Dropped off a package in the lovely, but incongruous, Art Deco lobby of the main Downtown post office. We need some smart people to figure out how to repurpose this space for the 21st century.
Category: Architecture
International Style
On my cycle ride, stopped to walk around the outside of this abandoned grain elevator to take in its undulating form. Silos like this started to be built in the early 1900’s. Their forms strongly influenced the International Style that emerged in the 1920’s and 1930’s. I’ll miss this bold structure when it’s replaced with…… Continue reading International Style
Settling in One Place for a Month
This winter we stayed in an apartment in Palm Springs for a month. Until this year, we’ve never settled in one place for that long when traveling. The number one reason we went to Palm Springs is easy access to hiking trails: we walked to mountain trails right from our front door. The daytime temperatures…… Continue reading Settling in One Place for a Month
Consistent Vibe
The last day of Modernism Week in Palm Springs: visited five recently remodeled homes. This home retains some original 1957 features, including the fireplace. The homeowners have gone for a consistent mid-century vibe with furniture choices. Nice, but I prefer to mix it up a bit.
1955 Cree House
Walked through architect Albert Frey’s 1955 Cree House. The appliances are original and still working; the refrigerator is behind the three upper doors to the right of the range. The house is perfectly aligned to minimize the effects of the sun’s rays. It’s still privately owned.
Palm Springs City Hall
Walked over to Budget to pick up their smallest, cheapest car I’d reserved weeks ago. Along the way, nosed around City Hall, designed by Albert Frey (a theme this week), completed 1952. Budget only had a Ford Mustang convertible for us, no up-charge, which we accepted grudgingly.
Albert Frey Lived Here
We’ve caught glimpses of this house as we looked down from mountain trails. Local star-architect, Albert Frey, designed this gorgeous 800 square foot home in 1964 and lived here for 30 years. Today, we got a chance to go inside. Our rental apartment was designed by Frey in 1946.
Public Service Building
Included the Minneapolis Skyway in my walk to escape cold and ice. Finally got to see inside the new Minneapolis Public Service Building. I’ve previously admired the exterior, so it was good to walk through the beautifully designed interior, including this skyway section.
The Day Swinging England Invaded America
England swings like a pendulum doBobbies on bicycles, two by twoWestminster Abbey, the tower of Big BenThe rosy-red cheeks of the little childrenRoger Miller, 1965 I’m on board an Airbus A350 from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow. Last night, my home was the TWA Hotel at JFK. The hotel’s public spaces are in the restored and…… Continue reading The Day Swinging England Invaded America
TWA Hotel
Wandered through soaring, flowing spaces, admiring how architect Eero Saarinen understood how to leave so much out yet leave us with more. Tonight my home is TWA Hotel, New York JFK Airport. Public spaces are in the restored and reassigned 1962 TWA Flight Center.