“The Lady”
Please pause, reflect, and thank our Veterans for all that they have given to make Freedom possible. Today is a special time for remembrance and giving honor to ones who have served. Take the time!!!
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Tag Archives: New York City
Never Forget
“World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial”
New York City
Now, on this Memorial Day more than ever, we all need to step back and remember what our Nation has gone through to establish and maintain our Democracy. We need to honor all who have given their lives to maintain our freedom. We need to thank those who have rebuilt our country and our sense of democratic freedom after attacks have been made.
Right now, the world is under attack by an autocrat in Russia who has ruthlessly invaded the Ukraine and who threatens to use nuclear weapons if anyone tries to stop him. Here at home, we are threatened by an autocrat who has denied the legitimacy of our election process (without any proof) and who has instigated an attack on our Capitol. On a personal basis, we are being held up by a gun lobby who will not back off supporting selling military grade weapons designed for the mass killing of people.
It is the time for us to stand up and bring back sanity and compassion to our Nation and World.
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Squiggles
“Two Towers With a Squiggle”
New York City
I just do not get it. Why the squiggle in these two towers in Manhattan? Was it just to make the symmetric buildings look different? I wonder just how much it cost to add such a non-value architectural element. The squiggle catches my eye, but that is all it does for me.
Maybe I am just not sophisticated enough to appreciate it.
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Convex or Concave?
“Bryant Park Skyscraper”
New York City
This image is an “eye-teaser.” Does the center portion of the image extend outward or recede inward? Whichever you choose, close your eyes, squint, and choose again. This is another skyscraper around Bryant Park that intrigues me. I spent several minutes staring upward to determine the correct answer. But does the real answer matter, or is it just a matter of perspective?
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Lines, Curves, Reflections, Concrete, Glass
“Bryant Park Skyscrapers”
New York City
These two adjacent buildings with their lines, curves, and reflections have always made me stop and look up. I make it a point on almost every trip to New York to take a walk in Bryant Park. Skyscrapers tower around the park. I look up and get dizzy as I try to make out the lines of the buildings and the relationships of the reflections.
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Walk Along the Highline
“Nature Meets Architecture”
The Highline, New York City
This is another interesting building next to the Highline. I get excited when I see beautiful gardens and cool architecture. The Highline is a great place to visit where gardens and architecture meet.
One of the reasons I visited the Highline was to get ideas for our garden. At Heatherwood, we are trying to create a naturalistic combination of perennials and tree groves. The Highline planting designs by Piet Oudolf exemplify the look and feelings that we are targeting.
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Back to NYC
“Highline Neighbor”
Highline Walk, New York City
This building adjacent to New York City’s Highline intrigues me. I first saw a photograph of it in a book on the Highline. As I walked along the Highline this fall, the building’s fluid lines and reflections were like a magnet to my eyes. I spent several moments walking back and forth viewing different perspectives. I easily could have spent an hour. Time was short and I had a lot of area to cover. I will be back!
The building located on 520 West 28th Street is designed by Zaha Hadid. It houses 39 condominium residences. Its fluid curves is a major contrast to the other surrounding buildings. A courtyard garden extends to from the building to the Highline boundary.
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Made Me Dizzy
“New York Abstract”
New York City
Riding a New York tour bus, I looked up at this building with multiple angles and reflections … I got dizzy! I immediately pictured what I saw as a modern abstract painting. New York City building architecture fascinates me. There is just so much to see. I could spend a whole trip just walking the streets looking up at all the different buildings. I can’t wait to go back.
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An Achievement or a Mistake?
“The Vessel”
New York City Hudson Yards
This interesting piece of architecture captured my imagination when I started my walk along New York’s Highline. I had no idea of the background of this amazing structure, so a little homework was needed. The active sculpture is 16 stories high comprised of 154 staircases, 80 landings, and 2500 steps. The path to the top is a little over a mile. The creator, Thomas Heatherwick, said that his intent was to create a focal point where people can enjoy new perspectives of the city and one another from different heights, angles and vantage points.
At its opening dedication in 2109, the Vessel was deemed to be safe, able to carry 1,000 people at a time. However, since its opening four people have committed suicide. In August of this year, the 4th suicide occurred. The Vessel is now indefinitely closed.
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Kinetic Architecture
“Abstract – The Shed”
Hudson Yards, New York City
Do you believe this monster really moves? The Shed is a multi-cultural, multi discipline center for the arts in New York City. It provides a venue for established and emerging artists to show and perform their creative endeavors. The image above is a face of a movable shell that doubles the space of the facility for large displays and performances.
Large wheels, I guess the diameter to be about 8 feet, move the Shed’s outer shell. It takes 5 minutes to fully move the shell in or out. See image below.
“The Shed’s Wheels”
When I first saw this structure, I had no idea what it was. I just thought it was a cool piece of architecture. When I had the chance, I did a little homework. It is an amazing application of a creative solution. To add a little creativity of my own, I created an abstract of the lines and reflections of the shell. Next time we are in New York, I plan to venture inside this amazing facility.