This is the first project in New York City for Alvaro Siza. It is currently under construction. The limestone cladding is very impressive. Large windows make this structure open to natural light. The proximity to the Hudson River gives great views. It seems to fit the surroundings and other tall buildings in the area. I am not sure why every structure he does is white. This is natural stone but mostly white. This is my favorite residential structure desgined by Siza. Living in this structure would guarantee spectacular views. The $1.26 million dollar cost for a 1 bedroom might be slighly prohibitive though.

This is another strange one from 1974. It reminds me of the modular prison cells I used to deliver around the country. The steps seem impractical. Why would you want to carry everything up steps when there is no need? The only good thing I can see about the design is that there is no way to easily break in. You would need a ladder or burglary tools to enter anywhere except the staircase.

This design also forces you to see your neghbors everytime they enter or leave. It is a long wide passage between rows of buildings where everything is quite visible. From the second story windows it is even more visible. I’m not sure everyone would enjoy being so close to their neighbors.

This is a very recent design for Alvaro Siza. It is an office complex for a large chemical plant in China. There are many aspects of this design that I find pleasing. The setting is on the water which seems to go on forever. The building juts out on thse long flat bridges which gives the appearance that it is floating on the water. I like when ugly things like a pond can serve a dual purpose. I would assume the water is used to cool the plant and justifies its existence. There isn’t much information about the building to determine if the building also uses water for cooling and heating.

Everything I’ve read about this Alvaro Siza’s design is that it is a beautiful blend with nature and how water is the source of life and how it is a delightful mind inspiring design. It looks like some Soviet era ugly cement blocks with a pool tied into the rocks. I don’t get it. I guess it was so ugly that it was abandoned for number of years. Only recently has it reopened. It is also weird how people are laying in the sand next to the structure instead of some sort of deck or place to gather. The first high tide and you get washed away is another problem. Lots of reasons to not praise this design.

My mother was estranged from her father until sometime in the early 1980s. He had remarried and raised 3 step children unbeknownst to my mother. After my grandmother died he wrote a letter to my mother and asked permission to contact her. After that they became acquainted on a summer trip with my family. I remember visitng a number of vacation destinations in the Pacific Northwest where he lived, but the Astoria Column was one of the most memorable. I believe it was a trip down the Columbia river and then over to Oregon coast that summer. This was one of the first things we encountered.

The story I am reading about the Astoria column is interesting. I wasn’t aware that some restoration has occured in the last few years. I don’t remember the murals being as vibrant but I do remember the views of the Columbia River and the landscape around it. It is quite a bit older than I thought also. It was built in 1926 on a 12 acre city park. It is 164 steps to the top and 125 feet tall. Definitely something to see in Oregon.

This building is where my father worked for 20 years at the Fresno County Planning Commission. It is the tallest building in Fresno. For me it always symbolized my dad was doing important work since he was in this giant buiding overlooking the City of Fresno.

My dad worked a regular schedule they called 9/80 which meant he had every other Friday off of work. I always felt like he had another life or family when he would talk about people he interacted with and projects he was working on. His main job was writing large documents reviewing different planning tasks. I never had any interest in this as a career but I always envied the camraderie and relationships he had at work.

You may have heard of the Developer that built this building. He was a Fresno native and went on to build casinos in Las Vegas and senior living communities near Phoenix and Sun City, Florida. Today it is part of the Pulte homes company. They use the Dell Webb branding.

It is somewhat of a tragic story, but my grandmother died when I was very young. Her mother, my great grandmother, also died fairly young. My mother was able spend a lot of time with her grandmother before she died and she told her stories about growing up in Jolon, California on a cattle ranch. The historical marker calls it the Jose Maria Gil Adobe.

There was 260 acres of prisitine farm land in the Santa Lucia Mountains. He was born in Madrid Spain December 14, 1821. His father was from Scotland and went to Spain to be married. Hi parents ended up moving to America and Settling in Herongariquero, Mexico. At the age of 21 he moved to California to find gold. He was fairly successful and was able to settle at this adobe.

He had such a large family. There were 16 children. Some were still living when I was alive up until his last child, my great aunt, passed away in her 90’s. I was able to have some connections to my ancestors and visit the adobe with my great aunt.

I have a few pictures of the adobe which isn’t spectacular. It has undergone some preservation efforts over the years to prevent deterioration, but nothing is really restored. It is is located on the Hunter Liggett Military Reserve which is goverment land. You need special permission to visit so I have only visited once.

My great great grandmother was a native California indian. I think that makes me 1/32 which isn’t much. Their tribe was put in the missions and eventually disappeared. There are some people trying to revitalize the tribe and have ceremonies which is interesting. I have included a few photos of the adobe and my ancestors.