The Volunteer Park Conservatory (Part 3 of 3), Continuing a Rich Cultural Tradition

October 04, 2010 in Urban Living, Design Thoughts

Built cultural spaces, as we understand them today, were far fewer in the 19th century even if one accounts for a smaller population.

Building the Future (Part 2 of 3). The Tectonic Heritage of the Volunteer Park Conservatory.

September 30, 2010 in Technical Tips, Urban Living

Without the convenience of modern sealants, glass house pioneers used the overlap of the glass provided by their shingling to keep out water, with the bottom edge scalloped to ensure the water droplets fell from one piece of glass to another as they cascaded down the glass skin.

A culture of bicycling

September 27, 2010 in Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Urban Design, Urban Living

I came across a recent film on cargo bikes in Denmark that reminded me of the two months that Grace spent in Copenhagen in 2004. The photo here is from a neighborhood in Copenhagen called Christiania ("The Freehaven"), but we certainly came across them everywhere. We made friends with a family whose father regularly shuttled his two kids around in one that looked as comfortable as any stroller seen here in the US. Here's the short film:

http://www.streetfilms.org/cycling-copenhagen-through-north-american-eyes/

Unfortunately, we've still got a ways to go before I'll be comfortable with my daughter in our bike trailer on the streets of Seattle. I don't mind dedicated bike lanes, but sharrows don't do it for me...and seeing drivers texting on their phones while near me is unnerving.

It does seem there's a tremendous opportunity for American-made cargo-style bikes, which would hopefully make them more affordable (see CETMA, below). Obviously, even $3K is still substantially less than the annual costs associated with car ownership.

http://dutchbikeco.com/_product_77092/Bakfiets_Cargobike_2009

http://www.cetmacargo.com/

The hills of Seattle also dictate proper gearing...very, very low to get up some hills. Here's a pic of Ella & Julia outside of Velo Bike Shop on our way up to Volunteer Park.

This Equinox Trailer is still manufactured in Oregon, and I like the flexibility of the system that they've designed. My aunt & uncle have loaned us their trailer, but even though it's 20-years old, I could still get upgraded seat and hitch components that fit:

http://www.equinoxtrailers.com/

Volunteer Park Cafe

September 19, 2010 in Business & Practice, Urban Living

For long time residents, change can be hard to adjust to. But change developed from within and nurtured by those who already there, may be seen as no change at all, but merely a manifestation of what was already there.

National Parking Day Capitol Hill

September 17, 2010 in Urban Living

[caption id="attachment_315" align="alignleft" width="700" caption="1720 12th Ave Seattle"][/caption] Below are some images of our set up for our National Park(ing) Day event. Much thanks to Ragen & Associates for the potted plants and labor http://www.ragenassociates.com/ and People's Republic of Koffee http://www.yelp.com/biz/peoples-republic-of-koffee-seattle for the loaning us their picnic benches. Stop by to eat your lunch, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy our park for the day!