Monday, December 31, 2007

2007 Cleveland Architecture Milestones (as witnessed by TOIstudio)

TOIstudio 2007 Year in review - noticeable milestones:
-I don't want to call them 'awards' persay, as I have nothing to really give anyone. Regardless, the overarching plan was for BOTC, Design Rag and TOIstudio to collaborate on some notifications and appreciations for a job well done. If only we would have planned to actually get this done more then a week ago. Anyway, here are the results for the city as Dru from TOIstudio sees it.

Best Building completed in NEO in 2007:

Cleveland Institute of Music Expansion - Mixon Hall:
Architect: Charles Young
Cost: $32 million
Particulars: Total of 34,000 sf of new space including a 250 seat venue with 43' high glass backdrop, new entry from Wade Oval and practice rooms.

A particularly fine example of meshing programmatic restraints with the reimagining of what the concert experience can be. By creating a glass backdrop to the performers overlooking a small park (and the soft sculptural form of the east addition) the experience of listening to fine music can only be punctuated by the spectacle that nature can present. Whether winter concerts with a snowy background, soft diffuse light and the chance to shiver at both the weather and the captivating melody of a fine quartet to a hot summer night filled with dramatic lighting, the excitement of University Circle and the blood boiling crescendo of a full orchestra. Even without the amazing program the form and materiality of the structure is finely detailed, clean and exact and only improves with the many layers of acoustic and environmental control added to make the structure function. There is little addition of superfluous form as there is little room for it. A fine example of solving the given problem first and solving it well.

Worst Building Proposed in 2007 (I think this category was changed to something less insulting):

Cleveland State University's new student center by Gwathmey Seigle and Associates
Cuyahoga Community College/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rock Archive by Robert P. Madison International


Best Urban Design Strategy Proposed in 2007:

Wolfstein's Flats development:

Whether you can state that this proposal was made in 2007 (it wasn't, it has been on the books for a while) is true, however the ball is moving and I find this one of the best hopes for the city to be close to achieving reality. A massive influx of people and entertainment mixed with the types of 'regular day' infrastructure (grocery markets, drugstores, etc) could jump start a 24 hour culture downtown recalibrating the city to accept a rank as a convention city. If only there could be a way to improve the school system to move families back downtown...

Medical Mart:
When was this one first mentioned? Mid 90's? Regardless, another project that is 'on the horizon' that could work in conjunction to some other proposals to activate the city.

Worst Urban Design Strategy Proposed in 2007:

E120th RTA station being relocated off from Euclid to Mayfield Road
which manages to complete a number of dubious tasks. The current plan relocates a major public transportation nexus away from the Euclid Corridor instead of creating a multi use transit node that could service pedestrian, rail, bus and bike traffic in a centralized and safe location. It moves the station away from a major corridor and away from the front of what would be the Cleveland Institute of Art, MOCA and the 'front' of the northern complex of University Circle including CASE, CIM and CMA which could be used to consolidate the station traffic as a grand entrance and enforce the pedestrian urban model along a main artery instead of shunting it to the rear. Overall the location decision smacks of more public transit systems being designed by people who don't use it for people who wouldn't use it anyway (see practicing what you preach comments for a theme this year).

Best Lecture that Pissed People Off:

Robert Breugmann:

Granted the topic of sprawl is hotly contested, hard to define and difficult to argue without falling back to discussions of semantic purity, however when there appears to be a promise of a well thought out and lively discussion on how to deal with sprawl one expects, well, a well thought out lively discussion dealing with sprawl.

I think I made most of my points regarding this already right here: Earlier post on TOIstudio

Best Lecture that Inspired:

Bruce Mau:

It could be my kinship towards other "men of gravity" that are bearded, or my belief that architects have an inherent responsibility to increase the well being of the world that I found his lecture inspiring, captivating and informative. There is something about informing the public and going out and actually accomplishing things (research or practical application) that I find extremely more enjoyable than all the eye candy computer renderings in the world. Something about practicing what you preach.

Steve Badanes:
Same reasoning as above minus the beard and "men of gravity" comment.

Best Advocates for Design (Large Institution):

University Circle Inc.:

Just for being receptive and positive to the many groups and institutions wanting/willing to experiment with architecture and form within the enclave. It is University Circle that will set the benchmark for design for the rest of the city. Again.

Best Advocates for Design (Small Institution):

Cleveland Artist's Foundation - Jim and Nina Gibans for Cleveland Goes Modern
Green City Blue Lake - Susan Miller and Marc Lefkowitz for Greening the Modern Preservationist Movement - Ameritrust Tower Preservation Movement

Both groups did a bang up job of getting the general public interested and involved in Cleveland's architectural past and for that I personally thank them.

Best Net-roots Activity for Design:

Ingenuity Fest - What Would YOU Do with the Breuer Tower
:garnering international attention to our historic tower.
Cleveland Design Competition -2007 Annual Competition :more international attention for Cleveland as a place wanting to harvest ideas (even though they never did get around to posting all the entries that were received *cough cough*)

Emerging Architecture and Urban Design to eagerly anticipate in 2008:

FOA - new MOCA building
MVRDV - new CIA addition
Euclid Corridor Project Completion
Cleveland State University Urban Affairs Lecture series
(typically pretty dang good)
Kent State University Spring and Fall Design Lecture series (always a good excuse to go down to Kent)
Case Wester Reserve University Baker Nord Lecture series (even if they did bring Breugmann...)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Science and Art come together to brand a city

Once in a while I come across a story or idea that surprises me with its simplicity and potential that I not only grin, but become a little ashamed when I realize what an impact a simple idea could have.

A gentleman in Seattle (I hope I don't embarrass him by calling him a gentleman) is instituting The First International Solar Sculpture Challenge 2008. There are rules stipulated in the challenge:
1 There shall be no batteries in the structure. All the solar should be direct use.
2. I think the sculpture should be bigger than a breadbox
3. The art installation should remain in one place. (I can envision it moving around but I think it should not be a vehicle or that moves more than 10 feet from a basic spot)
4. The sculpture must include either photovoltaic cells, solar flat panels, solar thermal evacuated tubes, or wind mechanics or all of the the above mentioned to qualify for entry.
5. The structure sculpture must be placed in the city of Seattle by the Summer Solstice 2008 (June 20th 23:59pm 2008)= June 21 2008


I suppose the reasons why this is a great idea are actually rather evident. First it creates the opportunity for educational and research institutions to create programs that would showcase their student and faculties talents. It would allow for more public installations that would raise awareness as well as create areas that could be activated or reactive as destinations. It could also put the city hosting it on the map as a concentrated nexus of art and technology. I suppose my favorite part of the whole challenge is that it is incredibly attainable and should be relatively easy to gather all the support needed (from local government, schools, businesses, artists and professional organizations) to pull this off.

So, who in Cleveland is going to put one together for here?

Monday, December 24, 2007

Finally, an acceptable use for beets...

As you travel the roads this holiday season, perhaps you may be so lucky as to wander upon the remains of one of childhood's most distasteful threats, the beet. During the extraction process of removing sugar from sugar beets it was noticed that the left over material had a very low freezing point.

Someone thought that this would make a handy de-icing material for roadways and so viola, beet juice road de-icing mixture which has already been tested in Akron may find its way onto more Ohio roads.

Supporters say that the beet mixture is less harmful on cars than straight Calcium Chloride (road salt) which is corrosive to metals (ie. bridges and cars)and deadly to vegetation (ie. roadside lawns and farm fields). All sugar has been removed from the solution before it can be used for roads, otherwise it may attract animals (or small children).

Questions remain. Will the roads appear purplish? Will liver and onions find an acceptable use as housing insulation? Will Dwight Schrute's beet farm reap the rewards it has deserved lo these many years?

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Selfish altruism - buying things locally is really just spending money on yourself...

..if one figures that supporting local businesses means supporting local infrastructure (through taxes), and, um, supporting local government's descision making processes (which are at times questionable).

Anyway, there are only a couple of days left until the big Tuesday morning gift exchange. I wonder if one could hear the simultaneous sounds of millions of packages being unwrapped from space? I took a strange route this year. I didn't do the internet thing so much, instead I tried to wander around some smaller neighborhoods and window shopped. I have so far successfully avoided all 'Big Box' stores as well and instead concentrated on the many community downtowns that surround places that I enjoy visiting anyway such as Waterloo, Tremont, Cleveland Heights/Coventry and of course Lakewood. I could probably list off what I purchased from where since I doubt anyone in my family gives my internet voice any attention but I won't, just in case.

Anyway, for those of you in the time crunch, looking for ideas or places to window shop I would like to remind everyone of the many local gift guides available on the Internet.

Cool Cleveland's Local Gift Guide
COSE ibuyneo Website
Green City Blue Lake Gift Guide
Cleveland.com (Plain Dealer's) Local Guide.
Cleveland Free Times Local Guide

Of course a real treat to those receiving and those doing the shopping is to take a walk along the many commercial downtown streets of the neighborhoods you enjoy and window shop. Make sure to check out for any specials in the chocolate shops (or free samples), stop for some coffee or hot chocolate in a local cafe, grab a decadent bite and enjoy having the freedom to spend the time really picking out something special instead of madly dashing about in a frenzy. I know there is a rush, but you should take the time to enjoy all of the holiday and what it really means.

Happy holidays everyone.

PS. In case anyone is wondering, for the holidays I would really enjoy it if more people got involved in their local communities, whether it be mentoring a child, cleaning up a street or even just taking part in a community planning discussion. That would be a really nice gift for me. Oh, and chocolate.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Newgrange Winter Solstice shared online for all to enjoy

Newgrange Tomb
Ireland
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
8.30am local time

Heritage Ireland will share an online broadcast of the illumination of the Newgrange passage occuring on the winter solstice. The Newgrange burial site was designed and built with a special opening that would allow sunlight to penetrate the main chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st. As the sun rises higher the beam widens to illuminate the whole room. The entire event lasts for only 17 minutes.

Newgrange is documented as having been constructed over 5000 years ago, before Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids.

Weather predications for tomorrow say that the skies will be clear.

Resources:
Newgrange.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Does Kent State have the stomach to compete as an architecture school?

Yesterday the New York Times reported that Robert Stern has been appointed to his third term at Yale. Named as Dean of Yale School of Architecture in 1998 Mr. Stern has since overcome the reputation of a traditional "comfort" architect to a Dean with a acceptance to varied, multiple styles and as an educator that "encourages risk and experimentation at Yale..."

While still a practicing architect Robert Stern is best known for his traditional style buildings where the concentration is on client needs, expectations and fine detail instead of the current (starchitecture) emphasis for iconic avant garde form. Stern comes from an educational background which was rooted in the importance of understanding history and architectural precedence of multiple cultures, not just the traditional Eurocentric views concentrated on by many current educational institutions.

Currently Kent State University shall begin another search for the Dean of Kent's College of Architecture and Environmental Design as Steven Fong, the most recent dean, has left the school. This leaves the college in quite the predicament. For the second time in as many years the college falls back under the control of an interim dean while precious resources are allocated to finding a new figurehead to shape and mold the curriculum of Kent's architecture department while still attempting to create a pathos for the current flock of students to follow. The question haunts the city closest to the institution. Will Kent be able to discover a strong willed and bold figure willing to guide Kent's program to face the challenges of the new millennia, or will the school flounder in indecision and what may be described as complacency?

As a Kent graduate and someone with close ties to the city my concern is that the program may not be up to the task of cultivating the intent and thought necessary to capitulate a design culture in this shrinking city, where creative and bold ideas are more than necessary to turn Cleveland's path around, where it is all too easy to give up and leave for the greener pastures of other cities saturated with design talent and the will to brandish it.

I would hope Kent takes this opportunity to re-examine the CAED's intent and whether they have the tools and the will to achieve their goals. If they find the tools lacking, I suggest they do all they can to rebuild their educational foundations (design theory and history), if they lack the will, I ask that they (the school) concentrate on what they have a passion for instead of over saturating the profession with contemporaries who have never been exposed to a desire to explore design. There are plenty of fine technical schools out there where one can learn to draft a window detail, a Master's degree seems a touch overkill.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Green Architecture is apparent, sometimes obvious, this time wonderful thanks to Mass Studies

Despite all the 'green washing' that one gets to experience this holiday season and the resultant 'funk' I find myself in regarding environmental architecture I was extremely happy to stumble across the Ann Demeulemeester Shop by Mass Studies on the Designboom website. While one could easily argue that the application of "green" building technology is pure applique, I would like to counter with a "Yes, it could only be an applique, but it is a rather sensational one."

Unlike the addition of a wind turbine or solar array the wrapping of the entire skin of the structure seems so integrated, so intentional and so rigorous that I find myself grinning at how the soft skin substance (in this case plantings) so perfectly compliments the soft forms of the building. While I don't know Ann Demeulmeester's work that well, I will probably give her styles a second look if there is a depth of thought akin to her shop in her clothing.

Regardless, I would like to complement the design of the store. Not only is the skin extremely interesting I am so highly intrigued into how the interior spaces are laid out, how movement through is shaped and accomplished by the street to stair to bridge level and then the simple street entrance which I assume wraps you up to the bridge or down from the bridge or someway to get through this building via a series of level changes and thresholds and wonderful interior to exterior or interior(?)/exterior(?) spaces.

If you found that as confusing as I did writing it you should probably just check out the pictures and save yourself some trouble. It will all become crystal clear when you do.

Resources:
Mass Studies Website*

*seems to be down currently.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Senate energy bill plans to raise CAFE standards

Yesterday the US Senate voted to pass an energy bill which will raise CAFE standards for vehicles sold in the United States from 27.5 mpg to 35 mpg for light cars and 22.2 mpg for minivans, SUVS and other light trucks.

The energy bill also plans a massive increase in 'greener fuel sources' such as ethanol (up to 36 billion gallons by 2022).

The passing of the energy bill happened with the caveat that planned taxes against the oil industry to support renewable electricity projects such as solar and wind. Meanwhile the price of oil continues to rise resulting in price increases in all manners of transportation related industry and infrastructure.

I grow curious of what the magic cost would be to break America from our dependence on the automobile. Will $6 a gallon create enough of an incentive for people to move closer where they work? Will a larger and more captive ridership allow GCRTA to grow into a full time and more intuitive service (I love the GCRTA, I just wish I could figure out on the fly how to get places)? Could an easier and quicker public transportation system allow more downtown development and a reduction of parking structure/lots for actual speculative structures?

I hope so.

resources:
BBC

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Music Saves/Musica Gift Exchange

Friday, December 14th
Music Saves, Cleveland
Sooper Awesome Gift Xchange

Saturday, December 15th
Musica, Akron
Sooper Awesome Gift Xchange part DO!

What else can I say. If you like music, if you like fun, if you like awesome people like me (and more awesome people like Mel and Kev) then you should probably get your butt up to Music Saves for the Gift Exchange (you can go right after the Tremont Art Walk (Friday) if you are all clever about it).

Music Saves
Musica

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ohio makes alternative energy headlines

Timken partners with Chinese company to build wind turbine components expected to generate over $100 million in US exports.

EBO of Medina County to reap plug-in hybrid windfall by concentrating on creating viable power pack systems necessary for creating successful vehicles.

Two separate tracks for two (semi)local companies hoping to capitalize on emerging energy based technology markets. One almost hopes that the region finds a way to cultivate a local culture for these types of businesses.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

December Tremont Art Hop

Tremont Art Walk/Hop
Friday, December 14th, 2007
Tremont Neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio

Just in time for the gift exchange season, the last Tremont Art Walk of 2007 is this weekend. The perfect chance to browse for some local and handmade quality gifts for friends and loved ones. The winter may be a touch chilly but that should just give the perfect excuse for ducking into a local restaurant or pub for a warmer.

I had a card for this Art Walk that I picked up at Lucky's but have misplaced it. It caught my eye because the artwork done for the current hotcard looked like it was done by Derek Hess, so after a quick check on the webbernet, lo and behold, check out what I found on his website:

Friday December 14th - Kelly Randall Gallery, Cleveland
"Every Day's A Holiday - Derek Hess Holiday Show"
*ONE NIGHT ONLY*
Hess prints, posters, calendars, and originals
more info at - 216-771-7724


Marvelous!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Rapid deployment - our search for efficiency may make us lose our focus

For the past half year or so I have been involved with heading the Revit portion of a BIM pilot program. For those of you not quite in with the whole BIM (Building Information Modeling) movement let me create a quick synapses.

BIM software (from the architectural side at least) allows the designer or whomever is piloting the computer to attach parametric values such as identification notes, weights, colors, etc, to building components. What the BIM software excels at is allowing one to track and schedule what components are being used in the project. This also allows one to track construction phases and cost estimates since the building model can be used to create the project with quantifiable amounts of materials.

What BIM software does not do is automatically illustrate how a building actually goes together.

I am not trying to romanticize the era when drawings were done by hand on vellum or mylar. I don't think the ammonia reproducer (or blueprint machine) was a particularly pleasant thing to be around. I do believe that when things were being drawn by hand there was a certain amount of care and attention paid to particular details which resulted in those responsible for details having to learn how a particular portion of the building (see window sill, or door head, etc) should be put together to function properly. There is also the necessity of learning what the components of a building (flashing, moisture barrier, vapor barrier, etc) are there to do, what order they are to be combined to work effectively, what there characteristics are and how, when combined, they are supposed to appear.

At some point during the mass transition to CAD (computer aided drafting) I think the intimacy of knowledge garnered from hand drawing started to fall by the wayside. CAD software allowed for the quick repetition of symbols and the shortsighted creation of details as existing simply as a series of connected (sometimes) lines.

Now parametric modeling rears on the horizon as becoming mainstream and again the question of proper building techniques becomes compounded. Without going into the reams of proper architectural BIM usage (I am not by any means an expert) there are certain assumptions that one has to make similar to utilizing CAD software, which is fine. My main concern is how the BIM software is perceived.

Already I have heard rumors of architectural schools training their students at an early time during their undergraduate years in BIM software to be used as a design and presentation platform and honestly this scares me. First because the software is rather advanced for early undergraduate usage by students who are still creating a foundation of presentation design. Secondly, the software itself is rather orthogonal (The most common platform Revit, is extremely orthogonal, almost annoyingly so. It takes a bit of practice to create intentional 3d shapes) so as to lending itself to being used for quick design one would argue that software such as Sketchup or even Rhino (again with a large learning curve) would be more apt. However I would like to argue that more basic design study, through physical modeling and drawing (and eventually photoshop), would be better used at the early years to teach fundamentals.

I suppose that by most regards I could be way off base, seen as a proponent of "the old guard" who still carries at least one sketchbook around at all times and finds the pencil still the most useful tool of my "arsenal". Well, maybe I am. However, I can sketch quickly on the train or bus, at the bar or a restaurant during lunch or even during a conversation with a colleague or client and that makes me the most versatile of all.

Sure CAD is a basic skill, no doubt necessary, that all students should grasp in order to make the pragmatic diagrams asked for during the design reviews, but is parametric modeling something to be instilled during the years of learning intellectual design and rigor or would that be best left for the classes in which construction techniques are taught and moved as far from the design studio as possible, to keep the minds agile, sharp and free?

Are we soon to be at the point where we can view a building and recognize the software platform it was designed in? Is architecture still about design or is it to become a commodity, to be quantified and calculated and added to a parametric spreadsheet?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

2007 AIA-Cleveland Design Awards Slideshow

Thanks to some of the clever and devilishly handsome hardworking people over at the ClevelandDesignCity you can now see the very same slide show that was shown at the 2007 AIA-Cleveland Design Awards, but now at home in front of your computer. Or at work. Maybe on your phone if you are hi-tech enough.

Anyway...

2007 AIA Cleveland Design Awards Slideshow

Beautiful.

Resources:
2007 AIA Cleveland Design Award Winners (.doc)

On the heels of ideals

*had an image that could have been used to help out the argument but apparently can't show it. That's fine and I understand ownership of imagery and everything. It is just a shame that others cannot view the work quickly without going to through the other websites. Notice how the argument loses a lot of its import. Quite the shame. (Before you all yell at me too, I did give credit and link to the archivist's site where the image orginated from (which was being used on the architect's website instead of just copying and pasting the image haphazardly).

The current owner of the 1963 Graham House designed by Arthur Erickson in West Vancouver is currently awaiting a demolition permit to raze the structure.

Rumors on the street-erweb are stating that the current owners purchased the house in 1988 and have not maintained in as strategy to remove opposition to the demolition.

The Graham house is an amazing structure in that it was built on an 'unbuildable' site (the sort of site every design student equally dreads and dreams about) of a rock cliff with the main body of the house 40 feet below the arrival level. The building then descends in a series of staggered rooms and platforms to create a multidimensional environment offering amazing views to the Sea. Due to the steepness of the adjacent cliff exterior space had to be created and controlled and therefore was integrated into the design of the building.



Client: Mr. and Mrs. Graham - 1965

The site for the house was a rock cliff dropping forty feet from the arrival level down a sheer cliff to a rock bench over the sea. The solution to this difficult site was the
creation of a multi-storey house descending the slope in levels.

The formal idea of the piling up of hovering beams was the basis of the composition. These enclose the major living areas, which step down the embankment for four storeys from the carport to the bluff over the sea below. Each area opens onto a roof
terrace over the living quarters below, so that there is maximum access to
sunlight and view. Because of the ruggedness of the site, the outside living
areas are confined almost entirely to the roof areas of the house itself.

A texture difference is achieved between the walls and box beams by using flat
siding on the beams and a deep board and batten on the walls. The house is
treated with a simple oil finish and the only other materials used in
conjunction with the wood are used brick and a Welsh quarry tile.


From the web site

There is supposition that the demolition is being planned in order to create the property for a more speculative (see generic) development. On the heels of the Ameritrust Tower debacle I found the following articles rather interesting. Most importantly how preservation and environmentalism work in conjunction with saving our infamous architectural heritage.

I am curious with how this will play out. Will the local design community come to the aid of the structure? Will a new buyer step up? With Canada's preservation laws save this building? Will the threatening of this particular structure have a more disastrous ending than the Brueur Tower?

With the arguments circling around personal property rights versus preservationists right this one could set the standard for future of Canada's architectural heritage.

Resources (Imagine you and your laptop in front of a warm fire this cold evening reading over all these fun sources):

Globeandmail - Landmark Erickson House to Be Demolished
Treehugger.com - Another One Bites the Dust (gotta love those comments!)
North Shore News - WV rejects pleas to spare Erickson home
Arthur Erickson Website

Monday, December 03, 2007

1973: Sorry, Out of Gas - companion website

I know I had already mentioned the CCA Sorry, Out of Gas exhibit but recently the CCA (Canadian Centre for Architecture) launched the companion website at sorryoutofgas.org.

Set up like a viewfinder slide show, the exhibit showcases the three major natural energy production techniques, solar, geothermal and wind power. As a 'bonus' feature examples of integrated system projects that set the stage for reorganizing social models and creating the basis for new lifestyle techniques with a foundation in energy-related awareness are also presented.

Well, not that I am agreeing to give you an excuse to not see the exhibit, but you could at the very least check out the exhibits website.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Bazaar Bizarre- Pop Up City

Bazaar Bizarre
December 1st, 2007
East 4th
noon - 9pm

An alternative holiday craft fair that will populate vacant store front on the corner of East 4th and Prospect. Handmade items including jewelry, toys, clothing and art will be for sale as well as some local performers.


The first of the Pop Up City series of temporary events scheduled to activate vacant urban space.

Bazaar Bizarre web site

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Light Up Lakewood

Light Up Lakewood
Friday, November 30th
6pm to 8pm

Downtown Lakewood, an area surprisingly easy location to recognize without some sort of banner/basket network or monumental arch to announce the location, will be hosting the 2007 Light Up Lakewood festival. Light Up Lakewood is a holiday event that focuses on the community centric lifestyle of a walkable town. For me the most exciting occurrence is the Lakewood Shops Main Street(.pdf) which celebrates the window shopping experience of old downtown Cleveland (like in the movies!) by offering a map of local businesses that you can visit to check off said map locations and enter the completed flier in a drawing for local business gift certificates.

Yes, Rozis's has offered $50 gift certificate as part of the grand prize!

The Lakewood Shops Main Street event starts on November 30th and shops will stop marking the maps by December 2nd. If you ever needed an excuse to check out a local business but didn't want to use the awkward "No thanks, just looking." phrase, now is a perfect excuse. The Map covers businesses on Detroit Avenue from Robinwood Avenue to the Library at Arthur Avenue. Not really too far a walk and really a great excuse to get out on the street and see how your city is changing.

I picked up the flier today when I stopped at Dave's Cosmic Subs for dinner. I really wanted to go to the Souper Market but the MarJ was hankering a garden burger. I will admit though that I have had some lascivious dreams lately about the Souper Market's lobster bisque (which I recently had for the first time ever) and am extremely excited about using some of their vegetable stock (they sell organic stocks) to make my own vegetarian french onion which is mostly just onion/butter/veggiestock soup with a lot of Swiss and some delicious fresh breadsmith french bread.

I also just really wanted to plug the Souper Market to guarantee that they will be there every time I am hankering some good soup and salad. You should make sure to stop in and try some of the food. Take a date and pretend you know everyone there. It will impress, I swear.

Check the Fence, or yo-self, foo! (Example of irony part II - same guilty party)

This picture was forwarded to me by a concerned citizen who had noticed that the fliers posted on the construction barrier around the Ameritrust Tower on East 9th, South of Euclid has suffered from what could possibly be described as "adhesive surrender". The glue used to mount the fliers to the barrier has/is failing and the fliers are falling to the ground, and possibly, their doom. This is an example of irony for the following reason...

a) The fliers are promoting what Cuyahoga County is doing to promote, endorse or create sustainable initiatives. Their example is now littering the ground. Littering is not sustainable.

b) The fliers appear to be vinyl based, much like a picnic table cloth. Vinyl is by no means an acceptable sustainable material. Asbestos is probably safer for you. I have no factual material to back that up but I doubt anyone comes here for straight facts. That is what the BBC is for.

I will however offer the option that this is part of the County's plan to save money by utilizing an adhesive which fails exactly when the new fliers are to be posted (the next one goes up in December!) saving the energy and cost of labor needed to remove and dispose of the fliers. That seems somewhat sort of logical.

I for one, am ATWITTER at the possible December designs. If anyone knows what they are I would prefer for them to not spoil the surprise. I am sure it will be endlessly glorious.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Greening the Modern Preservation - Green building and modernism; are they antithetical? - reminder

Just a reminder that the last of the Greening the Modern Preservation Movement: Bauhaus at the Brink will be tomorrow, Wednesday, November 28th at 6pm (at Judson Manor).

Green building and modernism; are they antithetical?
Guest lecturer, Carl Stein, FAIA, Principal of elemental architecture, llc, of New York City and his late father, Richard Stein, FAIA, have completed numerous historic rehabilitation projects based on their innovative and pioneering research in the analysis of energy use and conservation in buildings and design. Stein served his architectural internship with Marcel Breuer from 1968-1971.


preview interview via GCBL

Hope to see you there.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Euclid Corridor, day one


It was cold, rainy and dark so I thought it the perfect weather to go for a photo jaunt with Bradley of the Design Rag to document the first day of operation for the Euclid Corridor Project. I was watching traffic attempt the new patterns from a comfortable office vantage and wanted to see how the thing operated from the street.

First off, I would like to congratulate the city on the sneaky way they are hindering the use of automobiles on Euclid. Seriously. With two main urban corridors (Chester and Carnegie) a block North and South I can understand why the city would want to make Euclid as pedestrian friendly as possible and they did everything short of making it pedestrian only to achieve this. By giving automobiles only one lane in each direction the street seems smaller and more manageable to forge.

Secondly, I would like to huzzah the center bus island stations. Again they work wonderfully as a traffic calming device, they make the street much more pedestrian friendly and they offer amazing vantages of the city while you wait for your bus. I cannot wait for the BTR to be up and running. I am actually excited about public transportation right now.

Thirdly, I didn't see the bike lanes. I hope that they are not shared with the parallel parking lane only because that has proven inherently dangerous for the cyclists. Maybe they just don't reach all the way to CSU.

Lastly, this area of Cleveland looks, well, like a real city. Mix in a good amount of people, toss in some more shops and restaurants and I think we could be on to something here. The street looks so much better than it did a couple of years ago (prior to this project starting), it feels friendly, cleaner and much more organized.

Yay.

resources:
Web Albums of various photos from today

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Architecture for Humanity AMD Competition Resources

I would like to tip the hat to the Open Architecture Network(OAN) for attempting to prove out that designers care quite a bit about designing with a purpose as opposed to hi-jacking altruistic trends for personal gain. Spend some time at OAN site and check out the hundreds of project submissions and proposals that are being shared. There is something comforting about the knowledge that people are willing to take their own time and resources to create solutions for the sort of problems that most think too large or ingrained to resolve.

I would also like to point out the current competition; Open Architecture Challenge which I have no doubt hyped here and other places - thanks greensource magazine!) before which allows designers to put their minds towards solving real world problems.

The interesting thing about these competitions and the Open Architecture Network is the teams willingness to share information with other teams as each group works towards the same end goal with perhaps different perspectives. Usually this results in groups working inadvertently against each other to solve a common goal and competing for resources, however the structure of the OAN allows for camaraderie to supersede the search for pure authorship. Whether this is a result of the information age or perhaps more people are searching for purely altruistic goals (and willing to share credit) is beyond me and actually, to me, unimportant.

On a closing note I would like to pass along a blog that was sent to me a while back (took me forever to find again) that documents the Washington University's multidisciplinary student team working on the Kallari portion of the Open Architecture Challenge.

Kallari Chocolate Factory Project - Washington University

Sorry it took me so long to put up Mason, keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

This long desolate highway looks vaguely familiar

"Those that do not study history are doomed to repeat it"

That seems like a fair enough assessment given our current woes. I find it increasingly amazing that given our rapid and prolific state of inventiveness (mobile phones on which we can watch full length feature films, voice activated interactive computer systems, global information and telecommunication networks) we still fail to understand how our decisions impact our ever shrinking world.

34 years after our last oil crisis America (and much of the industrialized world) finds ourselves again on the precipice of what some are calling a complete economic breakdown. Once again we see how closely we are tied to international energy production but are unwilling to make the self sacrifice needed to alleviate the burden. I find it so strange that a country who constantly involves itself in international affairs fails to realize how our own personal actions affects said international world. Americans systematically use and discard proportionally the vast majority of our planet's resources. Cities develop massive automotive infrastructure routes to cut commute times by mere minutes which justify further deconcentration of communities resulting in more energy/fuel being needed to navigate sprawling community. We live in a society where it is easier and cheaper to throw out a broken appliance than to have it repaired, the cost subsidized by impoverished foreign workers and the goods shipped to this country with the expense of a massive consumption of energy.

It is intriguing to me how interconnected everything really is if you take the time to examine it.

For those of you with piqued interest I direct you to the 1973; Sorry, Out of Gas exhibit on view at the CCA (Canadian Centre for Architecture) until April which highlights some of the architectural responses to the oil crisis of "green pioneers like Micheal Reynolds and Steve Baer".

Metorpolis magazine also acknowledges that the show is "also a warning to contemporary architects enamored with solely technological-driven solutions, and a call for societal changes to combat looming ecological disaster."

additional resources:
thestar - 35 years on, why we need another gas crisis

Friday, November 23, 2007

Greener gifts for the holiday season thanks to Treehugger.com

Happy Black Friday United States! (I think the rest of the world celebrates tomorrow as the biggest shopping day of the year).

Granted I am against copious consumer consumption as much as I can be however with the holidays gearing up and gift giving being a way to express one's feelings and respect for another I figure I may as well pass along the 2007 Treehugger's Gift Giving Guide - Now in various shades of green! Using the site one can navigate by preferences for who will be receiving the gifts as well as gift types. I find one of the most useful parts a list of holiday tips for reducing consumption and alternative for dealing with non efficient materials (virgin gift wrapping paper). There is also a nice list of foundations one can contribute to in someones name.

All in all a fine idea for those looking to reduce their impact or make a statement with their gift giving this holiday season.

Happy holidays everyone!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Black Friday rears its ugly head

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope all are enjoying good times with family and friends, celebrating the important things in life, our love for each other.

Amazing how quickly fine ideas become sullied. Christmas has been an overly commercialized holiday since as long as I can remember. Halloween, well, that is all about candy, right? Easter was somehow maligned to also be a mall holiday and since Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks for what we have I suppose the only way to properly hi-jack it is to assume that after giving thanks people realize that what they have isn't enough.

Somehow 4am sales on 72" plasma screen TVs is supposed to fix all that emptiness inside?

Well, I am not sold on the idea that buying things will make me happy (actually I hate seeing credit card bills, getting rid of those would make me happier) and so once again I will not be partaking in 'Black Friday' in the usual manner.

Oh, I will enjoy my train ride into work (minus the crush of the work rush), my relatively calm day at the office (lots of people on vacation) and a quiet stroll around Cleveland at lunch. I will also celebrate Buy Nothing Day, the annual "moratorium on consumer spending". There are many reasons. After suffering a flood and losing quite a bit of my material identity I have discovered that those things are not as important as I thought. I also have come to the realization that no one is really impressed by the junk I own and all it really does is tie me to a sedentary lifestyle, locked in a single locale due to the massive amount of things I have accumulated. In fact, I find the more things I 'own' the more trapped feeling I become.

Even if it not all about the accumulation of 'stuff' there is something downright uncomfortable about 1/5 of the world's population consuming 80% of it's resources. Is our consumption based society to blame on our current economic, health and enviromental crisis? Damn straight it is. Do something interesting this Black Friday; read a book, talk to friends, enjoy the outside, draw, paint, enter architecture competitions, work on school assignments, think. Think about what a difference you could make if you really wanted to, then make that difference.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Streetscape masterplans - Clifton Boulevard Enhancement Project

Despite my tirade on masterplans the other day there are some that I do not find entirely objectionable. Take the Clifton Boulevard Enhancement Project as an example.

Granted I haven't seem the presentation documentation but from the description and public comments of the 2007 10.17 presentation I can infer some points that I felt were rather pertinent. The overall proposal is for a definitive median on Clifton Boulevard with some planted and some hardscape areas.

- The planted beds may not be effective as a gateway (if they stretch the entire boulevard course then there would be little to no need for it to act as a gateway, Clifton Boulevard itself isn't really that long and is rather distinguishable).
- The median mimics the proposed Shoreway Boulevard creating a sense of continuity.
- Hardscape areas where medians cannot be installed 'could be replicated in Cleveland'. (This was especially nice as it attempts to emphasis the symbiotic relationship of the REGION).
-Local artists would be used to supply any public art. This is important as it personalizes each area in a subtle manner. Now there can be a neighborhood distinction without the typical olde tymey signage/lamp-post/hanging plant debacle, instead each neighborhood can utilize personal creative stock to differentiate itself. Think of Fremont, Washington (north of Seattle). If that doesn't ring a bell think of the Fremont Troll.
There are more points concerning signage, pedestrian protection, demarcating the residential from commercial zones with different plantings, hardscape types and strategies and most importantly the continuity and consistency of a masterplan and its application.

Something to think about.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Dick Feagler: Euclid Corridor signifies nothing, and no one will use it.

Well, that is one opinion. Of course this rebuttal landed in my in-box recently and I thought I would share.

What’s with Dick Feagler? His Sunday column on the Euclid Corridor (Nov. 18, "A corridor; how exciting") begins by saying Cleveland lacks “a certain amount of creativity” suggesting the $220 million, mostly federally-funded project isn’t innovative. Doesn’t he read his own newspaper? Did he miss the numerous Plain Dealer articles over the past 30 years chronicling the project’s evolution from “Dual Hub,” a very expensive rail rapid transit line proposal ($800+ million in 1980’s dollars), to the current bus rapid transit line (BRT)? What about RTA Board Vice Chairman Ed Kelley’s excellent letter to the editor on Friday ("A catalyst for growth") noting numerous benefits from Euclid Corridor such as the $2.3 billion of investments and 10,000 new jobs already in process within the Corridor? I don’t know about Feagler, but when I travel the Corridor, I see thousands of planning, architect, engineering, and construction jobs that wouldn’t otherwise have existed!

How could Feagler not recall the countless PD articles revealing how then-Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White, Cleveland City Council, the NOACA and GCRTA boards, and Cuyahoga County Commissioners ALL agreed at the time that a Euclid Corridor rail line wasn’t the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars? In scaling the project back as they did, our leaders at the time promised MORE transportation and development benefits in Cleveland’s main street by proposing to fix badly deteriorated infrastructure along the City’s main drag. Their foresight with that call afforded the region THREE brand new downtown professional sports venues, major airport expansions and huge investments in ongoing highway, bridge, water and sewer projects. Euclid Corridor dollars saved also enabled RTA to open its Waterfront Line in 1996, the region’s first rapid transit expansion since the 1968 Airport line extension. Feagler must surely remember that little innovation? You know, the one that made Cleveland the first city in North America to have a direct rail link between its major airport and downtown.

Feagler also somehow fails to acknowledge PD articles, RTA and national news pronouncing Euclid Corridor as North America’s FIRST-EVER BRT line to be built from the ground up. Hint: RTA didn’t win the 2007 American Public Transportation Association’s Best Large Transit System in North America Award just by for putting pretty new trolleys in downtown Cleveland and bike racks on all its buses.

As with the Airport rapid line extension, planners, architects, engineers, developers and city officials from around the world have already begun traveling here just to see how we're building the BRT. And once the line opens, most likely with naming rights helping to offset costs (pretty innovative for a transit line!), lots more folks will come here to experience Euclid Corridor first-hand. (Can you say “tourism dollars” girls and boys?)

Because of construction woes and whatever else, many in the region like Feagler are prematurely passing judgment on Euclid Corridor. Just as it took decades to plan and build, it will takes decades to realize the full benefits of the Euclid Corridor. But quite frankly, I already enjoy bicycling the Euclid Corridor bike lanes (rode 'em today to pick up tickets for 12 Angry Men at Playhouse Square). And RTA customers have already begun taking refuge in the fancy new Euclid Corridor shelters. But who could argue that new and renewed water and sewer lines, roads, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field, Quicken Loans Arena and Hopkins Airport haven’t already brought countless major benefits to this region’s residents and visitors? All that should be pretty exciting to a region making a comeback like ours, and the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project and our past and present leaders can be thanked for that!

Richard McDougald Enty
(Transportation Consultant and retired RTA planner who worked on Dual Hub and Euclid Corridor studies, on and off, from 1978 thru 2007; was principal author of three versions of RTA long range plan documents from 1993 thru 2006)

You can also read more thoughts on the article (including mine) at the new ClevelandDesignCity.

Streetscape masterplans, screwing up one city at a time

Discussions of green versus regional design become interesting when compared and contrasted to the modern design typology. Concurring with Peter van Dijk's supposition that modern design (ie. a box glass or otherwise) could be built anywhere due to our building environment controls (Bauhaus in America discussion last Saturday) makes one question whether far reaching movements are responsible design regardless of how interesting they may appear. Regional vernaculars have evolved in a fashion to fit a specific culture and society and show be respected. I know this is an over reaching generalization for today but I am struck by the amount of projects that appear around the world that do not respect a native vernacular. I am not suggesting that we close up our borders and live in fear of change but rather regional design is at least investigated when large projects are being considered. It has become rather simple to build large blocks of glass because we can heat and cool the space inside, it just becomes a dialogue of what has more import, the aesthetic value or the energy used to make the space functional. I am not completely disowning 'crystal' structures because they are typically designed with an attempt to use specialized glass to mitigate the requirements of the HVAC system, I am just stating that there has to be a comprehensive understanding of the cause and effect relationships that every aspect of design involve in order to protect the integrity of the project.

I suppose I am a little off track. I really wanted to just raise awareness of the simple exercise of walking about your city. Recently it has come to my attention that Kauffman Park in Lakewood is in danger of being developed and equally importantly that the strip mall in front of Kauffman Park on Detroit Avenue is facing undergoing the type of change that actually scares me. I don't understand where this mis-appropriation of 'new urbanism' stem from but I am finding it increasingly annoying that 'lifestyle centers (ie, malls you live at) are being billed as living the 'urban lifestyle (without the horrible city around you)' and that communities around the urban core are re-interpreting these lifestyle centers and attempting to adjust their streetscapes to match it by creating false vistas, termini and creating homogeneous, monotonous commercial districts.

Knock it off.

Design of urban (and to an extent exurban/suburban) spaces requires one to visit the idea of how buildings frame the street, creating public rooms for movement, collection, identification and experience. If every room looks the same then how do you know where you are? The worst possible answer to this would be to take a viable commercial strip (such as Detroit or Madison Avenue) and fragment it into segmented miniature districts that somehow are supposed to follow prescribed rules of intent such as an entertainment district or art district. The before mentioned commercial strips are not of such length as to necessitate the inclusion of gateways or banners for one to remember where they are. If a person cannot tell immediately and continuously locate oneself then one starts to re-evaluate the greater area as a whole. This also allows for an intermingling of commercial opportunity (without district typology restrictions) which increases walkability and pedestrian desire. I know that to some of our amazing urban designers this comes as a compete shock that the hanging baskets, lights and banners do very little to make a district successful if the commercial and residential infrastructure isn't there in the first place.

I plan to touch on this topic a little bit more in the future and hopefully include some photos and finger pointing (yes, I plan to name some names, not that anyone will be surprised at that). In the meantime there was a rather fun article in the Metroblog section of the Plain Dealer on footpaths which I found not only interesting but rather timely as one imagines how spaces are interpreted from outside of the automobile.

New ClevelandDesignCity!

There is a new ClevelandDesignCity which is more user friendly and can act as a place for actually discussing the various architecture and design happenings in Cleveland. Currently moderated by a fine chap (I don't know if I can release their name) it has been undergoing testing and is now ready for the big time. Hopefully this will inspire some of us to write more and to write better.

The world knows we need it.

So kick your shoes off, grab a beer and join us for some talk about the city, architecture, art or whatever general questions of that realm you have on your mind. We'll leave the light on for you.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Bauhaus in America - summations

Having just returned from a rather archi-centric evening I am eager to get the last vestiges of discussion off my chest. There were so many issues raised by this rather interesting exposition of thetranslation of the Bauhaus pedagogy to American society that it is hard to rationalize on where to begin.

The movie itself was rather interesting. Granted, from a film perspective, the 90's techniques of video documentary shows rather evidently however the subject matter, already having evolved into what some would name a 'post-modern' movement seems rather timeless. Concentrating primarily on how the main educators of the Bauhaus in Dessau translated their work to American educational institutions (IIT, Harvard, Yale, Black Mountain) and into work that somehow became synonymous with a mythical 'international' style. Historically it was a nice traipse down memory lane for fans of Mies, Albers, Rohe, Breuer and of course Gropius.

For fans of the Bauhaus model it was a jarring experience when one starts to relate to modern design schools. There seems to be a lack of willingness to allow the exploration of the idea, the investigation of the intent to be paramount. One asked at the discussion afterwards about current Bauhaus type schools to little response. I would offer the Rural Studio and Jersey Devil design/build as two such programs where the exploration into the materiality and social concern is paramount.

Which of course leads to my question of concern for the evening. If the Bauhaus was founded with the hope of maximizing recent industrial innovations to further production and therefore mixing design with purity could be argued as paramount then what is to occur as schools move to concentrate on theoretical design, computer renderings and sections that further remove the understanding of space and texture from the curriculum. It seems architecture is becoming more graphic design than more having anything to do with the insides of a building or space. (Feel free to argue with me on that one, it could turn out rather well).

I am willing to accept that computer renderings are shiny and new and possibly as a school preparing students to produce the very objects that firms want most to attract perspective clients is nice, but I would very vehemently argue that unless the student knows how to think, collect and express an idea then all the pretty pictures are meaningless rubbish that detract from what architectural design really is.

While the jury is out on the Breuer building and whether or not the connection to the Bauhaus is enough to rally the creative design of Cleveland to stand up for it the individual film/discussion was a resounding success and I would like to thank Christopher Diehl, Peter van Dijk and Carol Salus for spending the afternoon/evening with us and with Susan Miller for putting this thing together.

Don't forget that the next one "Green building and modernism: are they antithetical?" with Carl Stein will be next Wednesday, Novemeber 28th, 6.00pm at Judson Manor.
Greening the Modern Preservation Movement

Friday, November 16, 2007

Cleveland Went Modern

Last night's "Cleveland Goes Modern: building modern from a client's perspective" seminar nicely tied up the recent "Cleveland Goes Modern" exhibit with a panel discussion moderated by Nina Gibans which included first and second generation clients of some of the modern homes shown in the exhibition. We were treated to a remembrance of what it was like dealing with the architect, living and growing up in an unconventional home, and maintaining the homes as they aged.

I am saddened that the exhibition with close a chapter of conversation which had some rather interesting repercussions. What happened to the modern movement in Cleveland? Did it taper off, are there still some real hidden jewels nestled among us? Did the market prove unsubstantial? Were we not ready for the innovation, intellectually or emotionally? Is there a new vanguard? Who are the contemporaries? What do they have to show us?

The exhibition did open my eyes. I also had the opportunity to meet some extremely wonderful people. Caretakers of artifacts, collectors of knowledge, teachers, practitioners, students all hungry to share and explore design and the theory of living in design. While the exhibit is winding down (officially closing the 24th at the CAF) there are rumors that it may resurface in a new format. Something that can be shared and taught to the younger generation. There is great potential there. Potential that can be cultivated and focused if presented properly. Luckily someone is already taking the steps to create those tools.

Architecture of Cleveland

Architecture embraces so many disciplines that it begs to be used as a core for teaching. What people experience daily in their private homes and public spaces—banks, religious institutions, libraries--is always the result of an amalgamation of skills involving math, science, social studies, language arts, and, of course art. In Cleveland, in the 70s, a group of us were working with teachers in a course called Education for Aesthetic Awareness that included Architecture. It was obvious that more could and should be developed for students in our schools. In 2002, The Chicago Architecture Foundation published Schoolyards to Skyscrapers, a monumental prizewinning book developed for teaching with architecture. There it is-- the teaching tool with ideas for every city, every teacher, every grade level. We are indebted to Jennifer Masengarb who worked with Jean Linsner and dozens of teachers through the possible ideas to the usable formats. Several chapters of the American Institute of Architects – notably in Michigan, Boston and Cincinnati – have created materials for classrooms.

Cleveland is not Chicago with its examples of major internationally recognized architecture. But we have elegant historic buildings, honored architects, and skilled craftspersons of all kinds. And, the earlier students understand what it takes to produce good looking buildings like many around us, the better we are prepared to consider other basics: how we use our land, restore deteriorating buildings, use old and new technologies, consider careers that may have an impact on the look of our city.

We ask teachers of all disciplines -- math, science, social studies, language arts, and, of course art -- to consider where they can use materials taken right from this website that match their grade level needs and infuse exciting ways to meet the requirements that we know they face.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Cleveland Goes Modern Lecture Reminder

Building Modern from the Client's Standpoint
Thursday, November 15th
6pm
Cleveland Artists Foundation
17801 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio

Just a reminder that tonight will be the last 'Third Thursday' seminar of the "Cleveland Goes Modern" exhibition. Tonight's talk will focus on how the intent of these buildings was achieved, how they got the local review boards to allow them to be built and hopefully some discussion on how they have held up.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Practice, preach, see who pays attention.

I suppose when asked to sum up in one thought the recent Bruce Mau lecture at Kent State University (which I hope to expound upon later) I would simply reiterate the idea of the vast potential that each singular problem presents itself. With a local consideration (beyond the centralized assimilation of Arnold Toynbee's views on the welfare of mankind which leads to the inclusion of the the local placement of the Tonybee Tiles) one could argue that the multiple instances of singular obstacles are created within the urban environment could actually be manipulated to create an interesting dialogue either resulting in an event or an icon.

Just as a quick and simple example I would like to mention some of the changes made to New York construction sites in order to make them more interesting and to offer something back to their location besides acting as an impediment.

Recently the Cuyahoga County Office of Sustainability has attempted to raise awareness of the County's mission to create an environmentally progressive community although some may argue that the construction fence around the Ameritrust Tower would be an inappropriate location for a campaign entitled "Preserve Conserve". While I applaud the County attempting to showcase an initiative that speaks to their environmental goals I would like to point out that one must be careful of the medium as well as the message (which includes location).

Perhaps with a little creative thinking Cleveland/Cuyahoga County can capitalize on our construction, make our spaces beautiful and interesting instead of looking constantly torn up and create temporary spaces that are worth remembering.

You can also design your own poster and leave comments for the County's Office of Sustainability.

GCRTA budget adjustments may affect Cleveland commute patterns

Yesterday the RTA Board Committee met, presented the 2008 budget and discussed upcoming service changes. Some issues discussed included the ECTP (Euclid Corridor Transportation Project) work milestones (Public Square to be completed 'within the week', scheduling for the utility work around the Cleveland Clinic area and the $5.3 million shortfall of the GCRTA budget.

There is currently a discussion to poise the GCRTA in preparation for the inevitable fuel cost increases which will have a direct effect upon the GCRTA's budget by "consolidating" routes. This "consolidation" includes utilizing transit nodules for maximum efficiency by rescheduling and rerouting bus routes to coincide with the Rapid Transit lines. In essence direct bus routes from the outer laying suburbs to downtown may be rerouted to converge upon suburban Rapid Stations.

With ridership currently on the rise (total ridership up about 4% (560,000 rides) and weekday ridership up about 4.4% (about 20,000 rides)) one has to wonder how an adjustment of this nature will affect the image of public transportation as being a convenient way to get from the suburbs to downtown. One would also wonder if the fuel increase wouldn't directly increase ridership resulting in more earnings driving down the current deficit.

I suppose that speculation may have to be put on hold until and re-evaluated when the ECTP starts running it's Public Square to East Cleveland routes to decide whether or not a change in route patterns would be effective. As I stood on the full Rapid on the way in this morning I wondered if perhaps adding more riders to an already seemingly crowded line was a good idea. Would more train cars or more runs be added to the Rapid to offset commuter population gains? Would the answer lay in more careful planning and staggering of route departures to maximize Rapid comfort and efficiency?

There is a very careful line to be aware of. Public transportation already has to overcome a perceived (incorrectly) stigma by constantly and consistently being cheaper, quicker and more convenient then an automotive commute. Once deviation from that formula (or the interjection of a less successful pattern) is achieved the GCRTA may find itself in a very uncomfortable situation. While I would love to argue that the GCRTA should immediately counter the deficit by increasing routes, serving more people and becoming 'super-convenient' the plan must be fiscally sound to be successful. There are already multiple Rapid upgrades already occurring whose affects have yet to be empirically measured who may play a large role in reconceiving GCRTA's image. I am extremely curious (and concerned) to see what develops.

Resources: RTA Board Committee Highlights

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Bruce Mau - Kent 'Design Practice' Lecture

Bruce Mau DesignTuesday, November 13th, 2007
University Auditorium, Cartwright Hall
Kent State University
7pm

Lots of good lectures and events are happening this month. It is wonderfully overwhelming.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Criticism and Critique - The necessity and the fine line

After Jane Weinzapfel's 'Made to Measure' lecture and her comments upon the sporadic and segmented creative community of Cleveland I found myself wondering more then usual about how creative disciplines have become disjointed, arguing over fiefdoms and markets instead of creating a sort of standard with which to use as a base for acceptable design. I understand to a certain extent the hesitation with taking a stand upon a specific topic. On one hand unpopular opinion may result in a loss of credibility or perhaps even patronage. On the other creating a stir may spur an attempt of improvement instead of a careful plodding along an already tiresome path. I would argue that unpopular opinion spurs discussion more then a popular one and that repercussions would only be felt if there was either a sense of dangerous truth to the opinion and/or if the awarding of commissions were not based solely on merit.

When then is it proper to criticize and in what way is criticism actually useful? Well, now this is the crux of the argument. In some way criticism is only given to show an unfavorable reaction and in a way I am slightly insulted by this. It is rather simple to say something is boorish and ugly without any real offerings of better solutions. Perhaps this is a major concern, that criticism is offered not only in solely a negative capacity but with no attempt to correct the mistakes being made. Comments of this nature are easy to dismiss and do nothing to contribute to a possible dialogue about how something(the critiqued object/act) could be better achieved. Granted, criticising something with an actual attempt to understand or to offer alternative solutions takes not only time, but a grasp of what the original undertaking was meaning to accomplish and to some extent (granted not much) the limitations placed upon the artist in the first place.

I would also offer that perhaps there is a hidden code of ethics, that publicly stating an opinion on a contemporary's work somehow diminishes not only their attempt but also your own credibility. Again I would suggest that this is due mostly to the depth of the criticism. If grounded in intelligent and logical foundations then it should be easy to ascertain that the criticism is in no way a personal attack but rather a reaction to a specific problem's solution. I would also offer that without a set of standards, base minimums, that design (specifically architectural) should achieve then it becomes increasingly difficult to educate the public about design and/or hold architects to a set of standards. I am not in any way suggesting that a specific rule set be created for what is considered 'beauty' but rather that it become acceptable to point out a proposed project as one that does not achieve a certain level of aesthetics regardless of the school of thought that the design is grounded in.

At some point criticism should lead into discourse and investigation to possible design solutions that would respond to relevant and informed design reviews and would further make it possible for designers to not only inform their clients but also each other. There would have to exist a level of respect. Not so much as personal validation, but from the critic to the designer to make a comment that exemplified study and investigation, and from the designer to the critic to actually consider the comment. The worst critiques I had ever received are tied between two statements. One was a dismissal of a design based upon an inferred set of arbitrary standards ("It's ugly") and the other was approval for the same reason ("That's perfect"). Nothing led me to understand what about the project was creating the reaction and nothing helped inform me as to what the end goal was supposed to be. Both cases are of unhelpful, useless and dismissible criticism that I fear is too easy and vapid to completely avoid. However, by including observations in the critique (not guidelines or answer) as to how possible solutions could be realized one can earn not only the designers respect but also allow them to revisualize the problem and possibly solve it in a manner that the critic couldn't even foresee.

There is indeed an art to critique, one that I am sometimes guilty of ignoring, that I hope to usefully and successfully master in order to further creative discussions in this town.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Green Corps salsa, another season of yummy


Green Corps, Green Salsa now on sale!

Students at the Cleveland Botanical Garden have developed a new 'Ripe From Downtown Salsa' creation which can be purchase from a number of local grocery stores including all Heinen's.

The students take part in a three year certificate program that combines horticulture with business techniques. As part of the program students grow and cultivate their own ingrediants to blend into a locally produced wonderful salsa.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Greening the modern preservation movement - Bauhaus at the brink

Bauhaus at the Brink

To what aspiration would a creative movement desire to achieve a level of connectedness that could possibly transcend multiple disciplines, whether from graphics to painting to manufacturing to architecture?

Recent arguments have been made for and against a rather rash violation of Cleveland's urban fabric with the suggested destruction and replacement of Marcel Breuer's Ameritrust Tower. Even now, with an uncertain future, work gangs are delving into the structure's bones to remediate the site for either sale or demolition. Questions have been poised voicing exploration into the fiduciary, environmental and programmatic rationale for these decisions and have led to little more then frustration.

Admittedly this has been all very dramatic. From a environmental, preservationist and design perspective the whole process has seemed extremely ham-handed but has solidified an interesting ground swell of reaction. From these inquisitions have surfaced a dialogue unlike anything I have experienced in this city, a barrage of discourse centered upon the legitimacy of the County Administration relocation plan, collecting a multitude of interesting parties of all age groups, social strata and occupation. Everyone has an opinion and while not all may agree, the dialogue is itself a vindication of sorts of the passion that this city brings out in it's citizens.

Currently another layer is to be weaved into the discussion, the validity of the Ameritrust Tower as an example not only of Breuer's work but also of the Bauhaus school (not the band).

For those of you unfamiliar with the Bauhaus, do not fret, there will soon be a small series of forums, films and exhibits based not only on the Ameritrust Tower but also the Bauhaus connection.

Saturday, November 10th, 2007
4pm - 6pm
Primer on Breuer and the Bauhaus
A slide show by Tony Hiti, Chair of the Historic Resources Committee of the AIA, Cleveland Chapter on the history of Marcel Breuer and the Cleveland Trust Building. At the Sculpture Center (free parking available)

Saturday, November 17th, 2007
4pm
The history of why the Bauhaus came to America
Bauhaus in America: a film by Judith Pearlman followed by a panel discussion with Cleveland architect, Peter Van Dijk and Associate Professor of Art History at Kent State University, Carol Salus, moderated by Christopher Diehl, Director, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
At the Cleveland Cinematheque general admission $8/members, CIA students, staff $6


Also showcased will be the entries from the Ingenuity 2007 What would you do with the Breuer? exhibit.

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
6pm
Green building and modernism; are they antithetical?
Guest lecturer, Carl Stein, FAIA, Principal of elemental architecture, llc, of New York City and his late father, Richard Stein, FAIA, have completed numerous historic rehabilitation projects based on their innovative and pioneering research in the analysis of energy use and conservation in buildings and design. He served his architectural internship with Marcel Breuer from 1968-1971.
At Judson at University Circle (free parking available)

Tremont Art Walk

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, November 9th
6pm - whenever

One of these days I may actually write something interesting about my findings during one of these Tremont Art Walks, but since each time I go is so different I find it difficult to attempt to create a 'standard' of happenings.

I thrive on adventure.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Site-Specific Cleveland Lecture

Site-Specific Cleveland
Wednesday, November 7th, 2007
7.pm - 8ish.pm
free to the public

Special guests Don Harvey and Carl Pope

Whether addressing social, political, cultural, racial, environmental, or ecological issues, art about Cleveland is significant to our region. But, how do projects about Northeast Ohio vary between artists who live here and artists who are just visiting? In this dialogue, distinguished Cleveland-based artist, Don Harvey and artist-in-residence, Carl Pope will discuss their work, comparing and contrasting what their respective “Cleveland projects,” have revealed about our people and places.

Pope is a joint fellow of Case Western Reserve University’s Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities and The Cleveland Institute of Art for the fall of 2007; during this time he is creating a public art project to open in conjunction with the conference “Cityscapes” (March 27-30, 2008), jointly organized by CWRU’s Baker-Nord Center and the Liberal Arts Environment of the CIA. For this project, Pope is creating The Mind of Cleveland, a text-based poster and billboard work designed to externalize the collective dreams, visions, and desires of the Cleveland community. To learn more, visit Pope’s project website at www.themindofcleveland.com.

Co-founder of Cleveland Public Art and former editor of Dialogue magazine, Harvey has been an active and vital member of the Northeast Ohio art community for 36 years. In addition to his impressive exhibition resume, Harvey has received numerous grants and fellowships along with the Cleveland Arts Prize (1991). In his multi-media work, Harvey addresses the region’s urban environment physically and conceptually by integrating evocative materials like steel grids and toxic fluids with images of the city, its people, and its surrounding ecology.

Someone lend me 35 mill.

I was hoping that I would discover this on Craigslist. However, it is official, the Plain Dealer just announced the sale of the Ameritrust Tower for a mere $35,000,000.

I don't have any comments on this just yet. The idea is that the County will not accept any less then the money that they have invested in the project in the first place so I suppose, in theory, this isn't a loss for the citizens of Cuyahoga. Before we make any rash judgements, lets see where this mess ends up.

Oh, and it was pointed out to me that the $35 million price tag is the same as for the Tri-C Rock Hall archive.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Step it Up Rally 2007

Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
Step it Up 2007
National Day of Climate Action

Nothing like spending a crisp Fall Saturday enjoying, well crisp Fall Saturdays. Find a local movement planning to rally your communities to press their governmental bodies to respond to the Climate Change Crisis. Already 71 Members of Congress and 7 Presidential Candidates will be joining local movements, pledging their support in making America more proactive to the looming environmental emergency and making our politicians aware of plans and priorities to slow global warming.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

APTA release Public Transportation Website

APTA (American Public Transportation Association released a new website to disseminate public transit info including some iPod maps (San Francisco BART) and county specific system information hopefully making public transportation easier to understand for those of us who use it but are still confused by routes due to construction or just plain old route changes.

With all the discussion about sprawl and climate change one starts to wonder when or even if there will be enough of a personal stake to utilize and capitalize on public transportation systems or if American society will continue to pull away and concentrate on solitary lifestyles perpetuated by personal vehicle usage.

In other news part of Euclid has the Corridor project 'completed' and will be opened sometime this month to regular traffic. I am curious to see how people react to the new traffic patterns. Heck, I am curious to see how I react to them.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Kauffman Park in danger - signs of greater troubles?

Public Meeting on Kaufman Park
Monday, October 29th, 2007
7.00-8.00 pm
Lakewood Seventh-Day Adventist Church
1382 Arthur Ave. - Fellowship Hall (Basement)

hosted by- Tom Bullock for Lakewood

There is an allure to Lakewood, Ohio that is relatively easy to discern. For an older suburb it still works the way neighborhoods did at the dawn of the century and in the way that new developers like to sell their developments as working. People here walk. There are parks to walk to, stores (specialty and grocery), libraries, movie theaters, all manner of bowling alleys, art galleries, restaurants, churches, bars, etc.

There is also a reason people walk. It is easy. The blocks are small, there are two major commercial strips that run parallel to (and create the spine of) the city, the sidewalks are big without being unreasonable gigantic, the crosswalks are marked and logical and commercial buildings are fronted right up on the street. Amidst a collection of single story to mid-rise the scale and composure of Lakewood 'downtown' has a particular feel; a small town without disjointed connection where one can easily peruse the windows whilst on your way to your destination.

If you are one who feels driving to your destination is quicker have no fear, there is ample side street parking or building specific parking nestled behind the buildings against the street (except for a couple of locations, noticeably Marc's surface lot that is somewhat tucked behind another building and park). These hidden parking lots do a few things that are rather nice to those of us that still enjoy walking the neighborhood. It keeps the front of the stores, and their windows, against the street making it easy to glance in and see if anything catches our eyes, it keeps eyes on the street due to proximity to the stores and it keeps large, barren, and crummy looking parking lots hidden away from the main image of the street.

With this in mind I bring up the Public Meeting on Kauffman Park tomorrow. I am not sure if this is an actual public meeting or just a publicity stunt for an elected official. I also am leery as I read the flyer which talks more about increasing safety forces at the park then attempting to create a way for future development (proposed office and retail) to keep the 'main street' feel instead of having a sea of asphalt butt up against Detroit Avenue. Yes, I fear that Detroit Avenue will turn into something akin to Mentor Avenue (Route 20) in Mentor, a strip of small retail stores, buffered from an uncrossable street by even more asphalt, parking entry and egress haphazardly tossed about until the whole street becomes a orgasm of commuter frustration . I feel that with a little bit of creativity and a small attempt at rational thought there would be a way to save most of the park, reorient the retail center and even add the possibility of office or even some residential units (if Lakewood needs more residential units, there are an awful lot of homes for rent/sale and adding to the mess doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense yet).

However that would mean that someone would actually want to spend time trying to design something that not only would sell but also something that would fit the sense and scale of the place and, well, work with the neighborhood and community.

Which probably means the usual suspects aren't up for the task no matter how many lamp-posts with banners declaring the 'Drug Mart Neighborhood Condo District' say they are.

resources
Plain Dealer Article

Friday, October 26, 2007

Tri-C Rauc(ous) Hall Archive- for the love of all things holy...

I admit I had seen what could have been a preliminary image of the Tri-C/Rock Hall archive thing earlier (which I commented upon), one where the stacked glass corner box was a pyramid with a large block balanced on top which was actually quite a bit more offensive then this.

This, this I can almost ignore without getting too angry about. Granted I had to lift the image from the ground breaking video since everyone that was so busy making the announcement somehow didn't get a simple image of what this thing was supposed to look like. This building that somehow they are breaking ground on, that supposedly went through a permit and review process that is supposed to protect the architectural and artistic merit of our city, this building that supposedly the people paying for it had been involved in the design...

Arts buildings should have the intent for delight professed within them.

Like This

ps. watch the video. After the squint/opera lecture/video showing at KSU you almost wonder how good design can easily influence the presentation. Also, they shovel a trough for the ground breaking. Really wacky stuff going on in this town.