What could this be?

So I am heading downtown to Boylan Avenue and I happen upon this structure which is curiously all by itself in a field next to what appears to be an abandoned manufacturing facility.

Curious as always, I stop for a minute to inspect what it might be. Truthfully, I had no idea. My first thought was that it could be some kind of installation. My wife suggested that it might have some sort of relation to the nearby train tracks, maybe a conductor's office for example. After a few minutes, we had no idea so we got back in the car and continued on our way.

A short time later, I'm driving, still thinking about what the structure may have been and I notice a building that seems oddly familiar. It's the new Hue Condominium project. But why does look so familiar? Then it hits me, the small structure that we saw a few blocks back must be some sort of trial run or teaching tool for the contractors who would be installing the exterior of the building. By using the same materials and detailing, a small detail (or a very large study model) was likely as practice before finishing the actual project.

You'll notice the exact same materials and detailing used in both structures. The same color palette too. As for the project itself, I think the location is perfect for a mixed use building. The design is fairly interesting, but to me something seems to be lacking. However, I am all for the concept of urban living and mixed-use developments. Hopefully all the condos sell, but in my amateurish opinion, it seems like Raleigh's downtown is over-priced and over-built given the current housing market. I always want downtown developments to succeed to continue fueling the urban renaissance that taking place all across the country, of which downtown Raleigh is an excellent case study.

Obsessed with stairs?

For all those stair lovers out there here is a website to feed your obsession...
and for those with a more casual interest, you might find something you like too. Completely unrelated to the Raleigh design scene I know, but this was just too good to pass up. A friend showed me this site the other day and I felt obliged to pass it on.

The stairs you see are my personal (most recent) favorites. They are by roedig.schop architekten of Berlin on their personal residence part of the Ten in One project.

Be on the lookout for upcoming articles about NCMA and The New American House Project.

Preservation

How is it that we as a culture decide that certain buildings are worthy of preservation? Is it as simple as age or what is deemed to be some sort of "important" circumstances surrounding certain structures? It seems to be a fine line to walk. Where do we begin? If history itself is the primary criteria how can we sit idly by as many of our vernacular structures, such as the tobacco barns of my youth, fade forever from our landscape? If it is circumstance that becomes the main criteria, how is it that we decide which buildings are deserving? Who's history do we value and thus that of their buildings? Aside from the context of the southern plantation and their corresponding slave quarters we rarely see buildings that tie directly into the lives of African Americans. It must be assumed that many of these buildings were, more often than not, deemed to be less than important and therefore became easy targets for the wrecking ball (See Durham Freeway). It is important that we recognize our past transgressions and not allow what little that remains of various fragments of our culture to fall between the cracks (See Oberlin Village). Gone, hopefully, are the days when seemingly the only preservation that mattered was that of the extravagant homes of the wealthy and large public/corporate buildings. As Americans with comparatively so little tangible history, it seems as though we would be more all encompassing in our efforts.

I can not argue that all old buildings are worth saving, however I will always contend that future generations be afforded the opportunity to experience the many diverse aspects of our building culture and not just what is considered to be "important" today...

Moore Square Competition

Sponsored by the City of Raleigh
Link

DESIGN IT, Shelter Competition

Sponsored by Google SketchUp
Link

Welcome...

Here at Raleigh AAU our primary objectives are to inform, organize and engage the local design community. So many of our events and much of our news is spread so thin through the various media outlets that much of it gets lost in the shuffle. We all seem to have trouble getting a handle as to what is really going on in our community and therefore we have become observers and not the catalysts for change. It is our hope that this is indeed a small step in the right direction and that through our efforts; discussions are raised, awareness is heightened, and involvement is inspired. For better or worse.... Welcome to Raleigh AAU.