Book: The Second Empress

Just finished reading The Second Empress by Michelle Moran. Her books are historical fiction written from the perspective of fascinating women. I've now read most of them. This one was about Napoleon's second wife. Fun quick read though sometimes a bit gruesome. Glad I wasn't living in France during the Napoleonic wars!

Event Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 12:00-1:30pm

... a studio tour of Patrick J. Ruane, one of San Francisco’s premier plastering firms. Founded in 1940 by brothers Patrick and Malachy Ruane, the company currently employs a work force of artisans and craftsmen that use time honored techniques of the past to retain and restore historic buildings. Ruane is currently working on the reconstruction and restoration of the decorative plaster ceiling and walls at the San Francisco Mining Exchange Building, located at 350 Bush Street. The tour will include a discussion of the reconstruction process and include a demonstration of the casting process. See more info.

Building destruction in London

The riots in London have destroyed several Victorian era buildings. It is rare to see anyone write about buildings during times of human violence but this article is very well written and points to what the destruction of buildings might represent. Enjoy article here.

Albion Castle for sale

The Albion Castle in Hunters Point is for sale for 1.1 million. Anyone in the market for an eccentric landmark should check this out.

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

I heard this quote on the radio several months ago. Apparently no one is really sure who to attribute it to. I don't necessarily agree with the quote but I like the idea of "dancing about architecture".

First Architectural Model

In honor of the 450th Anniversary of St. Basil's Cathedral (also being celebrated on Google's homepage today) I am posting a picture of my first architectural model. Why a ten year old girl in California decided to build a cardboard model of St Basil's at the end of the Cold War, I don't know. But I do remember a sense of awe that a building could be so whimsical and fantastic.

FLW Gas Station to restore signage

The only gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is getting some of it's signage restored. The R. W. Lindholm service station opened in 1958 in Cloquet, Minnesota and the sign has been in storage since it was taken down years ago. Check out the full article.