New |re|Design Cleveland Charrette

reDesign Cleveland has another charrette up and running. Personally I am a little disappointed that not many people seem to be so interested in the whole idea of a bunch of little charrettes where you could design something pertinent, sensitive or absolutely absurd.

In an effort to help the project along TOIstudio (and by extension, I) will attempt to combine some powers with reDesign Cleveland and offer the emerging gallery space of TOIstudio for a reDesign Cleveland show and perhaps some sort of discussion.

This will be based upon interest shown and submissions generated, otherwise it will be just a bunch of my junk hanging on my walls and I doubt seriously that that many people would be interested in seeing something of that nature.

This could work nicely with the Discourse at Prosperity scheduled for August 8th to see how much interest (if any) local designers have towards doing anything -alarming, annoying, arduous, bitch, burdensome, damaging, dangerous, demanding, difficult, disquieting, hairy, harassing, hard, heavy, importunate, inconvenient, infestive, intractable, irksome, irritating, laborious, mean, messy, murder, oppressive, painful, pesky, pestiferous, pestilential, problematic, refractory, repressive, rough, taxing, tiresome, tough, tricky, troublous, trying, ugly, ungovernable, unruly, uphill, upsetting, vexatious, vexing, wearisome, wicked, worrisome, worrying, absorbing, affecting, alluring, amusing, arresting, attractive, beautiful, captivating, charismatic, compelling, curious, delightful, elegant, enchanting, engaging, engrossing, entertaining, enthralling, entrancing, exceptional, exotic, fascinating, fine, gracious, gripping, impressive, intriguing, inviting, lovely, magnetic, pleasing, pleasurable, prepossessing, provocative, readable, refreshing, riveting, stimulating, stirring, striking, suspicious, thought-provoking, turn-on, unusual, winning with their fair city.

NAC Strawbale Workshop

George Jones Farm and Nature Preserve in Oberlin
Saturday, August 4th, 2007
Sunday, August 5th, 2007
8.30am - 5.30pm (Broken up into 4 hour shifts)

What: Learn the basics of strawbale construction at the George Jones Farm in Oberlin, meet fun people, and help grow a local food system!

What to Bring: Bring dirty clothing (or at least clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty), a lunch or lunch money to patronize some of Oberlin’s great dining establishments that support local farms, and a wilingness to roll up your sleeves, work, learn and have fun.

Fee: The workshop is offered in exchange for your volunteer labor. We encourage participants to offer a suggested $20 tax-deductible donation that will support education and outreach efforts of the New Agrarian Center, organizer of the Jones Farm and City Fresh programs.

What you will learn: You will learn the basics about how to construct a strawbale building, including strawbale wall systems, earth plasters, foundations, framing, and finish plasters. You can also learn about how strawbale construction is being utilized to create a highly efficient cold-storage space for Jones Farm and City Fresh produce. The cooler will be cooled using a modified window air conditioner.

Saturday Gathering: Stick around on Saturday evening for a campfire and music after the event, starting at 7pm.

To register: E-mail events@gotthenac.org and specify a morning and/or afternoon time slot that you would like to come to.

Questions? Contact Brad at 440-935-3106 or brad@gotthenac.org

More Links:
Strawbale testing reports
Strawbale passes fire wall test

Akron - Lime Spider set to close

I don't know how to write a proper obit, so I won't.

Akron's Lime Spider bar/music venue is all set to close up.

That saddens me. It was a good place, I saw some good bands play there and they really seemed to want to help/be involved with the local scene. It is probably too late to do anything about it and that is the biggest shame.

Word on the street is that they may stay open as a bar/restuartant type thing, if they could stop getting robbed. Literally robbed.

Maybe Mike Polensik should write some letters and clean up that neighborhood.

Crud.

Architectural League - New York Design Lecture Series - online

I suppose the title of the post gives away any smidgen of humorous intent I could twist and divulge here. So, let me recap...

the Architectural League's New York Design Lecture Series is online.

Tom Hanrahan, hanrahan Meyers
Juliana Curran Terian Pratt Pavilion
Thomas Hanrahan and Victoria Meyers founded hanrahan
Meyers in 1987. The firm’s recently completed Juliana Curran
Terian Pratt Pavilion for Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute connects
two existing buildings, Steuben Hall and Pratt Studios, into
a unified Design Center for the campus.

Markus Dochantschi, studioMDA
“The Twist”
studioMDA, founded by Markus Dochantschi in 2002, recently
completed the project “The Twist.” The goal was to turn a
landmarked West Village townhouse into a modern, flexible
home, while acknowledging the building’s historical container
and context.

Yolande Daniels, Studio SUMO
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
Sunil Bald and Yolande Daniels founded Studio SUMO in 1996.
Their project for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan
Arts consists of gallery, reception, store, and office space in the
BAM cultural district.

Lynn Gaffney, Lynn Gaffney Architect
Tank – Quandt Heyer Roof Project
Lynn Gaffney is the principal of Lynn Gaffney Architect, founded
in 1997. New York’s iconic roof water tanks provide the inspiration
for the Tank – Quandt Heyer Roof Project, a residential roof deck.

Sandra Wheeler and Alfred Zollinger, Matter Architecture Practice
Ecotopiaries
Ecotopiaries, by Matter Architecture Practice, the firm co-founded
by Sandra Wheeler and Alfred Zollinger in 2002, is an installation
created to house the International Center of Photography exhibition
Ecotopia: the Second ICP Triennial of Photography and Video.

I hope you take some time and enjoy some lectures about a fine blend of ideas. I was listening to something on NPR today and someone made a comment about how the best part of the lecture was the public 'Q&A' at the end which I thought was very silly. In my experience as soon as the general public starts talking any semblance of rationality or pertinence goes right out the window. Of course this may be my bitter take on the greater problem of not having enough fine lectures to be exposed too. I know that there is development with some of the current design/educational powerhouses to bring some more fun lectures to the town of Cleveland (hopefully they will even advertise about some of them - I will be sure to share any here that I find out about) but perhaps I want to be greedy. Perhaps I want more. More. More. More.

Until then I will have to be happy with what the 'democratic and participatory internet' have to offer.

blood from a stone

Unsuccessfully I searched to find how Cuyahoga county ranks after Dimora and Hagan voted in the .25% increase to our sales tax (that the Plain Dealer so much endorsed - they probably all live and shop in the burbs). I know that we are not first in the nation, New York and Chicago probably have that honor, but if our combined state and local tax burden was rated 5th in the nation in 2007 we may have snuck up a notch.

Although I am curious where the money is coming from. If we are ranked #1 or so in poverty, then who the heck is paying for this? You would think the money would go directly back into the pockets of those that need it, not into some Chicago based organization that has or hasn't quite committed to the city yet depending on whom you ask.

Good times.

You may be able to do something to get the whole thing put on a public ballot (imagine, the public being asked about issues that affect them - CRAZY!)

How walkable is your city?

There are many reasons why walkable cities work. Pedestrian level engagement with the environment increases exposure to the city creating recognition of neighborhoods, retail areas, provided services, public spaces, etc. A walkable city is a healthier city, there is less traffic congestion, less pollution, safer streets (more eyes looking out for you), people get a tad bit more exercise. I could go on and on.

Instead I offer you a chance to rate the walkability of your city with the walk-o-meter. Just kidding, such a thing doesn't exist. Yet.

I present instead the Walk Score. Just input your zip code and google maps is queried to find certain services in your area from grocery stores to libraries, parks to hardware stores.

A small sampling of results.

Downtown Cleveland (44114) - 35/100
Lakewood, Ohio (inner ring cleveland suburb 44107) - 80/100
West Bank (44113) - 71/100
Midtown (where I moved from Lakewood to 44103) - 66/100
Mentor, Ohio (where no one freaking walks 44060) - 37/100

At first I thought I would find the results skewed and really quite wrong but after really testing the system I have to surprisingly report that I am amazed at how accurate I think the system is.

Here are the particulars

How It Works
Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Check out how Walk Score doesn't work.

What does my score mean?
Your Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100. The walkability of an address depends on how far you are comfortable walking—after all, everything is within walking distance if you have the time. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:

90 - 100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a car.
25 - 50 = Not Walkable: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving is a must.
0 - 25 = Driving Only: Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!
How it Works
Walk Score™ uses a patent-pending algorithm to calculate the walkability of an address based on:

The distance to walkable locations near an address.
Calculating a score for each of these locations.
Combining these scores into one easy to read Walk Score

MOCA Launchpad

Thursday, July 26, 2007
MOCA Cleveland
7-10pm

What happens when you combine the power of the internet (by power, I mean unreasonably simple access for anyone to state an unverified fact or misplaced opinion) with an established art institution and a cash bar?

The answer is Launchpad, an unveiled attempt to herd string cheese through a strong ocean current in an attempt to touch the face of God. I can only explain it that way because I have no idea what to expect. I know that there will be some very strong opinions present, I know that at the very least it should be...interesting and I know that all the beautiful people will be there.

What? You weren't invited? Oh, how embarrassing. Well, I can get you in.

You can even make some blogger friends.

Free and open to the public.

Waterloo Arts Fest

5th Annual Waterloo Arts Festival
Saturday, July 28th 2007
North Waterloo at E. 156th. St.
11am - 7pm

A day long arts festival celebrating the wonderfully resiliant and creative community that is Collinwood. Come on out and celebrate the fun!

Fun FREE crafts and activities for kids and families
Bike Rodeo
Live music
Great food
Original artwork for sale
Hands-on, interactive art demonstrations
Dance performances
Chalk art festival
Exhibits and installations

And don't forget to stick around for 'after festival parties' at the Beachland Ballroom and Music Saves (they have ice cream!).

Designed Obselesence wins an award!

TOIstudio recived it's first award in an open competition. That is nice. It was for submission to the Lifecycle Building Challenge in which I attempted to reuse some of the Breuer Tower instead of just tossing it out.

I am still highly interested in getting my hands on some of those panels for my studio or maybe to build a small cottage on a farm out east.

There is a People's Choice Awards type thing where I think the winner gets a hug or something. You can vote for it here.

Then send an email to peopleschoice@lifecyclebuilding.org with the entry number in subject line, name of entry in subject line and a brief reason why it is your favorite entry (not in subject line).

Possible reasons could be because I am so darned lovable or because I ate all my vegetables once.

Music Saves 3X Birthday Bash

I cannot believe it has already been 3 years since the moving of Mel and Kevin to their new digs and the realization of a million life long dreams that resulted in the fabulous Music Saves Record Store and Kool Kid Hangout. Oh, it was a balmy day, the farm truck Betsy (rest her soul) was purring like an asthmatic kitten and those display cases were so gawd-awful heavy! Still, it was all worth it to have a place like Music Saves in and about our fair town. Coupled with the Collinwood area (seems to be BOOMIN'!) Cleveland's east side has never seemed so, well, fun!

Anyways, go and help them celebrate. The party begins with an amazing show tonight at the Beachland Ballroom (I love me some Laura Viers) and culminates with a Beachland Tavern (early free show) and in-store extravaganza on Saturday!

Suzi Quilligan's having another show...

...in New York.

So, if you happen to be around about there go check out Suzi's show, intriguingly entitled 'eco art'.

Breuer Tower Exhibition opening

Thursday, July 19th
Former Oberlin Gallery
1305 Euclid Ave
(corner of 13th and Euclid)
5.00pm

The unveiling of the submissions for the infamous What Would you do with the Breuer Building will occur this Thursday at 5.00pm. There were more then 28 entries in the juried portion (I wonder what portion went 'unjuried'?) 'from local, national and even international architects and architectural firms'.

Also included in the show will be the six presentations that we given to the county commissioners, including boards from the 'winning' proposal.

There are also promised to be some 'surprise exhibits'.

Sounds like a fun time for sure!

Ideastream - Listening Project

Want to talk about your neighborhood? Then say something!

Back in 2001 WCPN ideastream began The Listening Project, an online survey and archive of Northeast Ohio residents perspective on their city and neighborhood.

Mostly a useful tool for WCPN to hear what the region would like to hear more about however it is also rather useful to see how other people percieve the area's problems and assests.

If you have a couple minutes, I suggest you fill out a survey. If you already have then feel free to read through the archive. I know I bring up WCPN a lot on this blog, and it isn't only because I am a treehugging liberal hippie or whatever most people ascribe to being NPR listeners, I love WCPN because of the local coverage and actual reporting that they manage to accomplish. If you ever wondered how I had my finger on the pulse of the city and seemed so well informed, it is because WCPN brings many of those topics to my attention. There, all my secrets are out.

Organic food news.

New news from the Organic Center, a group with the mission "To gernerate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society." arrived the other day and I thought I would pass it along as I found it very interesting.

Organic Tomatoes Found to be More Nutritious.

Organic Production Increases Yields and Builds Soil Quality in Iowa.

Scientists Estimate that Pesticides are Reducing Crop Yields by 1/3.

So, to recap, organic foods are better for you, replenish and are better for the soil they are grown in (at least in Iowa) and by using some pesticides you are actually decreasing your yield.

Like I said, interesting. I always become curious as to how the current system became the status quo and what market forces (to borrow from a conversation I had the other night) are driving these decisions. Is it ease, reliability, cost? What actually hinders organic gardening the most, and why?