Tag: architecture

Falling Water

M's Adventures

Radical open plan living was shocking in the 1930s in Pennsylvania. This is one of the things you learn when visiting Falling Waters, the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Falling Waters is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The inside living area was low, cool, and open.

Visiting Falling Waters makes for a long day trip (a 3.5 hour drive each way) from Washington, DC. Falling water is a popular site so make sure to buy tickets beforehand. The tour is about an hour. Be warned that there are many steps.

The house is built over a water fall and one can see how this was a calming retreat from the bustle of the big city.

The amenities are super. The visitors center is well designed and has a cafe, shop, bathrooms, and lots of comfy chairs.

Falling Water is so secluded that your cell phones will not work out there. The WIFI is spotty at best.

The building is being renovated.

We visited during off season which was cool and peaceful.

The World’s Tiniest Front Porch

M's Adventures

In a world of territorial conflicts, there is a quintessentially American space that is sought and claimed — the front porch. In America, having a front porch is a sign of pride. A place where one can sit outside and enjoy the evening, the fresh air, the sunset — whatever it is that makes you feel like the king of your castle.

You can read some of the history of the front porch here. Basically, the porch is the in between space, a greeting space for the house, a place to cool off during hot weather, and a social space that is not all the way in the house but also not on the street. Sometimes called a deck, patio, stoop, or veranda, the front porch is something else.

From the 19th century until World War II, houses had a porch, including upstairs (often for sleeping outside during the hot nights). Then air conditioning became much more affordable and house design focused more on backyards. Modern houses are often built with a porch for nostalgia but people do not seem to sit out on their front porches anymore.

It makes me admire those who still insist on having a front porch, no matter the size.

Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse

M's Adventures

Unique experiences are often retro. The Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse on Columbia Pike in South Arlington is one of those places. Long before the lounger style dine in movie theaters, one could go to the Drafthouse and watch a show while eating dinner. Built in 1940 in art deco style, it was originally called “Arlington Theater & Bowling Alleys” as it was part of a larger recreational center which included a bowling alley. In 1985, new owners took over and created the dine-in concept. In 2007, the ownership changed again and live entertainment was allowed at the drafthouse.

This is how I came to see a stand up comedian perform live. I saw Michael Kosta for $35. He even took photos with us afterwards.

To this day, one can still get pizza and a beer, but the menu also includes vegan burgers, quesadillas, lava cake, and cocktails named after movies. And of course, popcorn. The tickets for the show are separate from the food an drink. The staff manage the entire food service while you sit watching the show.

As the cuisine at the drafthouse is perhaps not haute cuisine, that strip of Columbia Pike has many other options for before or/and after.

Houses of DC

M's Adventures

Washington, DC, is the capital of the US but also home to almost three quarters of a million people. The architecture is varied and increasingly high rise. Driving around DC, I realize how much I do not know about the architecture or history of DC. For a guide to the basic styles of homes in DC, check out this link.

Tallin, Estonia

M's Adventures
“Short Leg” Street so named because it is a short cut to the top of the old town.

In the fall, I decided to visit some of the former “iron curtain” countries and I decided to start at the top. Estonia is small but lovely.

Tallin is a wonderful old medieval town with modern technology and efficiency. The architecture in the old town was delightfully old and out of a fairytale.

Much of the town is Baroque and from the 17th century. I like the older bits better.

The Mother of All Buildings

M's Adventures

The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia) has survived so much history that it seems impossible for more stories to be added to her walls. But, she can support it all. One of my favorites, this is possibly the greatest building ever built.

Heavenward illumination

Come visit Istanbul and the Hagia Sophia!

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