This cast concrete block building on the edge of town makes use of this distinctive building material. Upon entering town this skinny vernacular cottage caught our attention for the detailed spindle work. The town of Occoquan originated in 1758 when John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. Grist mills, a foundry, and tobacco warehouses predominates. During … Read more
From the train sheds it is a short walk into the station. Whereas other stations are functional, this one is attractive to bringing people in like kings and queens. Warrington Plaza recognizes the planner who helped to start the NJ Transit system with the Hoboken station as the first property. This bank with Roman Ionic … Read more
South of the Border is a highly visible destination along the expressway for people travelling through South Carolina. Billboards precede it for hundreds of miles. We were struck by how few people we saw there while driving by. Its heyday as a tourist trap may be over, especially as new attracts like Buc-ees draw away … Read more
The entrance into Atlantic City gives a nice sense of arrival with these vertical pylons with stylized letters. A cluster of national chain stores makes it clear this is a shopping destination. The Nike store has pride of place while turning the corner towards the major resorts on the shore. Coach is located in the … Read more
Waterloo Village is a site with a cluster of historic buildings in various stages of revitalization. One is greeted by a gateway and information building at the entrance just off of the parking lot. Among the first buildings is a compact New England church with round arched sash windows and a bell tower with spire. … Read more
This morning on the weekly Strategic Doing talk I was reminded of the credo for Strategic Doing. It’s been exciting to me as a Strategic Doing Practitioner to watch these ideas grow. This discipline has proven effective to build collaborations quickly and achieve scale with better coherence and communication. Work has been done to form … Read more
During a visit to Dallas we were able to drop in with our friends at Better Block. Between our last visit and this one they upgraded to a larger space. Their methodology has also been refined. Typically a 150 plus day pre-build process helps to define what people want to see happen in places they … Read more
Taylor House was built in the 1860s. Originally it stood across the street. It was sold in 1868 to Armstead Joshua Taylor, a cabinetmaker. He married Tabitha Jane Scott, daughter of Collin County pioneer Preston Scott. The Taylors operated the house as an inn for traveling salesmen or “drummers.” Because overnight lodging was available for … Read more
Highland Park Village in Dallas is a prime example of the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style. The complex features seven detached one- and two-story buildings arranged around an interior surface parking area and a central plaza. The buildings are designed with arched doors and windows, imported red tile roofs, overhanging balconies, and ornate tile work, … Read more
Approaching the Presidential Center one is struck by the squat design and the geometric massing. Stone-clad piers somewhat resemble columns as they reach out to people approaching. This geometric organization of the exterior is reflected in the main atrium space inside. A multi-story opening has a wood coffered ceiling high above floor level. Along the … Read more