Mercel Breuer - another building in danger - Atlanta-Fulton Central Library

Timely coinciding with my completion of Fred Scott's On Altering Architecture I received notice that another of Marcel Breuer's signature buildings was in danger of demolition. After the arduous battle for the saving of the Cleveland Trust Tower/ Ameritrust Tower/ Breuer Tower which I will still defend over margarita's at lunch.

I haven't collected all the data on the situation just yet, however word on the street is that the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library is looking at razing Breuer's library in order to make way for a new structure.

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City — one of architect Marcel Breuer’s most esteemed works — has taken its place among the premier cultural monuments of the modern world. When it first made its appearance in 1966, among those who held it in high esteem and recognized its importance for modern architecture was the then Director of the Atlanta Public Library, Carlton C. Rochell, a man with a keen interest in and a wide knowledge of architecture. Eager to have what he called “a world class building” for the projected new library in Atlanta, and believing it possible to do so by going to a “world class architect”, he reinforced his view by making an analogy to Atlanta’s famed baseball superstar, stating that “ If you want a home run you pick Hank Aaron”. He therefore urged the selection committee of the Library Board to interview Breuer (among others) for the project. The Breuer office in New York received from Atlanta a 275 page program for the new building. The program was intensively adjusted and revised, interpreted and reinvented, by the architectural team in the Breuer office, headed by Breuer’s partner Hamilton Smith with the important contribution of architect Carl Stein. A model was built from the Breuer design, and it was considered by the Board in Atlanta to be a highly successful interpretation of their program.

The resulting Atlanta Central Public Library – construction began in 1977 and was completed in 1980 – is one of the finest buildings of Marcel Breuer’s long career. Probably because the Board members had made very clear to Breuer their admiration for his Whitney Museum, the Atlanta Library reflects an obvious great kinship with the museum. For Atlanta, Breuer reinvented the stepped profile, the grand massing, the few windows, and the severe, hard-edged geometric volumes of the Whitney. It is indeed a world class building by a world class architect. That library is now in danger of disappearing.

The significance of Marcel Breuer and his architecture in the history of modernism was already established by 1956 when he was named – along with Mies von der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Eero Saarinen, Alvar Aalto, and six others — as one of the “form-givers” of the twentieth-century. Breuer had been educated at the Bauhaus in Germany in the 1920s, practiced architecture in London in the mid-1930s, and emigrated to the United States in 1937 at the behest of Walter Gropius to teach at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard and, in partnership with Gropius, to enter into private practice. After the end of the World War II Breuer left Harvard and established an independent and highly successful architectural practice in New York City. With an international team of partners he designed the Unesco Building in Paris; he was the architect of the HUD and HEW federal buildings in Washington, D.C., and of the Grand Coulee Dam Forebay in the state of Washington. The famed complex of Benedictine buildings in Collegeville, Minnesota is his work, as is the education wing of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the United States Embassy in The Hague, and several administrative and laboratory buildings for IBM. Breuer built schools, office buildings, libraries, sacred buildings, and a remarkable number of widely admired private residences. In 1968 he was the recipient of the Gold Medal given by the American Institute of Architects. In 1972-73 – the heyday of Late Modernism – Breuer’s stature was recognized, impressively, by the Metropolitan Museum of New York, New York’s premiere museum. The museum gave him the first one-man show of an architect in its 102 year history. They titled it “Marcel Breuer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” and mounted it in three galleries with a display of photo murals, architectural models, furniture, and tapestries. In its press release the Met referred to Breuer as “One of the 20th century’s most important and prolific architects, a major influence in American architecture and Design.” As recently as 2007 – more than a quarter century after his death — the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. installed a major exhibition entitled “Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture”, paying particular tribute to his brilliant career as a designer of furniture as well as buildings.

At the time of the initial campaign for the current Atlanta Library, Atlanta was described as “a city with a lot of buildings but not a lot of architecture.” Breuer’s Atlanta Library is unquestionably a work of “architecture.” Its heavy massing and concrete construction represent a mode of design and a material no longer in vogue in parts of this country. But Breuer had a particular interest in the sculptural potential of concrete in modern architecture, as he conceived architecture as sculpture. And concrete was a material that, at the time the Library project was underway, was very cost-effective for a public building.

Tastes change with regard to the appearance of buildings as they do for every cycle of creative activity. Concrete architecture of the 1970s is not at this moment universally appreciated. But to remove a significant modernist monument — important in and for its time and still satisfactorily fulfilling its original function to serve the community — designed by a major architect of historical importance and world renown, would be a serious civic blunder in the cultural history of Atlanta.

Isabelle Hyman (borrowed from the preservation main page, not to dilute the intent but to stir the heart to action)

If one can stand for one's beliefs in one's own region, why cannot one speak out to protect another? That is the justification for sticking my nose where it probably is not needed.

Resources:

• Letter from Isabelle Hyman, Professor Emerita, Department of Art History,New York University
• Atlanta-Fulton Library salvation project
• online petition for preservation

All I wanted was an authentic Model-B3 chair (or a Knoll reproduction would be fine. Black leather please but I won't be picky) for xmas.

The feast and the famine part II - Fairfax International Generation Winners Announced

Also in the news (as of 2 weeks ago, I apologize but I have a hard time reading the PD's architecture column much anymore) the Cleveland Neighborhood of Fairfax recently announced their winner for the Fairfax Intergenerational Housing Competition with the prospect of actually building the dang thing.

What started off as a local/regional competition grew to include a national scope of entrants excited to tackle the challenge of responsible intergenerational (which indicates that grandparents are involved in the child rearing instead of the typical generational differences between parents and children? Fine, I don't need a semantic argument right now) and may be the first residential competition in the nation to specifically focus on a family dynamic where grandparents are primarily involved with child raising.

I don't know if there was a reception with food and wine. There may have been. I find those things integral to these sorts of receptions, I just know I wasn't invited to it and feel slightly snubbed. I am sure that the responsible parties will hear about this. Probably from me.

Regardless, in one month (or two weeks if you want) two major competitions were finalized in Cleveland, Ohio which is exciting to those of us in Cleveland, Ohio who want to be excited about, well, design in Cleveland, Ohio.

The feast and the famine - Cleveland Design Competition Winners Reception

I honestly had no idea what to expect as I was attempting to discover the 78th Street Studios. I was searching for the 2008 Cleveland Design Competition Awards Ceremony in which I would not only get to hang out with B. Fink and M. Christoff a bit (the competition's organizers) but I would also get to see all 55 entrants to the competition based in Cleveland with the premise of promoting design solutions for local problems/issues. I pulled into a rather full parking lot, a beehive of activity, with flashlight armed parking directors motioning each new entering vehicle to a predetermined parking location. I was first amazed by the spectacle and remember thinking to myself as I found the public entry to the building that I was personally amazed that so many people were interested in design in the city. There had to be over 200 cars in the lot. I was sure the line at for the adult beverages, a staple at any reception, would be a rather tedious adventure. I lamented being 15 minutes late.

I became slightly confused when entering the large gathering space that the Competition reception had taken to be its temporary home for the evening. The boards suspended as if by magic in a labyrinth shaping the path and progress of the onlookers, providing slight nooks in the center of collective spaces for congregation and discussion and leaving a large area up front, undoubtedly for the awards presentation itself. The food table was vacant. The beverage table as well. In fact there looked to be about two dozen guests milling around where the boards were suspended intently studying the proffered designs. Where were the people to which belonged all the cars?

Bingo in the basement was the offered reply. I admit I was heartbroken. What more could any design oriented denizen of this town ask for? Free food and beverage (there was a suggested donation), some sharp conversation and a free show should be enough to bring out even the most cynical artist on the crisp night. Should be.

I admit, the gathering swelled in size. I couldn't offer a reasonable estimate as I was near the back and was more interested in looking for spelling errors in the presentation boards than attempting a reasonable head count. There were well over a hundred that showed up by the time the ceremony got under way which in some way made my heart feel warmer, or it was the wine and food from Luxe.

Regardless of whether or not anyone in this town cared, the Cleveland Competition was in some respects, a rousing success. It garnered international attention for a second time for our fair burg, got some local talent involved (which was nice to see some local honorable mentions with the international winners) and even gave some alternative insight to the rather complicated problem of Lake access from a auto-centric town (yes, we decided to barrier ourselves from our lake on both the east and west sides in order to fulfill the high priority of highway access).

I am already looking forward to next year's offerings and hope that my schedule will be of such that I can take part in a greater manner than just drinking their wine and eating their cheese. Congratulations to the Cleveland Design Competition folks.

2008 Cleveland Design Competition Reception

A few details on this year's Cleveland Design Competition awards reception...

What: 2008 Cleveland Design Competition Awards Reception and Exhibition

Where: 78th Street Studios, 1300 West 78th Street, Cleveland

When: Thursday, December 18th at 6:00pm (Awards presentation will begin at 7pm)

Earlier today, local and national jurors reviewed 55 design entries from Cleveland and around the world and selected winning submissions for an intergenerational playspace along the West 65th Street Tunnel in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood. We are excited about the selected submissions - in all, there are many thoughtful and creative ideas for enhancing the bicycle path as it travels to Edgewater Park and in proposing the site as a place for children and adults alike to play.

Like last year, all submissions (55 entries this year) will be displayed for viewing between 6pm and 8pm or so. Light refreshments are being provided by a local restaurant, LUXE (www.luxecleveland.com) and the event is casual.

The exhibit space is in the 78th Street Studios (http://www.78streetstudios.com/) in a brick warehouse building (former American Greetings Creative Studios) on West 78th Street off of Lake Avenue. The 78th Street Studios website has helpful driving directions. Once on 78th Street, there will be sufficient lighting and wayfinding to find the exhibit entrance. Plenty of parking is available next to the entrance and there are only a few steps into the space.

Waterloo Holiday Shopping

Thanks to the folks at Music Saves for diligently keeping the rawk in the Cleveland.
...and don't forget the artscollinwood

Shop local. F'reals.

Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland - December 2008

More local holiday shopping, oh the humanity!
Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland
Saturday, December 15th, 2008
noon - 9pm
Sunday, December 16th, 2008
noon - 6pm
1300 W. 78th to 1305 W. 80th Street, Cleveland, Ohio
North Parking lot, North entrance, accessible from W. 78th or W 80th St.

DIY and Local Artists. How could you go wrong? I know I usually speak out against base consumerism but you know if you don't get your loved ones something you are going to feel like a SUCKER. Might as well try to make is special and personal. Besides this keeps money in your local community where it belongs.

Tremont Art Walk - December 2008

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, December, 12th, 2008
Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio
6-10pm

What more would be a great holiday present but some local art from local artists? Especially when there is controversial pieces celebrating Cleveland's self loathing? Sure the weather is brisk and the days are short but it should be a great reason this season to really shop local and give one of a kind gifts to loved ones.

One vital aspect of life made cute to spread knowledge.

Wally the Waterdrop explains what that the water we deal with in everday life, from our drains to the street runoff that collects at curb drains and what it takes to clean the water before it is reintroduced into the watertable on a website put together by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District entitled Where does it go.

With the public becoming increasingly aware of the concerns attributed to potable water, even in industrialized nations such as the United States. a public consciousness should begin to express itself through human migration patterns. The low cost of land in the Southwest may be becoming offset by the realization that the land does not lend itself to human habitation and requires massive artificial infrastructure to force habitation. This lends itself not only to the "where does it go" mindset which is important if only because another part of the conversation is "where does it come from". When one realizes that "it" is coming from where "it" is going to I can only hope that the import of water becomes apparent. Not that it is a perfectly closed loop system, water evaporates and of course rain can replenish some bodies of water, but ground source (aquifers) must be monitored and not over utilized. We are not the only critters who require that ground water to live.

There is a agenda to protect the America's largest bodies of freshwater by the states and provinces that surround it, not in order to create a monopolized control, but to protect the systems already in place that millions of people depend upon for survival and with it some interesting notions on how to protect our freshwater and adjacent flora/fauna are already becoming public. Whether to stem invasive specie exposure, control/halt pollution or to find ways to use the open areas of the lake as a power generating resource to supplement a region of the country that relies heavily on coal power generation. The agenda is known as the Great Lakes Basin Compact and includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Article I of the compact describes what I like to think of as regionalism at it's finest.

So what does this mean to you? Well, whatever you want it to. It would be great if everyone was concerned enough with regards to their global impact to want to find out if they are creating an undue burden on others. Maybe it would be a good idea to discover the effort that goes into protecting what many take for granted and perhaps, if possible, find ways to alleviate any unnecessary waste or at the very least be aware enough to actively help others help themselves. Water is a precious commodity, is being constantly fought over either economically, legislatively or physically, and is vitally important to those whose fates (or their city's fates) are intimately intertwined with their water's well being.

1/3 Movie Night in order to prove how good life is...

It's a Wonderful Life
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Bela Dubby Cafe Place
13321 Madison Ave (just west of 117th)
Lakewood, Oh 44107
7.30pm

Brrrr, it's cold in here, there must be some cake in the atmosphere! (Yes, that was bastardized line from "Bring it On" a move that Ted constantly argues to show). Whether you're a Potter or a Bailey, everyone loves this dark, bittersweet tale of self discovery at the hands of a friendly (zealous?) angel.

This Thursday will be cold, possibly snowy and would be a perfect time to enjoy a delicious coffee (beer) and some heart warming chocolate cake while enjoying an infamous seasonal movie. So bring a loved one and give your cheapo Christmas gift early!

brought to you by LAUNCHcleveland

Only if you have some money...

could wealth truly be a state of mind. Not too much is needed, just enough to keep the heat and electric on in winter, something for the muse to flit across and a glass of something to keep the chill away. I know I am not alone in watching the "current economic crisis" unravel. The fact that my lips turn down when having to type that phrase reminds me of how trivial the words have become regardless of the import. Businesses reported great sales for the infamous "Black Friday", a day which I try to ignore if only that the crush of rabid consumers scares me, however sales over the weekend have, to put it nicely, slumped. Even as "cyber-monday" winds down in the east/midwest I admit that while I glanced at an email from Amazon I actually had way too much to do at work to participate in the spree and plan to do laundry tonight rather then shop from my drafting table at home.

I suppose I am rather lucky in that I currently have a job (in an industry nefarious for cutting people) and enough change for a nice thing here and again. In fact I have been quite guilty of driving my automobile to work irregardless of fuel costs. For the majority of the transit I have been carpooling which may lessen the offense (probably not when a rail line almost serves the entire trip) but to be honest the bus and train have been extraordinarily busy lately. I don't mind standing on the train, in fact I almost prefer it as I can crane my neck more comfortably to watch out the window but I do not enjoy being completely crammed into a corner, feeling my bulk precipitously sway endangering everyone in my direct area. This is my excuse for driving. It is a weak one. (If I could build up the courage to risk cycling into the office I would however my new(ish) job is a full 50% further then my last one downtown and I have not the proper gear for this clime and season(hat/gloves/coat/etc).

This is the crux of my guilt as I warm up my car in the morning, texting my carpooling buddy that I am en route.

I bring this tirade to your attention if only to weakly segue into the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority having released the proposed 2009 Budget. The possibility of fuel surcharges and more route cuts are still a possibility which in the face of lower gas prices and an increased ridership may seem ridiculous. However with the market in turmoil (including retirement investments or federal funding) no one is really sure what the future holds and it is hard to determine if the proper funding needs can be met (take a gander at the tax income for GCRTA in the budget proposal).

I do appreciate GCRTA's transparency and their hope to get the public involved, such as they did when they were announcing route changes. The backbone of a great city is it's infrastructure and transportation. Without it people couldn't get to jobs even if there were any. We really need to realize how important public transit is and push for the sort of connectivity that can enrich our lives. Even if it means having to stay awake enough in the morning to not topple over on those standing nearest me.

Cleveland Design Competition 2008 Registration Deadline - 11/28 (12/05 late)

register

Regular registration - November 28th, 2008
Late registration - December 5th, 2008
Submission Deadline - December 12, 2008

interPLAY Homepage

Thanksgiving - and the unfortunate preparation for 'Black Friday'

As Thanksgiving has finally arrived the early morning of typical weekday is interrupted by a noticable absence of vehicles on the roadways. Most take the holiday break to grab a couple extra hours of sleep, hug their loved ones extra long in the brisk November mornings, before attempting to rouse themselves in bracing for regular holiday fanfare.

For some reason Thanksgiving has managed to maintain most of its original celebratory luster. The theme of giving thanks for a bountiful fall harvest (and surviving the previous year) allows families to celebrate togetherness with a veritable feast of good fortune mostly revolving around an over laden dining room table. And while most celebrate as best they can (relative to personal fortunes, etc) the massive commercialization of the holiday hasn't surpassed mostly cardboard decorations, a small selection of cards (really, what could they say anyway?) and a food centric media (albeit small) blitz. Most of the attention has been paid to how many travelers will be heading off to see far off relatives in the current economic state even with gas at such low prices.

Regardless, now is not the time to lament good fortune. For those of us able to, now is the time to spend a nice meal with friends and family, enjoying each others company (if we can) and overindulging in copious and sometimes painful ways. We must eat our fill and rest up for the next day, tomorrow, the day after Thanksgiving, is when the bulk of commercial marketing ratchets up, the drone of Christmas music from every corner, red and green garish confections hung from every bough and bright 'for sale' signs as far as the eye can see.

I am thankful for my family and friends and extremely thankful that I am given the chance everyday to do something better for something bigger then myself and so with this in mind I will again be partaking in the infamous buy nothing day of November 28th and will do my holiday shopping locally, from local artisans (if I can, it does get hard to do but food is one of my favorite gifts to give and recieve).

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving Help - Local Meal Sites

MAYOR JACKSON ANNOUNCES THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MEAL SITE LOCATIONS TO AID AREA NEEDY

CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Honorary Co-Chair of Greater Cleveland’s annual “Harvest for Hunger” Food Drive, has asked the City’s Food Drive Chairman to work with the local hunger agencies to prepare a list of meal site locations for Cleveland’s print, radio, and television media. This effort will help ensure that Cleveland families who are working hard to survive the tough economic climate can receive a Thanksgiving meal.

Program hours and locations may change. For complete information, call United Way’s 211-First Call for Help at 216/436-2000. This line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Christmas.

The Thanksgiving Holiday meal site locations follow below.

Location List Google Document

Sunflowers in Cleveland

I don't really have much of a reason for putting this up except I suppose I miss the ideals that planting sunflowers along a road encompass. It was a difficult decision, I am sure. Weighing whether the introduction of the plants would cause an imbalance in the local ecosystem (would impurities in the soil mean that a poisoned food source for birds was created?). I heard somewhere that sunflower seeds from a packet (you know, the ones you buy for a dollar at the drug store) have been genetically altered making their seeds sterile meaning the possibility of plant proliferation along the lakeside and into Wendy Park didn't seem much of an issue. The only suspected danger was the ground keepers scythe, of which no bother was needed.

It was too late in the year when these seeds were sowed for the "Mammoth Sunflowers" to attain their advertised height, a grandiose 15' that would have easily been spied from the Shoreway on those quiet commutes home in the evening, the sun setting the sky on fire as it sinks into the lake. Regardless they were planted on the sly. An act of subversion that would hopefully blossom into beauty. It would become a joke, to see the flowers and say to myself "I know who did that" when really, the humans responsible could truthfully hardly take any credit. They poked some holes in the dirt, shoved a ripe striped seed in the hole, hastily covered it over and moved onto to the next planting, mindful of passing traffic and prying eyes. Nature just ran its course and the plants grew. They may have been located there by humans (and cultivated and packaged as seeds) but honestly it would be akin to a museum curator taking credit for the pieces on the walls of the museum, this ownership the passing agrarians had.

Regardless, it was a topic of discussion, this planting of the sunflowers. An act of design (some would say attrition) to beautify the gray city on the gray lake. Larger plans were made, sites were scouted, ideas of hidden messages tossed aside as quickly as derived. Why not plant a food garden on Scranton Peninsula? Most likely the toxins in the soil would deter any use of that. How about a garden billboard on a hillside? Too quickly overgrown with brush and weeds. Our poor plants would be choked out in days. How about large sunflowers on a freshly finished roadside protected by a fence and curb? Perfect.

And so the season wound down. Like most Cleveland dreams the sunflowers never achieved the proportions they aspired to. They grew what they could (perhaps it was too dry, perhaps the soils had too much clay) and eventually succumbed to the fauna and the seasons. I am sure the last flurries have buried the trunks of the plants. Another ideal quickly and completely covered by lake effect snow.

Perhaps next year the sunflowers will be planted earlier in the season. Perhaps they will spring up in a few more locations, waving in the wind at passersby (aren't Clevelanders constantly being reminded how friendly we are, how we smile at everyone?) and watching the world pass them by. Maybe next year they will grow big and strong, a quiet marvel to behold, planted from heirloom seeds that will survive the seasons, spreading themselves to become native, passed on by birds and squirrels, eventually becoming strong enough to then survive on their own.

Then a new flower will have to be cultivated. Another annual that would embody the trials of my city. Another example of struggle, hope and failure to study and watch, to shrug our shoulders at and wonder who would attempt such as thing in such a locale anyway.

1/3 Movie Night - Notes For Those Beginning the Discipline of Architecture

Thursday, November 20th, 2008
For Those Beginning the Discipline of Architecture
@ Bela Dubby
13321 Madison Ave; Lakewood, OH; US; 216-221-4479
7.30pm

What should an architect expect going into the profession? To some extent a willingness to embrace and exploit absurdity. And some cake if you are lucky.

Ed Hauser passes away, Clevelands activism feels the loss

Whiskey Island from the Coast Guard Station

I only met Ed Hauser in passing twice but his outspoken activism, calling for common sense in our region's governments and fighting for the environment including the preservation of Whiskey Island, made him memorable as one willing to speak his mind and stand for his beliefs, usually relying on well researched and thoughtful arguments to counterbalance emotional topics.

In 2005 the documentary Citizen Hauser was produced following Hauser's transition from a steelworker at LTV to the "Mayor of Whiskey Island", one of Cleveland's yet unexploited jewels.

Ed passed away the morning of Friday, November 14th, 2008. A great loss for our community and city will be felt at many levels. We should do our best to keep his memory alive by following his example of public activism.

Services for Ed Hauser
Monday, November 17, 2008
Vito-Nero Funeral Home
6130 Turney Road, Garfield Heights, OH

ReoNeo has a very nice piece about Ed.
Plain Dealer's obituary

on site magazine

Recently I had an article accepted for publication by on site magazine which takes article submissions from unknown designers on the subjects of "architecture, art, engineering, performance, landscape, culture, infrastructure, photography".

I was lucky enough to grab an earlier issue from friends at Design Rag and immediately felt that the mix of article topics, photography and writing styles was something that I would love to contribute to. So I did.

The issue is slated to be released around the end of this year. I suggest that if you can, pick up a subscription to help the small magazine take off (which is published by the Association for non-profit architectural fieldwork [Alberta]). You won't regret it. The views and opinions are fresh, young and very interesting.

Tremont Art Walk

5401 Cleveland
Entrance to Hell

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, November 7th
6-10pm
Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio
map

Speaking of issues with developing downtown...

Stark's plan also gets the keibash.

ZOINKS.

Transparency should allow for expediancy

Regardless of whether or not New York City can move on building their own medical based product center should be besides the point. Cleveland's own Medical Product Center (or Medical Mart if one were to be so inclined) deal is still burdened with a seemingly hidden agenda and frightening indecision. The county commissioners, regrettably with an obviously horrible track record when it comes to attempts to revitalize downtown Cleveland, are currently saddled with making a decision in an abhorrent vacuum of any relevant input.

Cleveland has a sad history of turning it's back on large scale masterplans that may have at least created the backbone for a coherent urban plan. As the current economic "crisis" (to mild a term to state it without the quotes) have already put an incredible burden on Wolstein's flats projectenough to perhaps make it an impossibility, Cleveland needs to re-evaluate our goals.

We are currently paying for the Medical Mart, a complex and ideal that makes fiscal sense in theory. Our main burden is finding a suitable site that works for the city and not just a quick fix that may please a few old friends or private investors. I would hope that in lieu of the County's recent debacles they would make their options and reasons for choices a little more transparent. It may be too late to get the proper input from the proper authorities (urban/city planners, convention/tourism/hospitality experts, financial/tax experts, etc. for a project of this scope and nature (I don't really think it is, I just find it extremely sad that this input was lacking in the first place) but it isn't too late to start listening to actual experts now instead of the fellas from the local bar.

I mean, just hearing how quickly New York City is moving on this should be pointing out the obvious. That without the right people in the right places our decision making process is unduly, ridiculously elongated and inherently flawed.

Kamm's Farmer's Market fun(d) raising party

Kamm's Corners Farmer's Market
Sunday, November 8th, 2008
West Park Station
1-4pm

$25 Donation includes draft beer, well drinks, soft drinks, pizza salad and chicken wings. Door prizes and 50/50 raffle.

There is also a Cornhole tournament ($30 per team) with a min. prize of $100 (or 1/3 total entry fees).

Advance ticket sales: 216.252.6559 x 1000

Fundraiser pdf

1/3 Movie Night : Stranger Than Paradise

Stranger Than Paradise
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
Bela Dubby, Lakewood, OH
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood
Movienightmovienightmovienightmovienightmovienight

ps. Cake.

LAUNCHcleveland Movie Night

Don't forget to vote this November 4th.

Personally I cannot wait for this election to be over.

Seriously, I cannot wait for a truck ad or bath cleanser ad to be back on television instead of the all the fear mongering commercials which I find actually insulting.

Then we can get back to thinking about Cleveland.

Awareness

Eating Fresh gets a little harder in the winter...

...but not entirely impossible.

The local farmer's market season is growing to a close so be sure to check out your local farmers markets while you can.

• Tremont Farmers Market last day: October 26th
• Kamm's Corner's Farmer's Market last day: October 19th
• Cleveland Clinic Farmer's Market last day: October 22nd
• Crocker Park Farmer's Market last day: November 22nd

The famous West Side Market will be open throughout the entire year (barring any holiday exceptions however you have to be sure to check that you are purchasing local produce when you can. Feel free to ask the vendors where their food is coming from and if it is local. The Basketeria stand at the West Side Market specializes in local and organic produce.

Also open in winter is the North Union Indoor Market at Shaker Square, and the Coit Road Market both of which utilize local producers for their goods.

If you have any other questions or concerns the local food movement is alive and strong in Cleveland. Feel free to peruse LocalFoodCleveland.

Support minimum standards for Cleveland's shelters

At the monthly Architecture for Humanity Cleveland meeting it was brought to our attention that the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) was currently collecting signatures in order to create an enforceable minimum set of standards that Cleveland's shelters must abide by. We had looked over the list of shelter standards and quickly became amazed at how the standards are nothing more then simple requests to treat people individually and humanely.

If after reading the list of requested standards you wish to help, simply fill out and sign the Homeless College - Proposed Shelter Standards and deliver the sign formed via mail or fax to NEOCH by November 13th, 2008.

1/3 Movie Night - Ladri di Biciclette

1/3 Movie Night presents: Ladri de biciclette
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Bela Dubby
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood, Oh

You should bike in. It is better for your health, the environment and for the city as a whole (pedestrian level retail, eyes on the street = safety, slower speeds = safer, etc, etc, etc). Just remember to lock up your bike.

And try some cake. Warms the subcockles of even the coldest of hearts*.

Brought to you by Ted© and the fine people of LAUNCH

*not scientifically proven

Tremont Art Walk - October

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, October 10th, 2008
Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio

6-10pm

It seems that the Tremont Art Walk is growing in scope and popularity!

Works can be viewed through the month during regular business hours.

West 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge in Tremont
Circle remains by David Jurca, drops of light by Gauri Torgalkar, street sofa by Alex Tapie & Wes Johansen
Miss Melvis and the Buford Pusser Experience
Food and fresh produce from Hooper's Farm

Brokeback Gallery
2778 West 14th Street
The Near Westside Photovoice - Student photography by City of Cleveland middle school students
Rainboy Children's and Babies Hospital
Safe Kids of Greater Cleveland

Lava Lounge
1307 Auburn Ave. / 216-589-9112
M-Sat 5 pm - 2:30 am, Sun 7 pm - 2 am
Exposure Cleveland Show

Grumpy’s
2617 West 14th Street / 216-241-5025
Mon. 6 am – 3 pm, Tues – Thurs 6 am – 10 pm,
Fri 6 am – 11 pm, Sat. 8 am – 11 pm,
Sun 8 am – 3 pm
Artwork by Femi Kolawole and photos by Bryan Lazar, and work by Linda Miller

Prosperity Social Club
1109 Starkweather / 216-937-1938
Martini Five-O @ 10 p.m. - midnight
Midnight - 2 am: Audio Spectrum Soul and Funk DJ

Lilly Handmade Chocolates
761 Starkweather Avenue / 216-771-3333
ArtWalk hours Friday 12 pm - 10 pm
Hours Tue-Sat 12 pm - 7 pm, Sun 10 am - 2 pm, Mon Closed
Photography by Dan Morgan / Straight Shooter

P.D. White Furniture
767 Starkweather / 216-298-4114
Original design handmade furniture

Lucky’s Café
777 Starkweather / 216-622-7773
Open 7 days a week
"Pretty" work by Debra
Saturday and Sunday Brunch

St.Theodosius Orthodox Christian Cathedral
733 Starkweather / 216-773-4721
Sat. 6 p.m., Sun. 9:00 a.m.
Western Byzantinian Art by Church Artisans

F.D. Roosevelt Post 58
2442 Professor Ave / 216-241-1788
Music boxes by Darlene

The Flying Monkey
819 Jefferson / 216-861-mnky
M - Sat. 4 pm - 2 am

Hybrid
2430 Tremont Ave. / 216-253-1759
Where things of a mixed origin come together

doubting Thomas
856 Jefferson Ave. / 216-394-0098
Fri - Sat 6-10 pm or by appointment
DARK ART
Work by Chris Yarmuck, Charles Wince, George Kokar, Charles Cicirella & others.

Asterisk*
2393 Professor Ave. / 330-304-8528
Fri & Sat 7pm - 11pm or by appointment
Counting Days group show
www.asteriskgallery.com

Edison’s Pub
2373 Professor Ave. / 216-522-0006
M - Sun 4pm to 2am
Live music Saturday night

Robert Hartshorn Studio
2342 Professor Ave. / 216-403-2734
www.hartshornstudios.com

The Paul Duda Gallery
2342 Professor Ave. / 216-589-5788
www.Pauldudagallery.com

Banyan Tree
2242 Professor Ave. / 216-241-1209
Mon – Wed 11 – 7, Thurs – Sat 11 – 9, Sun 11 - 4

Eye Candy Gallery
2173 Professor Ave. / 216-241-2740
Wed & Thu 12-6, Fri 1-7pm, Sat 12-7
www.EyeCandy-Gallery.com
80+ N. E Ohio Artists a variety of
disciplines. All original work.

The Southside
2207 West 11th / 216-937-2288
M - Sun 11:30 am - 2:30 am
Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
Photography by Ruggero Fatica

Studio 11
2337 West 11th / 216-621-8179
Work by Andrew Gabriel, Phil Robertson and Mindy Murad
Yoga and Pilates Studio

Visible Voice Books
1023 Kenilworth Ave. / 216-961-0084
Mon. Closed, Tuesday through Friday: Noon to 8:00 PM, Saturday Noon-10 pm, Sun Noon - 6 pm

Brandt Gallery
1028 Kenilworth / 216-621-1610
Sat. Noon - 6 pm or by appt.
Shreds of Light, work by David Szekeres
Random Thoughts by Halley Dawn (in the cave)
Russell Vidrick Open mic poetry reading Sat. at 3 pm

Dish Deli & Catering
1112 Kenilworth / 216-523-7000
Photography by Ken Mengay

Ukrainian Museum-Archives
1202 Kenilworth / 216-781-4329
Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by appt. & ArtWalks

Duck Island
2001 Freeman / 216-621-7676
M – Sat 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Your hostess Gisela Towner and DJ Hoveround

Pop-Up Cleveland - Bridge Mix

a night under the stars and over the headlights

Friday, October 10 from 6-10pm at the West 11th Street pedestrian bridge in the Tremont neighborhood

The West 11th Street pedestrian bridge will be the focus of a one-night outdoor celevration in Tremont

Admission is free and all are welcome

Events

circle remains:: David Jurca
Where RU? Here or There? Patsy Kline
drops of light:: Gauri Torgalkar
street sofa:: Alex Tapie & Wes Johansen

plus...
Miss Melvis and the Buford Pusser Experience
cultural dances, music, storytellers and capoeira

Nourishment

Food and drink from Gypsy Beans Cafe
Fresh produce from Hooper's Farm

Where is that Again?

Two blocks south of Lincoln Park on West 11th Street

or

One block north of Clark Field on West 11th Street (parking at Clark Field)

A PopUp City production, sponsored by the Kent State University Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, with the support of the Civic Innovation Lab, Tremont West Development Corporation and Progressive Urban Real Estate.

to Pop Up City Home Page

On the road

TOIstudio is heading out of town for a week whilst going to the Net Zero Energy Building Conference in New York City.

I am always piqued by New York City and am looking forward to hopefully having a chance to visit the new Storefront, MoMA's Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling and possibly heading over to visit the Architectural League.

All in all I am looking forward to rejuvenating interest in city living and design by taking the time to visit and witness a truly vibrant urban center.

I will be out of the loop for a while (not that anyone here would notice) and hope to return with some sort of insight and/or interest into my own fair city. That probably comes off more as a threat then I mean it to.

Arts Collinwood Open House

Arts Collinwood Open House & Volunteer Recognition Party
Saturday, October 4th
Arts Collinwood Community Arts Center
397 E. 156th Street
4-6pm

After five years of planning and hard, hard work, Arts Collinwood is opening its Community Art Center at 397 E156 St (at the back of the Arts Collinwood building).

On Saturday, October 4, Arts Collinwood is throwing a party for everyone we know and would like to know – the Grand Opening of our Community Art Center.

That party is free. It runs from 4 to 6 pm, and will feature food, music, the assemblage show and, of course, tours of the new space.
Bring the family, bring your friends. Come to watch artists demonstrating some of the classes they’ll be teaching, and sign up for the ones your kids like best. Help us celebrate this great addition to our community – and help us thank the volunteers who’ve made it all possible. We’ll hold our volunteer recognition party during the open house, with prizes and gifts for our amazing band of helpers.

1/3 Movie Night - Veep Debate (not a movie)

1/3 Movie Night - 2008 VP Debates
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Bela Dubby
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood, Ohio

Debate starts at 9 pm.

Partially because Ted is working really hard and cannot decide on a movie, partially because our economy is going down the drain and it should be considered important that the political process is taken seriously, mostly because this debate is guaranteed to be one of the funniest "serious" things you will ever watch (undoubtedly fodder for SNL for the next 5 months) and will potentially shape the future of this country and all our puny existences within it we are offering up watching the debate instead of a movie for this 1/3 Movie Event.

So come on down and watch the slugfest as two politicos offer up their distorted worldviews for the whole world to enjoy.

The only thing they could agree upon is that you should definitely try the cake.

Brought to you by the bored folks at LAUNCHcleveland

Assemblage - the inaugural benefit

Saturday, September 27th, 2008
15605 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Oh, 44110
7pm until the party ends

The Waterloo Arts District in Cleveland’s North Collinwood neighborhood will come alive for the night of September 27, 2008 as artists, art lovers, members of the Collinwood community and community-minded residents from all over Greater Cleveland will gather for a one-of-a-kind party and fund raiser to officially launch the neighborhood’s new arts center.

The theme of the party, Assemblage/Assemblage, appropriately plays off two meanings of the word. An assemblage is an art work created from, usually, found objects. An assemblage is a gathering – of people, things or ideas. Arts Collinwood, and particularly its new art center, embody both meanings.

The event’s proceeds go to equip and operate the Arts Collinwood Community Art Center, which will provide a home for children’s and grownups’ art classes, after-school programs, arts-related clubs and activities, music and dance performances, continuing artist education, community events … and more!

The party will occupy the Arts Collinwood gallery and art center, and the adjoining Café Marika, at the corner of East 156th and Waterloo Roads, easily accessible from Routes 2 and 90, a few steps west of the Beachland Tavern and Ballroom and an emerging gallery and shopping district.

Guests will be invited to work with Arts Collinwood artists to complete a massive mural assemblage to decorate the new community art center. Distinguished local artists are being invited to submit assemblage works for exhibit during and after the party; all works will be for sale. Kits of similar materials will be sold for guests to create individual assemblages, or to take home. Invited artists will also exhibit eminently buyable art for guests’ browsing pleasure.

Music will be provided by Moko Bovo, finger food by Kimberly’s Supper Club, Grovewood Tavern and Wine Bar, Muldoon’s Tavern,Scotti's, The Chocolate Garden, Chili Peppers and Polaris Vocational School’s pastry chef and his students. A generous donation of wine is being given by Bratenahl’s Chuck Bauernschmidt. Dress is urban chic (if in doubt, wear black).

Tickets are $75 and $125. VIP ticket holders will be invited to come an hour early for a champagne reception, performance by Ruth Pangrace of Women in History as Louise Nevelson, and a guided tour of the space.

More information from 216-692-9500.

Arts Collinwood

Fairfax InterGenerational Competition

Architectural Competition - Fall 2008
Fairfax Neighborhood, Cleveland, Ohio housing for families in which grandparents are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren.

Sponsored by Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation with support from the McGregor Foundation

Competition administration by Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative with organizational support from AIA Cleveland

Open to design teams including at least one Ohio-registered architect
DEADLINE - November 19, 2008
PRIZES - $10,000 (1st) - $5,000 (2nd) - $2,500 (3rd)

Fairfax Competition
Competition Overview

U.S. House Triples Funding for cleaning up Great Lakes

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 which reauthorized a federal program to clean up the rivers and harbors feeding into the Great Lakes by tripling its funding to $150 million annually.

A great American resource is finally getting some of the attention that is deserves which is also great news to the many post industrial cities that would definitely benefit from some special attention.

Healthy Lakes - US House Says Yay to Great Lakes Legacy Act
S. 2994: Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate S.1994 - .pdf

Cities are made for people - PARKing day 2008

So a few of us put the call out to celebrate National Parking Day in Cleveland. Partially because it was a beautiful day, mostly because I think that raising awareness of designing cities for people instead of cars can make cities so much more interesting and enjoyable.

During our entire stint there was only a slight case of harassment (Escalade, go figure) and only a slight close call of someone mowing us down without looking at where they were driving. Most of the time people were very supportive. Not at all uncomfortable at the fact that someone actually made a yard downtown to sit in.

I suppose it was that everyone can enjoy sitting outside on a nice patch of grass in glorious weather watching the world go by. If anything I am surprised that no one said "screw work, I'm going to sit here all day too!"

Well, we didn't sit there all day. We stayed until 1.30 when we ran out of meter change and packed it up to go. Be on the lookout for the plethora of cell phone photos that we taken and since so many people asked what we were doing and why I can only hope perhaps more people will be willing to take the time to enjoy a brief respite once in a while and maybe place more import on people in cities then the cars that get them there.

PARKing Day Cleveland brought to you by LAUNCHcleveland and the regular crowd.

1/3 Movie Night - Mystery Movie

Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Bela Dubby, Lakewood, OH
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood

Due to the storm the movie this week will be a surprise. An awesome surprise to be sure but still a surprise.

ps. Cake.

LAUNCHcleveland Movie Night

More Sustainable Cities - Panelists Interview

Green Leaders: Interviews with For the Greener Good Panelists

Interview with Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm, Sweden
Interview with Cassio Taniguichi, Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil
Interview with Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Representative of Oregon's 3rd District

As a struggling city such as Cleveland searches for ways to recruit from the international talent pool as well as ways to recruit businesses for said talent to find employ at, one discovers that the creation of "green" and "sustainable" urban enclaves find themselves very attractive to the next generation of job seekers.

What makes sustainable urban initiatives work? Where does the capital investment come from? How does one garner the federal or government funding? How does a governing body receive community support? What are the reasonable and easy "first steps" to implement larger plans and reach larger goals?

Cleveland is attempting to find the right track and undoubtedly has the backing of the population of Cleveland to invest in walkable, bike-able and public mass transit infrastructure. It is being implemented bit by bit (granted the Euclid Corridor Project is a rather large bit) and even the city fabric is beginning to reflect the reinvestment and anticipated rebirth of downtown.

I suppose one could argue for a bit of patience to see what develops however I would rather argue that the city should strike now while the iron is hot (or at least sort of warm) and develop downtown strategies for cyclists (move ahead with the cycle parking spaces and perhaps even allocate a cycle station similar to Chicago as well as more bike lanes and even training programs for cyclists and drivers to learn the rules of the road).

Even an added influx in public transportation monies (at least to cover rising fuel costs and to keep the system running normally) would do well to bide people over until the corridor project can be proven and/or enough citizens move to using public transit to remove all stigma and ingrain its usage into everyday life.

A third suggestion would be directly in line with the first two in designing streetscapes around pedestrian movement including proper orientation of commercial and residential entries, street scale and the reintroduction of neighborhood or community based development similar to the intents of the tenants of new urbanism but thoughtfully applied to the specific location in question.

Never build a building 'til your fifty, tell me what kind of life is that?

A recent Slate Magazine Article aptly entitled "The Oldest Profession" was an interesting perspective on the reasoning for many architects to practice late into their years.

Using Philip Johnson, I.M. Pei, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies, van der Rohe, Corbusier and Gehry as examples to explain the amount of learning and experience necessary to become proficient in such a detailed profession as architecture Slate makes the argument that once you get finally get good at something there is no reason to quit.

Probably an important read for impatient youngsters wondering when they are going to get the chance to make their mark on the world.

Hint, probably way in the future but it takes hard work to get there.

Post title taken from Pavement's "The Hexx" which contains the fantastic line:

"Architecture students are like virgins
with an itch they cannot scratch,
Never build a building till you're 50
what kind of life is that?"

Tremont Artwalk - September 12th

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, September 12th, 2008
6-10pm
Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio

Image supplied:

Chitower

On display at Studio 11 a collection of photographs captured by Andy Gabriel of Cleveland

Climate Change vs. Design - heat island effect

At the recent Califiornia Climate Change Conference

One of the interesting topics covered was the possibility of utilizing white roof technology in urban environments to offset heat island effect. The premise of the main argument is "Increasing World-wide Urban Albedos to Offest CO2". Roughly translated implementation of higher albedo surfaces (such as pavement and roofs) on a large scale in urban environments directly cool the globe by reflecting solar radiation (in a similar manner to polar ice). In this manner higher albedo surfaces can offset a specific CO2 emission (10 meters squared of white roof offsets 1 ton CO2) by directly cooling the planet's surface area independent of CO2 emissions.

Besides decreasing the operational costs of specific buildings and cooling urban environments increasing comfort the proposal to offset carbon emissions via high albedo requirements for urban environments on a grand scale could help alleviate the burden of greenhouse gases until technology can catch up with lower (or hopefully non) emission solutions.

Happily the cost of white roofing has dropped dramatically to be cost effective for new and replacement construction however it may fall to municipalities to create and enforce requirements for higher albedo pavement (parking and sidewalks).

Global Cooling: Increasing World-wide Urban Albedos to Offset CO2 .pdf

American Express Members Project down to 25 selections.

The goal is to narrow down the top 5 projects to move into the next phase of the awarding. You can see the placement of this project on the link above.

Architecture for Humanity Link

Previously mentioned here...

The air up there

While at the Burning River Fest a while back I had noticed a booth where the discussion was centered around airborne contaminants. I queried whether the county had real time tracking of particulate matter from specific locations as I am typically interested in real time results from the surrounding region. Part of it is due to my desire to quantify site specificity as a design precedence as well as my necessity to know what is going on everywhere.

Currently the county does not have real time mapping or data stream, at least according to the booth I inquired at (which may have been the Environmental Health Watch booth, I wrote it down but misplaced my notes).

I had read about an "installation" during last years CONFLUX festival whereas a person pushing a cart that monitored CO2 emissions walked a main path adjacent to a road way and demonstrated the amount of pollution being emitted, and consequently inhaled, by festival visitors. I found it an interesting way to connect directly, via real time measurements and results, to the general public in an educational manner that tied together how our everyday choices and interactions with our environment affect our health.

Whereas particulate matter in Cuyahoga County is directly connected to respiratory illnesses (or in case of our current time of year, allergies), I would think that wind data and pollution data would be interesting to study. Granted it may seem difficult to have such data constantly at our fingertips, but currently groups are working with that very goal in mind.

The Black Cloud Citizen Scientist League has developed "Pufftron" sensors to measure air quality, temperature and noise is specific Los Angeles and Bary Area areas.

Currently there are 5 sites under the scrutiny of the "Pufftron" data loggers which have data streams visible online. This real time data streaming allows anyone to instantly view and hopefully understand external events and their affect upon quality of life, a major concern of a good design professional. Recent growth in environmental awareness and passive design strategies should inherently justify the value of studies such as this which would hopefully result in techniques and technologies that either limit environmental pollutants or design strategies for dwellings and structures to combat, collect/deflect or avoid such contaminants if deemed desirable.

resources:
Scorecard: Pollution Report Card - Cuyahoga County

More on Bike commuting

Running with the alternative transportation trend for today I figured I would pass along a pretty comprehensive article on bicycle commuting.

Yesterday I was chatting with Ted of Rockitecture fame about the stigma of being a bike commuter in today's autocentric society. He had mentioned that since he had started cycling to his new job on the other side of Cleveland from where he worked he felt that driving had become a burden and felt out of sync with that whole realization. It was a thought I had shared with the MarJ a couple of weeks ago when I realized that the only time I really drove my car was to move it from one spot on the street to another to avoid getting a parking ticket. Driving had become a huge, unnecessary and expensive burden and the complete joke of the situation is that to continue automobile ownership one had to have some sort of copious funding.

"Isn't it amazing in our country how driving is just... i mean... how could you not like driving? The idea of someone just being like, you know, I really don't like driving... its inconceivable.

Sam sent me this really decent short article yesterday about sociologists just now realizing that there are (at least) two classes of bike commuters, those that do it by choice, and spend a ton of money on epq. and gear and those that bike b/c they don't have a choice, and the divide between the two. It briefly went into how in our society for the lower class the idea is get those people into cars rather then to teach them proper bike maintenance and car, along with the rules of the road while on a bike. Only once you have become an yuppie urbanite does it become socially acceptable to forsake the car. And even then...

it still continuously blows my mind how the simple act of riding a bike to work/around town can have this deep social meaning and be seen as this act that personally challenges notions of everyday life people would never consider otherwise. " ~Ted

Which is interesting, that a choice of conveyance could impart some sort of deeper social meeting when what it really boils down to is simply getting your butt from one location another in a relatively controlled manner. Of course some justify their purchase of hybrids by pointing out the social statement of strategically purchasing a more expensive auto if only to raise awareness, or as some put it, to justify the "smug" factor which I have heard applied to cyclists as well.

Personally I don't want to get into the argument of what driving what type of car defines what person as. My main concern is getting myself with what stuff I need from one location to another in a quick and easy manner that just happens to be good for me and incidentally, the city and the planet. So that may make me seem a little smug, but I suppose that what a smile on a passing face looks like when someone is stuck in traffic thinking about how much gas they are wasting.

resources:
how to commute by bike with tons of links and pointers (thanks to Grist)!

Being a Green Patriot

Since the summer had begun I had taken to riding my bicycle to work so I haven't notice the flurry of Green Patriot Posters by Michael Bierut that have adorned 70 GCRTA buses.

The campaign, aimed at discrediting the stigma of public transportation as being solely a means of conveyance for the poor and elderly, plays to American's image of self reliance and resilience in the face of adversity by appealing to our nationalistic pride.

Americans have a great ability to pull together in times of crisis. Each day brings headlines that make it clear that global warming and dependence on costly and scarce foreign oil will demand the same kind of resilience, self-sacrifice and ingenuity that we’ve exhibited in the past: in short, that special American brand of patriotism. Back in the 30s and 40s, folksinger Woody Guthrie had a slogan on his guitar: “This machine kills fascists.” I was looking for a similar kind of statement to turn every bus ride into a blow for the environment. - Micheal Bierut

Even given our current political climate as the 2008 political machines gear up into full effect, as allies and enemies position to out-patriot the other, I find it comforting to see an appeal to our pride that has a somewhat tangible and non convoluted purpose and would make immediate changes for the betterment of our regional safety and society.

This on top of news that GCRTA is postponing service cuts makes urban and non-automotive living even more possible.

I should also mention that giving my current commute pattern, I have found the local bus drivers extremely aware of my presence on the road as a cyclist, even giving way when our paths conflict. For their size and lumbering speed I know they are not the most easy of vehicles to maneuver on our city streets and appreciate the effort of the drivers to not mow me over. More then once I have thought to myself how I should write down that bus number and send a quick letter thanking the driver for being so skilled on the road. As much as this may seem a puff piece, when those giants are lumbering down on you huffing on your little bike, you can appreciate not getting smooshed.

1/3 Movie Night - Pi

1/3 Movie Night Presents Pi
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Bela Dubby
13321 Madison Ave. Lakewood, Oh
7.30pm start time
free

We can't stop talking about the cake. It is pretty delicious. And the beer is good too. I suppose if you like movies there is that as a plus. Also the seats are pretty comfy. The whole thing sort of is like if you were in the cast of Friends and they hung out at a cooler place and did things besides had awkward romantic moments and were actually interesting people. It would be just like that.

I like "Everybody Loves Raymond" better anyway although that may not have had the same original airdate. That Robbie had a funny voice. I don't really remember watching that much television back then. Either there was nothing of any real import on or I have suppressed it. I think 90210 used to be on around that time. I didn't like that show in the first place, I can't believe they remade it.

Anyway, Pi, the movie. Get your math brains on for this one!

PARK(ing) Day 2008 call to arms

Target date: September 19th, 2008

LAUNCHcleveland and TOIstudio would like to mention that we are attempting to create PARK(ing) sites in Cleveland on September 19th, 2008 and are welcoming any and all parties that are interested.

The premise was begun by a group called REBAR in 2005 where it was determined that giving such a large amount of physical space to the automobile instead of to the people of the city was rather ludicrous and actually insulting (remember Ford Prefect?). Therefor REBAR decided to build small pocket parks at various metered spots (for however long the meter would run) to emphasize the import of planning for people first.

This year we are hoping to recreate the vigor in Cleveland. 2006 had a few PARKs show up, however it was decidedly absent in 2007. If you would like to get involved feel free to contact LAUNCHcleveland or fill out the PARK(ing) Day event form.

American Express Members Project - Nominate AFH and Lulan (an option)

Architecture for Humanity Link

Please help raise awareness and funds for one of your favorite worthwhile projects and organizations which will be rewarded by American Express. You don't have to be a cardmember to nominate a cause. So far the chosen group will receive $2.5million for their program.

Project ID: JAO706

Our project is a locally driven social venture that creates an alliance of textile designers and gifted artisans in Southeast Asia to produce luxurious hand-woven fabrics. By providing economic opportunity, we help preserve hand-weaving in Asia while creating environmentally sustainable fabrics. Collections include fabric-by-the-yard,as well as home and fashion accessories that are marketed through select retailers. We are ready to hire thousands of weavers and build innovative weaving centers.

We preserve artisan traditions and promote economic development by creating sustainable livelihoods for our artisan partners, their families and communities. This offers economic and social options to people at risk in regards to human trafficking and poverty. Our method utilizes a scalable, replicable model for each specific region to offer expertise in product development, fair wages and to provide the benefits needed whether childcare, education, housing, literacy classes or healthcare.

We currently support over 650 weavers,spinners,dyers and finishers using a holistic approach to produce eco-fabrics in Thailand,Cambodia,Laos and India. Our goal is to increase the number of artisans to over 6,000,thus expanding our reach to more weaving families and communities. We will work with international and local architects to build inventive, replicable off-the-grid weaving centers. Each building design will be shared through Creative Commons licensing so more communities can benefit.

While living in Asia,I witnessed the ill effects of human trafficking and the Tsunami devastation. The interplay between a strong economic engine and built environment allows for communities to thrive and grow. After 3 years of working with 18 weaving groups in 5 countries,this model is proven. But to achieve this project’s fullest potential,I am determined to increase the number of artisans and communities we positively impact while expanding our weaving centers and production of our textiles.

Veteran's Memorial Bridge Tour 2008

Veteran's Memorial Bridge Tour
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
Location: Northeast Corner of W. 25th Street & Detroit Avenue, at the west end of the bridge.
9am - 3pm
Free

Take advantage of the last bridge tour of the year and enjoy the weather at a free downtown event offering a new perspective on one of Cleveland's greatest resources, the Cuyahoga River Valley.

What have we become...

Back in architecture school I was a large fan of Lebbeus Woods. There was something completely satisfying in the society depicted by Woods, a deconstructed future built from the scrapes of a comfortably modernized and inherently self destructive society. Structures were not built to reflect the comfort and gleaned aesthetic of a specific region but instead to create shelter and social commentary on mankind's ability to tear itself apart.

Armed with a dog-eared copy of War and Architecture I was able to keep at arms length the multiple studio precedents adored by my school, the countless pure white boxes which had sauntered onto virgin greenfield sites, overlooking wetlands and lakeshore and still find fury and interest in smuggling social context into various projects, granted never to the scale and audacity of Lebbeus's work.

Still though, I was able to take some solace in realizing that there were designers who felt that the humanity of architecture was as important as the design, that the process itself was the product. It was this that gave me comfort in my darkest hours. Back then when struggling with a presentation and now, when I feel the profession more interested in fame and fortune then the art. While some may argue that the greatest goal architects aspire to is noble in that they grant inspiration to humanity I would counter that if the work is built, then it has failed to cause us to question our limitations and has become accepted. Even in the shadows of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia which began construction in 1882 and is yet to this day an unfinished masterpiece, an unwavering tribute to the love of design and creation beyond the grasp of mere men, we build larger and bigger but continue to create from this vast wealth the terrible endeavors which constantly destroy us. Architects have become marketing ploys and tools, brand names to garner false legitimacy to pet projects of false idols looking for some sort of permanent recognition. Our dreams have become complacent when we happily sit and beg for the table scraps instead of furrowing our own fields.

I miss the wonder and awe I had when my hands clutched my first Lebbeus pamphlet, when my eyes grew wide at the colors and schemes of Archigram, when I struggled to contemplate the love of humanity that Superstudio envisioned. Today our dreamers work small in the dark corners, attempting to harness the raw power of the forgotten, the ravaged, the meek. To give them their empowerment on a scale manageable by small teams looking to go out and solve the ills that they can, realizing that the system is broken, that it has failed and that if the profession were left to its own devices we would sell ourselves out of our jobs.

New York Times writes the article that spurs these memories