Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Buildings of Yore

I don't know why but there's something just plainly attractive to me about these buildings in Louisville. After seeing them, and the lego buildings over at Greater Greater Washington, it made me wonder why its so hard to build like this anymore. I mean if you can do it with legos... Granted the lego buildings are a little bit over the top, but who could complain about density that looks so clean as that strip in Louisville.

Speaking of Louisville, its an interesting case. It's not a city I hear much about but Broken Sidewalk has brought it to life. The only other contact I've come in with Louisville was when I was looking over thier long range transit plan a few months ago. They have a robust plan, but thats all it is. A plan on a shelf. In fact, they must have taken out the maps that show the transit corridors because I can't find them now. "Waiting until funding is available." Here is another place that needs a bit of a push. If offered funding for a complete system through a better federal match, perhaps that would get the wheels rolling. Some places need a bigger push than others.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.dpmkits.com/

Jeff take a look at these kits.

Also have you ever noticed around this time of year with all the Christmas decorations to see people set up small town like things?

http://www.department56.com/

It's as strange as it is ironic at times.

In transit, Andrew

Pedestrianist said...

Part of the reason you don't see buildings like that anymore is that developers save money by building on larger lots, and cities to what developers tell them to, and consolidate lots.

Look at Mission bay. Whoever argues that each building had to have its own block ought to be shown the way to San Jose.

Contrast that with stretches downtown or many other old neighborhoods and you'll see 25-foot wide buildings that take your breath away. Each one may be forgettable, but the street wall they form beats a granite and glass megastructure any day.