by Architectural Observer | Nov 1, 2016 | Blog, Drag Queen Architecture, Observations
Sometimes the choices made in historic preservation efforts aren’t always clear-cut. Increasingly, there is debate over what is worthy of preservation and what is not. Many years ago I photographed this vibrant 1960’s-vintage metal facade which...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 1, 2016 | Blog, Observations
Sometimes people get it wrong in their eagerness to “get it right”. This small addition to a late Victorian-era house is a good example. Whoever designed the addition (which is made of wood) clearly wanted to “respect” the original brick...
by Architectural Observer | Nov 1, 2016 | Blog, Observations
Here is a house which is a nominal example of Drag Queen Architecture. Aside from the decorative flourishes atop two windows, the only alterations to the character of this house were made with color. As a Colonial Revival style house – likely built...
by Architectural Observer | Oct 31, 2016 | Blog, Observations
In keeping with today’s Halloween theme, here are a few “mansard” roofs which should be enough to make even the most hardened Trick-or-Treater think twice before knocking: The following mansard-like roofs were grafted...
by Architectural Observer | Oct 31, 2016 | Blog, Observations
While every day can be architecturally frightening at the Architectural Observer, it seems fitting to commemorate our very first Halloween with some appropriate imagery:
by Architectural Observer | Oct 24, 2016 | Blog, Observations
Architectural illiteracy is increasingly evident – sometimes to the point of the absurd. Take quoins for example. Quoins are the big corner blocks you see on old brick and stone buildings. Their purpose is structural, not decorative, though they typically...
