911 memorial

When my parents where visiting we took them to see the 911 memorial, it was something that I wanted to do since it opened. The memorial was designed by architect Michael Arad in conjunction landscape architect Peter Walker, their design has been selected in a design competition and evolves around two reflecting pools in the footprints of the twin towers. The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into bronze panels surrounding the Memorial pools, there are 2,983 names in total that have been chosen to be displayed in a random order. All the trees on the memorial site are Swamp white oaks except for one Callery pear tree that was found in the rubble in the plaza of the World Trade Center. The damaged tree was originally planted in the 1970s has been now nursed back to health and planted at the memorial and is now know as the Survivor Tree.

My initial reaction upon seen the pools was how beautiful the water looks cascading down into them but then I started thinking about what had happened in that exact spot and I felt my chest tighten and the water rushing down turned into something more sinister. I am not sure if it was the intent of the architects but the falling water reminded me of the falling towers and looking at the black bottomless hole in the center of each pool gave me a chill down my spine. It was really interesting to observe the reactions of everyone looking into the pools, I saw a couple of people crying, some just quietly looked around but I haven't seen anyone that was not moved in some way. Standing in a spot where so many people have lost their life is definitely something emotional and everybody's emotions are as different as the people experiencing them. Have you ever visited the memorial and if so what did you experience?

PS. Unfortunately the museum on the grounds is not open yet and I could not find a specific date when it will be opened. 

 

 

 

 

 

kentuck knob & fallingwater

Sunday morning we left Pittsburgh behind and started driving towards Kentuck Knob, our first stop following the footsteps of Frank Lloyd Wright in rural Pennsylvania. The house was build for I.N. and Bernadine Hagan with construction starting in 1953 and being finished in 1956. The Hagans asked Frank Lloyd Wright to design them an usonian home after liking nearby Fallingwater so much, which was owned and commissioned by their friends the Kaufmanns. Frank Lloyd Wright was 86 years old when designing the house and also busy working on the Guggenheim Museum and the Beth Sholom Synagogue. Kentuck Knob was one of the last houses completed by Wright . The Hagans lived in their house year round for almost 30 years. It is owned by Lord Palumbo since 1986, who initially bought it as a vacation home and generously opened it to the public for tours in 1996. 

We had booked the regular tour of Kentuck Knob which took about 45 minutes and allowed us to see but not photograph the interior. After finishing the tour P and I walked around the premises and then headed to Fallingwater because we were afraid to miss the start of our in-depth tour over there. But the good planners that we are we had plenty of time to spare. The in-depth tour of Fallingwater guides you through the whole house as well as the guest and staff quarters, all in all it took about two hours. When our tour came to an end the grounds were already closed but we were allowed to roam around for another half hour, thus allowing us to take exterior shots of the house without random people. And you guys know of how much I dislike random folk in my shots ;) I took hundreds of photos but unfortunately I will not be able to share them with you because publication of the photos visitors take is not allowed without permission. And you guessed it I didn't ask for permission yet...

The construction of Fallingwater started in 1936 and the main house was finished in 1937. The Kaufmanns had built it as their nature retreat to replace cabins on the site. I would not mind living above a waterfall and feeling one with nature. Edgar Kaufmann Sr. wife Liliane insisted on a plunge pool that is fed by the stream, which I think is a great idea. Wright didn't like it but headed his clients wish. My favorite area of the house was the top floor, the area the Kaufmanns son Edgar Jr. used to stay at. With being so close to the trees and the big windows everywhere it felt like living in a tree house. The Kaufmanns used the house until 1963 as a weekend retreat and in 1963 it was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and opened to visitors in 1964. If you are ever in the Pittsburgh area I highly encourage you to visit both Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater.

Have you visited any cool houses lately? Or do you have any on your list you would like to see?

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

architecture and signs of south beach

We didn't just stay in Fort Myers Beach but also drove to Miami for a day. Spent the day in the South Beach area, mostly walking around and absorb the art deco architecture. Of course I was trying out my new camera but I still have to figure out so many functions, so most pictures I took in the automatic setting. When I was in South Beach for the first time in 1997 some of the hotels that look pretty fancy now were still abandoned or run down which I thought was quite charming in its own way.

 

ohny - part V

Ok, this is the last OHNY post I promise...

After sending our group to Williamsburg to check out two sites after our tour of the Wunderworks Design Studio and finding them closed because I wasn't able to read the schedule correctly we headed back to Manhattan to check out the Hotel Americano near the High Line. Like the Nolitan it just opened its doors. We toured two of its rooms, checked out the rooftop terrace with pool, the bar and party rooms in the basement, as well as the restaurant and bar on the first floor.

The interiors were designed by Paris based Arnaud Montigny of MCH, this project was his first in the US and the architect was Enrique Norten of TEN Arquitectos. The Americano Hotel was not the only project by TEN Arquitectos to be showcased during the OHNY weekend. Also included were Cassa Hotel and Residences and a showroom for Mercedes Benz.

ohny - part IV

We started Sunday morning with a nice breakfast at Petit Albeille and walked over to our first OHNY stop of the day which was a tour of the Wunderwurks Design Studio. Tony Wurman the designer currently sells some of his pieces through Room & Board. All pieces basically consist of melted glue, you can find more specific information here on what is used.

Six of us were able to create our own bowls. Melting stuff is so much fun! I could do it all day. You can see me turning my bowl and some pictures of the finished product as well.

The first three photos are from the Room & Board Website and the photos of me turning my bowl are courtesy of Roswitha Graser.