvhonFTbQ1lVHsTZHq2FEfoLsoJyAkYKI9L5Cl_xhNyKgd8_DHsapOJbCn7JZe8t6zLqdquZEJYhAzmufoO3jADHy7jVZzBDQNvNkr5gWIS59OLXWiOYYTtWW6w_g/s320/imp2b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691395163738802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaBgLRSD9-K64oZL6_vEMzVRVEjGpmdLODDzQAtcgAX1yFp3kBJwZQeeaL2Bl0QO7I777sgBZh_xv7TGWM2K4HWlfSmHwAmp9TmUgudguf5unxsJvsVtiAEitwoMlHAIVXn5m4reeGw/s1600-h/imp2c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaBgLRSD9-K64oZL6_vEMzVRVEjGpmdLODDzQAtcgAX1yFp3kBJwZQeeaL2Bl0QO7I777sgBZh_xv7TGWM2K4HWlfSmHwAmp9TmUgudguf5unxsJvsVtiAEitwoMlHAIVXn5m4reeGw/s320/imp2c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358691365809038562" border="0" /></a>It looked kind of like a Chocolate Sundae. Vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and a cherry on top. Since there were seven cubes altogether, I called it "Seven to Sundae". I then went and laid down for an hour's worth of sleep before going to work.<br /><br />I brought it in Tuesday evening for class and the Professor examined it for some time, pleased with the work, said it was adequate for the task, and then challenged me to improve upon it by taking the central floating cube that intersects the two, and rotating it 45 degrees to make the interaction more dynamic. Then the head of the architectural department at the college was asked for his opinion by the Professor, and they began to argue about it. The Head felt it was fine the way it was, that the cubilinear expression of it would be ruined by rotating it 45 degrees, whereas the Professor felt it would be too static if left in its present condition. Both agreed the central cube should have been black.<br /><br />This got the class itself into a debate from everything about adding a staircase made of GRCs to making the central cube red instead of black or white, to changing the placement of the red cube...<br /><br />We finally decided upon two things:<br /><br />First, we would test the concept of making the central cube black first. I've already been envisioning how I would do this, and I believe it can be done with a minimal amount of effort (at least compared to the rest of the structure.<br /><br />The second thing we decided was that the little red cube should be an interactive part of the model. It can be picked up and rolled, like dice, in any of the other cubes to create a dynamic and contrasting effect.<br /><br />The 45-degree rotation may still happen, which I'm fine with now. At the time I was horrified at the prospect of tearing apart the whole model to fix one thing that, had I known the new request initially, could have been incorporated into the original design. But that's not the point. The Professor's intent was to, early on, break me of the habit of falling in love with my design. It was also to see if I could rise to the challenge I will regularly face in the business world where you prepare the world for the client on a silver platter and they say "Meh... I don't like this part. Change it." I take her challenge as both a compliment and a new possible way to see the evolution of a concept take on new form.<br /><br />This morning I loaded up the rest of my foamboard tape, razor, etc, into the car. I'll be bringing them up to the college tonight to see what we can make of this. I also brought the camera. Hopefully I'll have some good photos of the result.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-80696387408414669642009-07-13T07:00:00.001-05:002009-07-13T09:14:12.164-05:00Sketch: Resort at Punta Ixtapa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlMmENzZVWw1eVPZJeUhVqIadTeo9oySqjDt8WnUc8sIYdoPSRK6LKqLScDXBPf2TKNwi77grFe_qPvLt2pNCvZE04rZ_qTPvjQ_6rJea4Ovyz7ZO-BLcSA3qAEe_NobvB2hzOFpFjg/s1600-h/punta_ixtapa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlMmENzZVWw1eVPZJeUhVqIadTeo9oySqjDt8WnUc8sIYdoPSRK6LKqLScDXBPf2TKNwi77grFe_qPvLt2pNCvZE04rZ_qTPvjQ_6rJea4Ovyz7ZO-BLcSA3qAEe_NobvB2hzOFpFjg/s320/punta_ixtapa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357938860563457362" border="0" /></a>This is another masterwork by <a href="http://www.dva.com.mx/">Diego Villaseñor</a>. This is at a <a href="http://www.punta-ixtapa.com/">resort in Punta Ixtapa</a>, Mexico (click it to see a larger image), which will almost certainly be our next vacation once I am a millionare. The reason I chose this scene is because Villaseñor shows here an amazing command of simple geometric shapes, shadow, and natural elements. My mind isn't forced to comprehend anything except the view and how nice a dip in that pool would feel right about now. Just looking at this photo makes me feel more relaxed. His counters are present, such as the clay pot in the arched window, but they are subdued, and appear to belong there naturally as part of the context, rather than something contrived to simply be "different" for the sake of being different.<br /><br />Anyway, here's my humble attempt at sketching his work. (click to see a larger image)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiEX8QkzBR-INipEYB323teh04slvuxHZogQxyWXi4Sye7PhcDPEwJ_COgia6lrYYp_hN7uraEX4et77sWTsYoO274f93YmMJfisXxqJKHMD8Awuoip4VYdF2Z-DOFmUkhm8SVlpohA/s1600-h/punta_ixtapa_sketch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiEX8QkzBR-INipEYB323teh04slvuxHZogQxyWXi4Sye7PhcDPEwJ_COgia6lrYYp_hN7uraEX4et77sWTsYoO274f93YmMJfisXxqJKHMD8Awuoip4VYdF2Z-DOFmUkhm8SVlpohA/s320/punta_ixtapa_sketch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357938917828765554" border="0" /></a>I'm learned a few more interesting things while sketching this. One is how to vary my soft, medium, and hard shadows a bit more. Another is that when you view a ceiling fan, one side will look fat, the other will look skinny, because of the angle of the blades. I never quite realized it before though in retrospect I have no idea how I could have missed it. While sketching, I spent a good deal of time wondering what was in the basket. Soap? Rocks? Bread? I eventually decided that it must be very tightly rolled towels. Considering the pool and the deck chair, that's the most logical choice.<br /><br />The coup de grace, however, is the tree trunk on the left. The more I thought about it, the more brilliant it became. It is ironic, because it is a softer shape than the architecture, yet it is a dead tree. The curves and verticals beautifully transition from the floor, up the stairs towards the pool and arched window. The very idea of the dried out, dead tree makes me long for a dip in the pool. But the most brilliant part of the whole thing, that I only just now figured out is that it also acts as a convenient towel or robe rack.<br /><br />Lastly, this sketch was actually one of the most challenging yet. My sketches are supposed to be freehand, so I can't use a ruler to do my straight lines with. Getting relatively straight, parallel lines, or lines at the proper angles, took many, many tries. And no project is complete without at least one mistake. While scanning this in, apparently the corner got folded up in the flatbed, which explains the white square in the lower right. All in all though, I rather like this sketch, but I <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> the scene.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-56137848723667721542009-07-10T07:00:00.001-05:002009-07-10T13:19:25.945-05:00The Golden Ratio in Layman's Terms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboIzzJz9pusc5fljL3m74tmoY4mKJNYsRrjRwBteNZge2XFaa0D3pDTGB2v5MX8onzWwkl3QFrLG1ZFCb_jrVHnKq-YmCm4HFM1qndeU9K6e4cvP_IefQ-6XT9QwhRwaIjHNI3CDjxg/s1600-h/sculpture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboIzzJz9pusc5fljL3m74tmoY4mKJNYsRrjRwBteNZge2XFaa0D3pDTGB2v5MX8onzWwkl3QFrLG1ZFCb_jrVHnKq-YmCm4HFM1qndeU9K6e4cvP_IefQ-6XT9QwhRwaIjHNI3CDjxg/s320/sculpture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356894965021427506" border="0" /></a><br />The Golden Ratio is one of those concepts that is so incredible in its properties, presence, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">applicability</span> that the concept of it can easily overwhelm people. One hears the word "ratio of A to B is..." and proceeds to zone out, not hearing the rest, and not caring. But we students of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">architecture</span> do not have this luxury. The Golden Ratio is as fundamental to our would-be occupation as knowledge of heat and timing is to a cook. Some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">architecture</span> does exist that does not use the Golden Ratio, just as some cooking does not use a stove or oven, but knowing its use is more or less required knowledge to be able to discuss and appreciate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">architecture</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >What is a Ratio?</span><br /><br />So let's start at the most fundamental part. By "ratio" we mean how one thing compares to another. Let's start off simple...<br /><br />The ratio of 10 to 30 is 1:3<br /><br />This is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">not</span> the Golden Ratio, it is merely a simple ratio to explain how ratio plays a part before we get into the specifics of how a ratio can be "Golden".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOj997wcYxmINAjvmsb6aKigI8hgQsDB23CJFw0MyZdhCHzWVzutIbQkfIssAS-GD4FvsHw6YVU59OPWkPBium0MWmbZmOk27YSI64vXgvRJJnHy9q15dpg-wK-Eu3BMbJ2OGq1WF9g/s1600-h/ratios.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOj997wcYxmINAjvmsb6aKigI8hgQsDB23CJFw0MyZdhCHzWVzutIbQkfIssAS-GD4FvsHw6YVU59OPWkPBium0MWmbZmOk27YSI64vXgvRJJnHy9q15dpg-wK-Eu3BMbJ2OGq1WF9g/s320/ratios.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356887999657692370" border="0" /></a>The ":" is a shorthand way of expressing "(the amount on the left) compared to (the amount on the right)". You find this by figuring out what the greatest common denominator is (10), and dividing both numbers by it. Then simplify both sides. The result is 1:3. What this means is that your small and large amounts will always be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">proportional</span> to one another in this way.<br /><br />If you wanted a rectangle that was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">proportional</span> to a 1:3 ratio, it's sides could be 1x3, or 2x6, or 3x9, 4x12...10x30...50x150... notice how the number on the right is always three times the number on the left.<br /><br />If you wanted a triangle that was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">proportional</span> to a 1:3 ratio, your sides could be 1x1x3 or 3x3x1, or alternately you might decide to use a 1:3 angle for the ratio. Since a triangle's three inner angles must always total 180, if you wanted each angle to be at a 1:3 ratio from the other angles, then you would use a ratio of 1:3:9 (the "3" is three times 1, and one third of 9).<br /><br />This can be solved via simple equation. Since your base unit (x) is the one all your other units in the ratio will be based off of, you can set up your equation entirely in terms of "x"<br /><br />x+3x+9x=180<br />13x=180<br />x=180/13<br />x=13.84615...<br />3x=41.538461...<br />9x=124.615384...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QDuavI6yCt0exOQHJ3s_VENITy0yWm-vPVvYJ9ea6nPLYk8YEXgAZBD7C8t3M27hchVswBIfz8tZAtQIkrlrA0bL-O21tdFERC2lc1F_0gZOIuKGz2qJ_10pfXgsiBM6iSoLrW-Mbg/s1600-h/triangle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QDuavI6yCt0exOQHJ3s_VENITy0yWm-vPVvYJ9ea6nPLYk8YEXgAZBD7C8t3M27hchVswBIfz8tZAtQIkrlrA0bL-O21tdFERC2lc1F_0gZOIuKGz2qJ_10pfXgsiBM6iSoLrW-Mbg/s320/triangle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356887993420741154" border="0" /></a>So your triangle should have angles of roughly 14, 41, and 125. I realize the rounding is off on the 42, but all three angles must equal exactly 180, and even rounding to the nearest hundredth yields only a near-180 sum.<br /><br />But it also brings up a very valid point: unless you have an extremely precise and accurate need for the Golden Ratio, it does not have to get down into real life <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">measurements</span> of fractions of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">millimeters</span>. The intent will be easily enough recognized by other architects, and will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">harmoniously</span> felt by non-architects.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >So what makes a ratio "Golden?"</span><br /><br />The idea is actually much simpler than the math behind it.<br /><br />Instead of using specific numbers, let's use variables "a," "b," and "c" for the ratios.<br /><br />So any two-amount ratio can now be expressed simply as a:b<br /><br />In a Golden Ratio, "a," "b," and their total, "a+b" all have a special <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">relationship</span> to one another. The shorter amount has the same ratio to the larger amount as the larger amount has to the total of both amounts.<br /><br />For example, here is a line divided into two different lengths, "a," and "b,".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJU9YpaKqMwSbNqwJAgsmOXGGDrP2aFKvKmD2Y1lzTREgTiYswrdSwWlAZkXqoIfuGLLmR-XO6l8hgOIinn5AXBubQXSoMugL06bgDBRDp91p9x6HNIGBR364i5gyJS-2Mdz7tbJK4w/s1600-h/abline.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 49px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJU9YpaKqMwSbNqwJAgsmOXGGDrP2aFKvKmD2Y1lzTREgTiYswrdSwWlAZkXqoIfuGLLmR-XO6l8hgOIinn5AXBubQXSoMugL06bgDBRDp91p9x6HNIGBR364i5gyJS-2Mdz7tbJK4w/s320/abline.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356887991277522258" border="0" /></a>If the segment is golden, then the ratio of a to b should be the same as the ratio of b to the total of "a plus b", or expressed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">mathematically</span><br /><br />a:b = b:(a+b).<br /><br />A visual <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">representation</span> of this would be something like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2VjD7JWnY1gjZJ1J1-8XXGVlx1pTEfJzOumOy-GgB1NJuaafgy29_y4pKItx-kQfR6sRrvSD0ZHXzn8lIoQg7_CL4OMMN5TPM1yQLXClnqyN1GZEOjx7j2EA4TcieZwJvY7Cuc5JRg/s1600-h/ablines.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2VjD7JWnY1gjZJ1J1-8XXGVlx1pTEfJzOumOy-GgB1NJuaafgy29_y4pKItx-kQfR6sRrvSD0ZHXzn8lIoQg7_CL4OMMN5TPM1yQLXClnqyN1GZEOjx7j2EA4TcieZwJvY7Cuc5JRg/s320/ablines.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356887991294168114" border="0" /></a>a:b:(a+b)<br /><br />Sounds simple? The concept is very simple. However, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">mathematical</span> properties behind it are incredible. For the purposes of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">architecture</span> I'm only going to go into a couple of them.<br /><br />First, to simplify things, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">mathematical</span> symbol for the Golden Ratio is lower-case phi (<span style="font-weight: bold;">φ</span>). The uppercase form (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Φ</span>) is used for the reciprocal of the golden ratio of 1/<span style="font-weight: bold;">φ</span>.<br /><br />The variable equation for the Golden Ratio is:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIddJWTfLyLWTI-uSidUXZkFHgOBCQq0vqGe7LvaxHuCP1Ewk8diEcnxovgDDcSYvvYt04qiUsCZpQhlHu4G-UXDqzQzPQ7vUKSef9Uc6COqrE31Jzfmw7QdwAboD297rYfySS-2R_Q/s1600-h/phi-formula.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 56px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIddJWTfLyLWTI-uSidUXZkFHgOBCQq0vqGe7LvaxHuCP1Ewk8diEcnxovgDDcSYvvYt04qiUsCZpQhlHu4G-UXDqzQzPQ7vUKSef9Uc6COqrE31Jzfmw7QdwAboD297rYfySS-2R_Q/s320/phi-formula.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356890625581400818" border="0" /></a>But <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">realistically</span>, if you want to figure out what the Golden Ratio is on the fly, you need to multiply it by the numerical value.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyyfyzKimjdt2mnRaP0PjoIoPyG141HGfi0H-xB_t0nnCeI0F9ZqyYRWVEEw9nPmrOEbo3cBKfqB58HnHqgnCvn8lPXC-udPbV0MZlTIf2pgpnf4LLx51YXZ6wESQ5BNxzedK8FRL9w/s1600-h/phi-numerical_value.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyyfyzKimjdt2mnRaP0PjoIoPyG141HGfi0H-xB_t0nnCeI0F9ZqyYRWVEEw9nPmrOEbo3cBKfqB58HnHqgnCvn8lPXC-udPbV0MZlTIf2pgpnf4LLx51YXZ6wESQ5BNxzedK8FRL9w/s320/phi-numerical_value.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356890627642623650" border="0" /></a>If you just want "quick," it's probably okay to simply use 1.618, or even 1.6. If you want "good," or precise and accurate, then you need to multiply your base value by (1+√5)/2 to obtain a larger amount that creates a golden ratio to your base value. Alternately, you can use the reciprocal and multiply your base value by 1/((1+√5)/2)) to obtain a smaller amount that has a golden ratio to your base amount.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv-nQfp6ZFrvA3CqdIH9pmDFX4LOchIoZ9F9wfiHL5ll_Tf971c0BRWeC_u0QUGbJWL5TVMrjo3N3KYKgFapGyK049svPxITYiyEFq5P1ioYmMHnSla9N1-ygW7gBEuz6ycBAFCevIg/s1600-h/phi-reciprocal.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv-nQfp6ZFrvA3CqdIH9pmDFX4LOchIoZ9F9wfiHL5ll_Tf971c0BRWeC_u0QUGbJWL5TVMrjo3N3KYKgFapGyK049svPxITYiyEFq5P1ioYmMHnSla9N1-ygW7gBEuz6ycBAFCevIg/s320/phi-reciprocal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356890629188242882" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Interestingly</span> enough, the difference between the irrational number values of <span style="font-weight: bold;">φ</span> and its reciprocal <span style="font-weight: bold;">Φ</span> is exactly 1. So an easy way to keep them straight is to remember if you have a base value and want to go larger up the Golden scale, multiply by 1.618... and if you want to go smaller down the Golden Scale then multiply by 0.618...<br /><br />Now, the uses for the Golden Scale are nearly endless, but where you'll find the most common use is in the use of rectangles and squares.<br /><br />If you want to create a rectangle that is in Golden Scale to a base cube, you would do the following:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lc-wdoQCeR8yZ7UeoGFAWK_7I1pil6bHZspeECcQxZ7A6DwQ7HeOpsuiTy84FD1HzmxW9io9LMQNohj0sp2dNsaEd78qrMDPB8kSqbHpcNyWgcYFuKNgsMMpr9I3uB6WLnEF4frQHw/s1600-h/goldenhowto.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lc-wdoQCeR8yZ7UeoGFAWK_7I1pil6bHZspeECcQxZ7A6DwQ7HeOpsuiTy84FD1HzmxW9io9LMQNohj0sp2dNsaEd78qrMDPB8kSqbHpcNyWgcYFuKNgsMMpr9I3uB6WLnEF4frQHw/s320/goldenhowto.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356890634892696626" border="0" /></a>1. Start with a square (the red area).<br />2. Divide it in half.<br />3. Draw a diagonal from one of the corners created by the division, to the corner of the original square.<br />4. Use a compass to arc it around, then extend the wall of your square towards the arc until it intersects. The total length of that line, from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">intersection</span> to the opposite side of the square, is in Golden Ratio to the original side of the square.<br />5. Simply use this new line as the long side of your new rectangle, and the width of your square as the short side of the rectangle, and you now have a rectangle that is golden proportion to your square.<br />6. Alternately, you could use the new line as the value to make another square, and have two squares in golden proportion to one another, as I have illustrated below.<br /><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1028"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\bh79469\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.png" title=""> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoMsR1RJdSVE3kNmko8P1w9zZ0oaIOLuV84HKzTbKRK6q6IBOG0q29xJZ4txJBGJQ0JRyqfpN82Rr57tQdHafMeWjmfYi_rVhUP00sMM4MloehBP13XpHGrN2ORJBPJTYqaCz26nfqw/s1600-h/golden1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoMsR1RJdSVE3kNmko8P1w9zZ0oaIOLuV84HKzTbKRK6q6IBOG0q29xJZ4txJBGJQ0JRyqfpN82Rr57tQdHafMeWjmfYi_rVhUP00sMM4MloehBP13XpHGrN2ORJBPJTYqaCz26nfqw/s320/golden1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356669158309571874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Notice how this is not a linear progression upwards, but rather a half-parabola.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Fibonacci Connection:</span></span><br /><br />Lastly, it's important to know the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">relationship</span> between a Fibonacci series and the Golden Ratio. In short, the Fibonacci Sequence is derived by adding the two previous numbers to arrive at the next one. For instance:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, …</span><br /><br />0+1=1, then 1+1=2, then 1+2=3, then 2+3=5, then 3+5=8, etc...<br /><br />As these numbers get larger, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">relationship</span> between any two adjacent numbers in the sequence approaches the Golden Ratio. Try it and see...<br /><br />8/5 = 1.6<br />13/8 = 1.625<br />21/13 = 1.615<br />34/21 = 1.619<br />55/34 = 1.617647...<br />89/55 = 1.618181...<br /><br />As previously mentioned, since in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Architecture</span>, the intent and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">approximation</span> of the Golden Ratio are more important than the exactness of the numbers, the Fibonacci sequence provides a convenient set of Golden Ratio numbers to use.<br /><br />However, one is certainly not limited by that Fibonacci Sequence. Instead, one might decide to start with a base of any number, multiply it by phi, then take the result and multiply it by phi, and immediately, a new Fibonacci series becomes apparent...<br /><br />10*(1.618)=16.18<br />16*(1.618)=26.179...<br />26*(1.618)=42.358...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >10, 16, 26, 42...</span><br />(10+16=26), (16+26=42)...etc...<br /><br />So the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Series are intimately associated with one another.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iitgex-083imrJwl-Wo42u4DVuz-gCkqPo2EEKI-g8Mn5TMeYbD-jsK2YlQhyphenhyphenYAE-2LyfobWIh_7XsrGziy6CobMR7Imv1BSWVXmYSAiwkcQfO1d7d57aY2QzeyxlhgC78sqHUfQ-A/s1600-h/spiral.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iitgex-083imrJwl-Wo42u4DVuz-gCkqPo2EEKI-g8Mn5TMeYbD-jsK2YlQhyphenhyphenYAE-2LyfobWIh_7XsrGziy6CobMR7Imv1BSWVXmYSAiwkcQfO1d7d57aY2QzeyxlhgC78sqHUfQ-A/s320/spiral.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356891870728162162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">a Fibonacci Golden Spiral</span></span><br /><br /></div>There are countless other odd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">relationships</span> and facts that make the Golden Ratio interesting to not just architects, but also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">mathematicians</span>, physicists, biologists, artists, musicians, and every other walk of the higher arts and sciences. It is little wonder that it should play such an important role in an architect's education. Though some architects, like Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Gehry</span>, eschew the Golden Ratio in their own works, the same way a cook might forswear the oven and stove in favor of the grill or the fire pit, the essential knowledge of it is vital to our occupation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-60032891566951513572009-07-09T22:07:00.004-05:002009-07-09T22:22:23.887-05:00Grid Enlargement Sketch: Shinto Shrine, Japan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZQxBRh3DDHcA2jiVHZNhDt2Zl9QEnkXtGnV9Ir120jZN9dlIb-pQXRAeDfCi62Nf_n7O1_IHnS2tqHesebgBwP5hC347K9tZiNZoLeXsNsL8VPfe2-P0UQUG_5rY95xc91mq77M29w/s1600-h/grid1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZQxBRh3DDHcA2jiVHZNhDt2Zl9QEnkXtGnV9Ir120jZN9dlIb-pQXRAeDfCi62Nf_n7O1_IHnS2tqHesebgBwP5hC347K9tZiNZoLeXsNsL8VPfe2-P0UQUG_5rY95xc91mq77M29w/s320/grid1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356663246108183394" border="0" /></a>So on our very first day of class, the Professor hands out several stacks of xeroxed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">architectural</span> drawings and tells us to pick on that we like. I thumbed through them for a bit and found this one of a Shinto Shrine in Japan, by James C. Watkins. It was large enough to fill an 8.5x11 sheet of paper and very nice. I've got a soft spot for Japanese <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">architecture</span>, despite my ignorance of its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">technicalities</span> so far. Perhaps at some point I'll get to the local Japanese Water Gardens and snap off a good photo spread for the blog. Anyway, after we'd all chosen our pictures we were instructed to grid them and then enlarge them. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">aCk</span>! After I got home, it took me two hours just to grid both pages with an accurate grid. For the original, I used 0.5 inches, for the enlargement I used 0.75 inches. We were actually supposed to do 1.0 inch enlargement, but our medium was limited to 11x17, and it would have been impossible to satisfy both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">requirements</span>, so I adjusted my measurement to scale. The result turned out okay, I suppose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAS7GNenOLFUljZ2cLTb1bGwdV76m_kmSHiu_Lvl2FtPKRlMSBxliNYwkZuH7lgnzhZqNCfW1l1aqHez9q4k47_RHkfLnV3g6wba6UGTO384k8pgHEvzwbBgHwxQJpWi7O-zpUIjLgQ/s1600-h/grid2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAS7GNenOLFUljZ2cLTb1bGwdV76m_kmSHiu_Lvl2FtPKRlMSBxliNYwkZuH7lgnzhZqNCfW1l1aqHez9q4k47_RHkfLnV3g6wba6UGTO384k8pgHEvzwbBgHwxQJpWi7O-zpUIjLgQ/s320/grid2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356663243924195442" border="0" /></a>Not counting the two hours spent gridding the thing, the actual drawing part took me about six hours to do. I apologize for the messy scan. The enlargement had to travel rolled up and it's also so large my flatbed required two scans to get it all, then I had to reassemble it in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Photoshop</span>. But for the most part, this is what it looked like. I couldn't possibly upload the original pixel size to the blog, so I reduced the sizes to 400 width and 600 width to simulate the enlargement that took place. Of course neither will be evident from the blog post as it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">resizes</span> them, you'll have to click the images to see the "actual pixel" size. Anyway, the professor was satisfied with the result and she gave me a 49/50, which is very encouraging, though now I'm wondering which of the many flaws my grid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">enlargement</span> sketch actually lost me a point.<br /><br />Anyway, that's all for tonight. Friday I'll post a bit about the Golden Ratio.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-13016760666304063192009-07-08T22:15:00.004-05:002009-07-08T22:44:41.073-05:00Sketch: Casa PapelillosThe Summer II Semester has started up, and I'm buried in "Introduction to Architecture" and loving it. In some ways I'm torn between wishing I'd been able to take this class in the Fall Semester, so I'd get more information over more weeks versus being glad I am taking it in the summer so I could have this class four nights a week. It's a rare thing to be taking a class I enjoy so much. In any event, I have to regularly do sketches now, and since I've got a scanner, I'll try to get them up here on the blog as often as possible. Anyway, today I present you with my very first freehand architectural sketch of a building I fell in love with a month ago. You can click on the images for a larger view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM9VIJ_1e2kUKKVkmHvVgLMmCLxWanIFVusmwCvuppctCUXp4oSpZvgEsv8f_p9TP0HK-2KJ3PkNATpx6nF19cO8uptQ8YC3ZiJezQYM14U7dCY9zSxYf4QwIVpjXiyDrb_8TvA-Iyw/s1600-h/papelillos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM9VIJ_1e2kUKKVkmHvVgLMmCLxWanIFVusmwCvuppctCUXp4oSpZvgEsv8f_p9TP0HK-2KJ3PkNATpx6nF19cO8uptQ8YC3ZiJezQYM14U7dCY9zSxYf4QwIVpjXiyDrb_8TvA-Iyw/s320/papelillos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356295675917647314" border="0" /></a>This is <a href="http://www.casapapelillos.com/">Casa Papelillos</a>, designed by architect <a href="http://www.dva.com.mx/">Diego Villaseñor</a>. It's located in a quaint little fishing village called Punta de Mita, Mexico. It's a 19,000 square foot residence consisting of a main hacienda and a guest house. It's capable of housing about 20 guests comfortably, and is located in the Ranchos Estates (an exclusive, gated community). It has all the modern accoutrements you could want, the list goes on. Suffice it to say that you need to visit Villaseñor's site to see more of his works, and the Papelillos site to see more of it. This house is one of the reasons I want to be an architect so much.<br /><br />In any event, this is only one view of the estate, but is one of the most beautiful. I had to sketch it. And here it is...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLzxgB67gmKXjlWe76IYfzcBS9yyopALJOKK_JPrwDtHhsg-_5nztbnasGCIceho2UqqMXieKtdNc89OG_LuD-kxUN0fg6-autGbJ_0YIbL3R_LBUes1pJdYQNEjEa3bhXe3TU9ZMNg/s1600-h/papelillos_sketch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLzxgB67gmKXjlWe76IYfzcBS9yyopALJOKK_JPrwDtHhsg-_5nztbnasGCIceho2UqqMXieKtdNc89OG_LuD-kxUN0fg6-autGbJ_0YIbL3R_LBUes1pJdYQNEjEa3bhXe3TU9ZMNg/s320/papelillos_sketch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356295704812912978" border="0" /> </a>In case you're wondering what that smudge is in the lower-right, it's my signature. I'm not keen on posting that to the web for obvious reasons. Anyway, I'm not that great...yet. But with practice I hope to become great. . And along the way, perhaps I'll gain more inspiration. I can tell I'll be studying Villaseñor's works for a long time. As soon as I get it back, I'll post my other, non-freehand sketch (a gridded enlargement).<br /><br />I will try to keep this blog updated at least three times a week. Perhaps more often as I get into sketching everything in sight, but between homework assignments, work, wife, kid, house, temple, etc, it will be difficult sometimes. Still, I love doing this, and god-willing, even if I become a Starchitect one day, I'll still be keeping up this blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-31246853170744339122009-07-07T07:00:00.002-05:002009-07-07T10:41:36.820-05:00Separating Space and Serving Soup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6yWlJme3d54bvXbXWZoQUoDQid6T4ivxgJ4eYqFaaarh6a3dV3lZHm7tHWU-aO10-MGQOfgIS1DK3aPCpQIhyf6mzBx_xL9VxP_kzvDCYpVnjkVjoJ22REttxYreRQJXT-ULW73U_g/s1600-h/soup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6yWlJme3d54bvXbXWZoQUoDQid6T4ivxgJ4eYqFaaarh6a3dV3lZHm7tHWU-aO10-MGQOfgIS1DK3aPCpQIhyf6mzBx_xL9VxP_kzvDCYpVnjkVjoJ22REttxYreRQJXT-ULW73U_g/s320/soup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355709920229044882" border="0" /></a><br />Architecture separates space. Before the structure, there is only the client, the environment, and space. The plan must meet the means, needs, and desires of the client. The structure must durably transcend the challenges the environment poses to achieve those ends. An engineer considers this before designing a structure. An architect makes an art of it. A great architect evolves it. Great architecture beautifully and timelessly defines space that serves both man and environment. The greatest achievements of both are as elegant in simplicity as a bowl of soup.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SC3lTV3ozdtKr_hOmMSu5wJJpUFTxha_6ytVZRNu_yasrNQIiICMtXvcDw83aoMzeRmyoXgo7ZfXifbE37G2xKNbla-9vmt41KF30dZcpTMwG4_p_dYY_Qi8OrJBduQezZ_Uj6M5pA/s1600-h/separation+of+space.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SC3lTV3ozdtKr_hOmMSu5wJJpUFTxha_6ytVZRNu_yasrNQIiICMtXvcDw83aoMzeRmyoXgo7ZfXifbE37G2xKNbla-9vmt41KF30dZcpTMwG4_p_dYY_Qi8OrJBduQezZ_Uj6M5pA/s320/separation+of+space.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355712968865389810" border="0" /></a><br />Architecture is not about the structure itself, but rather the space it separates. This is the primary difference between architecture and design. Design focuses on the structure, how it will appear inside and out, and its aesthetic appeal. The most beautiful house in the world can yield an ugly life. The most impressive looking office can prove an inefficient loss. The grandest church can provide an unsatisfying experience. So important is the separation of space that poor execution of it can ruin anything. The Book of Tao explains, “by the existence of things we profit, and by the non-existence of things, we are served,” (Lao-Tzu, 2:11) For instance, a bowl is not useful because of its material; a bowl made of wood will function as well as one made of gold. A bowl is not useful because of its décor; an unadorned bowl will function as well as one painted by Michelangelo. A bowl is not useful because of what it contains; a bowl may contain nearly anything that will fit within it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDUoUz0-DjVt16uQbDJJ3Upbwfp6a4fR6uwX6rXd5Dybbcv7p8zcDci6t7STZG15t2X_6nxdj1W7fS9L4rirktOVQvT_5IcW4MR27X16X86vWvR2aFz4T1BD4yq0bTfVNRZwYHU5lgg/s1600-h/empty-bowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDUoUz0-DjVt16uQbDJJ3Upbwfp6a4fR6uwX6rXd5Dybbcv7p8zcDci6t7STZG15t2X_6nxdj1W7fS9L4rirktOVQvT_5IcW4MR27X16X86vWvR2aFz4T1BD4yq0bTfVNRZwYHU5lgg/s320/empty-bowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355711855582864706" border="0" /></a><br />What makes a bowl so useful is the hollow space that is defined and separated by the existence of the bowl itself. The space within a bowl was always there, but undefined and unusable for the purposes of holding soup until the bowl encompassed that space. A sphere might look the part of a bowl if it is only considered from above or below, but would be just as useless for holding soup as a solid half-sphere would be if the bowl were viewed from the side. What makes the bowl useful is the hollow within. One might be tempted to wonder then why most bowls are round and semi-spherical. It is because the natural use and primary function of the separated space usually determines the shape of what bounds it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Zq8eShuEIReYfeQYHQ17odxIuU3CGelfqCNr_r_sL4fT73P1mWCMncY4U4o_AVlqCs3bbPBUy4hDYV5xvkhcI_acID0Iu5IV0j2c0VXq50gpJ8o0cDWHLf_bLw7smW-y3ejyVIvvg/s1600-h/250px-Getty_Tomb_Graceland_Sullivan_front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-Zq8eShuEIReYfeQYHQ17odxIuU3CGelfqCNr_r_sL4fT73P1mWCMncY4U4o_AVlqCs3bbPBUy4hDYV5xvkhcI_acID0Iu5IV0j2c0VXq50gpJ8o0cDWHLf_bLw7smW-y3ejyVIvvg/s320/250px-Getty_Tomb_Graceland_Sullivan_front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355714282055583554" border="0" /></a><br />“Form ever follows function,” according to Louis H. Sullivan (Lippincott’s Magazine, March, 1896). Before the space becomes separated, the architect must consider the needs of the client. Is the space to be a home? If so, how cold is the environment in winter, and how hot are the summers? What are the physical needs of those living within it? How many will be expected to live there, and what cultural considerations must be taken into effect? How will the neighborhood lots be allocated? What about once the buying family moves out and another family moves in ten years from now? Fifty years? A hundred? A thousand?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OudD4qYhw5TNiCoBbHACEZVyPD3ixDgQrIvSbwWrDIKCUrRzEyk169X_yEKqStdx-P30H8KqxDtFaP7SZzuR-7LOECs4TGdC4sjIWmhBBzBHfwM680u-4zRQRuG_kLUQ5vOL1KugQw/s1600-h/2008_1_toronto1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OudD4qYhw5TNiCoBbHACEZVyPD3ixDgQrIvSbwWrDIKCUrRzEyk169X_yEKqStdx-P30H8KqxDtFaP7SZzuR-7LOECs4TGdC4sjIWmhBBzBHfwM680u-4zRQRuG_kLUQ5vOL1KugQw/s320/2008_1_toronto1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355715787373927106" border="0" /></a><br />A home is so much more than a few walls, windows, and doors. With every consideration of client, environment, means, and future needs, it is as complex as trying to figure out the end of a game of chess after only ten moves. Yet a house is probably the simplest structure to design. It is not unlike the bowl of soup. If one examines the soup bowl, it might be flattened on the bottom, to serve the need for stability. The curvature of the bowl might be roughly the same as the edge of an egg, to serve the need of using a spoon. The walls of the bowls might be about a quarter-inch thick, so as to remain thick enough to keep the hand from burning. The size of the bowl might be about the size of a hand with splayed fingers, so as to cup it comfortably from underneath.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjmbqjOw_egcOU24f-0qbvCZbL9kikzAKaG76ZksznaY8Xk6S5kUGlVMtp6g48Lm17hV7_f6stpZLsOY7MknAWZjD7TUcefkuy1Nd2GfAEUUj_WbVyC4OKkHWzutT9RMHuU2JjEje1g/s1600-h/Stainless+dog+bowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjmbqjOw_egcOU24f-0qbvCZbL9kikzAKaG76ZksznaY8Xk6S5kUGlVMtp6g48Lm17hV7_f6stpZLsOY7MknAWZjD7TUcefkuy1Nd2GfAEUUj_WbVyC4OKkHWzutT9RMHuU2JjEje1g/s320/Stainless+dog+bowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355716644406490706" border="0" /></a>Or, it might be none of these things if the need was for a dog’s water bowl. If the standard image of the dog’s water bowl and soup bowl were switched, both would give an overall unsatisfying experience to the user. The dog would continually knock over its water, and the human would have trouble picking up and holding the soup. If one approaches architecture first from a functional standpoint, the form becomes more naturally apparent as each fundamental need is resolved. An ascetic shrine with great consideration towards function will fulfill more than the ostentatious cathedral that forgets its reason for being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vttoQlJgjmZPMj7_4odW76I1y8H9OASQJkbLxnHlYqOu4AEoYqmwYg7Frg7lhlFrHBiuUyH8KgE8GKmbFiU4TjjwJN9zOn0I1G4K1HJqy4BQoE5Nk6ph9QSqYmS4ny6gk8eFi2Bg3g/s1600-h/2004BlueCavesArch2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vttoQlJgjmZPMj7_4odW76I1y8H9OASQJkbLxnHlYqOu4AEoYqmwYg7Frg7lhlFrHBiuUyH8KgE8GKmbFiU4TjjwJN9zOn0I1G4K1HJqy4BQoE5Nk6ph9QSqYmS4ny6gk8eFi2Bg3g/s320/2004BlueCavesArch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355718756166547682" border="0" /></a><br />Nature prefers order and simplicity to chaos and complexity. A spider’s web achieves uniformity not through complex equations, but because the spider uses its own body for its primary unit of measurement. Likewise, architecture has for the last few millennia relied on divisions of circles to achieve that which materials alone could not. The ubiquitous arch is beautiful in its own right, but was designed as a pragmatic solution to bear weight while conserving materials and allowing passage through a wall that separates two spaces. Arches are not beautiful because of their existence. They are beautiful because the solid wall that would otherwise be there no longer exists and a permeated one remains.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljcZaQNWWQXMmWEJjz4N1Q3Wfx361k-ernjP2UUn2E9Hat00Gnuv3nmoQjsWL1nQmWjtTyScosDdyCp7rZMWoCd5R4JqenFqevmxO4X7pSHgF_bxOZuYnpGu5izTos2dv9Z2M6RekzQ/s1600-h/470095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljcZaQNWWQXMmWEJjz4N1Q3Wfx361k-ernjP2UUn2E9Hat00Gnuv3nmoQjsWL1nQmWjtTyScosDdyCp7rZMWoCd5R4JqenFqevmxO4X7pSHgF_bxOZuYnpGu5izTos2dv9Z2M6RekzQ/s320/470095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355719597624193314" border="0" /></a>Antoine de Saint-Exupery claims, “perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Applying this to architecture, one may conclude that facades, columns, pediments, and arches may be well and good, but that the core of the structure should be elegant in its simplicity. Styles will come and go, owners will change hands, and the surrounding area will be renewed and rebuilt over time. Sentiment aside, what allows a building to remain a permanent part of the locale is not an overabundance of design, but rather simplicity and timelessness. Even in massive structures with gargantuan internal spaces this is the case.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ubDx-9mWa18uUoNB_DD1k77S8MM1R61r-OZ4pG87o_a8DZqx8NAyBZx5udqRmMqYxuaCgIWnXLFSV8lEMEjZbP6CKxHMt0r9f0uc1FB0H3S2eIzH42gw0mL2-wFHAwtqs2UYjNFiw/s1600-h/fp-dallas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ubDx-9mWa18uUoNB_DD1k77S8MM1R61r-OZ4pG87o_a8DZqx8NAyBZx5udqRmMqYxuaCgIWnXLFSV8lEMEjZbP6CKxHMt0r9f0uc1FB0H3S2eIzH42gw0mL2-wFHAwtqs2UYjNFiw/s320/fp-dallas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355707412991062082" border="0" /></a><br />I.M. Pei’s Fountain Place is a prime example of what architects for hundreds of years have been trying to achieve: height and walls made almost entirely of glass. The very shape of the thing is crystalline and gives the impression of staring at a piece of sky. A façade would ruin it. Externally, it is as near to perfection for the intentions that designed gothic cathedrals, yet internally it is an office building. Layer after layer of floors, internal walls, and supports mean that internally it lacks the perfection that the outside implies.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAhePOgv8C7cBxYKdmEMP8GMvAaFhkcQduP3r403EcmB9A9WMLONxkqIOZH4-xKQhT500sMtQgtEzWoGKNw4xD7GzbY7QbbQ6OT3TR2C5yo-v309z6IcAC4NOWY45HCf7523WWi3Blg/s1600-h/new_cowboys_stadium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAhePOgv8C7cBxYKdmEMP8GMvAaFhkcQduP3r403EcmB9A9WMLONxkqIOZH4-xKQhT500sMtQgtEzWoGKNw4xD7GzbY7QbbQ6OT3TR2C5yo-v309z6IcAC4NOWY45HCf7523WWi3Blg/s320/new_cowboys_stadium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355708953400724834" border="0" /></a><br />The Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is almost the exact opposite. Externally the site is monstrous, far from beautiful. It looks like little more than a naked metal mountain from a distance. And yet, internally it achieves an empty space of such monumental proportions that it encompasses about two and a half times as much square footage as Fountain Place, with little more than a heavily supported retractable shell. Neither achieves perfection, but it is through what they lack, rather than what they have, that defines their best qualities. As regards the serving of soup, a bowl with too much material and excess makes the bowl too heavy to use, too fragile to clean, and too much trouble to do anything but sit on a shelf. For soup, what one needs more than a brazen reliquary is a simple ceramic bowl.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPI7VDfkjFmyS074i67K6YeG8Za_X2-tZOLuSgEHGC49YhQWW9eYfOg85vew_Wfaj7bckGnmWgnO6yAFtW3aKFcnmtnE6BtJU4yIlbC1gPOTp-YxrwJkOzeGB2ukv1w-ix_mf4Hsdww/s1600-h/Tempietto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPI7VDfkjFmyS074i67K6YeG8Za_X2-tZOLuSgEHGC49YhQWW9eYfOg85vew_Wfaj7bckGnmWgnO6yAFtW3aKFcnmtnE6BtJU4yIlbC1gPOTp-YxrwJkOzeGB2ukv1w-ix_mf4Hsdww/s320/Tempietto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355720761991603154" border="0" /></a><br />Ultimately, the very definition of perfection in architecture will be forever up for debate. Some will desire a perfectly environmentally conscious building that conforms to the tenant of Feng Shui, and never overcomes the beauty of nature around it. Others will need a fortress capable of withstanding all elements of nature and warfare and make the most efficient use of compartmentalization. Great architecture is the rare occurrence when perfect harmony is achieved between the desires of the client, the vision of the architect, and the needs of the future. Like a bowl of soup, it fulfills not because it is larger than life, but because it is conducive to it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-54176828630204357032009-07-03T07:00:00.002-05:002009-07-03T07:00:09.125-05:00Italian Architecture (Part II)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSqHYBvzHI19_fL_BkVeewbg3SgTb8i1h95huJPWfXI7ShrScZiFM8avYKN_bAc_EoYYf2VAPx56x3cezyXdJVSXBKRDitEZVKy_EUsc3xo5_THmcvW3Tw_L_TdqAL-3ZIJ6tLJ-vA/s1600-h/0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lSqHYBvzHI19_fL_BkVeewbg3SgTb8i1h95huJPWfXI7ShrScZiFM8avYKN_bAc_EoYYf2VAPx56x3cezyXdJVSXBKRDitEZVKy_EUsc3xo5_THmcvW3Tw_L_TdqAL-3ZIJ6tLJ-vA/s320/0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353963077743615410" border="0" /></a>Today we explore Part II of Italian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Architecture</span>. My hand is still pretty badly burnt, so once again, my commentary will be rather spartan. Hopefully by Monday it'll be healed enough to type out more than just a few lines here and there.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnQWTuMRSPym51J55BsG-o3y5QfidmHON2tZFwr1KOpH2H1GuS_-wr1bXRwwQjAxWel_Fp3luiZqFcmwf-t1w4sD3i3JlxNSiMbb6lYlCowoQmnBKhtrdpff2Gm0lf8va4U2yRZgANg/s1600-h/26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnQWTuMRSPym51J55BsG-o3y5QfidmHON2tZFwr1KOpH2H1GuS_-wr1bXRwwQjAxWel_Fp3luiZqFcmwf-t1w4sD3i3JlxNSiMbb6lYlCowoQmnBKhtrdpff2Gm0lf8va4U2yRZgANg/s320/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353963072894869618" border="0" /></a>This probably should have been in yesterday's post, but I certainly couldn't leave it out.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8vdVzHNK4bWFEjsvIDxixPFu8h5Bq5LbW7xKUPO2T8xR1H8r2iOHYm2wDTkxLIJF7BwVY2a1O9RWmQL7i299h1aTZ66oPiycENkAULWfL6wT4waAFc02zKAVXXMvL_9yi8VHtZEbOA/s1600-h/27.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8vdVzHNK4bWFEjsvIDxixPFu8h5Bq5LbW7xKUPO2T8xR1H8r2iOHYm2wDTkxLIJF7BwVY2a1O9RWmQL7i299h1aTZ66oPiycENkAULWfL6wT4waAFc02zKAVXXMvL_9yi8VHtZEbOA/s320/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962946928755874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiieYSdG8YL13G73oklQLKQWSli-ELb0MEW6c2BZvg2SCzqZ7ISsy6SZu5v0iJhgI2Fl45vSqqyBrmxwN6DQROSwgs0oIZqY790rmV4NFfXeUrA2LcoyIUROhtip4YHr49v4hy18c6A/s1600-h/31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiieYSdG8YL13G73oklQLKQWSli-ELb0MEW6c2BZvg2SCzqZ7ISsy6SZu5v0iJhgI2Fl45vSqqyBrmxwN6DQROSwgs0oIZqY790rmV4NFfXeUrA2LcoyIUROhtip4YHr49v4hy18c6A/s320/31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962935705112690" border="0" /></a><br />No, it's not the Arc <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Triomphe</span>, it's the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Arch of Titus</span>. Thanks to Napoleon "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lookie</span>-What-I-Did" Bonaparte, this poor arch always gets the shaft. The Arch of Titus is the penultimate arch, on which almost all other triumphal arches were based.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoR4rdzRRQdfNfXAWsUO5sdQ_LpBldFK-wNHDTYaP4IUVQ-IbpUUkQ67tRo60TOKS5wz2hX9BLhhteVV7N42hGNm45LoWdziDK2L9mJDr0vmXSTlr79K4CPrGtNeR-KeCB9rrdRLNeg/s1600-h/28.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoR4rdzRRQdfNfXAWsUO5sdQ_LpBldFK-wNHDTYaP4IUVQ-IbpUUkQ67tRo60TOKS5wz2hX9BLhhteVV7N42hGNm45LoWdziDK2L9mJDr0vmXSTlr79K4CPrGtNeR-KeCB9rrdRLNeg/s320/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962945766315490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnvs3rsw1Akxw8s8KIkK7FO2M2xVRBS4NDJZ5MZnx3_FwKgjK_EvNRzTM-VPUwxQOHskmaQN2Ihzsg8fiJAojZaEP5gadydBOGPxokociHaj87epN-EmnEQKiQsf838XQ9GPIu1WiEQ/s1600-h/30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnvs3rsw1Akxw8s8KIkK7FO2M2xVRBS4NDJZ5MZnx3_FwKgjK_EvNRzTM-VPUwxQOHskmaQN2Ihzsg8fiJAojZaEP5gadydBOGPxokociHaj87epN-EmnEQKiQsf838XQ9GPIu1WiEQ/s320/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962939905978418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxmivGHstC6sVlfOA1bxlnxvLposmoJ1A0nZEAIkE_miouP7Nm76hBhpcseGAcXOrz3eGXuWHA-yPkNMl60xhdW3d_1U9k5NHhGMHOG3UuDo06XT3FSBC-v1bGUFT4-y-17W7_ymHHg/s1600-h/32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxmivGHstC6sVlfOA1bxlnxvLposmoJ1A0nZEAIkE_miouP7Nm76hBhpcseGAcXOrz3eGXuWHA-yPkNMl60xhdW3d_1U9k5NHhGMHOG3UuDo06XT3FSBC-v1bGUFT4-y-17W7_ymHHg/s320/32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962934123657602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuVj6ErVh5vpO1wv8LEG3BqvgsvEWMFuyQllvKktgeElCzIXM81gkgYKSqpLHYh7K3NENgQQJfGTQsbSp6tcKDeCxkZ4D6yXuSuVDEFUBI4IhCLTD51_CpqpJpjPdi_wO7SI3_xhGeg/s1600-h/34.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuVj6ErVh5vpO1wv8LEG3BqvgsvEWMFuyQllvKktgeElCzIXM81gkgYKSqpLHYh7K3NENgQQJfGTQsbSp6tcKDeCxkZ4D6yXuSuVDEFUBI4IhCLTD51_CpqpJpjPdi_wO7SI3_xhGeg/s320/34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962734711660226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_tYjiv0VLFCeSw031lt88RAJWoI0iZVY-_QuBQXw_A3JmUlprbHWbASBb98E3eVD6yWTqBGezESKcWjAKAPuY3kgxYnAgjHJUkdXXPUj6TD-15pPcb8hvSQnY8fSoQ6MhTyRoIv8Lw/s1600-h/35.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_tYjiv0VLFCeSw031lt88RAJWoI0iZVY-_QuBQXw_A3JmUlprbHWbASBb98E3eVD6yWTqBGezESKcWjAKAPuY3kgxYnAgjHJUkdXXPUj6TD-15pPcb8hvSQnY8fSoQ6MhTyRoIv8Lw/s320/35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962729783354258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhQm70aAKE-JWSR-xdSOLtyEJkEU8SOZSTAgFK2C6aK-uGoTeUnrCqRMwavn0jabYglUFEVwuM2uGrZl3DEtPpArXZhGsQ0vJN05SM_nVPGu7PsOCvzrbUuRQlwAAFUwZWlR1bd7EcQ/s1600-h/33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhQm70aAKE-JWSR-xdSOLtyEJkEU8SOZSTAgFK2C6aK-uGoTeUnrCqRMwavn0jabYglUFEVwuM2uGrZl3DEtPpArXZhGsQ0vJN05SM_nVPGu7PsOCvzrbUuRQlwAAFUwZWlR1bd7EcQ/s320/33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962736720330338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWUzrx0ivk05PC4POZyv_HUMCm3Nv5Pyq7RNEdSPUFj3Djus1OdVxF1q1c_wedXO97fDEZl8ryq8MsAZ7pzRI-MYWuLg4o4OLHtt3xX6-sjMHB6jrGe5iR3d9gOZ7CEjEgKEKVgEPUA/s1600-h/36.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWUzrx0ivk05PC4POZyv_HUMCm3Nv5Pyq7RNEdSPUFj3Djus1OdVxF1q1c_wedXO97fDEZl8ryq8MsAZ7pzRI-MYWuLg4o4OLHtt3xX6-sjMHB6jrGe5iR3d9gOZ7CEjEgKEKVgEPUA/s320/36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962730340450690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKnLCGrb54dMMd3-vf3FWrABh4cn0M9Z4cpFNpPPd9I2Xt9On-0vq7PmQ3atXpRgzL-c5OkMRHFZV_XCU3ysT0FDxPgzQzbm2zulW5b-lo6zykALTI86wFZqOPgE20nnM7HLQznX8Yw/s1600-h/37.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKnLCGrb54dMMd3-vf3FWrABh4cn0M9Z4cpFNpPPd9I2Xt9On-0vq7PmQ3atXpRgzL-c5OkMRHFZV_XCU3ysT0FDxPgzQzbm2zulW5b-lo6zykALTI86wFZqOPgE20nnM7HLQznX8Yw/s320/37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962726198569330" border="0" /></a>I love the thin line between the Old World...and the Even Older World in this photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_wgvprhKZjTrV6v-WqW0qrhVpjlYEp-iPmzyzABz3KYaeqQkzezVxl7xBFTIGHPG_UuYbSjacoWq3fdmMl8dQjP8DJW_-luraurlAPbjEEa8GuVshJoPWI6gCH_L8Te9Byb1kofMXQ/s1600-h/41.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_wgvprhKZjTrV6v-WqW0qrhVpjlYEp-iPmzyzABz3KYaeqQkzezVxl7xBFTIGHPG_UuYbSjacoWq3fdmMl8dQjP8DJW_-luraurlAPbjEEa8GuVshJoPWI6gCH_L8Te9Byb1kofMXQ/s320/41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962567058634066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1CexwJM5WybIKqpXRUUlrcv0f8F31JxXNNwnjR_e8yyOJguqtgmsJojx2436AJgaqF47UMZ4h0RmiVLzbpZs9CILp1361eXuYYi7X2WgmoJrV3bUPFmOy5gqTjsurbbvByxvYidCvA/s1600-h/42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1CexwJM5WybIKqpXRUUlrcv0f8F31JxXNNwnjR_e8yyOJguqtgmsJojx2436AJgaqF47UMZ4h0RmiVLzbpZs9CILp1361eXuYYi7X2WgmoJrV3bUPFmOy5gqTjsurbbvByxvYidCvA/s320/42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962562775950754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEyX8rBcPO6N9l6z9HnjJZMdm1KaSqUVoI2qN4q4ww1YqdrTWjUFB0XimuLcmOgJYz0FIu_XdYT5SihT_sIWjiNwDQworZsw-jMfTAqLts_3mIknw5tQEkjc5XQS6YjpNZxEJkyzWSg/s1600-h/43.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEyX8rBcPO6N9l6z9HnjJZMdm1KaSqUVoI2qN4q4ww1YqdrTWjUFB0XimuLcmOgJYz0FIu_XdYT5SihT_sIWjiNwDQworZsw-jMfTAqLts_3mIknw5tQEkjc5XQS6YjpNZxEJkyzWSg/s320/43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962562646462530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10sBEuIPtqc2sPKij4n369dgLdB-mG6DDJTviYhWi_plKcua37KDwp8J5FmwZSkSlpRJQnxojCH-NhG6o63dgkbPl1Mz8ITXtK7zI2ZZVv1MsTXJMBa7QWcdQFVhr36vW4ZAui5MFLQ/s1600-h/45.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10sBEuIPtqc2sPKij4n369dgLdB-mG6DDJTviYhWi_plKcua37KDwp8J5FmwZSkSlpRJQnxojCH-NhG6o63dgkbPl1Mz8ITXtK7zI2ZZVv1MsTXJMBa7QWcdQFVhr36vW4ZAui5MFLQ/s320/45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962554722508354" border="0" /></a>Just a bit of trivia: having a pigeon crap on you is considered good luck in Italy. These people are about to be positively drenched in "luck".<br /><br />Honestly, though, I think that's a fantastic choice of how to view an otherwise <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">embarrassing</span> event. Imagine getting dressed up in your finest suit, about to give the most important <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">presentation</span> of your career in front of your bosses, their bosses, and every important client you will ever have, and seconds before you walk in the door, you get covered in pigeon crap. You open the door, and there they all are, staring right at you.<br /><br />"Jeez, Tony, what happened? Did pigeons crap all over your suit???"<br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Errr</span>... Yes. Yes they did."<br />"You lucky bastard!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgUPblJOWY1ypekuN-Da5rCJ5m_m9ECBx73HIQcDQmdXo_n2AJB52UZ7Vw0M-eRFvQDMK-NkGeLvGG3_kHvmhvzs-YPqDKnbmK5ZiA2i88rVPHtY9kjM_6V1UGgYylnY_rmOFDypSsg/s1600-h/46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgUPblJOWY1ypekuN-Da5rCJ5m_m9ECBx73HIQcDQmdXo_n2AJB52UZ7Vw0M-eRFvQDMK-NkGeLvGG3_kHvmhvzs-YPqDKnbmK5ZiA2i88rVPHtY9kjM_6V1UGgYylnY_rmOFDypSsg/s320/46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353962544142264162" border="0" /></a>That wraps up our Italian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Architecture</span> Spread. Stay tuned for Part III, which will happen shortly after the next time we get to go to Italy (so you might need some ice skates at the time). I'll see you all on Monday with a brand new entry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-58481607265273655082009-07-02T07:00:00.000-05:002009-07-02T06:58:35.996-05:00Italian Architecture (Part I)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXRU2yPkrb_z8IqZu612xq2tUxOJw0hHpjxE_OdVKDwDBdcNG593iI98p6mtaPyzYHwd_qAi_8Xsr6oj1tbzUq-15QfaYZXz3P7IPGTP0yATA_RxqD0NqASJeMHDoEhYcoVbAIkEFEw/s1600-h/0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXRU2yPkrb_z8IqZu612xq2tUxOJw0hHpjxE_OdVKDwDBdcNG593iI98p6mtaPyzYHwd_qAi_8Xsr6oj1tbzUq-15QfaYZXz3P7IPGTP0yATA_RxqD0NqASJeMHDoEhYcoVbAIkEFEw/s320/0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819520943962882" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Caio</span>! Today (and tomorrow) we examine some of the beautiful sites of Italy. Much of the typical American styles for academic and government structures is heavily borrowed from Italian works (that which isn't borrowed from Greece, that is). It seems only right to give an homage to it. These photos were taken by my wife in 2003. Almost all of these photos may be clicked on to see a larger image.<br /><br />My normally verbose commentary will be a lot more brief due to burning the ever-loving snot out of my hand last-night and temporarily losing the use of my index finger, so typing is a bit harder than photo editing at the moment. Between the toe on Saturday, and the hand on Wednesday, and bad news always coming in threes, I'm kind of dreading the fireworks this weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkxcrS0XwSxDRwn26OkR0h09oLbiHShNndoKmM9PFHyWZxMA4t854gD_MRiFdC_nhg47f8pOa9GLlShFdQx9_yqbmx9IsWxroHqr-F3sFNJHOyFKcV6eiG5oXS5VOvqCkKZbdEgfslA/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkxcrS0XwSxDRwn26OkR0h09oLbiHShNndoKmM9PFHyWZxMA4t854gD_MRiFdC_nhg47f8pOa9GLlShFdQx9_yqbmx9IsWxroHqr-F3sFNJHOyFKcV6eiG5oXS5VOvqCkKZbdEgfslA/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819520495544930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHY5_8i7tSOCCBOPNjJ1b9ljgE0o7_muRmWzlmvnprlMTg5SSALbylBJtkFNW4dZRfHObzMucuMQXA_73hCjEWdrxS51M0dAkGn1RZexGEYTDaHDIK2CLXjz8AgZfsYvs1Mg229WPHQ/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHY5_8i7tSOCCBOPNjJ1b9ljgE0o7_muRmWzlmvnprlMTg5SSALbylBJtkFNW4dZRfHObzMucuMQXA_73hCjEWdrxS51M0dAkGn1RZexGEYTDaHDIK2CLXjz8AgZfsYvs1Mg229WPHQ/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819510035165346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9QRvrOTrXB1mpMpFW7Q4KJxVMmvUTwwKK9ZQgWtWkmQjvxTCKo7PlxRmrlrNeyhWAsJ_d-fSItxnIOjj41xAqzBeKhjBp28YkXiRUy1nHx9HJmikf22PHX1tDEeMP37iISUjK2mfig/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9QRvrOTrXB1mpMpFW7Q4KJxVMmvUTwwKK9ZQgWtWkmQjvxTCKo7PlxRmrlrNeyhWAsJ_d-fSItxnIOjj41xAqzBeKhjBp28YkXiRUy1nHx9HJmikf22PHX1tDEeMP37iISUjK2mfig/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819332530156978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVF9mGmG7UzXVLtsu2cug3Bc-lWo63qeyUp0SdA2v62FJ3djZvpPk6-iggXAGmyroiqwdg_rR2jeaDXX1zvlo3VyS9_h2CFz02PNEpjTXdgFzBcgv3N4hg8rEgIRdFn7QfdhemDw91Q/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVF9mGmG7UzXVLtsu2cug3Bc-lWo63qeyUp0SdA2v62FJ3djZvpPk6-iggXAGmyroiqwdg_rR2jeaDXX1zvlo3VyS9_h2CFz02PNEpjTXdgFzBcgv3N4hg8rEgIRdFn7QfdhemDw91Q/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819329773654674" border="0" /></a>If I remember my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">architectural</span> history correctly, this building was much more plain until the church added the additional decor. Romans were a pretty spartan lot (pun intended) and weren't given to excess <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ornamentation</span>. Their work was mostly for pure function.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lpBKdjGO1OCLErL8wxoWTlz1ddsnXP5vovhsrLuUkBJeeXLikDb-B1Of9TAcvLVeS3yMU_YCp-8607AWGYU8RNhS9FEj0gAOzmlSTblAa7g9K2_EXs23px7Gqt2N38rwDxWhr1hyphenhyphenZQ/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lpBKdjGO1OCLErL8wxoWTlz1ddsnXP5vovhsrLuUkBJeeXLikDb-B1Of9TAcvLVeS3yMU_YCp-8607AWGYU8RNhS9FEj0gAOzmlSTblAa7g9K2_EXs23px7Gqt2N38rwDxWhr1hyphenhyphenZQ/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819322269544978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Trevi</span> Fountain</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm6HliHMDVvAHh2Fzr3y7IC8DyV_r_EEgb4cfpoISR5bUbQkTFq8OOdyp1fQNo2_PLZE4epEBsgdk1t229HzQyGUr9xobqqP-JWUh8j37t7zoUnafezb9LgCRxhyA70uKDXK2HF8y7A/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm6HliHMDVvAHh2Fzr3y7IC8DyV_r_EEgb4cfpoISR5bUbQkTFq8OOdyp1fQNo2_PLZE4epEBsgdk1t229HzQyGUr9xobqqP-JWUh8j37t7zoUnafezb9LgCRxhyA70uKDXK2HF8y7A/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819310461000034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqWscoHir8yiGnawMFeQ22l1hc7gBifzaKNEMx0sD6Fr1zwqp4kY5we5eMrfHB-Y8BuJuk87XqOw1YgpqH_mgQOQ1KXM51R6hm4xQ9Rnls5ZadOX0LYauAfFLZRCzoMJ3ELZR1-hc3w/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqWscoHir8yiGnawMFeQ22l1hc7gBifzaKNEMx0sD6Fr1zwqp4kY5we5eMrfHB-Y8BuJuk87XqOw1YgpqH_mgQOQ1KXM51R6hm4xQ9Rnls5ZadOX0LYauAfFLZRCzoMJ3ELZR1-hc3w/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819305966772978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYwA-UCbR9mO7epXZzMVjug9VqLLUlP9tRdcCjg6hD3Rdx8J4jcIXqKveQrl1SppwFwxbXIY-LuWf8RSI8e38NzJqr-aGnA2zayEzwU11IlnkyB8yIT0RbegHIJEGqd9DSJXDw73Vaw/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYwA-UCbR9mO7epXZzMVjug9VqLLUlP9tRdcCjg6hD3Rdx8J4jcIXqKveQrl1SppwFwxbXIY-LuWf8RSI8e38NzJqr-aGnA2zayEzwU11IlnkyB8yIT0RbegHIJEGqd9DSJXDw73Vaw/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819139347453954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSfy4rsHCER9drt23Wc9I5QVaFPWtMSjuqLKK_NbLIh8uCt1oJvoJnpPwyTX6Gk27jn_-B1h6iGi2Q5yfDlFnYR4Kg-oWHQPF1Ozmk-MWVqKyjpPs6vsatB5zy9NDxW0CJiw-GypKZw/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSfy4rsHCER9drt23Wc9I5QVaFPWtMSjuqLKK_NbLIh8uCt1oJvoJnpPwyTX6Gk27jn_-B1h6iGi2Q5yfDlFnYR4Kg-oWHQPF1Ozmk-MWVqKyjpPs6vsatB5zy9NDxW0CJiw-GypKZw/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819135841338242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Piazza Del <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Duomo</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Dlhc_8X227FpsY_vlYbHORxZ8irf7ldL5HsCUVhBglgj_QwtYVKLgn9B572_Bp4hMkkqshbO4mALNFwvs5xh7wGUQp8Z9PyvfUGaV95DlSqwNc2uUlmUHrUMPuBCtr118J82jqpkpg/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Dlhc_8X227FpsY_vlYbHORxZ8irf7ldL5HsCUVhBglgj_QwtYVKLgn9B572_Bp4hMkkqshbO4mALNFwvs5xh7wGUQp8Z9PyvfUGaV95DlSqwNc2uUlmUHrUMPuBCtr118J82jqpkpg/s320/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819132282739154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56GmfrS1u6GlhLpS6Ip7xb97zOujO5-8xD0Ipk2Zk8R11w0AuVduqy9d4Qr26pVhsm8JRxLxIGiICcCL-z2dH-HjpraBFyhv0Mq-kwSM6ycpZiAFlgPaIRv1zNNnLyprqS-dzx9q83g/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56GmfrS1u6GlhLpS6Ip7xb97zOujO5-8xD0Ipk2Zk8R11w0AuVduqy9d4Qr26pVhsm8JRxLxIGiICcCL-z2dH-HjpraBFyhv0Mq-kwSM6ycpZiAFlgPaIRv1zNNnLyprqS-dzx9q83g/s320/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819133909584898" border="0" /></a>I'm not really certain what the deal is with the rods positioned between the fan arches and the column. My guess is that they are there merely to provide a place to hang curtains for shows or exhibitions, but they might be there to lend extra structural support.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuxQ4C0-9DypSYI9m0glswcX-z4WqC3gMxPRD9oB2NynPmlWy5W0AV1Xolr3hNU9Zh1DTnspcm-h-_vzuTXQY1Q6LRz9xt6JKhDiZ8A0AwH_Xf9QSI3IYboDhKUQU__aFjqtZJLrr9A/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuxQ4C0-9DypSYI9m0glswcX-z4WqC3gMxPRD9oB2NynPmlWy5W0AV1Xolr3hNU9Zh1DTnspcm-h-_vzuTXQY1Q6LRz9xt6JKhDiZ8A0AwH_Xf9QSI3IYboDhKUQU__aFjqtZJLrr9A/s320/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353819129153406770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Duomo</span> - Santa Maria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">del</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Fiore</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpREzagEWdoyO95K6ZgqQwvtROBowC0t8V9xgZPyHTizvXFX_ctGlKJfV8XpCuRJSFyUnFEPwXpPec6lidVSQlr6uYucGJN7yERMGwowU3ge3lbDipX9E3_Ca35KHp5N32iBEq6Q95w/s1600-h/18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpREzagEWdoyO95K6ZgqQwvtROBowC0t8V9xgZPyHTizvXFX_ctGlKJfV8XpCuRJSFyUnFEPwXpPec6lidVSQlr6uYucGJN7yERMGwowU3ge3lbDipX9E3_Ca35KHp5N32iBEq6Q95w/s320/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353818961613720050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ponte</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sant'Angelo</span><br /><br /></span></span></div>I included this photo because it's another great example of separation of space existing without walls, columns, or furniture. The mere presence of the statues along this bridge provides natural <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">congregation</span> points for people to meet and talk to one another privately, even while surrounded by people.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzBKnfkAOaKwYOlcfe1KuTWbyeGTGIiaLOF1-0juG7I6U7Amy89Zv7Inqum_fJj-1zO8q7wpJhQrhEhm_a778XrzkfJlrfDW60iTmDWjnNzjXqKXsmjk0r54QxHZ6uVLv7ohscqR4A/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzBKnfkAOaKwYOlcfe1KuTWbyeGTGIiaLOF1-0juG7I6U7Amy89Zv7Inqum_fJj-1zO8q7wpJhQrhEhm_a778XrzkfJlrfDW60iTmDWjnNzjXqKXsmjk0r54QxHZ6uVLv7ohscqR4A/s320/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353818957142167074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjZVY01P-CVARKAdPu7IQeNcDk91aIrK0zifZtqxgoNqKC6Js6p8oese4oESVfr5AXnOo9Eu0EnSyd_ldID-YWp8c1z-F0DZOrcShE-HExpcjd1mOHXiyWJdkgX9FrUx295eOPahIBw/s1600-h/20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjZVY01P-CVARKAdPu7IQeNcDk91aIrK0zifZtqxgoNqKC6Js6p8oese4oESVfr5AXnOo9Eu0EnSyd_ldID-YWp8c1z-F0DZOrcShE-HExpcjd1mOHXiyWJdkgX9FrUx295eOPahIBw/s320/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353818952189785330" border="0" /></a>This may get me flamed, but I feel it must be said. St. Peter's Basilica seems to be just too much. This is, perhaps, the consequence of having too many architects trying to pack too many styles into one building. Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6uZqLyz20hI2dH6skOSF7QYzdIC_mpOgySOW7W-RBDdpF-31CYwwqsIXEIf6L7QMibNwfb8q6A5j8xh0Oct7qVDDBR-1TE63nKvSWaswGlAvVniHg1Asd0PVjQia2XoRg3GEIeMSDg/s1600-h/23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6uZqLyz20hI2dH6skOSF7QYzdIC_mpOgySOW7W-RBDdpF-31CYwwqsIXEIf6L7QMibNwfb8q6A5j8xh0Oct7qVDDBR-1TE63nKvSWaswGlAvVniHg1Asd0PVjQia2XoRg3GEIeMSDg/s320/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353818949856137026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Inside the Roman Coliseum</span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa_jtkiW36AahVKYSALC4hEPzi7MFiChYTCaXtZ6mDh2HG4Z5ZPorAPvueF0pkypKXlRixKmYtfb2rIQhFPceZb-1A51QCxtTq17BgkdMxRYxx-N3KSJAaIzz9MFrp8rLXW4Wy20oYA/s1600-h/25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa_jtkiW36AahVKYSALC4hEPzi7MFiChYTCaXtZ6mDh2HG4Z5ZPorAPvueF0pkypKXlRixKmYtfb2rIQhFPceZb-1A51QCxtTq17BgkdMxRYxx-N3KSJAaIzz9MFrp8rLXW4Wy20oYA/s320/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353818945798639506" border="0" /></a>I hope you enjoyed this as much as I have. Tomorrow will be <span style="font-style: italic;">Italian Architecture (Part II)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-3126667458581488002009-07-01T07:00:00.001-05:002009-07-01T07:00:25.608-05:00Southlake Town Hall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSboKeoBbhPm-xPS4XOWSNe-rpmY0xs66C-lpqibj4lOO-ikeqxRHy58lHHhCAHuznTOTaHoJoAWepuu-ih3WZP1P4uwpiG_HN3K1hyphenhyphenkps7lejonx-yjWHToJM0IHY4b5llB3ujTwbgw/s1600-h/b0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSboKeoBbhPm-xPS4XOWSNe-rpmY0xs66C-lpqibj4lOO-ikeqxRHy58lHHhCAHuznTOTaHoJoAWepuu-ih3WZP1P4uwpiG_HN3K1hyphenhyphenkps7lejonx-yjWHToJM0IHY4b5llB3ujTwbgw/s320/b0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177864944536386" border="0" /></a>In the center of <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/southlake-town-square.html">Southlake Town Square</a> is the <a href="http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/SouthlakeGovernment/southlake_town_hall.asp">Town Hall</a>, which also serves as a municipal courthouse, public library, <a href="http://www.tarrantcounty.com/egov/site/default.asp">Tarrant County</a> commissioner's office, and more. To say the least, it is a large building that draws a lot of traffic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfwHO9LUg5M13-m5Fkctl2qtRMnxK9EI3-IN94NQtffyw68K4X-h7cjvgnWqkBt_hNxfgp84J_acN7HFsyF0n5nmg-GNM5kWYjPQCAHzBN_naeJqzoDXGO-OJ1NHZgFwqPMfq6jjT8g/s1600-h/a1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfwHO9LUg5M13-m5Fkctl2qtRMnxK9EI3-IN94NQtffyw68K4X-h7cjvgnWqkBt_hNxfgp84J_acN7HFsyF0n5nmg-GNM5kWYjPQCAHzBN_naeJqzoDXGO-OJ1NHZgFwqPMfq6jjT8g/s320/a1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177867528415826" border="0" /></a>The building itself is handsome, stately, and cuts a fine figure from the park plaza in front. Situated as the center of town square, this red brick structure stands above all the others surrounding it. The area in front of it is meant as a public gather space for the city during special events, and it does this to great effect. See <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/southlake-town-square.html">yesterday's entry</a> about the Town Square for more on that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmH7zetB8Qb0Vf3iGH61iHCnMqmE2BaIZ6WOliUieWnupth3JAHYjx1ydbk2pKKWl0_Z-69kv5JmtSVup2kOwqAFEToQ1EGviydFFM7U8COB7vdvOozCYE7rmNhmLJPsJ6zqlu58T3w/s1600-h/b1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmH7zetB8Qb0Vf3iGH61iHCnMqmE2BaIZ6WOliUieWnupth3JAHYjx1ydbk2pKKWl0_Z-69kv5JmtSVup2kOwqAFEToQ1EGviydFFM7U8COB7vdvOozCYE7rmNhmLJPsJ6zqlu58T3w/s320/b1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177702939580514" border="0" /></a>The front is a mixture of function and facade that blends tastefully. The large Ionic columns serve to support a rather large balcony, from which special proclamations and civic ceremonies may be officiated and overseen. Though it is difficult to tell from the photo, the City Hall is actually four stories, with the bottom story being about 3/4 below the ground-line, like one might see in Seattle.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe5N0LpLO4Wf5lpKxI5Xy4voGOBdQcsRoz5aWys998t_ZXwRNOfcQO68gCt4lE8a0atbaABWHQ6iFFAJpoyLA_SkKtoeKZYa6Hhh89jzSN7y4snVFm9OLTXhDqACW12eA7Zdg4KSFeA/s1600-h/b2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe5N0LpLO4Wf5lpKxI5Xy4voGOBdQcsRoz5aWys998t_ZXwRNOfcQO68gCt4lE8a0atbaABWHQ6iFFAJpoyLA_SkKtoeKZYa6Hhh89jzSN7y4snVFm9OLTXhDqACW12eA7Zdg4KSFeA/s320/b2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177699617223602" border="0" /></a>Some of the more interesting external elements are seen in the corners. I especially like the dented corners, which soften the building's outline a bit while adding more dimension. The top of the indention is a nice counter to the crown of the facade, which in and of itself is a nice touch. The triangular pennant design adds just the right amount of Tex-Mex character to the building. The fake balcony, while attractive, always puzzles me wherever I encounter it. It would be only a minor increase in cost to make a small, functional balcony with a window-door behind it. The fake balcony, conversely, suffers more drawbacks than a real balcony in that it is a perfect haven for bird nests and flying debris like leaves, plastic bags, etc. Yet it provides no access to actually clean it out, like a balcony would. Some other form of decor, such as the Lone Star bas-relief on the other wall would require much less maintenance to keep clean. It seems like it'd make a lot more sense to replace the fake balcony with a real one or something else.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMGWfm7_E9CSwS4uBShaC-OPMpp4GBu2AsQQrQAkys1fiI4D_bfClDJ9F5zNQqWsEBkafEEwyUS4w9aZJF3hV9xA9G9051I1kz7ZvmbRXajAiIPXbSQFYEJatgfx0DPMSFESZD91GIQ/s1600-h/b3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMGWfm7_E9CSwS4uBShaC-OPMpp4GBu2AsQQrQAkys1fiI4D_bfClDJ9F5zNQqWsEBkafEEwyUS4w9aZJF3hV9xA9G9051I1kz7ZvmbRXajAiIPXbSQFYEJatgfx0DPMSFESZD91GIQ/s320/b3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177698096755794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Going up...<br /><br /></span></span></div>Immediately inside of the front door are symmetrical square-spiral staircases to the left and right of a very attractive, simple design, with plenty of natural light from the numerous windows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwZ1LKOt6BwljiUlaMZjMQ95UhRuOA1KjEnRiofHPpGwuYQGoO65gVE_1l5g4-eOffEh2Q-iYjxQRe23gRzHLKDcAMZBDfbLbgWDwc4SStKgHLnZEd9E7I0KGJ7U6jgKt6jpQc8unUw/s1600-h/b4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwZ1LKOt6BwljiUlaMZjMQ95UhRuOA1KjEnRiofHPpGwuYQGoO65gVE_1l5g4-eOffEh2Q-iYjxQRe23gRzHLKDcAMZBDfbLbgWDwc4SStKgHLnZEd9E7I0KGJ7U6jgKt6jpQc8unUw/s320/b4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177695652569218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Going down...</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Regretfully, the Town Hall courts were in session, the offices were in use, and the place was quite crowded with a number of people who, for obvious reasons, did not want to be photographed. Getting a clear shot of anything took a while before others had cleared out.<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihmdvtdgpzbY_n0TAbP3qmsb5KuoDFQ3c-PyJ6lAwOpX5vYakhxQGiLGA7VGj-Z3XwFXViXk4hB-7QDIctr3p77JfOQ0VgeaLNqSnC335RSxcwgXtsM-2G5TERq9bE5Kp0hg1SM5eBw/s1600-h/b5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihmdvtdgpzbY_n0TAbP3qmsb5KuoDFQ3c-PyJ6lAwOpX5vYakhxQGiLGA7VGj-Z3XwFXViXk4hB-7QDIctr3p77JfOQ0VgeaLNqSnC335RSxcwgXtsM-2G5TERq9bE5Kp0hg1SM5eBw/s320/b5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353177696984688818" border="0" /></a>I love this view. The grand ballroom-style foyer of the Town Hall is incredibly elegant, and reminds me of an a lot of an Arabic courtyard I saw in one of the books I've read. It would be only the work of minutes to replace the furnishings with tables, linens, and fancy chairs, and you have a room fit for a black-tie affair, or a wedding reception. I'm not sure if the city had this in mind when they approved the design, but considering most city and county courts and offices are closed on Saturdays, it seems like an ideal time to rent out the space for just such an event.<br /><br />I would have liked to be able to do a more thorough spread on the building, like I did for <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/historic-dallas-part-2-old-red.html">Big Ol' Red</a>, but unlike The Old Red Courthouse, this one is still very much in use for private city business. Would that my own city had that kind of money.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-60834648289046127192009-06-30T07:00:00.001-05:002009-06-30T10:41:53.106-05:00Southlake Town Square<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-4x1RECrmCqLJZRFY-0EXNjxxF1e22gnCzilHYSR23ovihHQoJWJkPS2LjcQwL7qsaGugulUVw-Oq85-CEHUg8KHLGMUNG0t7BnaD9px7l682Crf_SijLMwv5eRG91PpuwJ22U5Wxg/s1600-h/a0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-4x1RECrmCqLJZRFY-0EXNjxxF1e22gnCzilHYSR23ovihHQoJWJkPS2LjcQwL7qsaGugulUVw-Oq85-CEHUg8KHLGMUNG0t7BnaD9px7l682Crf_SijLMwv5eRG91PpuwJ22U5Wxg/s320/a0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120664754239314" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.southlaketownsquare.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Southlake</span> Town Square</a> is at the forefront of a new architectural and urban planning movement in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I'm not even entirely certain what to call it, because it's such a new concept in this area. I will simply dub it the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Town Square Revival Movement</span>, because to be honest, it's not like this is an entirely new concept to civilization, it just hasn't been used in so long that it's a lot like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesque_Revival_architecture">Romanesque Revival Movement</a> in the late 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> century. Anyway, in case it hasn't officially been named yet, I call dibs on inventing the term. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">XD</span><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Southlake</span> is a very upscale community in the <a href="http://www.midcitiesonline.com/">Mid-Cities</a> area of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DFW</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Metroplex</span>. It's the sort of place where the residents drive a Lexus, Infinity, BMW, or comparable luxury brand of car. Seriously. You know who is a resident and who is just passing through by the car they drive, and what condition it is in. The houses typically <span style="font-style: italic;">start</span> at the $1.2 million mark, which for California or New York would be more like $6+ million. So if you're a penthouse pauper, I recommend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Southlake</span> to get a comparable style of living for about 20% of the price.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABPMHho_bqEUz4DWsQFKBijNnO4qhli3pYnIOnNOqggFSbfe0ncH4KTRw1DgS2Pv97Uk4aUab4d3EDGw_RbnhkX9ZyZcrZObsSr0cItOk5KgbYY08pQbO_XFR-tH3bKoefjpl2zW_g/s1600-h/a1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSABPMHho_bqEUz4DWsQFKBijNnO4qhli3pYnIOnNOqggFSbfe0ncH4KTRw1DgS2Pv97Uk4aUab4d3EDGw_RbnhkX9ZyZcrZObsSr0cItOk5KgbYY08pQbO_XFR-tH3bKoefjpl2zW_g/s320/a1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120659163886882" border="0" /></a>In the spirit of building community and commerce, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Southlake</span> has returned to the idea of building a very highly social town square around their new <a href="http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/SouthlakeGovernment/southlake_town_hall.asp">City Hall</a>. It's 130 acres of mixed-use development, consisting of low-density commercial, plazas, parks, and skirted by medium-density residences (like town homes and luxury apartments). With most modern cities, the center of town is the most old, polluted, decrepit part. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Southlake's</span> goal is to turn this idea on its head, and make the center of town the most attractive area by sacrificing density for aesthetics. This Town Center effect makes it as much of a place to hang out and socialize with friends as it is to shop.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQwyBA9vPxGBrVTSoczDyJg5WWfipg94v4mYN53ZfTv37ck6MIU6jCoCv8dxT7ntA6oMtRfhyRb4Ty-R3Tr0Sol9QM9Ax8zqwRup6TK_4PruOKtbWFmY1XybXOG3d3NfbE7uiVh3k3Q/s1600-h/a2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQwyBA9vPxGBrVTSoczDyJg5WWfipg94v4mYN53ZfTv37ck6MIU6jCoCv8dxT7ntA6oMtRfhyRb4Ty-R3Tr0Sol9QM9Ax8zqwRup6TK_4PruOKtbWFmY1XybXOG3d3NfbE7uiVh3k3Q/s320/a2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120553386644642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"What is your bidding, Psycho-Cow?"<br /></span></span></div><br />Just in case you thought your eyes were playing tricks on you in the previous photograph, <span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span>, that is a psychedelic cow in front of the town hall. These strangely painted cow statues are deposited all throughout <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Southlake</span> and are known as the <a href="http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/repository/unmanaged_content/Departments/CommunityServices/CommunityGroups/Longhorns.pdf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Southlake</span> Stampede Longhorns</a>. They add a whimsical touch to one of the most revered symbols of Texas, and are one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Southlake's</span> own unique cultural contributions, similar to the <a href="http://www.cowparade.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">CowParade</span> Cows</a> contest that goes on each year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSljuHCd_ZXw_yz4Hmv42phm4mth_zx8vACsGBeLhXLaNAyA_BP3850dQZau_vEfUKUzTaZrn_kRKypd8rfnV3RdA0DmHfyZO2RxSm9lXg4eMnK4jpUhcxc3F7zQxQHu1j2_te62eUXQ/s1600-h/a3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSljuHCd_ZXw_yz4Hmv42phm4mth_zx8vACsGBeLhXLaNAyA_BP3850dQZau_vEfUKUzTaZrn_kRKypd8rfnV3RdA0DmHfyZO2RxSm9lXg4eMnK4jpUhcxc3F7zQxQHu1j2_te62eUXQ/s320/a3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120549304309730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Yipee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">kai</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">yai</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">yay</span>, Psycho-Cow!"</span> </span></div><br />This particular cow features a rather well-rendered painting of, appropriately enough, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Southlake</span> Town Center, with the Town Hall in the background, and the large event gazebo in the foreground.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoG3PA-1Qjqn9MJZphHl4Q5dhwwhuWlV-BNCQVlQfvsiFM4HvVFfyjKNsw9TuM5XvKMktYV_ZHPdTm5iv-FE5ctsOBQGZuHqNe4xqJzWetwDqSoZQL0DCMA1jJOZgYBOojZyaVF3rjw/s1600-h/a4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoG3PA-1Qjqn9MJZphHl4Q5dhwwhuWlV-BNCQVlQfvsiFM4HvVFfyjKNsw9TuM5XvKMktYV_ZHPdTm5iv-FE5ctsOBQGZuHqNe4xqJzWetwDqSoZQL0DCMA1jJOZgYBOojZyaVF3rjw/s320/a4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120548836414930" border="0" /></a>The event gazebo provides a covered stage for performers on special events, like the Fourth of July. The fountain makes a great center to the area, and becomes prime real-estate for seating when attending crowded events on hot summer days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKcOx74CGI29J9V0VvZ4mJ4FCNkyqMQwWq0QCD37iz9ktaDkzB2d3s2xhPkk_S4yi3RcXlU1Pv8CGj8idObIIYANeXIKTnW4VxUwloBiYn19-cf-t3gjh4e-YKQxmc1yXtR8U0C67Zg/s1600-h/a5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKcOx74CGI29J9V0VvZ4mJ4FCNkyqMQwWq0QCD37iz9ktaDkzB2d3s2xhPkk_S4yi3RcXlU1Pv8CGj8idObIIYANeXIKTnW4VxUwloBiYn19-cf-t3gjh4e-YKQxmc1yXtR8U0C67Zg/s320/a5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120543927583186" border="0" /></a>The residences that skirt the town center are just a couple of blocks away. The furthest building back that you see in this photo is one of the luxury apartment buildings, with a serene, tree-lined walk right down the hill to one's choice of cafes. Though the area itself is very high-traffic, it is almost <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">unnoticably</span> so. Parking spaces are quite ample along the side of the street, and the only "lots" that exist are in hidden lots bordered by the backs of buildings, hiding the site of them from view. Because the town center is designed to be walked along and explored, one need not park directly in front of or beside their destination. The encouragement is to socialize with others, check out new stores, cafes, and enjoy the atmosphere.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviG2uM17aII1cpmqjmoZJ1mpikiY-c0vb2ezosldnGgnvlVEpNQlgIzlNkJvAZlm-TifWGD-SXNv-_KAPBHXHznV1a4B9F4mfochpoh3dbwcJ7LylFvdwN1ta1fHxMbKfo1gbwSp_cA/s1600-h/a6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviG2uM17aII1cpmqjmoZJ1mpikiY-c0vb2ezosldnGgnvlVEpNQlgIzlNkJvAZlm-TifWGD-SXNv-_KAPBHXHznV1a4B9F4mfochpoh3dbwcJ7LylFvdwN1ta1fHxMbKfo1gbwSp_cA/s320/a6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120540956183762" border="0" /></a>As previously mentioned, it gets <span style="font-style: italic;">HOT</span> outside. Often well in excess of 100F, and temperatures over 110 are not uncommon in our hottest months. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Evaporative</span> cooling systems outside some of the stores provide inexpensive and refreshing respite from the heat, as well as moisture for the plant life in the area. Locally they are known as "Swamp Coolers", even though "Desert Coolers" would probably be a lot more apropos. But if you're ever wandering Texas and someone mentions a Swamp Cooler, this is what they're talking about.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tVkRxpbxuA8qaL-KOPQaQaJl-6ItPejmcf4gllOY7ZvYsO2xBX6wFho1F_fAG-iHxFB-_iVCOua87GnGWBV2AEleeK1YKlgDSUQikFXiPlkJOs9wZx-bJVT6iWIuQsSv4jXXGbjEQg/s1600-h/a10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tVkRxpbxuA8qaL-KOPQaQaJl-6ItPejmcf4gllOY7ZvYsO2xBX6wFho1F_fAG-iHxFB-_iVCOua87GnGWBV2AEleeK1YKlgDSUQikFXiPlkJOs9wZx-bJVT6iWIuQsSv4jXXGbjEQg/s320/a10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120350863080306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTkn7DaLIgd8JyVrb7aENkh_oZIC_Tbwd3VeP4FFfwX1UTmiFnG0MFJr-lyvGg8PWxDbh3eBdIIZ_lbEgFGRxm0izKRWE33xqx0TDClzQqF9MGAC7fUdRHdWy3ZTmjgx_1Y8JKV7n0w/s1600-h/a7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTkn7DaLIgd8JyVrb7aENkh_oZIC_Tbwd3VeP4FFfwX1UTmiFnG0MFJr-lyvGg8PWxDbh3eBdIIZ_lbEgFGRxm0izKRWE33xqx0TDClzQqF9MGAC7fUdRHdWy3ZTmjgx_1Y8JKV7n0w/s320/a7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120357376434178" border="0" /></a>For the most part, the buildings try to stay vaguely thematic on each avenue. I say "vaguely," because as you can see there was a bit of disagreement over what type of columns or arches would be used for the colonnades in front of these shops. It is an interesting effect, however. The combination of all these different styles are united exactly by how they differ from one another. There is a feeling of both the modern and old world thrown together in a way that just seems to work. It's like "business casual" for buildings, providing enough of an air of sophistication that a nice date in formal attire could be spent wandering the restaurants and colonnades, but casual and different enough for people in a t-shirt and shorts to be comfortable shopping there as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTYBZ9030AE714-AyZ-zGfpTBsjsJIGzdt6YQyX2gCAGGmlRCJy90DvK4sslJ-5L1bnu6wmoR0at-bVYFYRak3i5nSatT2jiSeclwbICArunHfI9jAfv-MzkhLyuy2w_d5UyUfJGAKA/s1600-h/a9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTYBZ9030AE714-AyZ-zGfpTBsjsJIGzdt6YQyX2gCAGGmlRCJy90DvK4sslJ-5L1bnu6wmoR0at-bVYFYRak3i5nSatT2jiSeclwbICArunHfI9jAfv-MzkhLyuy2w_d5UyUfJGAKA/s320/a9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120354748276930" border="0" /></a>Of course there are a few spaces where this breaks down a bit, but even at it's worst, the gaudy or out of place is often screened by the lush trees, and even when the uglier buildings are directly in front of you, the eye is immediately drawn to the more upscale buildings to the side of it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROaNBhR0j9EBfnwwX0LRs2VZSS5I-3gRwdITgQVLw62Zimgorb8uVCY5vc2oaRfM3norkKKjJQGzxp_S3fBnqa5qvi2mJ0bXt_vL6n7Uoz-WF-874ZRdvhWMpC46Kq7_wV2kBPAxPSw/s1600-h/a8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROaNBhR0j9EBfnwwX0LRs2VZSS5I-3gRwdITgQVLw62Zimgorb8uVCY5vc2oaRfM3norkKKjJQGzxp_S3fBnqa5qvi2mJ0bXt_vL6n7Uoz-WF-874ZRdvhWMpC46Kq7_wV2kBPAxPSw/s320/a8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120354477911858" border="0" /></a>One of the more unique features is the design of the street signs. They are clearly posted, clearly visible, with good contrast for reading the lettering at a distance, a lamp directly overhead to illuminate them at night, and a visually appealing aesthetic. They <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">harken</span> back to an age where signs were designed to be seen by people walking by at a slow pace, rather than driving through at high speed. Despite this, they remain clearly visible from inside the car. Poorly designed, maintained, and placed street signs are one of my biggest pet peeves when I encounter them, and it is rare when one actually impresses me as these do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcYGhdbBmM_a8BKUyQHmSS1_q6M46uc441wM7NIj76Yk8nGih5RJETJ4s8nt5PGD_3yP6bWDxa-TNzVvVNtj4LN7Rpc0W8SxKoWPDE26WFPmeGDqPtRFQZPzVhPprWLZhRr-XO_y6ew/s1600-h/a12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcYGhdbBmM_a8BKUyQHmSS1_q6M46uc441wM7NIj76Yk8nGih5RJETJ4s8nt5PGD_3yP6bWDxa-TNzVvVNtj4LN7Rpc0W8SxKoWPDE26WFPmeGDqPtRFQZPzVhPprWLZhRr-XO_y6ew/s320/a12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353120344322445202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWSj_KgcRTb5WPwIaMOPpV65VWUWwoMqbNfJJGQcdAaS8G9tNbBzaIUNdI133103dgD-WSqdquYxUlTvOXwi2-jN7_iCkl0RU-Rk-pcXk7yUQ2aQwBQWq9FT4lxFzkFWTPvFHTozxeA/s1600-h/a11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWSj_KgcRTb5WPwIaMOPpV65VWUWwoMqbNfJJGQcdAaS8G9tNbBzaIUNdI133103dgD-WSqdquYxUlTvOXwi2-jN7_iCkl0RU-Rk-pcXk7yUQ2aQwBQWq9FT4lxFzkFWTPvFHTozxeA/s320/a11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353141431932591554" border="0" /></a>I feel like I saved the best for last in these photo. This plaza is one of the best-designed that I've seen in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">DFW</span> area, hands-down. Four free-standing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">porticos</span> each use a trellis with lush, fragrant growth for shade. The placement of the columns, benches, the fountains, and the walks bordering it provide an excellent separation of space. Each encourages relaxation and idle conversation. Either end of the plaza is capped by a fine restaurant with patio seating, and the long edges are bordered by a walkway, then parking, the street, and then the stores. In this way, the stores themselves are available, but this plaza provides a refuge against the foot-traffic.<br /><br />All in all, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Southlake</span> Town Center is an very well designed, laid-out, and built community. I sincerely hope this trend continues. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Colleyville</span>, another upscale city bordering <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Southlake</span>, has already followed suit, and is currently in the process of building their own town center. I would love to see this trend continue in the smaller cities, as it is a beautiful, inexpensive treat to simply wander around and see the best of what each city has to offer in a casual outdoor atmosphere.<br /><br />Tomorrow's post will feature the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Southlake</span> Town Hall itself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-20144727322541821302009-06-29T21:49:00.005-05:002009-06-29T22:00:37.989-05:00What Happened to Monday's Entry?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGDIOAUAUudaH7GCIuH1zLE-rExHFEHf7c6l1_HEtzylnRfwQRi8rVt7emVrFyXOD15U7iPlArF0DSJ_ys-EheJHJpUoe8mJjlJKgpiwY8g3DznY3ZJ1JSmhlw_K2xXCtyz8ZE3Pebw/s1600-h/road_spider.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGDIOAUAUudaH7GCIuH1zLE-rExHFEHf7c6l1_HEtzylnRfwQRi8rVt7emVrFyXOD15U7iPlArF0DSJ_ys-EheJHJpUoe8mJjlJKgpiwY8g3DznY3ZJ1JSmhlw_K2xXCtyz8ZE3Pebw/s320/road_spider.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352947400970217938" border="0" /></a>After such a great last couple of weeks I felt terrible about not getting Monday's entry out until 10pm. Each weekend I like to take the family out to a new location or three, and take as many photos as possible. Then, throughout the week, I'll organize them into separate entries and post them. Well, unfortunately, I smashed my toe up pretty bad early Saturday, which made walking around anywhere pretty much a wash that day. Sunday was already spoken for, so when Monday rolled around, I literally had not a single photo of my own to post. I figured, eh, I'll just do one of those stream of consciousness things, maybe type something up during the slow time at work. That's when I found out about the ant infestation at my desk.<br /><br />Anyway, point being, we didn't get out to get any photos until tonight. So bear with me. I'll try and have Tuesday's entry up much earlier than today's, and by Wednesday we should be back on the usual 7:00 AM posting schedule again.<br /><br />As for what this photo is, if anyone could tell me, I'd be curious to know. We just call them "Road Spiders" cause they always seem to be beside roads, and...er...they look kinda like spiders. But some of them have those four oil barrels on the pillars, some don't, and their use isn't entirely clear, though I strongly suspect it has something to do with paving roads with tar or something.<br /><br />This week I'll be focusing on points of interest in the local Mid-Cities area.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-28337418379978255802009-06-26T07:00:00.003-05:002009-06-26T10:44:01.883-05:00Friday Feature Interview: Archidose's John Hill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVfi3KzShtEQe99op3-z18P3jcKMx4GwhhS5zWMGoYPgbkMCvaeai1kp9EnT3KAPaLYo2JZ4wmXUptEDuGFOlEpg44QnNdy71xMazjvFkyjuRRGX5MWgcQGWgTbrP1RbGnCbZN24U7g/s1600-h/titlebar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVfi3KzShtEQe99op3-z18P3jcKMx4GwhhS5zWMGoYPgbkMCvaeai1kp9EnT3KAPaLYo2JZ4wmXUptEDuGFOlEpg44QnNdy71xMazjvFkyjuRRGX5MWgcQGWgTbrP1RbGnCbZN24U7g/s320/titlebar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351383872516307042" border="0" /></a><br />This Friday we have the honor of interviewing author, architect, and critic John Hill from what is perhaps the world's most popular architectural blog site <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Daily Dose of Architecture</span></a> which is nearing the 4.5 million mark on views. He also runs <a href="http://www.archidose.org/main.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</span></a> and wiki-style architectural catalogue <a href="http://architourist.pbworks.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Archi-Tourist</span></a>. John comes to us from New York City, and some how in addition to all that, he is also currently curating a selection of lectures in and around New York City, along with select competitions and news articles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BRANDON: John, thank you for joining us. Aside from being the most successful architectural blogger on the web, I see you are actually an Architect as well. Could you tell us a bit about your credentials? Where did you graduate from, are you RA and <a href="http://www.aia.org/index.htm">AIA</a>, any other professional memberships?</span><br /><br />JOHN: You're welcome, Brandon. It's my pleasure. I graduated from <a href="http://www.k-state.edu/">Kansas State University</a> with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1996. From the following year until 2006 I worked for a large firm in <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/">Chicago</a>, gaining Illinois licensure in that time. In '06 I moved to <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/">New York City</a> to attend the Urban Design program at <a href="http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/">City College</a>, graduating with a Masters in Urban Planning the following year. I worked in a small office after graduation until the end of last year. I'm not AIA at the moment, but was in the past when the pricey tab was picked up by my employer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5oe1ufUhShI-XkK6Dovqit3KhJtMpKgF2vNZFa2yeim8VuXoM8sSb7G6EMl3kGEsNlSwjHbXKaCRiJ8LOa4SNv4uuL9Icl1C5hkGVg9W9UjFYomm9cIu87Y4EVJLAW9ykD0aBlYOYg/s1600-h/hill-cuny1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5oe1ufUhShI-XkK6Dovqit3KhJtMpKgF2vNZFa2yeim8VuXoM8sSb7G6EMl3kGEsNlSwjHbXKaCRiJ8LOa4SNv4uuL9Icl1C5hkGVg9W9UjFYomm9cIu87Y4EVJLAW9ykD0aBlYOYg/s320/hill-cuny1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622677044254914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />B: Urban Planning sounds pretty interesting. What exactly does it entail?</span><br /><br />J: The City College program is for people with a professional degree, like a B.Arch, so it's not geared towards planning careers, per se. Many people from CCNY continue in architecture and landscape firms, incorporating urban design into their portfolios. The program is two semesters long with <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2007/02/4-more-classes.html">a design studio and three theory-based classes</a>, be it history, anthropology, landscape ecology. It's more about <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2006/09/4-classes.html">learning how to think about the city</a>, particularly in a well-rounded way that balances the natural and the manmade, than learning the tools for becoming a planner. There is no such thing as a Masters in Urban Design, so it's called a Masters in Urban Planning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mwWTtUmsqJvmDcj6JYoVNs0EYPpTtAox8lAxmsOQehEU-SFl3_3oJH1LGByTs5s2OObKHo0uRnx9o_q_e1-QoS14-wPFxZU43VfI1YB2dqlXbSowPEuKEGtnIzHsi4KtAqPjxZWPSg/s1600-h/hill-cuny2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mwWTtUmsqJvmDcj6JYoVNs0EYPpTtAox8lAxmsOQehEU-SFl3_3oJH1LGByTs5s2OObKHo0uRnx9o_q_e1-QoS14-wPFxZU43VfI1YB2dqlXbSowPEuKEGtnIzHsi4KtAqPjxZWPSg/s320/hill-cuny2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622671510892418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: How expensive is AIA? I assume one has to subscribe to it annually. I've heard a lot about how it's not worth it by many, but a few say the jobs it gets them is worth it.</span><br /><br />J: AIA membership increases each year, so the first year is pretty cheap and it close to doubles the next year, going up a smaller percentage each year after that until it levels at some point. My dues last year were approximately $700, paying for the national, state and local chapter. I was able to stay a member while in grad school, since the cost was waived. If I had my own firm I'd probably pay for it, since it would be a write-off and it might help bring in work, though I don't know how much the latter is the case in New York City.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFWThtsLq7Jc1XWN3KoDqzpkjOaFOMtdVbpT4ggo6q-N10OwqVlg4dncgboLJmfMcq45oOOmlhQ6QBcz0HqKAhBEyZap5o3QqDSTucniUULsQrYuwbLTelZVOdi6xOkx1juboLN4sPQ/s1600-h/hill-cuny3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFWThtsLq7Jc1XWN3KoDqzpkjOaFOMtdVbpT4ggo6q-N10OwqVlg4dncgboLJmfMcq45oOOmlhQ6QBcz0HqKAhBEyZap5o3QqDSTucniUULsQrYuwbLTelZVOdi6xOkx1juboLN4sPQ/s320/hill-cuny3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622671851430018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Do you own your own firm? If so, what's the name and web site for it? If not, do you care to advertise your current employer?</span><br /><br />J: No, I do not have my own office. At the moment I'm between jobs, as they say. Venturing out on my own is a possibility, but I haven't taken that plunge yet. I'm using this "free time" to do some freelance writing and undertake some projects that are an extension of what I do on my web pages. That's keeping me busy at the moment, while the economy straightens itself out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT7_yjEdhZtqVhfewOsGrtNEKlkuGhfB6wdEZUU5ZoqAjLQdSem75d87jM8V1vdkZRjyMQRNa2K88b96996dNsSXSkmU66YnDIyVhMr_vmebZcrZgNP5aPqiRvGJw-XCrTJlIO1ukOA/s1600-h/hill-cuny4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT7_yjEdhZtqVhfewOsGrtNEKlkuGhfB6wdEZUU5ZoqAjLQdSem75d87jM8V1vdkZRjyMQRNa2K88b96996dNsSXSkmU66YnDIyVhMr_vmebZcrZgNP5aPqiRvGJw-XCrTJlIO1ukOA/s320/hill-cuny4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622670329969538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Why did you decide to start blogging about architecture? What inspired you to keep at it for so long?</span><br /><br />J: I started <a href="http://www.archidose.org/">a weekly dose of architecture</a> in 1999, when I was working at a place that did not look outside the firm's portfolio for precedents. That was something I enjoyed doing from undergrad; I'd head up to the library and flip through magazines and scan the stacks. What started as weekly sketches (a building, usually from a photo, accompanied by a description of what I could learn from it) ca. 1998 turned into the weekly web page when I realized that sharing what I was doing made sense. The name illustrated my wish to summarize things concisely and regularly. <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/">A daily dose of architecture</a> followed five years later, when blogs were rising in popularity and a few friends of mine were starting their own. I planned on it being less formal than the projects and book reviews featured on my weekly page, with more critique and some lightweight fare thrown into the mix. My inspiration is my continued interest in looking at the work of architects, though instead of just magazines and book, web pages are the primary sources for this information today. Many blogs do it better than I do, but I try to bring a different perspective to things and to present projects and other things not "memed" on other sites.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-TEsKNqvetTFkkqb2cmYLtBwlOFbLfmahwb-FBWyS6BnRpTI92zAa-kFjE2z5MPN8TUyOJgf_5tAwSNqNgE9WYLsLzKRduZqo8mAKRehgv5XT6XzTO04H3ORmunKQ9edgGJrooU1Ow/s1600-h/hill-cuny5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-TEsKNqvetTFkkqb2cmYLtBwlOFbLfmahwb-FBWyS6BnRpTI92zAa-kFjE2z5MPN8TUyOJgf_5tAwSNqNgE9WYLsLzKRduZqo8mAKRehgv5XT6XzTO04H3ORmunKQ9edgGJrooU1Ow/s320/hill-cuny5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622663276045938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: About Daily Dose, almost five and a half million hits is pretty substantial. How well has that paid off in terms of money, contacts, and clients?</span><br /><br />J: Advertising revenue pays for the server I use for my weekly page, to keep that one ad-free. (I started it on a site called <a href="http://internettrash.com/">Internet Trash</a>, because it was the only free host at the time without banner ads. I realized this meant the server was sloooooooooow.) The ads not pay for much beyond maintaining the pages. I have many contacts from my years of posting on the web, be it architects, publishers, media outlets, PR folk, and other people doing what I do. Clients have been limited mainly to writing gigs, which I thoroughly enjoy. Once in Chicago somebody who liked my site paid me to meet him at a coffee shop and critique the design an architect made for his house. That was quite unique.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy00LdXA3DhxcX_9YrXs-A2ZUTp3Lc8Y7zZaszy11QGccHMizZC0Lxjgwp18Hr_dEoyT-31R-0JoxKW5tSyu9TO5k6f4L6qQlA1gDY_yGVU6gknKkfKw3bODVIMAxz8In2cDtaCox_Dg/s1600-h/hill-cuny6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy00LdXA3DhxcX_9YrXs-A2ZUTp3Lc8Y7zZaszy11QGccHMizZC0Lxjgwp18Hr_dEoyT-31R-0JoxKW5tSyu9TO5k6f4L6qQlA1gDY_yGVU6gknKkfKw3bODVIMAxz8In2cDtaCox_Dg/s320/hill-cuny6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622517539999906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: What have you found to be the most critical skill for someone to be successful as an Architect?</span><br /><br />J: Being critical might be the best skill for success. An architect needs to be able to look at things, their work included, with a critical eye, in order to guide a project in the right direction. And given that an architect will eventually have people working below them, they need to be able to give those people a certain amount of freedom and then critically assess what they've done. Architects don't need to be micro-managing, hovering above their employees to make sure they're doing something a certain way. And with a certain amount of success comes the time constraints born of it: dealing with clients, trying to get clients, presenting projects, giving lectures, riding airplanes. Having good employees and knowing how to deal with them towards the best result is important.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGet7NA8VzLAVKwSWJR0vSYFmIm15-kxN6HbILAhmYX_4te9DqDzSBfA_tfk1CjynUCx6NC2jSkMNmtSrdm-YpYUp3W1twJqFTRwPvucnHtUKpSbhJ_TJ6X9p2XI7Kn92K62VIoCPk-A/s1600-h/hill-cuny7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGet7NA8VzLAVKwSWJR0vSYFmIm15-kxN6HbILAhmYX_4te9DqDzSBfA_tfk1CjynUCx6NC2jSkMNmtSrdm-YpYUp3W1twJqFTRwPvucnHtUKpSbhJ_TJ6X9p2XI7Kn92K62VIoCPk-A/s320/hill-cuny7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622513981636450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lago Agrio project by John Hill</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Has being critical of a work every come back to haunt you? Like running into an architect whose building you gave a less than favorable review of?</span><br /><br />J: I've had that happen with book reviews a few times, but since the buildings I tend to feature are ones that I like and want to share with other people, I'm usually not giving less than favorable reviews. That said I still occasionally rip on something I don't agree with and then have to defend my position in comments on the blog, but it rarely goes beyond that.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Given free reign on a project, what style of architecture would you most like to work with?</span><br /><br />J: I subscribe to the idea that no single style should predominate when it comes to architecture. Given free reign, what would arise would be dependent on the numerous conditions of the project (site, program, budget, client, etc.). Likewise, my favorite architects do not have a signature style. Previously I would have said <a href="http://rpbw.r.ui-pro.com/">Renzo Piano</a> is this idea's ideal, but lately he's been stuck in a formal rut of sorts, even though standouts like California Academy of Sciences remind people about his diversity. <a href="http://eng.archinform.net/arch/426.htm">Peter Zumthor</a> is another name that comes to mind. Try to find a stylistic thread in his work; it's close to impossible.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: What sort architectural and design "features" by others tend to annoy you?</span><br /><br />J: I'm annoyed by second-rate design features that appear well after their prime. One that comes to mind are those oversized, multi-story portals for frames that popped up on what seemed like every other building a few years ago, in many cases for no reason. A recent SOM building at Harvard (<a href="http://www.som.com/content.cfm/harvard_university_northwest_science_building">http://www.som.com/content.cfm/harvard_university_northwest_science_building</a>) has a couple of them, "living rooms" above building entries. This is not a badly-designed example, with terraces for lounging, but it nevertheless reiterates my annoyance in this feature proliferating.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Good, Fast, Cheap. Pick Two.</span><br /><br />J: Good and Cheap. Fast is a quality helpful to developers and other clients, not architecture.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: What's your dream project? The one that you lay awake at night and envision one day having a benefactor to pay for it.</span><br /><br />J: Dream projects come to me when I see a site, a particularly distinctive vacant lot somewhere, for example, and then think about what would be ideal on that (usually small) patch of land. One that comes to mind is a site next to <a href="http://outside.in/places/giddings-plaza-chicago">Giddings Plaza</a> in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, where I lived for most of my ten years between undergrad and grad school. The standard lot (approx. 25x100') was a parking lot for a big-and-tall store next door. So basically a parking lot fronted the plaza, instead of a building like the opposite side. I thought it would be possible to preserve the parking spaces for the big and tall folks buying suits next door by raising an apartment building on pilotis. The spaces would be next to the plaza and would double as market stalls when the store was closed. In the early morning it could be a farmers market; late at night beer and other late-night stuff could be sold that would enliven the plaza. Since living in New York I've learned a typical and very boring condo building has been built on the parking lot. (<a href="http://www.fountainview-lincolnsquare.com/">http://www.fountainview-lincolnsquare.com</a>/) Yea, it's got a green roof, but just about every other new project in the city has one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmP4JDd4M-JFnEK7cn_RsSGtkmAQDaxS03t7gOMHxerk4HA_QOMCdtOoyPAyARzUKBzGSsZCYAcviADB-H_Awdh7wFF3oKXNIS3rSB43B4AHz9G9l7xmUoOo0eDn6jBK7js6XqBC_xA/s1600-h/hill-cuny8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmP4JDd4M-JFnEK7cn_RsSGtkmAQDaxS03t7gOMHxerk4HA_QOMCdtOoyPAyARzUKBzGSsZCYAcviADB-H_Awdh7wFF3oKXNIS3rSB43B4AHz9G9l7xmUoOo0eDn6jBK7js6XqBC_xA/s320/hill-cuny8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622513676378370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: What's the hardest compromise you've ever had to make on a project?</span><br /><br />J: This example might not be the hardest, but it's the most memorable. For a condo high-rise in Chicago we sculpted the silhouette of the top in a manner that one area became an ideal shared rooftop terrace, with views of Lake Michigan for all residents, not just the penthouse units. This space was eventually filled in with a couple more units to maximize the profit for the developer. I fought (or at least complained) to keep it a commons area, but alas the developer won and that is how it was built. Even on a project like this one, I think that what is believed to be its most valuable component (rooftop view) should be shared by all who own part of the building, not just those who can afford it. The hard part is convincing a for-profit client to go along with that thinking and make less money in the short term. Perhaps the selling price of other units increases due to this shared amenity, making a wash of the loss?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Are there any vital tools and/or skills you can think of that they don't mention in school that are monumental in terms of time and/or money saved?</span><br /><br />J: Saving time is not a product of technology, even though it's lauded as such. With every advance comes new problems that take up the time saved in the benefits of CAD, or BIM, or whatever will supplant BIM. Saving time is about knowing what is NOT necessary, what does NOT need to be drawn, detailed, written, etc. This is learned, but keeping this in mind helps when faced with a deadline. Realizing later that the detail one put into one area of a presentation drawing is not visible when printed, for example, really wakes one up to what's important. Focused on the technology at hand, in this case, can lead one to missing the point. Likewise, saving money is being critical of technology and figuring out what can be taken out of a project, such as oversized mechanical systems. I have a dream where one day we will live in a world without mechanical engineers. This might sound harsh and unrealistic, but why can't we achieve the heating/cooling/ventilation with architectural means? It's been done for thousands of years. But now that we have this phenomenal technology we're in a specialization rut that makes all these extra roles needed, even though they shouldn't be. I don't think saving money is about spec'ing cheap products; it's about having an overall picture of the project and knowing what can be eliminated or reduced at all levels. And remember what looks minimal takes a lot of effort and therefore $$.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIup8Dg9asP2P9soqgYuaoaoEZk4zOxS6-MVqlKUAPy8J36rwiRdrIVe8DpSrTsVXlhnYcyuugQgvDzGfXSHGIqANbPqopYxEdcj35BKFaeL53Jd7DJsFItPEMjUafhkxisGskjxFoMA/s1600-h/hill-cuny9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIup8Dg9asP2P9soqgYuaoaoEZk4zOxS6-MVqlKUAPy8J36rwiRdrIVe8DpSrTsVXlhnYcyuugQgvDzGfXSHGIqANbPqopYxEdcj35BKFaeL53Jd7DJsFItPEMjUafhkxisGskjxFoMA/s320/hill-cuny9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622507598010642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: What did you do with all your old architectural models from school? Did you keep them as reminders, or did you recycle them with each project? Or something else?</span><br /><br />J: They're all gone, even the ones from my recent urban design studio. (I made a full-scale mock-up of a bamboo screen facade, and now I wish I kept it.) I donated one model in undergrad to the bookstore I worked at. They hung it from the ceiling as a way to mark the architecture section. I've never recycled the materials, though if I were in school now I might be doing that. Having taken plenty of photos of my models, I've never clung to the models themselves. This might also stem from my less than stellar craftsmanship. I love a well-crafted model, but I don't have the patience to build one.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Have you ever met or worked with any Starchitects, or other related celebrities, such as architectural photographer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Shulman">Julius Schulman</a>?</span><br /><br />J: Nope, not even close to doing that. I'd guess it's not as fun as it sounds, though working with somebody like Schulman would probably be more sane than a starchitect.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Do you have any parting words of advice for students pursuing a career in this field?</span><br /><br />J: My only advice would be to make sure you really love architecture and its production before getting yourself into a lifetime of being paid below your worth, working long hours, and being particularly susceptible to economic lows. I would add that you should enjoy school while you're in it, as you won't have the same freedoms after graduation. And while later you might complain that school did not prepare you for the practicalities of working in a practice, that's what working in a practice is for, learning everything outside of design, theory, etc. School is a great chance to explore and experiment; take advantage of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhKaINpF8j0R4NqS0t71DogbVAiBUxpuTRlb9NYPknBEj7Pqdg7qufL2gXakIkV2DeWM2rHx_WpV6rRkxqPP06Y_vFrJGiuH5F69kwgTxaiVvcDpVUOZ-PG4GRtoMDLa59tobAKbkLg/s1600-h/hill-cuny10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhKaINpF8j0R4NqS0t71DogbVAiBUxpuTRlb9NYPknBEj7Pqdg7qufL2gXakIkV2DeWM2rHx_WpV6rRkxqPP06Y_vFrJGiuH5F69kwgTxaiVvcDpVUOZ-PG4GRtoMDLa59tobAKbkLg/s320/hill-cuny10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351622506581902626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: How long are the hours, and how low is the pay compared to the cost of living?</span><br /><br />J: In my experience the hours have always varied with deadlines, so for a few weeks I might have been putting in 12-hour days seven days a week, but then go back to 8-hour days five days a week for a month or so after. My last job had the benefit of very little overtime, helpful for a new father. When I was younger I could deal with getting home after midnight and being back at work first thing the next morning, day after day, but not anymore.<br /><br />While the comparison of salary to house prices is not as valid in New York City (rentals are still very popular), if I take the same example, a 3-4BR in Park Slope, <a href="http://www.visitbrooklyn.org/">Brooklyn</a> costs about $1.5 million, though in many cases much more. A licensed architect with 10 years can expect at least an $80,000 salary. That equates to about 5% of a house per year. I don't think I'm far off with that salary, though this does show how expensive NYC can be and why people rent here. It also shows why both heads of household need to work, and why if one is an architect the other needs to be a lawyer or some other high-paid white collar to be able to afford owning in the better 'hoods.<br /><br />My contention that architects are underpaid is relative to professions like engineers that have much higher salaries. Part of this discrepancy is that an engineer's contribution is more quantifiable, for lack of a better term, while an architect's contribution is more vague, even though they both contribute to the end building, and they both have insurance and liability. The lack of understanding of what architects do and are capable of leads clients to pursue other avenues, making architects low-ball their fees and bringing with it lower salaries in the meantime. Not only do architects compete with each other for jobs, they compete with engineers, contractors and developers, anybody who can stamp drawings and obtain building permits.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B: Thank you again, John, I look forward to reading your next Dose.</span><br /><br />John Hill's sites may be reached at the following URLs and are well worth the read:<br /><a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://archidose.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (A Daily Dose of Architecture)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/">http://www.archidose.org</a> (A Weekly Dose of Architecture)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://architourist.pbworks.com/">http://architourist.pbworks.com</a> (The Archi-Tourist)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-86138237817673175312009-06-25T07:00:00.001-05:002009-06-25T09:05:34.912-05:00Lessons From Nature's Architects<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaslfgXFzin_X460TxhX8sFcV7jCbfxuCANhBYClxD0bxL1wRxdTal-RGGSXq7GAY21GXHUjfOUt8uK3KLInVGFpAZ1te_gbYQ3W-SkhpsY_1zczGm5hH8RKW_4oNuq9dIWEoXkrBvxA/s1600-h/title.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaslfgXFzin_X460TxhX8sFcV7jCbfxuCANhBYClxD0bxL1wRxdTal-RGGSXq7GAY21GXHUjfOUt8uK3KLInVGFpAZ1te_gbYQ3W-SkhpsY_1zczGm5hH8RKW_4oNuq9dIWEoXkrBvxA/s320/title.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351264837870345762" border="0" /></a>Human hubris often gives the impression that great architecture is and was our idea. But animals have been pulling off architectural miracles hundreds of millions of years before humans decided to even build the first lean-to out of some fallen branches. In examining only a few natural feats of civil and structural engineering it only too often humiliates humanity's own humble efforts.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >BEAVERS:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDIpgYamiTV4Fv8u7CsyvmVWDseYM3ol2W35AwHvgaOM6hpGe57CExsd9nfPfffL87R1pNPIMmeKpFXhplB0edaZW3cuzwhIIPMCM-HN-_Jg2s-Srkq6j6jbzggJO18H9jwgDc3worA/s1600-h/beaver1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDIpgYamiTV4Fv8u7CsyvmVWDseYM3ol2W35AwHvgaOM6hpGe57CExsd9nfPfffL87R1pNPIMmeKpFXhplB0edaZW3cuzwhIIPMCM-HN-_Jg2s-Srkq6j6jbzggJO18H9jwgDc3worA/s320/beaver1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259214021970690" border="0" /></a>Everyone knows beavers build dams. Perhaps lesser-known is why. A beaver lodge, it's home, is a much like an igloo made of wood, mud, and rock, with the entrance underwater. The water surrounding the lodge serves as protective moat against the beaver's natural predators. But the pond in which a beaver builds his lodge often does not exist ahead of time, so the beaver builds a dam to divert enough water to a depression, fills it up, and then builds his lodge in the newly made pond. These dams are expertly crafted from nothing but wood, weeds, mud, and rock. The largest currently-known beaver dam is 850 meters or 2790 ft (over half a mile long), was probably built overnight, could be easily rebuilt overnight, and most likely beavers learned how to do this over 100 million years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBTsc11fsNvro068kxwSdiPF0Ao_IGyFl5jYOBcVXK9KE9znt9WRFrbj_zW-WWcfpa1YoBHj9PBK5QSiSRm00d14wEyd_S7UQj6gsjbNsSlGTfvSVR0S7FcF7g3EIWPSDv-FIzZy-cQ/s1600-h/beaver2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBTsc11fsNvro068kxwSdiPF0Ao_IGyFl5jYOBcVXK9KE9znt9WRFrbj_zW-WWcfpa1YoBHj9PBK5QSiSRm00d14wEyd_S7UQj6gsjbNsSlGTfvSVR0S7FcF7g3EIWPSDv-FIzZy-cQ/s320/beaver2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259210381080050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED FROM THEM:</span><br />Irrigation techniques, dams (obviously), protective moats, amphibious habitat construction, hydrodynamics, use of a snow roof as an insulator.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BMNJz0UD2RY5F5-3bdV3xXtJWHRcPzU8NB7k5rK6Hom-yG0vty2Vc4VNerLMqSQWjiCIT7mlR7Z621LKeP0_Qz1-TtQ_6ACJZsKxzDCth8WvmAt5YcLoAI543d8PDhvJtk6eQSMZ3A/s1600-h/beaver3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BMNJz0UD2RY5F5-3bdV3xXtJWHRcPzU8NB7k5rK6Hom-yG0vty2Vc4VNerLMqSQWjiCIT7mlR7Z621LKeP0_Qz1-TtQ_6ACJZsKxzDCth8WvmAt5YcLoAI543d8PDhvJtk6eQSMZ3A/s320/beaver3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259210118143378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN FROM THEM:</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Terraforming</span> techniques. Beaver dams, and the ponds they create, have an immense potential to change the entire surrounding ecosystem, usually for the better. The wood that is chosen naturally by the beaver will more often than not truncheon (sprout) and form roots and trees that further enforce the dam and eventually form a permanent nigh-immovable part of the landscape. River salmon runs depend heavily on beaver ponds for their breeding pools. Rich farmland is created at the bottom of the ponds while at the same time excess nutrients and toxins are removed in the process. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Denitrification</span> helps recapture excess nitrogen in the atmosphere. Diverse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">biosystems</span> for songbirds, frogs, toads, etc, are given a literal oasis of shelter, food, and water. Beavers have not only figured out how to terraform the land, often to nature's benefit, but do so without mechanized earth-movers, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nanomolecular</span> robots, or union labor. They do it with on-site materials, often overnight, and must live within the results of their labor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CADDISFLY</span> LARVAE:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbSIS9-j4ZjGSHq9tO9G_s7xpzlZEi1O6pIn2FOy9Oz95mpcguzp3HFhGjezSZDvkSsztgVHVjYI3Eyr9IpEtrxHt6SW1mL2RrsHo1NxbKk_3CNuO4wZrhpEn-mSdBc6rcrkm8frAkA/s1600-h/caddisfly_larva.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbSIS9-j4ZjGSHq9tO9G_s7xpzlZEi1O6pIn2FOy9Oz95mpcguzp3HFhGjezSZDvkSsztgVHVjYI3Eyr9IpEtrxHt6SW1mL2RrsHo1NxbKk_3CNuO4wZrhpEn-mSdBc6rcrkm8frAkA/s320/caddisfly_larva.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351010839783451058" border="0" /></a>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">caddisfly</span> larva creates a cocoon-like case around itself out of local materials as a combination of camouflage, protection, and as a means of seining water for food. In many cases, these cases are beautiful with intricate design. Unlike snails, they do not secrete their houses, but must assemble them bit by bit. Unlike hermit crabs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">caddisfly</span> larvae never outgrow their shells, but rather they build on to the outside of it as they grow larger, often creating a flared shape. The entire domicile is mobile, easily entered and exited, and achieves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">zenlike</span> aesthetic that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">caddisfly</span> itself will never be able to appreciate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEfzEe9-rtAt3TsPFDf1pRyo4QpleE7jAqM0UKfClY7qgJVkXIOswXnJo3IaDSSqgczc-h155bikcS3bpntZdzkarV_O8WovNzO_2rHEEpFPBC0y_Fep-PA60hGi71bw-Z3-ozhx6cA/s1600-h/caddisfly_larvae_ashley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEfzEe9-rtAt3TsPFDf1pRyo4QpleE7jAqM0UKfClY7qgJVkXIOswXnJo3IaDSSqgczc-h155bikcS3bpntZdzkarV_O8WovNzO_2rHEEpFPBC0y_Fep-PA60hGi71bw-Z3-ozhx6cA/s320/caddisfly_larvae_ashley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351010841258903826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED FROM THEM:</span><br />Composite materials construction, camouflage, and mobile homes, use of the home as a method of obtaining food.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWc0lPAKgdI4u0LKXgUdQ_oxUNTxUXxObH9R7PHR-KRhIrScdC805RD83VxRdTS9HFycCXMV-t9Md2cf42mv4PNN7Ovt5axvJ5RsuP9fj-8tb1ve2EtNu8ZaiHsXIZZZLa_K1f2iU-g/s1600-h/caddisfly-cases.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWc0lPAKgdI4u0LKXgUdQ_oxUNTxUXxObH9R7PHR-KRhIrScdC805RD83VxRdTS9HFycCXMV-t9Md2cf42mv4PNN7Ovt5axvJ5RsuP9fj-8tb1ve2EtNu8ZaiHsXIZZZLa_K1f2iU-g/s320/caddisfly-cases.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351010844644663522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN FROM THEM:</span><br />The same combination of the four that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">caddisfly</span> larva manages to achieve. Imagine the possibilities of a mobile infantry or even a planetary exploration vehicle that also serves as a home that can be easily crafted or repaired compositely from any local materials, is capable of being expanded upon when demand calls for it, is perfectly camouflaged, is mobile, and can be used to obtain food.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ORB-WEB SPIDERS:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhDh2jatjNhSBzsIifijSqZ3O5L-Pnvf8KCA7wOqL6NzfAtSRhMBi2hSEenhq7TAswpOzqO8ccIlTM2CBfn_Pdnw5nw7Cr9qDsq7xAHq4Mpo1G25g9hFcPguE9AebyaXWSgLFigfl5w/s1600-h/spider1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhDh2jatjNhSBzsIifijSqZ3O5L-Pnvf8KCA7wOqL6NzfAtSRhMBi2hSEenhq7TAswpOzqO8ccIlTM2CBfn_Pdnw5nw7Cr9qDsq7xAHq4Mpo1G25g9hFcPguE9AebyaXWSgLFigfl5w/s320/spider1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259688934717922" border="0" /></a>Web-spinning spiders polymerize one of the most amazing materials known to man. Strands of spider-silk are stronger than steel. It is estimated that a spiderweb woven with threads a pencil's width thick could stop a 747 travelling at full speed. The elasticity of the material allows it to stretch up to an incredible 40% before it breaks. It has amazing hygroscopic properties to keep it from drying out, yet is acidic, preventing bacterial and fungal growth. It is also edible, and its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dernier</span> value (the length at which a material will break under its own weight) is 5-8, compared to steel's paltry 3. In other words, you would need a length of spider-silk 45 to 72 kilometers long before it would break under its own weight. To top it off, the thickness of the strand is uniform across the web, and the precise distance measurements are based off of its own body size.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW6fsenTNhtSjUysnWILk0KmFQOt6XXQZZPGURd09v0QUWSC_-WOufb9lN6qKiNFC_WyBz-zK42CQhxnbTdVTNVfdIKAcjViMb1LrQx_22ob9gg246yalXH9FqZHl3ifjCW2BT8u_xQ/s1600-h/spider2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW6fsenTNhtSjUysnWILk0KmFQOt6XXQZZPGURd09v0QUWSC_-WOufb9lN6qKiNFC_WyBz-zK42CQhxnbTdVTNVfdIKAcjViMb1LrQx_22ob9gg246yalXH9FqZHl3ifjCW2BT8u_xQ/s320/spider2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259688697472130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED FROM THEM:</span><br />Suspension bridge construction, the strength of the Y and the arch, polymerization.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm_orEKADCgJ2MEt6sx3QVCuiRKTdUIg-huHJxDbHvxFiPBjOqi_ICI2STnN41Q2k7g8kxDKKUttrKcZYntcy1Wyr103PN-8cfGYph2ZbijHoS-XYKQ5nCxdsOR6KMOLiFQR56xL8TQ/s1600-h/spider3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTm_orEKADCgJ2MEt6sx3QVCuiRKTdUIg-huHJxDbHvxFiPBjOqi_ICI2STnN41Q2k7g8kxDKKUttrKcZYntcy1Wyr103PN-8cfGYph2ZbijHoS-XYKQ5nCxdsOR6KMOLiFQR56xL8TQ/s320/spider3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351259682081109090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN FROM THEM:</span><br />Advanced lightweight materials fabrication techniques. Certainly knowing how to make <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">spider silk</span> would be cool, but what would be even better is fully understanding the "how" of their formation, and how we can apply that knowledge to the creation of other, even more incredible materials. The advent of nanotechnology will almost certainly lead to this in time, and has already resulted in carbon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">nanotubes</span>, which show amazing potential.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SOCIAL SPARROW WEAVER:</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-ekw59ylygq0dS9T3_ZuTpcQt9Yy3CZXNV8OkAcSZdOkxyAHTJ7YVH6Hcl8_mzD7wW7BHbULuqqMxEPkhPVvHYLmZRvpO5BA-TgMeGMXzZ5Y0eaYc2xMjcwrGH40w44VRQtxqq2Uxg/s1600-h/weaver1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-ekw59ylygq0dS9T3_ZuTpcQt9Yy3CZXNV8OkAcSZdOkxyAHTJ7YVH6Hcl8_mzD7wW7BHbULuqqMxEPkhPVvHYLmZRvpO5BA-TgMeGMXzZ5Y0eaYc2xMjcwrGH40w44VRQtxqq2Uxg/s320/weaver1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260012980996274" border="0" /></a>The social sparrow weaver creates enormous nests capable of housing 100-300 in a single colony. The nests are designed with long <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">tubelike</span> entrances from the bottom, and the thermal zone has a wide variance of ~15 degrees C from the outer edge to the inner edge. Made of different materials, in different layers, the nests are permanent structures, some lasting over 100 years or more. In the winter, the sparrows nest closer to the center, where shared body heat and the protection of layers insulates them from the harsh sub-zero temperatures. The structure itself saves the birds an estimated 7% of their body's energy in the winter--a critical amount when food is scarce. During the summer, to cool off, they move to the outer edges of the colony. Nests are chosen typically in high trees with smooth trunks and high branches. Telephone poles are in fact ideal for this. To compliment their gregarious lifestyle, weaver nests often house a variety of guests like falcons, owls, vultures, eagles, and finches.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxeal5_SypiXdN5fI6-0X53VcJ2Pco4oyyQIXSLR-L7gePSaLjFrt95SkJOMUhEm_LE6L6f7CjgMxBsNvDauKHMKllS0KUjpJ9QjBOffY0ZJnu6ms-g_v5OqTKSHYxKltc8vUYjrdRg/s1600-h/weaver2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxeal5_SypiXdN5fI6-0X53VcJ2Pco4oyyQIXSLR-L7gePSaLjFrt95SkJOMUhEm_LE6L6f7CjgMxBsNvDauKHMKllS0KUjpJ9QjBOffY0ZJnu6ms-g_v5OqTKSHYxKltc8vUYjrdRg/s320/weaver2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260009255549762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED FROM THEM:</span><br />Apartment quarters, cooperative living with other species, long-term urban planning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmflM8-dRQIFbWlSmuGmkvz2l2yP2HmDLcV5OZP1ELUoZtHO53Hn23rYkQWWGVmnpCjoPJ3zgfQc-33Oy7JXZlY7FAs_AF05zBjHIvbkO2a2PiNiGeCF1mUMYH0-zCKsV3B0VbFxG57A/s1600-h/weaver3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmflM8-dRQIFbWlSmuGmkvz2l2yP2HmDLcV5OZP1ELUoZtHO53Hn23rYkQWWGVmnpCjoPJ3zgfQc-33Oy7JXZlY7FAs_AF05zBjHIvbkO2a2PiNiGeCF1mUMYH0-zCKsV3B0VbFxG57A/s320/weaver3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260008453505090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN FROM THEM:</span><br />More communal architectural techniques. Our basic apartment complex has changed little in the last few thousand years, and those who had different or unique ideas were quickly lost to the extremely overused and "blocks and courtyards" method of dense residential housing. The need for privacy, combined with the need for efficiency of space, is a battle that is continuously being fought between architects and developers. Profit typically wins in the end, though quality of living at a lower cost should be the true litmus test of a good "apartment". If we could figure out how to get an apartment complex to have the same sense of community as a suburban neighborhood, with the energy and space efficiency of a high-rise, the capability of housing guests, and an energy efficiency that far outstrips the cheap construction methods used for most apartments, then humanity will have made the next--and arguably most necessary--leap forward in housing.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">HONEY BEES:</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ388YRVoGADZpBO-MNzcVxzVuuh-nkeX6hc__5ziEYES64eHVc3xIHsQR-ZMG0Hq7xUh9BAtPHpoOXmG-RMNNY0rYHgN_FijC8-SEgvgpAUZenbvGniHREbUb0_dTknf-qA4dcVy7w/s1600-h/bee1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ388YRVoGADZpBO-MNzcVxzVuuh-nkeX6hc__5ziEYES64eHVc3xIHsQR-ZMG0Hq7xUh9BAtPHpoOXmG-RMNNY0rYHgN_FijC8-SEgvgpAUZenbvGniHREbUb0_dTknf-qA4dcVy7w/s320/bee1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260415554762626" border="0" /></a>Bees practically invented compartmentalization. Using their own body as the unit of measurement, and the honeycomb shape as the most efficient use of space, bees have created multi-use compartments that can be used to live in, store food, raise young, process materials, and enact social structure. The hexagonal shape tiles the plane with minimal surface area, using the least amount of material necessary to divide space uniformly from wall to wall. The shape of the honeycomb is so perfect that master masons use it in their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">symbology</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQc0vlqvzqyHtUME5r_iOwlqXt1Xm0YufDRoVv8rERFHb8PzI_Ei8NVvognJJ8CzGkH7EQY8MRFFYTAPk3myVE2A7TspiAaF-8qHnjZ3bTHRNDk_XiJB5nsFFzjK6rrpUxAVsJv3kPw/s1600-h/bee2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQc0vlqvzqyHtUME5r_iOwlqXt1Xm0YufDRoVv8rERFHb8PzI_Ei8NVvognJJ8CzGkH7EQY8MRFFYTAPk3myVE2A7TspiAaF-8qHnjZ3bTHRNDk_XiJB5nsFFzjK6rrpUxAVsJv3kPw/s320/bee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260415585500978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED FROM THEM:</span><br />Extremely low-budget housing construction. In some countries, the honeycomb shape is used to stack more coin-op "coffin beds" (think of a hotel room the size of a coffin), and in Slovenia there is already a low-budget housing project based off the honeycomb shape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1pmbN7K7Gret0WQQCOMMoDN6A-9mELeiXQyjoAMWIBoT55y1Ka3V1dt1VOtE687FoG5Ks_OIBWI_e7Nfuf4_N9KxmTuGZlZQBH0149SXNwyRlWARUyxlk9hXIP8TMJ5DyXNqMXIDaQ/s1600-h/bee3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1pmbN7K7Gret0WQQCOMMoDN6A-9mELeiXQyjoAMWIBoT55y1Ka3V1dt1VOtE687FoG5Ks_OIBWI_e7Nfuf4_N9KxmTuGZlZQBH0149SXNwyRlWARUyxlk9hXIP8TMJ5DyXNqMXIDaQ/s320/bee3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351260407347711570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN FROM THEM:</span><br />More uses for the honeycomb structure. Honeycomb architecture is being actively researched. Engineers, architects, and designers are scrambling to fully realize the modern possibilities of this shape, from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">nano</span>-molecular to the macro mega-structural scale.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ANTS:</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoiVXQxt0O0Jj6ynvdJWEaRWwZo9ifLLGDYxENxCukayI68E39WzExlekwgcxCcI-iXPFFjLTXszCgBH8s2x-1Q5pTl4sMZAfJWMWy1JDQx7YqawefY_IIb9U9FCLuJ3BTcb0xvmHkQ/s1600-h/harvester+ants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoiVXQxt0O0Jj6ynvdJWEaRWwZo9ifLLGDYxENxCukayI68E39WzExlekwgcxCcI-iXPFFjLTXszCgBH8s2x-1Q5pTl4sMZAfJWMWy1JDQx7YqawefY_IIb9U9FCLuJ3BTcb0xvmHkQ/s320/harvester+ants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351008702193849250" border="0" /></a>Individually, ants are barely a step up from a virus. They are so stupid that ants will play tug of war with a twig for months on end, with none of them being aware the others are pushing or pulling. They are so stupid that a live ant coated with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">oleic</span> acid will be repeatedly picked up and moved to the "ant graveyard" despite wriggling and protests. They are barely aware of one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">another's</span> presence, and seem more like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">pre</span>-programmed chemically-based stimulus response organisms than an actual life form. And yet, collectively, ants achieve some of the most brilliant feats of civil engineering, public works, and architecture that the world has ever seen. And thanks to a very little understood science called emergence, we have only barely come to realize it's by some strange combination of accident and repetition. Thanks to recent advances in ant bed research, we are only just now finding out how very neat and organized these nests appear to be, which lends only more questions to the already growing pile.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD-hpji1YztrVEQff0DJsqirTYIoc75eYCZFqmcYpiIe9qxwcM1G2AdOCfoFe62GUqg_XrpJIOKBU5246e8nTcY1zkYy78PaoDV7ZF2nNRKTgfcUgvOyVJR8ZjOxXfOj7ij2Scljm2g/s1600-h/ants1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD-hpji1YztrVEQff0DJsqirTYIoc75eYCZFqmcYpiIe9qxwcM1G2AdOCfoFe62GUqg_XrpJIOKBU5246e8nTcY1zkYy78PaoDV7ZF2nNRKTgfcUgvOyVJR8ZjOxXfOj7ij2Scljm2g/s320/ants1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351009264861550642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE'VE <span style="font-style: italic;">ALREADY</span> LEARNED:</span><br />Hallways, traffic control measures, production lines, specialization.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NBDOmMjLv3DUXr4IN6ypxp-I0JNUaWIk4FVRoi5Zf_hOM8FTvIGP0wRs8CvbohiZ8QfvPBMSV4t2qFsu8aw1l01FM3ClIbSfxnmWH2SpHrY5UlVkXnmNltd6a97LuRuIiUYlOmPz1g/s1600-h/antsw200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NBDOmMjLv3DUXr4IN6ypxp-I0JNUaWIk4FVRoi5Zf_hOM8FTvIGP0wRs8CvbohiZ8QfvPBMSV4t2qFsu8aw1l01FM3ClIbSfxnmWH2SpHrY5UlVkXnmNltd6a97LuRuIiUYlOmPz1g/s320/antsw200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351009265624181922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT WE <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOULD</span> LEARN:</span><br />Emergence theory. Swerve theory. Collective intelligence. Hive minds. These are already being investigated, but not yet fully understood, but it appears to happen all over nature, and even amongst cities. The idea is that if every organism's direction is purely randomly based, that eventually one organism will experience a positive event at a specific location, as opposed to a negative event or a non-event elsewhere. This positive event will then be experienced by another organism, and another, and another, while the other non-event and negative-event locations experience less traffic. The result is that a major thorofare develops between "home" and the "positive event". Similarly, the collective average guess of a crowd will--the vast majority of the time--be more accurate than the guess of any one individual in the crowd. Contrary to all popular belief, the larger the crowd, the more intelligent it appears to become, on average, on accident. The ability to apply detailed knowledge of this to architecture, urban planning, and traffic would allow for a complete revolution in the way cities are designed, how landscaping is handled, and how all are connected to one another.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONCLUSION:</span></span><br />If we can somehow manage to learn even a fraction of what nature has left to teach us, we can expand the horizons of habitability to new levels. As human population levels continue to increase and the Earth approaches the nigh-inevitable 10 billion count, we can no longer rely on tradition, aesthetics, and the assumption that only the future holds the solution. In many cases, the solutions to housing the world are all around us, we merely need to stop long enough to discover and appreciate them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512703841636258089.post-22770940126147518712009-06-24T04:30:00.000-05:002009-06-24T04:32:04.041-05:00E. Fay Jones: Marty Leonard Chapel (Interior)(All rights <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">reserved</span> 2009) The following photos are all my own work, but are free for non-commercial use so long as I am credited. Larger, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">uncropped</span></span>, higher resolution images are available upon request. Please contact me if you have a desire to use them in any commercial work.<br /><br />In part two of this week's main photo spread, we explore the interior of E. Fay Jone's "Marty Leonard Chapel" and witness the sublime beauty within. If you have not yet seen the exterior photos of the chapel, please see Part One of this spread by clicking <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/e-fay-jones-marty-leonard-chapel.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlyUc1thRxqw1ymqKQ35_4k3SKTBRyHy5vUfg1Utzc13jB0nhI4MqN5fgf6b0XzWxp_uu4UO6fxshKuqQhtF0QsUACR5VdaSqlwt9u1G8kOzhZWpXbjqEYJwMeUgZSPSCkQU-Bu_7RQ/s1600-h/chapel01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlyUc1thRxqw1ymqKQ35_4k3SKTBRyHy5vUfg1Utzc13jB0nhI4MqN5fgf6b0XzWxp_uu4UO6fxshKuqQhtF0QsUACR5VdaSqlwt9u1G8kOzhZWpXbjqEYJwMeUgZSPSCkQU-Bu_7RQ/s320/chapel01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350568027413881122" border="0" /></a>As one steps through the door of the Marty Leonard Chapel, there is an ever present aura of peace and light. The glass ceiling and crossbeams overhead illuminates the floor with a light grid all the way from the nave to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bema</span>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">saltire</span> "X" pattern is used to great effect in nearly every glassed area of the chapel, the exception being the slanted casings shown in yesterday's exterior footage. From within, at this angle, the slanted window casings give each side a complimentary column of half-chevrons made of light. The effect of the concentrated light is unmistakable: the focus should be upon those who walk up or down the aisle, and those who stand before it. Though the congregation is certainly not left in darkness, their presence is quietly muted from eyesight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7xVFgERzCzjbeBRZup-MJhViQNkI1lklhumiuXbJg63e2_uDJPF4oQTiGVWK242D23I72xBm7I_TTo5YwzlAQ_U5Kkc3ZiyS8q_aMG3pOryayR2h8Y1c1OTZAerB6l5gEmZoncQw3g/s1600-h/chapel03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7xVFgERzCzjbeBRZup-MJhViQNkI1lklhumiuXbJg63e2_uDJPF4oQTiGVWK242D23I72xBm7I_TTo5YwzlAQ_U5Kkc3ZiyS8q_aMG3pOryayR2h8Y1c1OTZAerB6l5gEmZoncQw3g/s320/chapel03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350568021493132594" border="0" /></a>This is achieved through an extremely intricate pattern of crossing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">saltire</span> beams in the vault. Rather than using arches, Jones has supported the weight of the ceiling through an incredible number of precisely placed triangles which from one angle appear organic and chaotic...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9uTDmtCcdJelAUPjG_YnMLV3oY4Q-q77BRp-8BuZ_po7uMiSkJYxwOwxz_HNal_ShLGddf7Ky_IrbxO62CUd3fZ_gmJlDRQa1_1bvgXXI_7TzZt_tYcWDwJ-scapTuiz9wvWH3cSlA/s1600-h/chapel07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9uTDmtCcdJelAUPjG_YnMLV3oY4Q-q77BRp-8BuZ_po7uMiSkJYxwOwxz_HNal_ShLGddf7Ky_IrbxO62CUd3fZ_gmJlDRQa1_1bvgXXI_7TzZt_tYcWDwJ-scapTuiz9wvWH3cSlA/s320/chapel07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567519423241442" border="0" /></a>...and yet from another angle, snap into orderly patterns that mesmerize and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">crystallize</span>. The subtext of finding order in chaos, of patterns in nature, and the sanctity of space.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSZxjudN8kVn3oVJAMekY99jxsL-FOdYGhm1VAR6lXE3qNp48xXP5abQWarHSCbH0AQ-CsSZxrT1t70kf2btDQW_lQBoH7G-Rkic69suxwjfsp749VuXgmsR2CD74t1f1a5EX4pFd4A/s1600-h/chapel04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSZxjudN8kVn3oVJAMekY99jxsL-FOdYGhm1VAR6lXE3qNp48xXP5abQWarHSCbH0AQ-CsSZxrT1t70kf2btDQW_lQBoH7G-Rkic69suxwjfsp749VuXgmsR2CD74t1f1a5EX4pFd4A/s320/chapel04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350568015967119154" border="0" /></a>As the crossing is approached, the transepts are beautifully realized, and yet remain far enough off to the side that they are hidden from view except for those actively looking at them. The power of the "light grid" on the floor is such that the eye wishes to look at the altar, not those sitting to the far left and right of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH2tFlIQxFIPj5AujbYP3mN0SoNoay-Akv3qXJPLG4UDMz52_liMEK5cMJYNDRRk8waGBtUROrq-MQbLMNJaYMAC7QbwFBsSD4rXattyPtmGWZM_UBqDp5CnhnsTu9bWA5JRmDoZkoQ/s1600-h/chapel04a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH2tFlIQxFIPj5AujbYP3mN0SoNoay-Akv3qXJPLG4UDMz52_liMEK5cMJYNDRRk8waGBtUROrq-MQbLMNJaYMAC7QbwFBsSD4rXattyPtmGWZM_UBqDp5CnhnsTu9bWA5JRmDoZkoQ/s320/chapel04a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350568015328819202" border="0" /></a>The corner of the transepts use a great deal of indirect lighting to counteract the contrasting darkness of being outside the nave. One way this is achieved without drawing attention to either side is by turning the corners into long windows with the slanted panes seen earlier. Then, a subtle brick column in front lends depth as well as a block against the direct light. The space also creates a quiet spot for an usher to wait comfortably, or perhaps for a congregant to unobtrusively move from the nave to the transept, blocked from view by both.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWM-D-nEy48gOCRyg6zWBGk7rwF6jiNKwPlOC5qwsi4GxGRBDX9FvmoD7XFAzQ2g9xTS6MSuLXq8y91NkfAZN-7NKi_47Xbx5zLyd-m5fz6VCWo651y8ALTRSwzjxS3uPH5tn5tzb1sw/s1600-h/chapel05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWM-D-nEy48gOCRyg6zWBGk7rwF6jiNKwPlOC5qwsi4GxGRBDX9FvmoD7XFAzQ2g9xTS6MSuLXq8y91NkfAZN-7NKi_47Xbx5zLyd-m5fz6VCWo651y8ALTRSwzjxS3uPH5tn5tzb1sw/s320/chapel05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567522419591778" border="0" /></a>Past the crossing, upon the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bema</span>, looking forward towards the nave, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">officiant</span> is treated to nearly as beautiful a sight, with the slanted window casings creating full chevrons to either side just before the transepts begin. And if one looks upward from this angle...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ZW7FpLifCd52-bTVqvCJEqPb_JIvx5ACc6y6dLo0FRzVuDoNTmruTHZlYYLavrsg8ahvaQlVy3ZEfhMTBKennAwq1BBB2tQgg5Og0nKyd4rCyeXkpfGC6sDclfLNFty-F29YmgOeg/s1600-h/chapel06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ZW7FpLifCd52-bTVqvCJEqPb_JIvx5ACc6y6dLo0FRzVuDoNTmruTHZlYYLavrsg8ahvaQlVy3ZEfhMTBKennAwq1BBB2tQgg5Og0nKyd4rCyeXkpfGC6sDclfLNFty-F29YmgOeg/s320/chapel06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567524726994210" border="0" /></a>...the most beautiful, illuminated view of the vault is seen. Again, the symbolism of the layout and position of the sun cannot be lost. From the congregation's point of view, the focus is on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">officiant</span> and the altar. From the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">officiant's</span> point of view, the focus is on the heavens. It stands to reason that one who devotes their life to their god would have a better view of the heavenly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">demesne</span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgDRCAIdB2NWWUh-HfyMn35K6ks2k5rQUJoC5NTocHgB3dA4YJDWl_U-rSifS0H3lqimc4JodE20fxHDlKYZeI9VskAh3ckTBlIdZSAxFGBL69mfsxgF1H2php2Z4qNAwL1CCUAzc2w/s1600-h/chapel09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgDRCAIdB2NWWUh-HfyMn35K6ks2k5rQUJoC5NTocHgB3dA4YJDWl_U-rSifS0H3lqimc4JodE20fxHDlKYZeI9VskAh3ckTBlIdZSAxFGBL69mfsxgF1H2php2Z4qNAwL1CCUAzc2w/s320/chapel09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567513060875298" border="0" /></a>Much like Frank Lloyd Wright, E. Fay Jones designed every aspect of the building, down to the even the light fixtures. This theme for the light fixture remains consistent throughout most of the chapel, and is used to great effect as an object of beauty, light, and shadow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs3J-OYZTSvBUPEf4pCb4CUgc5E3MZH3CwyOtH0RnEjj-y1BVPXzHy6iY_qEh5jQsE_KICdygDe7zdS0zxMRuxAze-hJFdGJtPywAjukoi9kOa-gXO9-p2FDrogRLXpykBdkXphluyw/s1600-h/chapel00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZs3J-OYZTSvBUPEf4pCb4CUgc5E3MZH3CwyOtH0RnEjj-y1BVPXzHy6iY_qEh5jQsE_KICdygDe7zdS0zxMRuxAze-hJFdGJtPywAjukoi9kOa-gXO9-p2FDrogRLXpykBdkXphluyw/s320/chapel00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350600874646728050" border="0" /></a>To either side of the balcony is a pair of windows that carries another very thematic shape through the structure. On the house left, pictured above, is a tiny sound and lighting booth where tech crew can keep an eye on the house to catch their cues.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uQ2z_VZSYORmybugfKld1zEpn-A3OK2Aoq6QGJctqURalnxX9D5GpwaYdhNAO9t8ErQ445rUc0oe4Xl2J4954twyFxzFTwFmL3_0Q0wRCI4cVUrOhUk-mVU1nhg99VnCKD2pkj1LrQ/s1600-h/chapel11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uQ2z_VZSYORmybugfKld1zEpn-A3OK2Aoq6QGJctqURalnxX9D5GpwaYdhNAO9t8ErQ445rUc0oe4Xl2J4954twyFxzFTwFmL3_0Q0wRCI4cVUrOhUk-mVU1nhg99VnCKD2pkj1LrQ/s320/chapel11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567288508652402" border="0" /></a>On the house right, the window helps to illuminate a stairwell leading up to the balcony.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z0Dob2AfSIbSyqaUBdkbtoliWvoRWsPo0hv9YmyNcqjsbTWSRLw1xu1rZLoUNLSPRJgEzVEjmiUsCAgyYk8RYT3j4OZRorXVevkHupYZV__t2VoBDh1PuwE8XMA3B0RG_c-SpU5KWg/s1600-h/chapel12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z0Dob2AfSIbSyqaUBdkbtoliWvoRWsPo0hv9YmyNcqjsbTWSRLw1xu1rZLoUNLSPRJgEzVEjmiUsCAgyYk8RYT3j4OZRorXVevkHupYZV__t2VoBDh1PuwE8XMA3B0RG_c-SpU5KWg/s320/chapel12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567284420121458" border="0" /></a>The door frames leading to the balcony are a great counterpoint to the windows, while at the same time being vaguely recognizable as a religious shape, without being specific enough to decide what kind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCHL55xH1kqigUfiX5m7GQS6_qEow-vHoFv8-ZwIfoxpDQ9lRAVtLFMK4OJc-N6An2OX_YL4sUYX_PUUAo-zqTcMhIB-m391_6ZSwUmliBMq5o0Yo3Q4DRrzdmRGlFqvPWIYuPE7nfg/s1600-h/chapel13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCHL55xH1kqigUfiX5m7GQS6_qEow-vHoFv8-ZwIfoxpDQ9lRAVtLFMK4OJc-N6An2OX_YL4sUYX_PUUAo-zqTcMhIB-m391_6ZSwUmliBMq5o0Yo3Q4DRrzdmRGlFqvPWIYuPE7nfg/s320/chapel13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567278920430882" border="0" /></a>The view from the balcony is incredible, even more colorful than the view from the primary level.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgBOKdWd9HExIlKFPrhrSDoPV2gkC9tz2UdnkxJ4FYMoQkGlfJqA_rNV0kjXrT2xPLiqQUETNbUlYakYvxaIkrrHBzashDNMI9sB8o2h_dsc6YF7LBVm2g-mQoMnpfaUidOc31kgHOg/s1600-h/chapel14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgBOKdWd9HExIlKFPrhrSDoPV2gkC9tz2UdnkxJ4FYMoQkGlfJqA_rNV0kjXrT2xPLiqQUETNbUlYakYvxaIkrrHBzashDNMI9sB8o2h_dsc6YF7LBVm2g-mQoMnpfaUidOc31kgHOg/s320/chapel14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567275125433970" border="0" /></a>Even the tiny stairwell leading up to the sound and lighting booth, is planned with great care to provide the utmost aesthetic quality, while at the same time providing ample light to see by.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1fyKzWiX6GFPxNVoravVKHDp3iH10XAALmCSiZikKK_J4xtClP9PCo_57E4Yxb2ciYMf8SvjRQs6G1aBNDliBErfX3T7xlNnmnVjOnl04DsMfDU6QiUPwafoISLmRr9r83C6pMqATA/s1600-h/chapel15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1fyKzWiX6GFPxNVoravVKHDp3iH10XAALmCSiZikKK_J4xtClP9PCo_57E4Yxb2ciYMf8SvjRQs6G1aBNDliBErfX3T7xlNnmnVjOnl04DsMfDU6QiUPwafoISLmRr9r83C6pMqATA/s320/chapel15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567033601396946" border="0" /></a>From the sound and lighting booth, yet another perspective on the ceiling helps one to appreciate just how intricate a work of art it is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u9WFfTEoKDMWdU4n4OvIdgbY91YcTKuMHEiRzZ6qMZFG_spnUd3M3k5vnQPcmSGkG7A6cIvWx4NV5xW8Qc7kzYIeGZQTm16-Vqp_is1b6elZLxf0Y7xmCkCfJVkhZIVDoetVZMby2g/s1600-h/chapel16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u9WFfTEoKDMWdU4n4OvIdgbY91YcTKuMHEiRzZ6qMZFG_spnUd3M3k5vnQPcmSGkG7A6cIvWx4NV5xW8Qc7kzYIeGZQTm16-Vqp_is1b6elZLxf0Y7xmCkCfJVkhZIVDoetVZMby2g/s320/chapel16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567032410351730" border="0" /></a>The Marty Leonard Community Chapel<br />provides a serene setting where the<br />youth of <a href="http://www.lenapopehome.org/Home.aspx">Lena Pope Home</a> can give and<br />receive acceptance and forgiveness,<br />develop character, understand the<br />unexplainable, accept the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">unaccept</span>-<br />-able, forgive the unforgivable, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">de</span>-<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">velop</span> and refine a moral values<br />system, and seek peace and a new<br />beginning.<br /><br />The Chapel provides a peaceful place<br />where the youth can let down their<br />walls and where they can surrender<br />and relinquish control of their lives<br />to a higher power that will not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">aban</span>-<br />don them, will not abuse them, will not<br />judge them, but will love them no mat-<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ter</span> what, and forever.<br /><br />This interfaith chapel provides an<br />uplifting environment that inspires<br />people to think their highest and best<br />thoughts. It is a place for worship, in-<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">spiration</span>, prayer, guidance, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">celebra</span>-<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">tion</span>, joy, meditation, hope, relaxation,<br />research, education, music, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">spiri</span>-<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">tual</span> enrichment.<br />Mission Statement<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7_vGvWLzgvfVS9dBx38hgM9-a-tUKq5wwmoV1nif6-3W9gUIEWB__ohYObbPw4YH6q4Vb_50En6OruPmSHc-EZNsjxzKnW7N7D95SC2g2DNMp2EMBS6ShO8TYoXgap2RZwQpwWlVjw/s1600-h/chapel17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7_vGvWLzgvfVS9dBx38hgM9-a-tUKq5wwmoV1nif6-3W9gUIEWB__ohYObbPw4YH6q4Vb_50En6OruPmSHc-EZNsjxzKnW7N7D95SC2g2DNMp2EMBS6ShO8TYoXgap2RZwQpwWlVjw/s320/chapel17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567029312195330" border="0" /></a>The office on the lower level even has a desk and trash cans designed by Jones as a part of its furnishings.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn69ZFsIMrTv40qSOc-__HHzdpDG5VIpM9ThW7XtDZ-65jtDwRDK-ze05Y1hGU0wx-MCamyoC_bTemdO84ks8_jZRBbIyHro4kHMoaE0VnSrIAFsgjNA6yHHTQLbI1PAlY1hh02I17Q/s1600-h/chapel18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn69ZFsIMrTv40qSOc-__HHzdpDG5VIpM9ThW7XtDZ-65jtDwRDK-ze05Y1hGU0wx-MCamyoC_bTemdO84ks8_jZRBbIyHro4kHMoaE0VnSrIAFsgjNA6yHHTQLbI1PAlY1hh02I17Q/s320/chapel18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567025665613426" border="0" /></a>The reception hall within is modest, unassuming, and elegant in its simplicity. Indirect lighting above gives a soft, relaxing light. To the left are three photos of the <a href="http://www.thorncrown.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Thorncrown</span> Chapel</a>, also designed by E. Fay Jones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34dFNp9n9HOF76Qv7FqP_YLgwev8bp4BTh2_owh4Upm6Cq0iXEods8f1bJzSIkl3HxQktF2mMFQJoP0nCZst-5ZbEvwqPPDli7jhB7fUe_DUJ2WB1z6621D0QTXPujmFfzAhGavMFGQ/s1600-h/chapel19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34dFNp9n9HOF76Qv7FqP_YLgwev8bp4BTh2_owh4Upm6Cq0iXEods8f1bJzSIkl3HxQktF2mMFQJoP0nCZst-5ZbEvwqPPDli7jhB7fUe_DUJ2WB1z6621D0QTXPujmFfzAhGavMFGQ/s320/chapel19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350567025009773042" border="0" /></a>Lastly, the exit leading to the ambulatory is well-shaded, designed such that the mind is focused, and given a sense of purpose before leaving the sanctuary within. All around, The Chapel is probably one of the most beautiful works of architecture in Fort Worth, Texas, and is made even more so for me in that my wife and I were married here three years ago. I would heartily recommend this site for any ceremony, for its beauty, convenience, and friendly staff.<br /><br />If you have not yet seen the exterior photos of The Chapel, please see <a href="http://idreamofarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/06/e-fay-jones-marty-leonard-chapel.html">yesterday's blog entry</a> for the first half of the photo session.<br /><br />Special thanks to the staff at Marty Leonard Chapel for the tour, warm welcome, and tolerance of my countless photographs. Anyone wishing to know more about The Chapel can visit their website at <a href="http://www.martyleonardchapel.org/">http://www.martyleonardchapel.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2