Rejoice! Those horrible tomatoes of winter shall soon retreat from sight - Blue Pike Farm Open House 05.15

Blue Pike Farm Open House

May 15, 2010

10am - 2pm

900 E. 72nd St

Cleveland, OH 44103

It has been a long and cold winter. My biggest regret is the sever lack of tomatoes that had any flavor. I had become so spoiled on Carl Skalak's heirloom offerings and what little jewels I received in my local CSA that when I had to stoop to purchasing tomatoes from the grocery store, those sad little creatures picked before ready so as not to spoil in transit, the act of eating lost a little of its delight.

However hope springs eternal. The warming weather brings a glimpse of fresh veggie offerings so come and celebrate Blue Pike Farm's yearly rebirth with an Open House and see how a fantastic urban farm can not only transform a plot of forgotten land but also reconnect your senses back to the simple pleasure of enjoying good food.

Just a sampling of what you can enjoy:

John McCumber will be setting up his microscope display to see what kind of good critters are alive and swimming in the CPR and some locally grown vermicompost. Bring the kids for this fascinating biology lesson. He'll also be available to answer your questions about growing without petrochemical fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides.

The plant sale will have a wide selection of vegetables including, 2 varieties of asparagus, 5 varieties of seed potatoes, shallots, onions and more. Plus we have a special delivery of Envirosure Compost available in 40# bags with truck load pricing for open house visitors. You'll also be able to see how we are using it at BPF.

Joining us will be Lynn Thompson and her partner from Devils' Backbone and Educational Garden with a wide selection of heirloom vegetables and flowers. Here's her list:

Pingtung Long Eggplant (58 days) F-1 hybrid.

Diamond Eggplant (78 days) Open-pollinated.

Rosita Eggplant OG (84 days) Open-pollinated.

Black King Eggplant (79 days) F-1 hybrid.

Rosa Bianca Eggplant OG (88 days) Open-pollinated bicolor Italian heirloom.

Chocolate Sweet Pepper OG (80 days) Open-pollinated.

Bulgarian Carrot Chile Hot Pepper (68 days) Open-pollinated.

Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper (75 days) Open-pollinated.

Long Red Narrow Cayenne Hot Pepper (75 days) Open-pollinated.

Anaheim Hot Pepper (78 days) Open-pollinated.

New Ace Sweet Pepper (60 days) F-1 hybrid.

Revolution Sweet Pepper (72 days) F-1 hybrid.

Flavorburst Sweet Pepper (75 days) F-1 hybrid.

Cosmonaut Volkov Tomato OG (65 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Pruden’s Purple Tomato OG (72 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Black Prince Tomato OG (75 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Green Zebra Tomato OG (77 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Cherokee Purple Tomato OG (77 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Paul Robeson Tomato OG (78 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Jubilee Tomato OG (80 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Rose de Berne Tomato OG (80 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Pink Brandywine Tomato OG (82 days) Open-pollinated. Ind. with potato-leaf foliage.

Aunt Ruby’s German Green Tomato OG (85 days) Open-pollinated. Ind. Goldie Tomato OG (90 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Black Cherry Tomato OG (75 days) Open-pollinated. Ind.

Fargo Yellow Pear Tomato OG (82 days) Open-pollinated.

Sun Gold Cherry Tomato (57 days) F-1 hybrid. Ind.

Sparky Mix French Dwarf Double Marigold

First Lady African MarigoldFO Fiesta Broccoli OG (86 days) F-1 hybrid.

Cassius Cauliflower OG (84 days) F-1 hybrid.

Sweet Basil OG (70 days)

Gigante d’Italia Parsley (70 days) Open-pollinated.

Imperial Star Globe Artichoke OG (120 days) Open-pollinated.

No need to RSVP. Just show up.

Can't See the City for the Trees - Urban Forest Mapping

Well, not really. The truth is that the idea of urban amenities is nice, however without any way to quantify "real" value there is difficulty in finding proper funding. Street trees for example add quite a bit to the urban environment from both a psychological and environmental perspective, however they are often treated as simple decorative additions to an already over burdened pedestrian pathway. This ends up with trees crammed into tight and unhealthy spots, burdening growth and doing nothing to add to the health or image of a street. A dead or dying tree on an urban thorough-way is a rather sad sight.

For the urban and planner nerds out there that love mapping, what if there was a way to map tree locations and quantify their value? Danger, leading question...

The Urban Forest Map creates an online presence where "tree people" and mappers can collect data about urban tree locations in and around San Francisco. When I entered Cleveland, Ohio the map basically told me to go to hell.

However, when it isn't acting like a prissy snaffergargle the Urban Forest Map (I like the logo too) shows the impact that the selected tress are having in terms of monetary evaluations of Greenhouse Gas, Water, Energy and Air Quality Benefits.

The mapping is collaborative and open to users and pretty darn nifty for those of us that have room in our hearts for trees, Google and mapping things. The intent of the site is to collect data for "urban foresters and city planners in better managing trees, allowing them to track and combat tree pests and diseases, and also plan future tree plantings. Additionally climatologists will be able to use the information to better understand the effects of urban forests on climates, and students and scientists can use the site to learn about the role of trees in the urban ecosystem.".

Funded by a "grant awarded by the the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) funded by Proposition 84 they expanded the project and is now a collaboration of government, non-profits, businesses and individuals."

Pretty neato.

Kent State names a new dean (again, and also, FINALLY)

Kent State University has chosen a local architect to head its College of Architecture and Design.

Douglas Steidl will become the new dean of the college July 1. He replaces James Dalton, who will return to teaching at Kent State after two years as dean.

Mr. Steidl, who lives in Peninsula, has been a manager at Renard LLC, an investment, development and consulting firm in Peninsula, for the last three years. He previously founded Braun & Steidl Architects in Akron, which specializes in educational, religious, recreational and hospitality design projects.

From Crain's Cleveland.

After Fong's departure KSU CAED (how about that slew of acronyms?) has decided to slide away from a theoretical base (briefly offered by Fong) to continue the tradition of developing "professional and licensable architects" (quotes are author's own - consider them air quotes if you will). Whether "good" architects and designers will be produced will be the upcoming hurdle to overcome. I'm not saying that the exams aren't hard (I haven't even bothered to start my tests) just that by looking at the work produced by quite a few licensed architects it doesn't guarantee or qualify work produced as "good" or "interesting" or "worthwhile to experience" or even "good for the client" and not a "complete waste of money and materials".

For some insight into Mr. Steidl here is a reposting of some Q&A (copied here for when the link goes bad) from Vision 20/20. I'm not going to say I disagree with his comments, I just find it a little sad that the profession has to operate on the defense of quantifying its existing value instead of creating the demand for more and better design. However I do completely relish the thought that collaboration and facilitating collaboration among skilled professionals will replace the generalist approach to design (that I find all too often dilutes the final product into something with limited or no value). Who knows, the ability to specialize a college of architecture could strengthen the abilities of the students that are produced, and that wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

What will be the most significant challenge facing architecture and society in 2020? What is the relevance of architecture in this future?

The significant challenge facing the architecture profession in 2020 will be the architect’s capacity to resolving the complexity of demands applied from so many diverse directions on the creators of the built environment. These demands might be enumerated with some brief statements:

• Codes and Standards will demand that building concepts are based on scientific determinants.
• Builders will demand intimate delineation of construction procedures, and system interfaces.
• Owners will demand a single source of responsibility for development, design, construction, finance and operations.
• Governments will protect the environment demanding “zero carbon” designs and scientific analysis of the environmental impact of every structure.
• Clients will demand more efficient buildings with greater distinction.
• The public will demand more public input to design concepts for buildings, neighborhoods, and communities, focusing on quality of life issues.

Two phrases summarize the needs of the architect:
1. The ability to analyze and coordinate complexities through collaboration, and
2. The depth of empirical knowledge about all aspects of the development process from land acquisition through facility management.

The question of complexity, most likely will mean that today’s definition of “Architect”, is obsolete i.e. the designer is king. How much expertise can one individual incorporate into their understanding? Is it possible for a single practitioner to be real estate agent, super designer; environmental/sustainability expert; coordinator of design, construction, financing, operations and approval processes; materials guru; systems selector and integrator; facility manager and perform all these tasks within guaranteed time and budget dictates?

Even today, we do not operate independently. The idea that a Registration makes one competent to perform all the services included under our umbrella is ludicrous. Only through the collaboration of knowledge based expertise do we have the ability to undertake the complexities that face us as professionals.

How will a future “architect” think/operate in 2020, and what skills will be required?

Most Architects will perceive themselves as knowledge based specialists. In mid and large size offices in 2008, the division of tasks is divided among individuals with experiences and knowledge in specific areas. Programming with the client, schematic design, document production, specifications, sustainability issues, estimating, interiors, renderings, communications/coordination, and many other specific tasks are assigned to various team members. Generally, however, we still think of ourselves as all around architects, capable of performing any task assigned.

In 2020 the concept of generalist will be revised. Some architects may be coordinators of the design/construction process, leading an industry team which brings together specialists to jointly execute a project. Most architects however, will be those specialists, bringing a depth of knowledge that can only be termed task specific expertise, not generally achieved today by a majority of practitioners and definitely not taught by the majority of architectural education programs. We still value the “designer” moniker. In 2020 we will honor all task experts! The designer will be but one expert in the process and that individual had better utilize empirical knowledge to justify every decision about a design concept.

The word “my” will become a much stronger “our”. An architect’s identity will be equated with the team that completes a significant work enhancing communities, enrich the quality of life for citizens, and serving the public as well as the client. These facilities will use materials that are renewable, structures that are demountable, and produce zero-carbon. The team’s ego will be massaged, not by glossy pictures in peer magazines, but by recognition in public communiqués and respect from the average citizen.

Leadership will be the key to being in a position of decision making in the design/construction industry. Being the leader of the design team will not be enough to insure client trust. Only the few architects who invest themselves in finances, real estate, design knowledge, and have a depth of construction expertise will be in positions to interact with and influence the client.

The question is not how architects will think, but how the individual architect will think, and then how that architect will dedicate himself or herself to the tasks necessary to become a knowledgeable leader and collaborator.

Why are students uniquely positioned to address these issues?

The above is a new mindset. Instilled concepts are hard to change, and often, if revised, result in muddled thought patterns. Students start with a fresh perspective, they have the chance to see a more collaborative and factual world. Students have the opportunity to delve deeply in their greatest interest area, with years ahead of them in which to expand the depth of experiences that will give them the ability to communicate with unique tools while learning an expertise. And, they are in a community where they can interact with other disciplines and individuals from diverse cultures. This community will allow them to develop specialized expertise yet with a global comprehension. What an opportunity!

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About Douglas Steidl, FAIA

A founding principal of Braun & Steidl (est. 1983), a general-practice architectural firm and recipient of AIA Ohio’s Gold Medal Firm Award, Doug Steidl directs the firm in its work providing architectural planning and interior design services for widely-recognized university, medical, religious and commercial projects. Presently, the staff of Braun & Steidl Architects consists of 41 professionals, including 13 registered architects. First elected to the AIA national Board of Directors for a 1998-2000 term, Steidl went on to serve the AIA as Vice President 2000-2001, Treasurer 2001-2003, and First VP 2003-2004. Steidl is also the 2008-2009 President of the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

The Future of the Malls: Public Forum - April 6th

Another Cleveland event that I wish I could go to but won't make. Instead I will be down at Kent State looking at student projects and attempting to give helpful advice without being a yelling jerk.

I won't hold missing this public forum against them. I will remember though, during the boring ones.

CUDC has the best blog posts.

Citizen Architect showing at CMA - May 5th

Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio

Wednesday, May 5, 7:00

Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas, with Peter Eisenman, et al. This new documentary profiles late architect and educator Samuel Mockbee, whose groundbreaking Rural Studio at Auburn University created low-cost, innovative housing for the impoverished residents of Hale County, Alabama. Cleveland premiere.

USA, 2010, color, Beta SP, 57 min.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Citizen Architect Website (w/ trailer)

At some point the idea of architecture took on the burden of developing an idealistic fortitude wherein the welfare and benefit of mankind (or society) became an identifiable and paramount goal. The indemnification of aesthetic goals was more than merely conjoined with an over-reaching attitude to how the built environment can shape the wellbeing of its users. The idea of occupying space (and the emotional bindings created by this occupation) pushed buildings from being merely designed as representations of strength, wealth, power and religious fealty.

The proposition of shelter has always been a necessity coupled with such cloyingly sweet sentiments of "home is where the heart is" and "a man's home is his castle" whereas the burden of manageable shelter is shifted to the occupant. The idea of "making due" with the hand dealt freed designers from having to prepare responsible and fitting solutions. Soon the ideals of the built environment decided that design could help shape the social consciousness, lift the human spirit and attempt to react to needs of an ever shifting and changing family (and community) dynamic.

The argument that the grand social experiments of the 1950's (demonizing Bacon and Moses, perhaps properly) concentrated on large public works (demanding large amounts of capital) which tore apart the urban fabric to support the great sprawling suburbs while attempting to reshape "urban" life was a massive failure and resulting in stratification of economic class and the death of our great city's can be fought, the idea that the mechanization of human life on a grand scale does little to further instill a sense of our humanity. The grand projects (apartment blocks) destroyed the identity of our ethnic ghettos and displaced thousands of families who could not prosper without the support of their community (which was replaced with highways, interchanges and "proper" urban streets).

It was those that felt that the residential palette on an individual level, the small home, the tiny community centers and halls, could be made welcoming, well built and not interject an unwelcome or alien dialog to an already existent community that are currently making their mark on the world. They have decided that the small budget projects which require deliberate care and choice making in their crafting represent the most common of the human condition, those without the wherewithal to completely annihilate their history and start over from scratch. It is the current flock of design build studio's, Rural 804, Badanes Design/Build and University of Washington (Seattle) and perhaps the most touching and famous of them all, Samual Mockbee's Rural Studio of which the film Citizen Architect centers.

There is a place for the common sense of design and wonder we all seek and enjoy. The smooth contours of the iPhone, the felicitous curves of a 911 but there is room for wonder in design to be available to everyone, the hard part is finding the designers who are willing to sacrifice the time and ego to fulfill someone else's dream.

PechaKucha Cleveland Vol. 7

PechaKucha night Cleveland - Vol. 7

April 23, 2010 8:20 pm – 10:20 pm

at Convivium 33 Gallery

FREE

1433 East 33rd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

216-881-7828

http://www.josaphatartshall.com/

Welcome to Spring!!!!!!!!!!

On April 23rd, 2010, PechaKucha Night Cleveland will head to Convivium33 Gallery in Downtown Cleveland for the first warm weather PKN of the year!

Space will be tight so be sure to come early and enjoy a few beverages prior to being inspired, influenced, confused, provoked, and probably slightly intoxicated by the wonderfully variegated topic mix. A map of where Convivium is located as well as where you can park can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkncleveland/4497515102/

Doors and bar open at 7:00pm. Be sure to keep an eye on the list of presenters as we may be adding one or two people up until the week of the 23rd!.

If you are interested in presenting at a future PechaKucha Night, have an idea for a venue, or have questions about PechaKucha Night, please contact us - we'd love to hear your ideas.

Be sure to bring a friend or two!

Cheers,
Mike Christoff & Raseem Parker
pkncleveland@gmail.com

Presenters

Lia Tomco

• Austin Kotting
• Steve Kordalski
• Chris Maag
• Heather Furman
• Krista Van Wassen
• Sukant Bhatnagar
• Mike Mikula
• Beth Buehner
• Michael Christoff
• Final Order Will Be Posted Day of Event!!!

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein

One would like to assume that given enough information and a variety of choices that a reasonable person would be able to make decisions devoid of unsound external influence. To some this is called paternal libertarianism or retaining the liberty of having choices however slight incentives or nudges are utilized to create a “metered amount of regulation”. The goal is to allow people to take responsibility for their actions by understanding the direct and indirect consequences while keeping them generally free from harm.

In the book Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein the idea of shaping choices smartly is illustrated in examples from grocery store product placement to default application selections. The concern is that by altering the order in which choices are presented one can help shape the perceived value that each choice represents and in essence shape the selection process while still leaving the possibility for self appraised alternatives to exist.

For anyone who has to interact with those they wish to influence the idea of knowing how to shape a question in order to receive the desirable answer is valuable. There was a story on NPR a while back (which I cannot find now) in which giving a child a choice or whether to wear a red or green jacket outside was more useful then simply telling a child to put on a jacket. The inference is that the jacket is automatic but the there is a choice available, red or green. The child still feels as if the important decision making is up to them (or that they have some control) while still being protected from inclement weather.

There are similar examples in the book, especially when it comes to choosing things such as energy providers (the choice isn’t whether you want/need one but instead you get to select which one provides which service). Granted many of the stories are oversimplified the bridging between the arguments is still strong enough to warrant paying attention. I found the voice of the book more personal, as if in a living room conversation with a friend or co-worker instead of being lectured to by a professor, which was fine if not mildly campy at times.

In all it was a quick book to read, not entirely full of new information but the collection offered was good enough to either get one started on the idea of “choice architecture” or offer some different insight into use and framing of selections. At the very least you will look at the grocery store in a new way and may even figure out how to ask someone a question in such a way that they will respond how you want. That alone is worth the price.

resources:

The Nudge Blog

choice architecture primer

Cleveland Architecture Weak...April 15th - April 24th

Right off the bat, I hope this thing succeeds. I honestly do, it would be nice to see some sort of effort by local architects and their professional organizations to reach out into an under served (by good design) community and reinforce the value of what good architecture and design is.

With that in mind I am going to post the event's happenings before any sort of dissection as to the program and programming of the event.

The following events are scheduled to be included in Architecture Week:

• Lecture by George Hartman, FAIA* Thursday, April 15, 2010, 5:30 – 9:00 pm
• A Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, April 16, 2010, 5:30 – 9:30 pm****
• “No Building Left Behind”** Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 4:00 – 6:30 pm****
• “Envisioning the Future of Cleveland”*** Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 5:30 – 9:00 pm****
• AIA Cleveland/IIDA Happy Hour: Friday, April 23, 2010, 5:30 – 8:00 pm****
• PechaKucha Cleveland Night: Friday, April 23, 2010, 8:20 – 11:00 pm****
• Exhibition Panel Discussion: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2:30 – 5:00 pm****
• Exhibition Closing Party: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 5:00 – 7:00 pm****
• Additional Event Information:
• *Lecture by AIA Gold Medalist George Hartman, FAIA, “The History of Architectural Education and The Community of Architects” is co-hosted by AIA Cleveland, Classical America, and the Institute for Classical Architecture, and will be held at the Union Club, Thursday, April 15, 2010, 5:30 – 9:00 pm
• **AIA Cleveland, Historic Resources Committee, with Cleveland Restoration Society, the Institute for Classical Architecture, and Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs, “No Building Left Behind”, a presentation and roundtable discussion of adaptive re-use of religious structures at CSU Levin College, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 4:00 – 6:30 pm****
• ***AIA Cleveland, Government Affairs Committee, City of Cleveland Planning Commission Director Bob Brown, “Envisioning the Future of Cleveland”, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 6:00 -8:30 pm****

Other Anticipated Events:

• AIA Cleveland, Chad Oppenheim Lecture, Thursday, April 22, 2010, 5:30 – 9:00 pm
• AIA Cleveland, Urban Design Committee, Building Tour/Adaptive Re-use****

**** Indicates events which are free and open to the public. All other events are open to the public, but have associated ticket costs.

Now, with that out of the way I have to admit my very first response to hearing about Cleveland Architecture week was "Finally!". Looking at the similar programs offered in Portland, Oregon or Toronto (that's in Canada and I love that city - and yes, I would move to both of these places in a heartbeat if the stars aligned properly) or Chicago or wherever architecture and design are major contributors to both the economy and the city's identity there is a common theme that I wish was a little more central to Cleveland's Architecture Week.

Architecture as a profession has been having a relatively difficult time during the recession with growing unemployment rates and firm closures caused by a slumping market as project financing becomes harder to come by. There is also the issue of architects being seen merely overspecialized exterior decorators as building functions and operations are increasingly offset to specialists and consultants. The typical layperson may have the ability to appreciate why a building "looks" a certain way however when asked to evaluate and quantify there is hesitation and when seeking services for smaller projects (residences, etc.) architects are seen as an unnecessary aesthetic expense.

Which to me is an incredible shame. I find good designers to be the ones that can envision a project holistically and are worth their expense in operational savings while creating handsome and intelligent projects and make occupying spaces a worthwhile experience. I am horrified and saddened when -anyone- show me plans for houses (typically stock plans) that offer no personalization into how they live their lives and are completely devoid of their personal value systems (eg. efficiency) but they chose to purchase these plans because they thought hiring an architect who cared would cut too deeply into the budget for their home. I think the expense is there and don't disagree that it does leave less money for building the house, however the savings and quality of design (and overseeing of construction) should compensate. There is a distinction between houses and homes and it isn't specifically semantic.

That is just for homes. What if architecture was generally quantified (good v bad)? What if the general public wasn't just treated to a series of erudite lectures but instead treated to an explanation of what architecture is, what good architecture can do for everyone and why it has some value? What if architecture week wasn't just for the architects but more for what architecture can do for the city? Was there any consultation with non-architects? What would that architecture week look like? How accessible and interesting would architecture week be then?

Personally, I would love to see some discussions on design/architecture from the local names, where it begins and ends with some examples of projects to back their discussions up. I would have liked to see a public QA forum with a variety of designers specializing in specific nuances (code review, permit approval, building siting, programming, green design, etc. etc. etc.) where the public could come and ask questions. I think a really good sense of what information is most sought after locally could come from something like that. I would also like to see a panel discussion from some of the recent clients talking about what they were looking for, how their project was budgeted and awarded and how the process went (including post occupancy building operations) to quickly allow for a connection for those not intimate with architecture to glean a sense of the process (it would be great for potential clients looking to begin a project relatively soon). Heck, I would love a public forum for the large projects currently underway; MOCA, CIA addition (whats the scoop w/ MVRDV v Burt Hill), etc. with project reps and some city council members there, maybe even some reps of the firms involved just so the public is aware of what the heck is going on in our backyard. If anything I think architecture week should be more for the public then just architects. The public, after all, is our greatest judge, jury and client pool, stroking our own egos seems like a misguided effort as the perceived local value of architecture is being self-diminished.

Sometimes the kid with the "architecture, 5¢" booth seems like the smartest guy in the world. At least he understands that making architecture accessible has more value then making it seem magically mysterious. I suppose a brief history of early architects may help us designers get over ourselves and start focusing on important things like the clients instead of which fashion glasses to wear.

I will be following architecture week from a sterilized distance. To be honest I am not entirely interested in much of the programming, the PechaKucha night looks to be one of the few events where new ideas and discourse may arise. While the rest may be interesting, they don't strike me as interesting enough. I would rather hang out with the uninformed public who don't seem to be invited to this thing anyway (well to be fair Steve Litt did post a blog post about it and I think it made it into CoolCleveland - although it didn't make their calendar - but I don't remember seeing any other public postings for an event such as this that is a week long happening).

resources:

Official AIA Cleveland press release (.pdf)