Encapsulate

Kisho Kurokawa‘s Capsule Tower, located in the Ginza District in Tokyo defies gravity on many levels. In terms of physical gravity, it’s attached rather precariously to a support core that frankly appears to the untrained eye somewhat under-engineered. Another ode to the building’s persistance is its ability to push back redevelopment efforts in what is ...

Busy

It’s been a very busy and productive few weeks. San Francisco continues to charm the heart, more now than ever. I recently started a new job that has completely taken over my time (hence my sporadic posting of late). One of the benefits of the new job is the 10 minute (walking) commute, which includes ...

Animal City

One of the unexpected treats of moving to California is witnessing first hand the amazing abundance of interactions that occurs between urban environments and wildlife. From the sea lions at San Francisco’s fisherman’s wharf, to the occasional sighting of coyotes on hiking trails located right near the Golden Gate Bridge, the usual urban animal encounters ...

Sutro

Babylon

30-Something

On the 30-something floor of a New York Tribeca district apartment building, inhabited by a 30-something couple, a few shorts blocks away from Ground Zero, there was a cold sting on my face as I took this photo. It dawned on me that there aren’t too many apartment buildings that tall in Manhattan, and even rarer, ones ...

Cubism

Daniel Libeskind’s Contemporary Jewish Museum, located in the heart of the budding gallery district of Yerba Buena in downtown San Francisco, has enjoyed a remarkably smooth transition into the urban fabric. In a city that tends to be relatively conservative when it comes to architecture on the edge of mainstream design, the museum has not ...

No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s elevated train tracks, part of the New York subway system, fascinates me. Like triumphant herds, the thundering trains pop out the underbelly of Manhattan to strut their rumbling stuff, dominating people and buildings alike. The resulting structure, clad in a mysterious black finish, defines an underworld of storage facilities, parking lots and an eclectic collection of ...

The Giant Cross

I’ve always been fascinated by a rather large cross located in the heart of San Francisco, on Mount Davidson. Not knowing much about its origin brings me to speculate on what possible reasons could have brought this giant symbol of religion into a famously non-religious city. A quick search would no doubt render me an ...

Bridge Surfing

Another week, another bout of inclement weather in Northern California. Despite the persistent rain, San Francisco fortunately has hardy residents who are always willing to make lemonade out of lemons. .

At 2000 Feet

The City of San Francisco enjoys a much deserved reputation as being a city on the cutting edge. The Gay Pride movement achieved important milestones in the city’s history, there is a strong emphasis on the Arts, which is avidly supported by a large and well-educated population, and the renowned high quality of the cuisine ...

Double Take

The view of San Francisco downtown as seen from my neighborhood, Potrero Hill (sans double exposure, naturally), is one of the most pleasant things about living where I do. I see this view every time I go to my favorite coffee shop around the block, Farley’s, and count myself extremely lucky to live in such ...