Architecture – RDZ Photography

Hawaii – November 2018 – Day 18 Art and History of Maui

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Sciences, Transportation

Day 18 of the Hawaii trip is a travel day, so we stayed fairly close to the airport for our late afternoon flight. We found a number of interesting artistic and historic sites to visit.

First up was the Sacred Gardens. This location seemed to be part gardens, part religious, part cosmic and more.

They did have a ‘Buddha Garden’, with some nice sculptures.

Their claim to fame though is their labyrinths.

Just down the road is the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center. Situated on the grounds of a former sugar plantation owner, there are a number of buildings for various uses including a tiny high school.

The grounds are immaculate.

Makai Glassworks is located in another former sugar plantation. We were able to observe the artist at work.

In the same area, but off the tourist path, is the Dingking surfboard shop.

A true find, they make custom surfboards.

In addition to the surfboards, they do other custom woodwork including this great canoe.

But their specialty is surfboards.

Our next stop was the Surfing Goat Dairy, and as our directions had us turn into the road we were amazed that a dairy would have such a fancy entrance – until we realized the entrance was for a neighborhood of multi million dollar houses, and the dairy was off to to the side.

But they did have goats, and surfboards.

While most of the employment in Maui now is tourism, they once had thriving businesses in agriculture, primarily the sugar plantations and pineapples. They even once had railroads to bring the goods to the port, as evidenced by this former railroad office.

In my 3 weeks in Hawaii I did not see 1 railroad track (although there are apparently a couple of historic railroads around).

Sugar cane processing was once a big business, but it is all now gone. This was the last processing plant, and it closed a few years ago.

The history is celebrated by a museum housed in the former superintendents home.

The interior has a nice display of the people and lifestyles of the plantation life. Outside they have some of the equipment used in the processing.

This truck and trailer was used to bring in massive amounts of the sugar cane into the factory.

While these large claws picked up the cane in the fields.

A quick stop at Target – where they are ready for Christmas Hawaiian style.

And a great Hawaiian pizza – and it was off for our flights to Kauai.

Hawaii – November 2018 – Day 11 Lahaina, Maui

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Our trip brought us to Lahaina, on Maui. One of the oldest settlements in Hawaii, it was once the royal capital of Maui Loa.

Today it is a center of tourism (as is most of Hawaii).

We were anchored just off shore where we had great views of the houses and boats along the coast.

Another day – another great Hawaiian rainbow.

Meanwhile the first mate casually monitored the situation.

While the crew readied the skiffs.

Once on the skiff, we headed towards shore.

But first, a dolphin show (not planned, just lucky).

Once on ground, we made our way to the famed Banyan tree of Lahaina. Planted in 1873, it is the largest banyan tree in America, covering almost 2 acres.

We took a walk around town…

To check out some of the historic buildings…

Including the former prison.

Some colorful houses.

And a great mailbox.

Eventually it was time to leave Lahaina.

With one last look…

We sailed off into the sunset.

Hawaii – November 2018 – Day 3 One Final Day on Oahu

Architecture, Nature

Our final day in Honolulu started out with the obligatory tourist trek up Diamond Head.

For those who don’t know Diamond Head is the most famous landmark in Honolulu. The mountain is the remains of a volcano approximately 500,000 years old.

Once you make it to the top of the 750′ mountain, the cauldron is apparent.

Situated in the east side of Honolulu, it is surrounded by nice neighborhoods.

Because it is at the east end of the island, the Diamond Head lighthouse is located at the base to warn ships.

Our hike complete, we headed downtown to check out the historic buildings, including the post office.

Easily the most famous is Iolani Palace, and the statue of King Kamehameha.

Across the street was the royal residence

Inside the Palace

A secondary building on the property.

Nearby is the Hawaii State Capital

There are numerous other historic buildings downtown.

Our architecture tour complete, we headed for the last part of the island we had yet to see, the South Shore.

After returning to our hotel, I spent some time doing close ups of the Waikiki Hotels.

And the nearby mountains.

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 1

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Our Chicago Open House weekend started on Friday, before the official event started on Saturday. We made our own tour of places that were open.

James Thompson Center – Designed by Helmut Jahn, the Thompson Center is a 17 story curved glass building housing many government offices. From the interior all 17 floors are visible in the impressive atrium.

On the plaza in front of the building is a sculpture from Jean Dubffet called Monument with Standing Beast. Standing at 29’ high, the sculpture weighs in at 20,000 pounds.

Cook County Office Building – A classical 12 story office building located in the government section of downtown Chicago, to me it is most famous for where the Blues Brotthers went to pay the property tax for the childrens home (and yes the Cook County Assessors office is located in this building).

The building has the classic Art Deco look on the interior.

Chicago Temple – The First United Methodist Church of Chicago was the first church to be founded in the city, even before it was a city, in 1831. In 1838 it moved to it’s current location at the corner of Washington and Clark.

In the early 1920s with downtown Chicago rapidly developing the church debated selling their valuable land and moving out to one of the neighborhoods. Eventually they decided on a novel approach, build a skyscraper with a church included, and in addition, put a chapel on the top. The result was a 568’ tall building with what is to this day the highest church from street level in the world.

The first level has a traditional church.

Known as the Sky Chapel, it was part of the original building but not fully completed until 1952 as a gift from the family of the Walgreen’s Drug Store founder.

To this day the church is self funded by the rents paid by other tenants in the building, allowing it to fully focus on serving the diverse community it serves.

Outside is some unique art.

Marshall Field’s (Macy’s) Tiffany Dome – With over 1.6 million pieces it is the largest Tiffany mosaic in existence. Designed by Louis Tiffany in 1907, over 50 artisans worked on scaffolding for 18 months to complete this amazing masterpiece.

The Pedway hosts a collection of stained glass.

Some general scenes around the city.

A tourist boat on the Chicago River.

One of the lift bridge control buildings frame by a 60 floor building.

Classic Chicago – The Merchandise Mart with a Brown Line El train coming in.

Old street light and new skyscrapers.

Up Wells Street from the 10th floor of a parking garage.

A building along Madison Street.

Millennium Park

Cloud Gate is a public sculpture located in Millennium Park. While the artists inspiration was liquir mercury, it is commonly referred to as The Bean. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The buildings along East Randolph Street.

Pritzker Pavilion – A Frank Gehry design, the pavilion is a band shell that hosts numerous events each year. For this mid October night it was quiet, but still stunning with it’s red lighting.

Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States. From this part of the park, you get a great view of one of the modern additions along with the Michigan Avenue skyline.

tomorrow the official events starts.

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 3

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Day 3 of touring the city with Open House Chicago started with another building that is not officially part of the tour – Union Station.

Union Station is in my opinion the second best train station in America (Grand Central Terminal is first, and the Washington Union Station is tied with this one).

You make a grand entrance down the staircase.

Past the Corinthian Columns…

A quick look back up the stairs…

And you are in the Main Hall.

Unlike Grand Central, Union Station still has the cool old wooden benches.

On this early Sunday morning there were about 20 people in the Great Hall, and 15 of us were taking photos.

The 100-400mm provides close up of the details on the ceilings.

And the tops of the columns.

Even the Amtrak ticket office has a good look to it.

More classic touches.

While the Amtrak ticket office matched the building this ugly kiosk does not.

The Amtrak business class lounge is new but matches the look and feel of the rest of the station.

Across (underneath) Canal Street is another newer section of the station.

Leaving Union Station we headed down West Jackson Street toward our first official Open House Chicago stop of the day.

But not before passing this great new addition to downtown Chicago, with a massive map of the Chicago River up the entire side of the building.

200 West Jackson Street – The Open House Chicago spot was a 28th floor tenant lounge in a recently remodeled building.

Even though we were on the 28th floor, the Willis/Sears Tower towered over us.

A collection of south loop buildings.

Additional south loop buildings.

Just down the street is the Chicago Board of Trade – one of the classics.

This is Art Deco at it’s finest.

We have been here before, but our New York friend had not – what better way to show him what Chicago has than to come into this lobby!

While minimalist, the elevators are classic Art Deco as well.

As cool as the lobby is – the basement holds another treat, this massive vault door and safe deposit box room.

For the really important stuff – a vault inside a vault.

The security guard/stand up comedian entertained the crowd with his description of the room, and it’s history. He said all he really wanted to be was Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman – and I think he could do it. What a hoot, and informative.

This box is reputed to have belonged to Al Capone.

to be continued…..

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 4

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Open House Chicago continues….

After finishing our tour of the Board of Trade Building we were a bit early for 111 West Jackson, as it didn’t open until 10 AM.

With our time we toured one of the best blocks in Chicago – South Dearborn between Jackson and Congress. The Fisher, Plymouth, Old Colony, Manhattan and Monadnock all are in the same general area

All were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s with amazing detail.

The streetlights in the area retain the classic look.

Of all of them, the Monadnock is the most important. Built in 1891 it continues to this day at the largest load bearing brick building in the world.

While the Fisher Building has these ornate cornices.

The nearby Harold Washington Library adds some bling to the neighborhood.

All of the buildings are worthy of close ups of the detail.

The Chicago School of Architecture (a style – not a specific educational facility) was famous for it’s use of bay windows.

Another cool street light.

Views straight up show the detail underneath.

My New York friend was stunned and amazed at the massive external fire escapes. Note that they were manufactured locally.

Finally 111 West Jackson was open for viewing from their 25th floor outdoor deck.

This deck offered a wide view of the south loop skyscrapers from the Willis/Sears Tower to Chase Tower (aka 10 South Dearborn).

Over on Michigan Avenue we paid a return visit to the Railway Exchange Building.

The lobby is vastly different as the Chicago Architecture Foundation has moved to a new location, and taken the model with them. Personally I think the lobby looks better without the model.

On the upper floors we visited two different architectural firms.

Both still feature the cool view of the 17 story atrium.

As well as commanding views of the park and lake (along with some of the building detail just outside the window).

A southeast view towards Grant Park.

The skylights at the very top of the Railway Exchange Building. An amazing building completed in 1904.

The architecture firm on the 17th floor had some models displayed.

The top floor is also known for the portals for windows.

to be continued…..

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 5

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Chicago Open House weekend concludes ….

Another ‘non official’ stop – The Chicago Athletic Club

For 122 years it was a private club.

That has recently been opened as a boutique hotel.

The lower two floors are public space that we were welcome to tour – as long as we didn’t take photos with the SLR cameras.

But fortunately iPhones take decent photos, including the classic bar.

The game room retains that feel of a private club.

As well as the lobby.

Interestingly the Chicago Cubs ‘borrowed’ the Athletic Club’s logo in the 1880s.

Chicago Cultural Center

Built in 1893 as the Central Library it has housed the Cultural Center since the 1970s.

Entrance to the stairway from the Preston Bradley Hall.

Another view of the Hall with a glimpse of the highlight.

A 38′ Tiffany Dome – many claim this to be the largest in the world.

The dome and light are stunning.

Directly across the street is Millennium Park.

333 North Michigan Avenue

The Eastlake Studio on the 26th floor was open – featuring a terrace with great views.

A perfect spot for checking out the iconic Wrigley Building.

The Jewelers Building, with a large collection of details at the top (when this building was built who did they think would be able to see these 400′ up — but they are impressive from this vantage point.)

A close up of the Wrigley Building clock.

A view across the river to a terrace on Chicago’s second tallest building that will remain nameless.

A mix of old and new (with reflections of old).

One of the reliefs in 333 North Michigan Avenue.

Another nearby vintage skyscraper’s upper detail.

Everybody was taking photos.

For a nice Sunday afternoon the tourists boats were empty – everyone was attending the Open House Chicago events.

Up Michigan Avenue and the Hancock Tower with the Lincoln Park Beach in the background.

Back on the street we passed the Jewelers Building, with this great clock.

A repeat visit from last year is 150 North Riverside, and the view from the 27th floor. Interestingly they had the north end of the empty floor blocked, which was disappointing as this had the best views, but there were still some great shots.