Saturday, July 18, 2009

What's in a name? Architecture firm names that shouldn't a-been:

On the slant of what is architecture I thought I would pass on some firm names I had run across. Back in the olden days, professionals would attach their own name to the firm. This (supposedly) gave the firm a sense of legitimacy as one could easily discern who the person in charge was as well as added the professional air, similar to a legal firm. When architecture firms would pass on to new owners the name would either change to reflect the new ownership or the old name would be kept, reminiscent of the firm's past work and established roots. Which choice was better? I don't know if one could decide.

However the influx of wacky names to promote some hi-tech ideas or to give the name some catch or zing is all the rage and doesn't have to change when the firm ownership does, meaning that established firms can maintain whatever ethical/aesthetic guidelines they were founded on while changing ownership (and the whole thing isn't designed to stroke personal egos).

Sometimes though I see names that while self descriptive in some manner are a little, well, odd. I was going to compile a giant list but to be honest I haven't the time to parse every firm out there. Instead I thought I would get the ball rolling:

Greeen!Architects (I think the "green" thing officially got out of hand in 2007. Yes the "e's" stand for something)
AAA Architects Inc. (Follows the Yellow Pages mentality to be located at the top of the list)
Architectural Design (So, what do you do there?)
Architectural Design Group
Architectural Design Guild (I am a 42level dark elf drafter)
Architectural Design Inc. (like KIDS incorporated)
Architectural Design Matrix (Keanu Reeves jumps on the celebrity architect band wagon)
ArchiTexas
Architique (this is running with the "architecture" remix branding exercise a little too fast)
Architron (fighting the Master Control Program since 1982)
Art and Architecture by Design (The business card reads like a bad pick up line waiting to happen)

Feel free to add to the list in comments as you want. As you can probably tell I just started going through a list of firms (and giggling).

Friday, July 17, 2009

What is architecture?

Architecture from MAYAnMAYA on Vimeo.



Principles? Buildings? Theory?

How many different occupations have to constantly clarify what exactly it is they do, to others and to themselves, and not only in order to maintain their current employment? When is an architect not an architect?

Probably when software is involved and when the Professional Organization says you can't call yourself one.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Downtown Cleveland Special Improvement District Survey

DCA SID survey

The Downtown Cleveland Alliance has put forth a survey for visitors/residents of Cleveland to pass on some of their own opinions as to how DCA is doing, where future efforts should be concentrated and how your personal hopes for the city can be realized.

It takes about 3 minutes to fill it out honestly and with some thought, it isn't a gigantic survey, so if you have time and if you care why not let your voice be heard?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Eat as if your life depended on it.


That was the sentiment behind the showing of Food Inc. last night at the Cedar Lee Theatre on Monday evening.

It is hard to sum up my complete confusion of the situation. I remember a day when I was sitting at a holiday table listening to a family of farmers talk about how they would never buy into Monsanto's GMO soybeans due to the legal speak that even back then they knew was scary, but to see how a basic expectation of our government (ie. safe food) is so tied up in special interest that it truly hampers the free market system that we so claim to depend on to save our souls is angering.

For those of you familiar with Michael Pollan you will hear familiar tones throughout the movie which does not so much shake your belief in the system (you have all heard it before) as it gives it a face. A bunch of faces. Not just animal faces, but hard working human faces. Suffering, sadness, despair, frustration and hope.

The movie wasn't as gory as I had anticipated. There was some blood and ground meat and people cutting meat and sad lookin' critters that I had probably actually eaten but it wasn't gore as in to shock as it was simply a look inside this world that so few think about.

Why is most chicken sold at the store boneless?
How many actual different cows are in one burger patty?
How much corn derived food did you eat today?

That was the scary part. This movie isn't meant to scare or persuade someone from eating meat. Heck, Eric Schlosser, eats one of the messiest burgers I have seen in a while, but to raise awareness that there are huge faceless corporations which make most of what you eat, process it in large scale operations and constantly work government to loosen accountability. Meat isn't murder. Processed food is.

Granted the opening was speaking to the converted although I would like to share a couple questions that arose during the panel discussion afterwards.

-In answer to a question regarding how people can affect change the answer was given by voting with our dollars. When the masses have to be informed that they, as the masses, have the power to change the system, we must realize how disparate and frustrated we have become.

-How can we (as a city even) overcome the economic disparity, geographic isolation and lack of knowledge that compound the dangers of this nutritional failure? How can we identify and correct food deserts? How can we further create an better informed public? How can we better bridge the economic gap? (City Fresh is a great program, maybe more people need to help).

-If a governmental body, whose sole purpose is to keep us safe, be it from foreign powers and/or corporations (granted some corporations are more powerful than some sovereign nations), then what rebellion of sorts can be considered a reasonable recourse?

-What is the true cost of corn to the consumer, including subsidies and government intervention, ie. what would the cost to the consumer really be if the free market system were allowed to operate?

More resources:
Movie: The Future of Food on Hulu, you can watch it on your computer (im gonna, eventually)

Polycultures: Food where we live was on sale at the showing. I bought a copy. Will try to get Ted E. Bear of Cleveland Movie Night to show it.

PBS Harvest of Fear

FTCLDF: Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Cleveland History - League Park



This past Sunday we went on an exploration of League Park, one of Cleveland's forgotten (especially with the Cleveland's Indians current record) jewels. Currently sitting vacant League Park is under scrutiny of a the Leage Park Society, a 501(c)(3), who exists to "Restore, Preserve and Revitzlize both the ballpark and it's surrounding (Hough) neighborhood".

The historic context of League Park, as the Cleveland Indian's home ballpark, host to the 1920 World Series and home to the Cleveland Buckeye's is preserved in the heart of any true baseball fan.

One of Cleveland's many forgotten community gems.

Monday, July 13, 2009

"Snakebit" - I would rather go out with a bang

"If you start kinda looking over your shoulder too much and start being conservative and start being institutionalized, then I, then we've died and I shut the doors, I want to go out with a bang". - Andrew Freear

Snakebit

A documentary film about Samuel Mockbee and Rural Studio. Someone get this in Cleveland please. Cleveland AIA you KNOW I am looking at you guys.

People and place matter. What a novel idea, seriously.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Strong community ties in danger by closing community centres - Sunday at St. Cecilia's

Today was the MarJmom's birthday. As such we (the daughter and son in law from Iowa and MarJ and myself) joined her for a service at her favorite (and childhood) parish, St. Cecilias on East 152nd. I admit the application of my Catholic upbringing is sparse in execution so the actions of when to rise and when to sit necessitated the cues from the Priest who guided us through the sermon.

(Necessary backstory) My own childhood parish was a rather formal to do, or at least it felt that way. I swear parts of the sermon were in Latin with the familiar droning chant that even as a distant memory lulls my eyes to close. I remember the foray into livening up the service with guitar and perhaps something a little more akin to 4/4 time on the organ which were but weak attempts and all but buried under the haunting air of fresh pressed beige slacks and uncomfortable navy blue ties that forever permeates my young memory. That and the sheer scale of the church, whose columns I couldn't ever hope to reach around marching in a rhythmic stoic pattern towards the alter. My grandfather was one of the fellows who in his Sunday best would take collection, so we were sure to be seated in the center aisles and even once or twice undergo the harsh public scrutiny of offering the gifts. As a full disclaimer my father was head of the custodial department and allowed me to help in landscaping and odd jobs at the young age of 13. Through such access I was offered the rare behind the scenes glimpses of the institution, the old boilers, the bell tower lacking bells but having large speakers (this realization forever broke my heart) and the eternal war between the floor buffer and fresh black souled shoes.

It was with this mentality that I entered a new church, expected the similar Catholic droning (sorry!) and the apprehension of the looks I would attract when I failed to shuffle into line for communion. Instead what I received was nothing short of a warm homecoming, the sort reserved for a long lost relative, and not only from the MarJmom but from a congregation that was so open and strong that I felt an honest warmth in my heart. For those of you familiar with the Catholic services there is a moment, previously experienced as politely brief, in which one is to shake the hand of their neighbor and offer them peace. At St. Cecilia's the sermon came to a abrupt halt as the congregation practically erupted in a cacophony of noise, people arising and walking about to hug old friends and firmly shake the hands of newcomers. This usual brief moment (as I had previously experienced) lasted long enough to actually allow me (as a newcomer) to begin to get comfortable with meeting so many new people. I was truly shaken to the core by the experience and perhaps at that very moment I realized with such a great sadness the burden that communities such as Mount Pleasant are currently facing.

You see, St. Cecilia's is facing closure. Not facing as in there is still the possibility that it may not happen but facing as in the parish is going to close its doors. Father Daniel Begin with have to find a new flock and the parishioners of St. Cecilia's will have to find a new community with which to embrace.

It didn't seem to bother the choir which was simply amazing. I only had the opportunity (or bravery) to talk to one member, the gentleman playing homemade drums (think calf skin stretched on homemade shells) and keeping the subtle rhythm while giving the drums strong enough voice to perfectly accentuate the rest of the choir. Nor did the congregation, who had scheduled an ice cream social for today, gather under the dark cloud of impending closure. Instead they were simply rallying around the plans for the August 1st community festival, not looking for sympathy but rather in order to set in motion an attempt to offer strength and joy to the community so many love.

The MarJ, being ever my guide to my own hometown, pointed out the neighboring New Life Community building. Once the elementary school for St. Cecilia's it now offer transitional housing for families fulfilling a rather rare role for the city of Cleveland and boasting a strong success rate. I am unaware of what fate may be waiting for this program when St. Cecilia closes its doors although I am hoping that being an interface program it will stand on its own and continue its work without it's neighbor.

My concern pivots on the impending closing. This amazing community that happened to have congregated at St. Cecilia's for the past 90 years will soon be dispersed and that truly fills my heart with sorrow. While I can understand the pragmatism of such a decision I admit that a great part of me wonders just what sort of fate the community and these parishioners are being handed. At a time when we all need to lean on our neighbor a little bit more, when we all need to watch out for each other with a little more tenacity, when we need to be willing to open our eyes and our hearts a little wider I find the systematic weakening of our core communities a little unforgivable and honestly am fearful of the greater implications to our fair city.

Just when I found a community where everyone goes out of their way to make introductions and begin building a bridge of friendship I find it slipping away. If only our neighbors and neighborhoods could learn to act like that, then we would all be truly blessed.