So the idea came to us one Saturday in September 2015 while we were borrowing a power washer from a friend. When taking the nasty grime off of our retaining wall, what if by not removing a small amount we left a message behind? We had seen other examples of elaborate patterns being created through … Read more
Cleveland is a vibrant city in southeastern Tennessee, serving as the county seat of Bradley County. Known as a major regional manufacturing hub with a rich history, it functions as the principal municipality of the Cleveland metropolitan area. The city effectively blends classic Southern charm, a low cost of living, and immediate proximity to abundant … Read more
We had a short time to visit Atlanta. While doing so we sought to capture some of the placemaking and character of this distinctive and growing town. Outdoor dining is one of the building blocks of a vibrant public space. Here the railing creates a sense of architectural enclosure while also being semi-transparent to passers … Read more
All across the country in every state there are dedicated professionals serving as an intermediary between the National Park Service in Washington that administers the Federal historic preservation program and people doing work in preservation at the state and local level. Most people have never even heard of the State Historic Preservation Office for their … Read more
This open span dome is among the largest in the U.S. Today it is a historic hotel where people can visit and stay the night. In town we found this trompe l’oeil mural depicting vintage storefronts to be a clever use to break up a blank wall of a historic building.
Parklets in West Palm Beach during our visit ranged from traditional to the whimsical. Sculpture made from piping and painted a bright yellow color serves dual purposes. It draws attention to the parklet. Second, for vehicles parking, it gives a warning of how close the parking space is to the parklet. Third, in the worst … Read more
Tactical Urbanism Workshop, National Main Streets Conference, Atlanta, Georgia (March 2015) Have no money and want to fix your downtown? No problem. We’ll show you ten ways you get started restoring your downtown for $500 or less. Tactical urbanism and temporary interventions will be explored in depth. Participants will be given hands-on opportunities to build … Read more
This panorama shows the Titanic exhibit in the foreground while the Smoky Mountains are to the right in the background. This juxtaposition of tourist activities against the scenic and natural landscape very much captures the setting of Pigeon forge. Many of the attractions are designed for families and kids. Shows are another staple such as … Read more
During our visit in February 2015, it was on a typically frigid Michigan mid-winter day. The temperatures were low and the wind was blowing. Still we enjoyed visiting this compact multi-block downtown. As neighboring Ann Arbor has boomed, many companies have located in Saline benefiting from close proximity to Ann Arbor with lower rents. One … Read more
