A Quiet Spot Along the Newtown Creek

My friend showed me this secret spot in my neighborhood.  Its an abandoned train track that leads to the Newtown Creek, and beyond a series of industrial buildings.  There's something about this lonely, polluted place that is also very beautiful and peaceful.  I like going to visit it every so often. 

The Unisphere!

I finally made the trek out to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the site of the 20th Century World's Fair, where I saw The Unisphere, and some other strange alien buildings.  The theme of the fair, back in 1964, was"Peach Through Understanding" and dedicated to "Man's Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe."  

 

Seeing the colossal spherical structure and connecting with the theme of the fair was rejuvenating and gave me the inspiration I was looking for last week.

Demolition Depot

My current job has led me back in time, into the world of historical preservation, particularly of a Victorian Bank Building in Williamsburg, and into the realm of architectural salvage shops.

(look at that toilet!)

Architecture In The Subway

I was pleasantly surprised to see this lovely exhibit by the Center for Architecture in the West 4th Street subway station.

Entitled New York, New Work, it features built projects as well as theoretical projects, showing a range of work and ideas generated by AIA New York Chapter members during this difficult economic climate.

Discovering Columbus - Tatzu Nishi

Anything that is a physical, built environment, that causes a shift in our perception of something we previously took for granted, is definitely important.  That is something that all architects are searching for in some way or another.  And last week, in Columbus Circle in New York City, I found it in Tatzu Nishi's installation that entirely encompasses the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle.  

After climbing up 4 flights of stairs, with great views of the city along the way up, you enter what looks like an apartment corridor, which leads to a very comfortable living room.  The only thing out of the ordinary is that Christopher Columbus is standing on the coffee table.  

To me, what is so important about this project is that by simply changing the backdrop of something we completely alter our perception of it.  I have walked past this memorial statue countless times.  But now it stands out in my mind in a different way.  I now have a greater appreciation for this object that is much more a part of my daily life than I realized previously.