Last week my partner and I walked along a Chicago residential street to Wrightwood 659, a brand new exhibition space designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The Antithesis The previous day, a wonderful volunteer docent, an elderly woman, went silent when I said that Ando walks on water. Maybe I had offended her religious sensibilities,… Continue reading Don’t Touch the Concrete
Category: Architecture
Wrightwood 659
Visited Chicago’s Wrightwood 659, a new exhibition space designed by Tadao Ando. The current installation showcases Ando and Le Corbusier, an early influence on Ando. In one gallery, models built by Ando’s students of Le Corbusier’s designs, are displayed in chronological order.
Minneapolis Vignettes
On my Downtown walk, the windows of the Marquette Hotel distorted and reflected while the Foshay Tower stood tall.
Finding Tadao Ando
Posted Finding Tadao Ando.
Finding Tadao Ando
This week my partner and I will make a quick trip to Chicago to visit Wrightwood 659, a new art space designed by Japan’s Tadao Ando. We’ll explore the inaugural exhibition, Ando and Le Corbusier: Masters of Architecture. In March 2014 I was vaguely aware of architect Tadao Ando when I took a boat to Naoshima… Continue reading Finding Tadao Ando
Minoru Yamasaki in Minneapolis
Walked Downtown to do errands. Paused to enjoy the patterns and symmetries in some of the hundreds of carefully cut marble slabs that side this 1966 building. It was designed by starchitect Minoru Yamasaki for the (then) Northwestern National Life Insurance Company.
School of Architecture
Explored the University of Minnesota’s East and West Bank (of the Mississippi) campuses with a friend. Walked into buildings that promised to be interesting. In the School of Architecture earnest students were having their work reviewed by their peers.
Ralph Rapson in the Twin Cities
Plotted a map showing local buildings designed by architect Ralph Rapson. I’ll use this to spice up some walks this winter.
Crystal Court
Walked through the downtown Minneapolis IDS Center’s gorgeous Crystal Court. Opened in 1972, Philip Johnson’s masterpiece still feels fresh.
Awaiting Rebirth
Walked past the dilapidated 1884 Commutator Brass Foundry Co. Building in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. Delighted to learn it will be preserved and incorporated into new construction.