Washington Walking Tour: Art in the Federal Triangle

Last week, a couple of us from the office  took a train to the AIA Convention, which this year was hosted in Washington, DC. Two and a half days filled with lectures, classes and an architectural materials expo began, for me, with a walking tour of the Federal Triangle.  Armed with a Metro Pass, a…

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Best of 2011

At the close of the year 2011, we want to thank you, our readers, for reading, for commenting, and hopefully, enjoying! We have compiled our top blogs of the year, based on interest from our newsletter readers and visitors to our site (with the help of our trusty ‘Mad Mimi’ and ‘Google Analytics’). TRAVELING ARCHITECT…

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New York High Line

For a very different perspective of Manhattan’s West Side, walk the High Line, a linear park elevated 20 to 30 feet above street level, where freight trains used to run through manufacturing neighborhoods. Currently running from Gansevoort Street in the West Village to 30th Street, it will continue West and North in a loop to the…

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Traveling Architect: Santa Fe

Oh, the colors, the smells and the sounds of Santa Fe! We have visited here a few times now, and every time, there are new discoveries. The landscapes are varied, and explorations to new areas are always rewarded with yet another beautiful view. The city is as old in its design as the art that…

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Santa Fe Opera

A lightning storm on the horizon provides a dramatic backdrop for the evening’s event. Photo,  Angelo Accomando The Santa Fe Opera is located 7 miles (11 km) north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch. John Crosby a New York-based conductor, founded the Santa Fe Opera in 1956. His goal was to give…

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Hotel Santa Fe and Picuris Pueblo

Interiors of the Santa Fe Hotel. Photos, Karin Patriquin The Santa Fe Hotel, owned by the people of the Picuris Puebo, is the only venture of its kind in the United States. It began in 1988 when local business people approached Picuris tribal leaders about a joint development. The agreement that ensued is a culturally-honorable…

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Traveling Architect: Old Montreal

In 1641 a group of 50 French men & women were recruited, on behalf of the Societe de Notre-Dame de Montreal, to set sail for “New France”.  Their mission was to convert the natives and create a model Catholic community.  These first settlers arrived on May 15, 1642 and founded Ville-Marie, the small colony that…

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The Culture and People of (Old) Montreal

  Montreal is one of the most active and social hubs of Canada.  Canadians flock to Montreal for its rich culture, diverse entertainment, and general social atmosphere.  Ever since prohibition in the U.S., Americans have flocked to this large and exciting city situated close to the American border.  And in 1967, Montréal welcomed the world to Expo 67, the world’s…

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Traveling Architect: Aruba

Aruba’s interior, seen from the Casibari rock formation. All photos, Angelo Accomando The furthest island in the Caribbean, a mere 15 miles from Venezuela, Aruba is the smallest of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). Its nearly constant sunshine and relatively arid weather coupled with miles of white sand and clear waters has made this…

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Cunucu Houses, Aruba

The earliest settlers to Aruba built their houses with ‘caliche’, a substance found on the island, or with interlocking coral rocks, found on its shores. The shape was a simple room with small windows and a roof that rose to a peak in the center to allow heat to rise and help keep the space…

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