Monday, April 5, 2010

Movie of San Francisco Trolley run before 1906 Quake



Seven or so minutes of silver screen reminiscence with a melancholy instrumental:
Headed towards the Ferry Building along Market Street. On the eve of their pride, you might say — not long after, San Francisco would be devastated by the infamous 1906 earthquake, killing thousands.

Alternate source: http://www.archive.org/details/TripDown1905

Tip of the hat to Charles Nelson for this.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Industry Inspires Lighting Fixture Designs



For a few decades now, architects and designers have gone to industrial suppliers such as Granger to specify lighting fixtures that had an "industrial" look or feel, often with raw galvanized finishes, mill finishes, exposed connectors and other details seen as "honest" expressions of functionality. With the public's growing appreciation of this appearance, several manufacturers now produce somewhat more polished pieces that utilize many of these components while fitting into residential settings where close proximity of the viewer would otherwise reveal some of the industrial fixtures' rough edges. A recent article in Old House Journal illustrated many of these fixtures and their sources. Adding small details like lighting fixtures is a comparatively low-cost way to re-invigorate a space without massive remodeling. Here are some links to sources (some from OHJ article + mine):
http://www.rejuvenation.com/collections
http://www.countrygearltd.com/
http://www.wilmettelighting.com
http://www.pwvintagelighting.com/
http://www.b4itwascool.com/
http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/
http://getbackinc.com/
http://www.conantmetalandlight.com/

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Not just any Lavatory — Read it as a New Form


















It could be a holder of ancient liturgical tomes, but no — it's a splash block for a stream, and it won't hold water. Liquid is meant to run off the tilted surface into the slot in the center. Not for every bath but no doubt a delight in the right setting — by Antonio Lupi from 3 Rings.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A gracious Gothic Revival in Brookhaven




English bond brick and elegant drip cap accent entry. We need to see this level of detail in more traditional home designs.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Victorian Homes ideabook on houzz.com

Victorian Houses in Inman Park Atlanta traditional exterior


I agree with Becky, a landscape architecture grad of UVA who posted these pics, regarding a couple of favorite Victorian era homes in Atlanta. By the way, she does a design blog at

Friday, December 11, 2009

Amory Lovins: prophet of efficiency

There was a time when resources were plentiful, and people scarce. Check out this Video:
http://video.popularmechanics.com/services/player/bcpid1213908606?bctid=1233423657

Thursday, October 8, 2009

James Wines — Drawing and Architecture —Blueprint Magazine, Sept 30, 2009


James Wines' SITE Incorporated has always added an intriguing surreality to the landscape, from his ghost parking lots to his sidewalks that morph into tunnels. Here he encourages design professionals to return to drawing by hand, a worthy exhortation.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Atlanta Flood of 2009 Krog Street Tunnel, Cabbagetown


Probably taken September 22-23, 2009, north and a bit east of Fort Walker. Would like name & credit of photographer. An underground Venice? New Urban Transit? the Beltline transformed? Beautiful composition in light & content both.

Friday, September 25, 2009

a double entendre in Timothy's letter from Paul

I don't usually include such non-visual items here, but the potential of multi-layered meaning in the human written/God inspired Scripture suggested a reason. It did not seem apostate but rather to add a viewpoint that is less recognized nearly a couple of millenia later: What was the societal context? The article presents a plausible explanation.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHolyCauseOfLiberty/~3/OHypiVNSFuE/did-apostle-paul-poke-nero-in-eye.html