Breuer Tower Ingenuity Extension

Well, the deadline for the Ingenuity Fest 2007's 'what would YOU do with the Breuer Tower?' has been moved to accommodate international interest (and possibly to get all the lazy Clevelanders involved somewhat so Steve Litt doesn't have to write an article about how we don't even care about things going on in our own backyard).

If one were so inclined to look for information on the subject, one could click here, just ignore the deadline on that flyer, AIA Cleveland does try to be on top of things, this one was just a quick change.

Of course, with the slimy as all get out way that the County is attempting to raise the money for their admin building project one would have to wonder if maybe there is anyway to knock sense into that infernal machine. Seriously, am I the only person suspect of a tax increase that doesn't HAVE TO BE VOTED ON BY THE GENERAL POPULATION in which money is earmarked for a highly contested COUNTY BUILDING which already reeks of corruption and poor decision making? I think the idea of a convention center and medical mart in the city is fine. Good. Bring people here. Heck, if we get a convention center maybe the Rock Hall could host something in this town. Maybe a one of a kind medical mart could tap into our educational prowess and put this region on the map for something other then being poor. Just don't try to tack on a rider to fund some awful project that will be a black eye for the city.

Although the whole debacle does seem like good practice for someone if they are making a run for the capital. Pork barrel spending on our small town seems like a bad idea. A friend of mine keeps wondering, how much money could the county save if they cut out some of the deadwood in their current administration? I don't know. Maybe enough for another Silver Line?

Just sayin' is all.

It isn't about 'camping'

Last Friday (June 15th) Cleveland police closed down the "tent city" under the pedestrian bridges by Cleveland Browns Stadium. Officials claimed it wasn't because they were creating an eyesore but rather that the area was not equipped to handle a tent city.

Quick link you can google more.

Meanwhile some communities are attempting to raise awareness to the plight of the homeless by creating their own tent villages in protest. The actions are already spurring an increase in awareness and funding which will increase the operating hours of shelters and provide safer environments for those in need.

Now Cleveland does have some image issues (ghost town of a downtown, severe lack of nightlife/entertainment, major downtown cultural institutions randomly closed, declining population) but our homeless situation seems like one that we could actually attempt to handle. There are solutions coming into place such as Emerald Commons which is providing housing and services to homeless and disabled individuals and there are many models to look up to such as

I am curious, what with all the landbank, empty, vacant land around the city, would there be an issue with creating a place that has access to public washroom and perhaps some power? I know the argument against allowing the homeless to camp anywhere is that the locations they choose are not camp grounds (and the NIMBY mentality). Perhaps the simple solution may be to provide some sort of facility that offers the freedom many desire but still provides the basic services to promote some ideas of health (clean, running water, etc).

I don't know, it is early and I am tired.

Some good links...
Cleveland Homeless blog
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeles

Bus Rapid Transit 2007 Planning Guide

I know I had mentioned Kent State's Transit Waiting Environment before and may have mentioned how I was extremely disappointed with the new Silver Line stations, not only aesthetically but also because they were not designed nor fabricated in Cleveland.

Anyway.

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy recently released their BRT Planning Guide - June 2007 which is full of interesting case studies, diagrams, etc. I highly suggest you take a gander at this (or some of it) 824 page pdf document. Oh yeah, it is a biggie!

In it are specific examples of busways versus buslanes, how to control use, how to masterplan and how to fund as well as some infrastructure cost calculators.

Break Time

TOIstudio will be taking a vacation for a bit. I am not trying to forsake all my 'blogospherical friends' or what not. I just need some me time to figure out, well, the future. TOIstudio is attempting to create an actual physical existence in the form of an actual experimental design studio and that is taking up a lot of my time.

I should be back soon, maybe.

Until then go ahead and forward on an article about how to begin being green brought to you by the good people over at Treehugger.

I don't even know anymore

I find it increasingly difficult to be positive lately. I don't know if this is an occurrence due to a multitude of factors or a result of a singular event. What I do know is that it seems increasingly difficult to not walk up to people and slap them in the face.

Daryl Davis sent this to my email, which I appreciate. A nice little account of the Planning Commissions meetings regarding the Breuer Tower. A building that I once intoned on this very internet site that I was entirely indifferent to. Oh, how the world has embittered me.

Now I realize just how for saving that building I am, and not for the reasons that I think most would want to realize.

I think it should be saved if only to prove that the people have a voice, that a concerted effort to speak out against a ruthless and unformulated plan will prove that logic and common sense will prevail.

I think it should be saved because Cleveland has a history. One that is constantly under threat of being torn up to create suburbs, of being emptied to create lifestyle centers, of being forgotten to hasten 'social engineering' and of being demolished to fabricate icons to egos.

I think it should be saved because right now it being demolished for unverified reasonings is in essence the acceptance of a lie. Allowing it to fall is to say that those who can lie, cheat and steal the best should do the thinking for the rest of us. It says that as a city we are all dupes and will accept whatever we are fed.

It should be saved because we don't know what is going in its place. Perhaps I would be more willing to accept the fate of the tower, even though it flies in the face of any logic I could apply, if only there was a semblance of what was to come. Perhaps I fear the bait and switch more then anything. Promise me a green icon for the city and put a parking lot in its place. I almost expect that to actually occur.

It should be saved because a government building has no place on a financial district corner, let alone that particular financial district corner. Personally I think that location was chosen so Dimorra (cheese-steak dangling from the corner of his mouth) could watch an Indians game without exerting himself too much. One would think the County would want a building by all the other federal buildings, perhaps so that they could interact or something. I don't know. Maybe this is the new 'de-centralized de-regionalized regional government' thing that will sweep the nation and show how progressive we are.

I think it should be saved because as someone who was trained as an architect, as someone who hopes to actually make a difference, as someone who attempts rational thinking mixed with empathy and attempts to understand the needs of others, I cannot for the life of me make a good argument to tear it down, no matter how many lunches I spend staring at it trying to figure it out.

No sir, I can't.

Special thanks to Gloria Ferris.

2007 Cleveland Design Competition Winners Announced

Here is the Competition website.

Here is the Winner's Announcement.

Here is the Online Gallery which currently only has the winners posted. Word around the kool-aid cooler is that eventually they are going to have them all online.

My quick run-down as I formulate my opinion into actual sentences is such. While some would complain that only 14 of the 70 submissions were from northeast ohio and fluff over the content and direction as shown I would like to take a moment to just admit that I was very pleased (as a contestant and as a Clevelander) with the variety, thoughtfulness and direction that the competition took as a whole. It was fun ,extremely well run, things went smoothly (even though I never did get my giant novelty check) and the submissions were outstanding. From public parks to giant towers to organic shapes which encompassed most of the west bank the designers involved proved their merit in spades and took on the with tenacity the spirit of the competition.

And while I may not particularly agree with the choices made, I respect the direction that the judges took and do not find fault in their selections and will not second guess the decisions. I will say that there was an amazing level of finesse to a lot of the designs and it was easy to pick out some of the local submissions (I know that I overthought the site - a trap I think many locals fell into). All in all I would call the competition a resounding success and am very excited to see what those kids come out with next year.

Cleveland as a tourist destination? Not for lunch.

I admit I have been lax as of late. At first I wanted to keep the post for the Cleveland Chapter for Architecture for Humanity up on top at various feed sites with the hope of collecting the most viewers possible.

Secondly I have been busy, packing, looking at places, playing with toys, etc. Also I have been taking the time to meander about the town. Just yesterday Bradley over at Design Rag and I decided to try to see if the Rockhall would be a good place to grab a quick bite for lunch. We were figuring that since it is a nationally known icon for the city that it would only make sense that certain parts of it would be open to the general public in order to foster the Rockhall as more of a public city icon, to integrate it into daily life so as to increase it's perceived importance. As we strolled down East 9th (Rock and Roll Avenue) with the view of the clear blue lake coming more and more into view we passed vendors hawking their lunch wares (Urban Grill? I think that is what it was called. Smelled AMAZING!) we joked "Wouldn't it be just like Cleveland to have a great iconic center where you couldn't even grab lunch without paying the ridiculous entry fee?" or "How silly would it be to have a center designed for tourists that wouldn't let visitors grab a delightful meal when even the banks have their sidewalk cafes open to the public!". Oh we laughed and gaffawed as we crossed the gigantic Key Plaza eager to see what luncheon delights awaited our discerning palettes. Oh what wonderfully punny plates would they offer? Hall and Oat(meal)? Some Cranberries? A bowl of Raspberries? Maybe even a veggie cheeseburger in paradise? Alright, enough of that.

So Bradley and I finally arrived within the doors of the infamous Rockhall. Directly to our left was the admissions table and to our right was the gift shop which you could easily access without entering the actual museum. We breathed a collective sigh of relief. If they would lay the gift shop outside of the 'pay' area then one could only infer they would have been so generous with the cafe.

They weren't. I don't know how to succinctly sum up our search for the cafe. We wound up in the museum, past the admissions booth, without paying. Probably due to them setting something up. We didn't care, we were hungry. So we went to the information booth and asked.

I feel bad but I started laughing loudly when told we had to purchase a ticket to spend money in their cafe. The girl was nice and even offered us a map or list of events or something. Bradley and I couldn't understand. Why would a nationally recognizable operation not even allow for the chance that one (selling the city or whatever to an out of towner) would only have time for a quick bite and would use the opportunity of having access to such a grand institution as the perfect launch pad to showcase some of the regions amenities? Who the hell planned that mess out?

At least the Great Lakes Science Center has an openly accessible cafe where one can grab a bite and sit out on the pier or the Key Plaza in front of the Rockhall and gaze back at the city whilst pondering such incongruities.

Architecture for Humanity - Cleveland Chapter

A while back I had emailed Mr. Cameron Sinclair at Architecture for Humanity regarding starting a Cleveland chapter if one happens to not be in existence. I had just recently received an email from Mr. Sinclair about how to start up a Cleveland chapter.

Imagine my glee! GLEE!

So, in the brief span of a couple of minutes I had set up a Google Group with the hopes of collecting interested parties that would like to collect in a regular manner to discuss how best to arrange ourselves to best undertake the role of a proper chapter.

As you can tell from first glancing at the Google Group, it isn't set up very well yet. That is because I just started it and will continue to organize and fine tune it. I also would like some input and I expect that somewhere in this fair city someone else has probably already started working along these lines. I don't think it would be conducive to duplicate work.

I am planning to have the first meeting sometime in mid-July. The location is not set and should be easily accessible by all. I am open to suggestions so if any place would like to host the first Cleveland Chapter meeting, feel free to contact me.

Here is a copy (part) of the email I recieved:

Hi all,
As we venture into another busy season I wanted to update you all on how things are going with the new AFH and chapter sites. Both are on hold until we finish the competition tool for the AMD Open Architecture Challenge. In the meantime we’ve changed the AFH site to have a chapter tab and are going to spend a lot more time updating information on each chapter and highlighting chapter projects.

We are also putting together an proper affiliate agreement so we can support chapters in a more fluid manor (and act as fiscal sponsors). For those interested in starting a chapter (see list below) it is actually really, really easy. Meet, Find a project and don’t do anything illegal. For a more in depth version please read below. For those who are already running chapters please give me you feedback as we will be posting a version of this on our site soon.

If you have any questions please let me know. Also check my schedule below if I’m in your town perhaps we can set up a joint event....

Cheers
Cameron

7 things to start a chapter

1. Set a fixed time every month to meet.
It seems obvious but some sort of consistency in people schedules go along way. Back in 2003 when chapters began this was originally called ‘drinking for humanity’. Like-minded people would meet on the first Tuesday night of the month in a bar, club or coffee shop. Everyone would put the cost of their first drink into a jar or kitty and these funds would go towards a project run by the chapter. If you send us the time and location of your events we will post them on the AFH site.

2. Name your group and use the new graphic identity
In order to be a chapter you need to take a name that represents the city, town, region or academic institution. The reason for this is that other people can’t start a chapter if you’ve decided to take a whole state or country. At the moment people in Maui and Honolulu both want to start AFH Hawaii. If one group takes that name then the other seems like they are a sub-set of the other. Additionally the idea of the chapters is to be the local voice and designers of ‘Architecture for Humanity’ - AFH Boston knows far more about building in Boston than we do so if we get invited to do a project there, we direct them to AFHB. Currently the only exception to this rule is AFH UK, however this due to specific tax exemption purposes in England.

We have a new logo system that allows chapters to adapt it to their name and swag is coming on the way. The designer is Michael Di Tullo, who is also the Creative Director of Converse Shoes (wait for the AFH Chuck Taylors to arrive soon). Many people have been confused about why we would like chapters to adopt the logo system. One main reason is to try and have some sort of continuity between groups but the second is due to legal reasons. AFH and any chapter/affiliates cannot have a logo with houses/homes in the mark and emphases the words “for humanity.” as this is in trademark violation for Habitat for Humanity. As long as it is not interfering with the H4H trademark existing chapters can keep their mark but should also include the organizations logo – AFH San Diego is a good example of this. <http://www.afhsd-rebuild.org/>, which presented both their logo ‘Rebuild’ with the AFH one . Attached is the logo in illustrator format which you can use for your chapter.

3. Set expectations and tangible goals.
Every group starts as a small dedicated group of people. Groups fail not because of lack of interest but because they end up taking on a project that is way beyond the scope of what the group can achieve. Remember your members are volunteering their time, they will come and go. Simple starter projects like helping repaint a school, building a small shelter, doing a design charrette for a local non profit, raising awareness of an issues or focusing on a particular client for a sustained period (with bigger projects down the pipeline). It took Kate and I four years to see any of the Architecture for Humanity projects realized. Also if you tell a client that you are going to do a project it is far more of a disappointment to them when you turn around 6 months later and tell them you have neither the manpower or support to help, you’ve dashed what may have been their only source of help. ON the other hand with a strong band of volunteers if you set precise goals with both the client and the chapter then projects really shine and you can be proud of what you’ve all achieved. Note: Even with the most amazing client and/or partners, not all projects work out and you must also remember this. Most commercial firms have a batting average and so will you.

4. Have a designated liaison/chapter head and a strategy for growth
‘Who’s in charge of the XX chapter?’ That is usually the number one question we get in the office. IF we know the answer then we can send more members, more clients and occasionally FUNDERS your way. A good example is AFH NY, I took a call recently from ABC carpet in Manhattan who wanted to donate to a local/city charity and wondered if we were based in NYC. I said that we have local chapters through-out the country and we did indeed have chapter in NYC. I gave them the email of one of their directors, Cynthia Barton, and they connected with her directly. On the other hand AFH Chicago is an example of what happens when a chapter head leaves. Up until last year chicago was one of our largest chapters (80 members), the head of the organization got another job and had to relocate. As no-one was in place to take over her role the chapter stopped. Almost weekly we get emails from folks wanting to join a group in Chicago but yet no-one is up for running it. Therefore it is closed.

5. Communicate via a google or yahoo group and have web presence.
WE have always been a web-based organization. AFH started with a website and an annual budget of $700 (donated by Kate and I). Using the net is extremely efficient way of communicating. In the next year we will have listserves, calendar services and forums for every chapter but in the meantime we recommend you use something like google groups (which is a mix of listserve and forum) or a facebook group and start a blog or webpage. Also inform us of your activities and we can promote it. We should have one liason from every chapter so we an update the AFH site and send out newsletters to potential members.

5a. DO NOT START A MEETUP GROUP
From 2002 – 2004 meetup was a very, very good way for us all to meet, then they started charging member to use it. At the time we had 63 chapters and within 4 months of the new charges chapters dwindled down to 14. Part of the problem is that Meetup also charges you to have the list of people signed up to start a chapter [ there are currently 2600 folks on their, 1/2 are looking to start a chapter]. The second issue is that if you try to close a chapter it automatically emails everyone else and asks them to take over. This means there is no way of closing a chapter and someone is out $10 a month. If all the chapters and potential chapters did this then the Meetup folks are making over $7200 a year just from chapter members. That is funding that could go towards projects. IF you have a meetup group then please set up a new place for members to meet BEFORE closing it.

6. Post all chapter projects on the Open Architecture Network
The best way for us and your other members to know the status of a project is through the Open Architecture Network. As AFH and chapter site will be built within the same eco-system and database of the OAN you will be able to host the projects on your own site and any updates on the OAN will automatically update on the chapter site. Additionally in order to access all the tools above chapter members will be able to use their same login as their OAN membership <http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/>

7. Find interesting and fun ways to fundraise
Surprisingly the best fundraisers we’ve held have been incredibly fun. Boston has their annual 5K run, New York has done art and photography auctions and we’ve had snowboarders, high school bands and DJs all raise money. Please remember though that there are a lot of sharks and busy-bodies out there who will host a party for you and then front you with all the charges which hits us twice. First off you end up raising much much less than anticipated (ie. $20K at the door, but $15K in costs leave you with $5K.) and more importantly if we are you fiscal sponsor we have to bank ALL the charges against our overhead. Meaning the example I’ve created would mean a 75% overhead – most grants will only go to organizations with less than 15% overhead. Currently AFH has one of the lowest in the industry, making us very attractive to donors. We’d like to keep it that way.

Ie. Keep the costs low and the fun high!

Tremont Art Walk 2007 06.08

Tremont Artwalk
Friday, June 8, 2007
6pm - 10pm

Should be a wonderful day, a great way to celebrate the end of another crummy week (only mine may have been crummy ~ed).

Art Card with list and locations of the 'going-ons'.

Happy World Environment Day!(?)

What can I say? Today is World Environment Day. You probably already knew that, as you are all probably more attentive then me.

This years topic is "Melting Ice, A Hot Topic?". With all the debate around global warming as well as the possibility of an exponentially increasing effect I suppose that this topic could be very pertinent. Especially to those living on the coasts, deserts, valleys or any other areas on the surface of the planet that will no doubt be affected. People in space should be fine. Visit the site to read/learn/see more.

Planning Commissioners meeting re: Breuer Tower

You are just DYING to know what went on there aren't you? You probably had to work, or couldn't make it downtown but you are very passionate about what went on regarding the Ameritrust Tower and you wish you had an inkling of the exciting presentation that went on in your absence, aren't you?

Well, as they say in the old library PSA's, 'books! check 'em out!'

Special thanks to the 'Save Our Land' blog

Oh, yeah! It covers costs, the floor to floor issue, the floor plate size issue and of course asbestos-y goodness! Good times and a quick read.

|re|Design Cleveland Charrette!

I had recently just received a nice email from the folks over at |re|Design Cleveland about their new charrette that they have up and running. This one is about Public Square and I eagerly anticipate sketching out some ideas whilst I holler at the Cavs on my television. Heaven knows the city could use some good ideas on what to do with that mess.

Anyways, I figured I would repost the email that I received in it's entirety so as others can share in the joy (don't worry, I am planning on forwarding this thing around too).

There has been a new monthly charrette posted on |re|Design Cleveland!

This months challenge deals with the much contested Cleveland Public Square. Entrants are asked to use a provided image to recreate/solve/destroy/desolve the Square to their personal preference. As always the deadline for this submission is the last day of the month, Saturday, June 30th.

We are currently trying out new things at |re|Design. We are attempting to start a list-serve to easily and quickly inform contributors and interested parties in new charrettes, deadlines and submissions. We are also currently attempting to re-vamp the website to make it much more user friendly so if you have a comment or complaint don't be shy about voicing your opinion.

Also, to increase exposure feel free to forward this email around.

Thanks for all your input and submissions so far, they have been very interesting and much appreciated!

Cheers,
the |re|Design Cleveland team

--
|re|Design Cleveland is a monthly design charrette used to simulate dialog pertaining to Cleveland's aesthetic and artistic nature. We welcome entries from any interested party regardless of age, profession or location.

If you received this email by mistake or no longer would like to receive emails from |re|Design Cleveland, please respond with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Feel free to pass charrette invitations along to anyone whom you think would be interested. We are all about sharing.

http://www.redesigncleveland.blogspot.com

Cleveland Design Competition: for REALZ!

Cleveland Design Competition Exhibition 2007
Thursday, June 7th, 2007
Spaces Gallery
6.30pm - the clock strikes "get outta here"
7.30pm - competition results announced

What can I say? I know I mentioned a 'save the date' notice somewheres (that I can't find) but now I have a bat time to match the bat place. Word on the street is that there were a bunch of really good entries so you out to get your butt there and check out what people offered out of the goodness of their squishy hearts.

Due to massive amount of people that will no doubt show up Spaces Gallery is being kind enough to offer the Shrinking Cities exhibit as overflow (as well at to totally submerse your being in some architecturaly-type evening emotional goodness).

There will be food. There will be drink and if I win I promise that recess will be extended by 20 minutes every day and the water fountain will squirt out red Kool-aid instead of water. Vote for me to make all your dreams come true!

Cleveland Design Competition 2007

Busy Cleveland summer is kickin' off

It has been a pretty hectic week around here. First William McDonough graced us with his presence at the Cleveland Clinic. Then Farshid Moussavi showed some interesting work at the Cleveland Museum of Art as well as at MOCA which also started the run of the OPEN show regarding public spaces. This weekend brought waffles and ice cream and farmer's market openings. Then to top it all of the Cleveland Cavaliers had to go and win the Eastern Conference which basically made my entire weekend just that much more fantastic.

While this week isn't yet looking as hectic you can sense things are going to pile up quick. I know this because I already have a listing of events to toss up here. Let me just say, keep Thursday and Friday evening free. Thursday doubly so.

Anyway, this last week also saw the Cleveland Planning Commission struggle with the County's desire to demo the Breuer Tower and replace it with an edifice of bloated intentions to mar our already hindered skyline.

I won't go into overdrive rehashing what has already been hashed to death, you can read a pretty good summary here.

Instead I would like to offer a slight solution for our image problem. Perhaps you may have noticed all the news about Dubai and China and seen photos of the massive construction. Perhaps you may have noticed all the constructions and thought, "Dang, that city looks like it has a lot going on, what with all the construction! You can bet they are doing things right!". Well this is my suggestion; How about the city locate a half dozen to a dozen giant cranes strategically around the city, they can be moved every couple of days or so, just enough to give the impression that something is going on. We can fence off some empty lots with construction fencing or something. I don't know, just an idea to make it appear that there is some progress going on around here.