Archive for August, 2009
New York City Fire Escape
The New York City fire escape is an identifiable element of the New York City urban landscape. Everywhere one turns, the steel fire escape dominates the architecture of older buildings in the city. Today nevertheless, the fire escape is rarely seen in new construction.
Miami 21 – First Reading (Again)
Here we go again! Miami 21 will be presented (again) to the City Commission for the first reading at a special meeting at City Hall to be held on Friday, September 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m ( located at 3500 Pan American Drive). Hopefully, with all the commisioners present this time, and the backlash Sanchez received, Miami 21 [...]
Ultra PRT Sustainable Transit
While Miami sits back and continues building outdated highways and fighting to fund arcane bus routes, cities around the world are moving ahead with new technologies and ideas in public transportation. London is building the first ULTra PRT (Urban Light Transit) system in the world at Heathrow Airport – an automated personal vehicle system that brings memories of the [...]
Outdoor Terrace in Charleston
The outdoor terrace or veranda is an identifiable element of the architecture of Charleston. Building after building displays a varying array of types, methods, styles, and sizes – entire building sides are sometimes covered in dominant, multi-story platforms. The Charleston Single and Double House, two housing types unique to the region, also incorporate them into their design. The importance of this element [...]
Charleston Single and Double House
The Charleston Single House and Double House are two typical types of housing unique to o Charleston, South Carolina. The plans of the Robert Pringle (single) and the Horry (double) houses, which stand side by side, illustrate these two typologies better than any description. [1]
Lecture by Leon Krier
Attention all urbanists and architects in Miami! There is a lecture by Leon Krier, internationally renowned new urbanist, in the University of Miami, Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center on September 15th at 6:00 p.m.
Miami Beach Pier Museum Competition – Panel Discussion and Exhibition
The opening exhibition of winners and selected entries, as well as a panel discussion of jurors for the Miami Beach Pier Museum Competition will be held on September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Miami Architecture School (Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center Glasgow Hall and Gallery, 1215 Dickinson Drive, Coral Gables Campus).
Boston’s Layers of Time – Value of Quality Urban Architecture
There are few cities in the Unites States that have the long, important, and rich history of Boston. The city was not only one of the pivotal urban centers in the founding years of the United States, it has also consistently been an important cultural and educational center for the entire country.
Colors and Windows of Charleston
I was especially amazed by the liveliness of the buildings and colors that make up this fabulous urban environment. Tropical and pastel colors cover many of the stucco buildings in the urban core of Charleston — from pink to blue these building colors serve as identifable elements of the city. Along East Bay Street, appropriately named Rainbow Row is an excellent example of the importance of colors to this city — featuring a variety of brick and stucco exteriors painted in a spectrum of pastels. Arched doorways, gambrel roofs and quoins on some Rainbow Row exteriors are matched in beauty by paneled wainscoting and architrave moldings inside.
Walkability and Safety (Tomorrow’s Miami : Part 22)
The ability to walk in a city has many beneficial side effects. It allows for a lower carbon footprint, energy conservation, and greater sustainability for a community.
Support for Miami21
Miami21, the new form based code for the City of Miami, suffered a setback last week when commissioners voted 2-2 against the proposed code. Although it failed to pass, it was nice to see such strong support in favor of the new code during the vote. In what at least a 3-1 ratio, some of Miami’s most influential [...]
Irresponsible Neighbors – Why We Need Miami21
Downtown Miami has undergone a radical transformation in the last few years as dozens of new, pedestrian oriented buildings have changed the face of the city. Developers, government agencies, architects, and activists have come together and embarked on a common goal: Creating a new walkable and sustainable downtown.
A Time to Draw: Kristin Currier TriRail Illustrations
Kristin Currier is a local South Florida resident (and artist) who takes the Tri-rail every day and does exactly that. During her commute last winter, she spent her time on the train drawing sketches and illustrations of the people riding the train.
Denver Implementing A Form Based Code
The post below is from an interesting article from Architectural Record regarding a proposed form-based code going to vote this year in Denver. I guess all those saying that Miami is alone in implementing a form-based code are just a tad bit off. It is also nice to see AIA Denver supporting needed changes to arcane codes, [...]
