historical

Architectural Ornament as Urban Texture: Part 3 – Heraldry and Emblems

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 Posted in Architecture | 3 Comments »

When we look at architectural ornament of heraldry and emblems, we see things associated with the aristocracy. Over time the aristocracy of business and commerce subsumed that of humans. Companies and corporations commissioned heraldic crests emblazoned on shields, which were displayed on the buildings they owned and occupied.

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Architectural Ornament as Urban Texture: Part 2 – Animals and Birds

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 Posted in Architecture | 4 Comments »

The animals commonly depicted on buildings exemplify desirable human character traits. They are the focus in this second installment of the series Architectural Ornament in San Francisco.

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Architectural Ornament as Urban Texture: Part 1 – Human Forms

Monday, June 27th, 2011 Posted in Architecture | 5 Comments »

Modernism replaced ornament with a different vocabulary of details involving straight lines, right angles, and clean edges. Still, since we admire buildings from the time when ornament was popular, revealing the meaning of decorative motifs would broaden our understanding and increase out pleasure in passing by them. They contribute to the urban texture of our cities.

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Glen Park BART Station

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 Posted in Architecture | No Comments »

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Considered the crown jewel of the BART system, the Glen Park station has withstood the test of time both aesthetically and physically.

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Book Review: Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House by Daniel P. Gregory

Monday, January 19th, 2009 Posted in Architecture, Book Reviews | 1 Comment »

From the early 1930s to the 1980s, Cliff May designed over 1,000 buildings, most of them houses, which came to symbolize “western living” for a national and even international audience.

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Lawrence Halprin’s new outdoor theater in Stern Grove’s Concert Meadow

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 Posted in Environmental, Landscape Architecture | 5 Comments »

“To create a mystical place where one would be inspired to reach into oneself.” This was landscape architect Lawrence Halprin’s intent in designing a new outdoor theater for San Francisco’s Stern Grove Concert Meadow.

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Islais Creek

Friday, May 9th, 2008 Posted in Urban Planning | No Comments »

Islais Creek is an inlet of San Francisco Bay located in the Central Waterfront between Potrero Hill and Bayview/Hunters Point. The area was once a vast salt marsh which when diked and drained contained small truck farms.

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