REVIEW OF ARCHITECTURE - Triangle Modernist Houses

m.,:'tgftrs#lffirffitfrsffi#ffi38:ffi' ffi $,rffi;"ffi *\;lrx',Y#'H'..$MASS TRANSPORTATION_STREETCARSIt was fascinating to me to observe thevariety of street cars that occurredthroughout my travels. Since {nass transportationis one of the coming ingredientsof our future urban areas, it is advantageousto realize that this is an opportunityto incorporate a great deal ofcharm, scale, detail, and design into theurban fabric.36. A street car in a European city.ENTRANCESEntrances to wherever we go are indeedone of the most important architecturalphilosophical, anticipated, or unanticipatedhappenings that the human experiencesduring life. One always expects torecognize the fact that he has arrived whenentering a country, city, or building. Unfortunately,so many times it happens ashas been expressed by others before-ARCHITECTURE/I8"When you get there, there is no there."This ingre_dient, in its own appearance,can call one's attention to this importantpoint of tension needed in our environment.37. An entrance for a bridge crossing inLucerne, Switzerland.WALLS OF OUR CITIESThe rnan in the street is subjected towhat he sees as he walks down the streetsof our cities. Perhaps Park Avenue is agood example for discussing the elementsof street facades. Th is street originallystarted out to be brick buildings and stonebuildings lines straight down the street.Then along came the Lever House and theother buildings which were placed backfrom the property line and also took onglass surfaces. Then trees were introducedon these plazas of the new buildings givingthe facades of buildings a softeningeffect as the observer walked down thestreet. The handling of these plannedcourses of travel in our cities is the basisof creating desirable spaces to spend ourtime. The following pictures review someof the street facades that impressed me.38. This small village high in the Alps ofSwitzerland really offers a panoramatype facade due to the building placements.This freedom of placement isa good ingredient to incorporate intonew cities, not adhering to the gridsystem.39. A graceful descent of buildings onthis facade of a Swiss village.40. Note the little shops on the streetlevel how they have a sidewalkabove.41. This picture of the Piazza San Marcooffers one of the richest facades theworld knows.42. Florence, ltaly again as one crossesits famous Ponte Vechio Bridge.43. Notice the relief incorporated in thisstreet wall of Morat, Switzerland.