Aronstam House by Pringle and Smith 1928 - Destroyed by Fire March 18, 2014

I should have taken 500 pictures. I was short of time on my first visit, my battery died on the second. I thought I'd never see it again and I was right - but for a different reason.<br /><br />Last Tuesday it burned. I blogged it in 2012 "<a href="http://architecturetourist.blogspot.com/2012/06/unstaged-academic-and-emotional.html">Unstaged, academic, and emotional: the Aronstam House by Pringle and Smith 1928 </a>." I'm replaying that post today with fire pictures and <i>my new comments italicized</i>. <br /><br />As I entered, I lost my focus and objectivity. I needed a plan, days of preparation, and a camera bigger than my head to take it in. So I just let go and wandered around. This is the most fun an architecture tourist can have on a weekday.<br /><br />Last Tuesday I spotted balloons on Ponce de Leon and turned down Lullwater. There it was, a hilltop Druid Hills mansion, almost 6000 square feet on a couple of acres, open for a few hours. You just don't get to do this unless you are in the business.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAkm05_Z_uEkOTUthl8x_Y586CsyBz7PWUGhhzbV4R2AK1nlxkfJiN6aBkq5pSdfPx_wnKJF0-JNkmv7AL-vZRCcXN9yLvCcXJOR622v7678IspDtJ21v5GuLF2v5hIshcb9VfVbSpyjJ/s1600/IMG_3560-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith.JPG"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAkm05_Z_uEkOTUthl8x_Y586CsyBz7PWUGhhzbV4R2AK1nlxkfJiN6aBkq5pSdfPx_wnKJF0-JNkmv7AL-vZRCcXN9yLvCcXJOR622v7678IspDtJ21v5GuLF2v5hIshcb9VfVbSpyjJ/s1600/IMG_3560-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><i>Sunday morning after the Tuesday night fire.</i><br /><br />It's by Pringle and Smith. I wondered if it was in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Francis-Atlantas-Scholar-Architect/dp/0820328987">Robert Craig's new book, "The Architecture of Francis Palmer Smith, Atlanta's Scholar Architect"</a> Yes it is, on pages 82-83, but that doesn't settle everything. The tax records say 1924, the book says 1928.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243670/" title="P1080881-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-view-from-street by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080881-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-view-from-street" height="518" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7299243670_76b23b0a97_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />It's way up there and a bit overgrown.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13433878933" title="IMG_3288-2014-03-26-Fire-834-Lullwater-Road-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Smith-1928 by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3288-2014-03-26-Fire-834-Lullwater-Road-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Smith-1928" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/13433878933_8b729272a1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>It was still smouldering on Wednesday morning, white haze with campfire smell.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243776/" title="P1080878-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-view-from-driveway by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080878-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-view-from-driveway" height="446" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7299243776_501558c8cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Robert Craig:<br />"For suburban dwellers in Druid Hills and Peachtree Heigths Park, a Georgian Revival residence brought adequate sophistication and elegance without the domineering scale or show of a palatial country house."<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528466104" title="IMG_3559-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3559-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/13528466104_5d6e20ea75_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>On Sunday you couldn't tell when the fire was. </i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243930/" title="P1080879-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Front-Door-Broken-Pediment-Swans-Neck by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080879-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Front-Door-Broken-Pediment-Swans-Neck" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7299243930_aa215c3027_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Robert Craig:<br />"...main focus is the elaborate entry-door frame. Here a broken swan's-neck pediment with an urn finial recalls... (the) south door of Westover..."<br /><br />This is a big house but it doesn't seem THAT big. It's just 5 bays.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528311413" title="IMG_3591-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3591-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/13528311413_ddfbb897bc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>It doesn't seem that big from the front but it's like there's a back house behind the front house.</i> <br /><br />It was a slog up the driveway to the front door, not girl scout cookie friendly. I doubt many folks used the front door.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528471964" title="IMG_3561-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3561-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/13528471964_99a2b2c881_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>One pilaster and the front door were still there, the "broken swan's-neck pediment with an urn finial" wasn't.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299244638/" title="P1080879-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Front-Door-Broken-Pediment-Swans-Neck-detail-3 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080879-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Front-Door-Broken-Pediment-Swans-Neck-detail-3" height="560" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7299244638_91d759259f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />As I approached, the house began revealing it age.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528528544" title="IMG_3589-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith-volutes by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3589-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith-volutes" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/13528528544_7c7a9b8772_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>Here's the left capital.</i><br /><br />Walk inside with me: The wall-papered foyer, the grand arch to the stair hall, to the dining room. On the right the library, to the left the living room and doorways to the to the enclosed porch and dining room.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gEakFUQy8Qw" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Robert Craig:<br />"...the formality of the facade has given way to the lifestyle of the modern suburbanite, and Pringle and Smith planning reflects the freer movement from room to room of occupants not governed by the authority of absolute classicism."<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528201015" title="IMG_3583-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3583-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/13528201015_7b4f48ede7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>The library.</i> <br /><br />I had just a few minutes.<br /><br />Mrs. Robinson said only two families lived there, one raised 5 children there but no one had lived there in more than a decade.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299242000/" title="P1080867-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Arch-Stairhall-Foyer by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080867-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Arch-Stairhall-Foyer" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7299242000_c3b74d24a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />It was the real thing. I was looking from the stair hall through the great arch across the foyer into the living room.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528208165" title="IMG_3587-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3587-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/13528208165_a2e830c8c8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><i>I felt like I should be there.</i> <br /><br />It had been cleaned out a bit but it hadn't been staged. It was in "lived-in" condition rather than move-in condition. The basement looked and smelled all of its nearly 90 years, a realistic smell, not a bad small.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299241540/" title="P1080865-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Greek-Key-Molding-Living-Room by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080865-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Greek-Key-Molding-Living-Room" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7299241540_443fe4c79a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I'd never seen Greek key in crown molding before.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528211325" title="IMG_3588-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3588-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5218/13528211325_9c4db45e8a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299241660/" title="P1080866-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Fireplace-Living-Room by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080866-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Fireplace-Living-Room" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7299241660_250f85fa56_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />Bulges, fluting, spider webs, and acanthus leaves are refined and quiet.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528215375" title="IMG_3590-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3590-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/13528215375_d0e72d571d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><i>The green tile in the now "hanging bath" caught my eye.</i> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299242116/" title="P1080870-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080870-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair" height="516" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7299242116_ce503c196b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The lower arch leads to the side door. Surely this area was a busy place for a family of 7. In<a href="http://architecturetourist.blogspot.com/2012/05/architectre-tourists-should-visit.html"> Shutze's Knollwood</a>, an elaborate stair is front and center, not here.<br /><br />Robert Craig:<br />"The 'front and center' entry of the Aronstam residence leads to a center hall, but ells to the right, halfway back, to reveal the main stair hall set off to one side."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243236/" title="P1080875-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair-looking-down-full by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080875-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair-looking-down-full" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7299243236_c639b17afe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I loved the stairs, sturdy and wide, lit from the north. I imagined kids banging their way up and down day and night.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528298713" title="IMG_3586-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3586-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/13528298713_10ce048abd_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><i>Here's a <a href="http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4017coll6/id/198">1908 picture of Stephenson Shale Brick Co.'s Plant, Lovick, Jefferson County, Ala.</a></i>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243416/" title="P1080876-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Upstairs-Hall by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080876-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Upstairs-Hall" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7299243416_5f71fa7e81_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The bedrooms are upstairs. They open to this big hall. What do "modern" folks do with a room like this?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299242538/" title="P1080872-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Jack-Jill-Bath by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080872-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Jack-Jill-Bath" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7299242538_1146f3a987_z.jpg" width="496" /></a><br />This is a Jack and Jill bath. The bathrooms aren't my style but I fell in love. They are all like this. I weep to think of them redecorated, gutted.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528237695" title="IMG_3565-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith-bathroom-detail by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3565-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith-bathroom-detail" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/13528237695_ab75205aee_z.jpg" width="595" /></a><br /><i>All the bathrooms were in this style. </i><br /><br />I was lost in thought when I realized I was alone, they were closing up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299242698/" title="P1080874-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Slate-Gutter-Dentil by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080874-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Slate-Gutter-Dentil" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7299242698_93274cf8f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I'd not seen anything and I'd wouldn't get another chance.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528179285" title="IMG_3573-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3573-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/13528179285_f5d2b09c20.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><i>Some shutters escaped the flames.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/7299243332/" title="P1080875-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair-looking-down-detail-BW by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="P1080875-2012-05-29-Pringle-and-Smith-home-834-Lullwater-1928-Stair-looking-down-detail-BW" height="566" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7299243332_1f85d7eded_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=84661859">Louis Aronstam</a> was president on <a href="http://www.southerngf.com/">Southern GF Steel</a> which remains a going concern after 100 years.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13528322263" title="IMG_3595-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith by Terry Kearns, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3595-2014-03-30-Burned-Aronstam-House-by-Pringle-and-Francis-Palmer-Smith" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5006/13528322263_52dbfd72fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />This was not fun. But I don't think this house is done.

Aronstam House by Pringle and Smith 1928 - Destroyed by Fire March 18, 2014

I should have taken 500 pictures. I was short of time on my first visit, my battery died on the second. I thought I'd never see it again...

Read more »

Maybe Make Manuel's More Transparent? City-Lovers Don't Go Out to Cocoon

<br />I had a Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) at <a href="http://www.americanafterlifebook.com/">Kate Sweeny's giant book-signing party</a>. <a href="http://www.manuelstavern.com/">Manual's</a> turns its back on the street, gives us a cold shoulder.  (See the footnotes for academic citations.)<br /><br />I understand: I never wanted my mom (or my boss) to catch me in a bar or worse: catch me underage in a bar smoking cigarettes. But that's not how we design these days and city-lovers don't go out to cocoon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTLGwGMXwCYFUIuMUhCbUCTRmYAld5n0svY__hlawDGHVlUDkHjRKxzqsS7aMbHZ_SE9xf0J_sEgNMo1sVBt6SfdgBSY47t0Okxlyu8D63R2duaxBDuDN31Np3Op_oH5_G_k_0Fx8C8J0/s1600/2014-03-14+Kate+Sweeney+American+Afterlife+book+launch+at.jpg"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTLGwGMXwCYFUIuMUhCbUCTRmYAld5n0svY__hlawDGHVlUDkHjRKxzqsS7aMbHZ_SE9xf0J_sEgNMo1sVBt6SfdgBSY47t0Okxlyu8D63R2duaxBDuDN31Np3Op_oH5_G_k_0Fx8C8J0/s1600/2014-03-14+Kate+Sweeney+American+Afterlife+book+launch+at.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />So this was outside. It was really rocking.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160418974/" title="IMG_2342 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2342" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/13160418974_f43fd96390_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Inside. <br /><br />How many times have you been at North Avenue and North Highland, the <a href="http://www.manuelstavern.com/">Manuels corner</a>? That would be thousands of times for me. It is the only place on North Avenue that is interesting and comfortable for pedestrians, the only place on North for worthwhile people watching.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13183130074/" title="IMG_2481 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2481" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/13183130074_239bffc6e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />See what catches your eye next time you are cruising North at North Highland. The <a href="http://atlanta.kingofpops.net/">King of Pops</a> in Buddy's parking lot contributes infinitely more life than our favorite bar.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160402634/" title="IMG_2322 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2322" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/13160402634_7fbc9c6eea_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160257313/" title="IMG_2334 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2334" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/13160257313_098e07ec1d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160250823/" title="IMG_2326 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2326" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2734/13160250823_94f4a964a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160418374/" title="IMG_2341 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2341" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/13160418374_736d138883_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160408154/" title="IMG_2327 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2327" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/13160408154_70349a7b1e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Outside.<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=141178" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=5f94ca6b60&photo_id=13160482234&hd_default=false"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=141178"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=141178" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=5f94ca6b60&photo_id=13160482234&hd_default=false" height="360" width="640"></embed></object> <br />Inside the <a href="http://wpbb-atl.com/">Wasted Potential Brass Band</a> was playing.<br /><br />Wasted potential is right. <br /><br />FOOTNOTES: <br /><br />My BFO came at <a href="http://www.greenprints.org/">GreenPrints,</a> where <a href="http://faculty.utah.edu/u0646355-REID_EWING/biography/index.hml">urbanism's lovability quantitative academic Reid Ewing</a> claimed that "transparency" is good stuff. I believe!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13136082733/" title="IMG_2252 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2252" height="600" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/13136082733_b1ac9d4b06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Of course: Transparency. My brain translated it as "eyes on the street" plus "people-watching."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13137904635/" title="IMG_2256 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2256" height="478" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2101/13137904635_5c4eabac79_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />It's got coefficients, t's, and p's. See<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Measuring-Urban-Design-Metropolitan-Planning/dp/1610911946"> Reid Ewing, Ph.D. – Metrics of Urbanism</a>.<br /><br />As usual <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Construction-Environmental/dp/0195019199">A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction</a> explains it in human terms. <br /><br />164. STREET WINDOWS<br />. . . any streets with people in them, these streets will only come to life if they are helped to do so by the people looking out on them, hanging out of windows, laughing, shouting, whistling . . . A Street Without Windows Is Blind And Frightening. And It Is Equally Uncomfortable To Be In A House Which Bounds A Public Street With No Window At All On The Street . . .<br /><br />165. OPENING TO THE STREET<br />. . . many places in a town depend for their success on complete exposure to the people passing by - far more exposure than a STREET WINDOW . . . This pattern defines the form of the exposure. . . . The Sight Of Action Is An Incentive For Action. When People Can See Into Spaces From The Street Their World Is Enlarged And Made Richer, There Is More Understanding; And There Is The Possibility For Communication, Learning . . .<br /><br />192. WINDOWS OVERLOOKING LIFE<br />Rooms Without A View Are Prisons For The People Who Have To Stay In Them . . .<br /><br />P.S.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/13160409794/" title="IMG_2329 by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2329" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/13160409794_db291d42ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/KateSweeney15">Congratulations Kate</a>.

Maybe Make Manuel's More Transparent? City-Lovers Don't Go Out to Cocoon

I had a Blinding Flash of the Obvious (BFO) at Kate Sweeny's giant book-signing party . Manual's turns its back on the street, give...

Read more »

The Hilan Theater Is In There, Did You Know?

<br />This great Atlanta neighborhood just can't support this space - but I hope I'm wrong. Maybe you have an idea? <br /><br />It had been wide open day and night so I finally walked in on February 27, asked if I could take some pictures. I love theaters and then there's the roof. This may be the only way you'll ever see inside.<br /><br />Folks are renovating the storefronts between Atkins Park Restaurant and Surin of Thailand where Ben and Jerry's, Starbucks, and Key Lime Pie were. <i>Curbed</i> wrote about it: <a href="http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2014/03/13/empty-vahi-spaces-may-fill-soon-but-about-that-theater.php">Empty Va-Hi Spaces May Fill Soon. But About That Theater…</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g3v72KrulXDhZWSnboo2ymIpo0qTgCf4qApsfK2nyGOJcuLDVWUq7MDbGfP-iY44a4qEMhQ7oLdGZf9cc7yXZyENoUOtO0EeUel4yurhk64oIqjJicbgdAQui1Nvo-EJ1BqfylmqRII_/s1600/IMG_1055-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park.jpg"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g3v72KrulXDhZWSnboo2ymIpo0qTgCf4qApsfK2nyGOJcuLDVWUq7MDbGfP-iY44a4qEMhQ7oLdGZf9cc7yXZyENoUOtO0EeUel4yurhk64oIqjJicbgdAQui1Nvo-EJ1BqfylmqRII_/s1600/IMG_1055-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />"A December 4, 1937, Boxoffice magazine obituary of Atlanta showman Louis Bach says that he built the Hilan Theatre in 1933<br /><br />"A few years after the theatre closed in 1969, it became the home of the Metropolitan Community Church." Currently ... ice cream parlor (Ben and Jerry's) and coffee shop (Starbucks) reside(d) in the space once occupied by the Hilan’s entrance and lobby." - <a href="http://www.firstmcc.com/about/history/">First Metropolitan Community Church</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820299805/" title="IMG_1094-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1094-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/12820299805_4ed5aeca9c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Did you know it was theater?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12911404555/" title="IMG_1571-2014-03-03-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-exterior by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1571-2014-03-03-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-exterior" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/12911404555_250d9e6d7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />From the Dark Horse in the back of Surin you can see the big boxy thing where the auditorium is. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820293325/" title="IMG_1091-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1091-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/12820293325_2d4b3aec51_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />From North Highland there's a long corridor back to the theater.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820229835/" title="IMG_1054-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1054-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/12820229835_c4d3a55321_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I think they renovated the auditorium hoping to attract the Cotton Club. What with parking, noise, and late night rock and rollers the neighborhood didn't go for it. The Cotton Club moved to the basement of the Tabernacle.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820356443/" title="IMG_1080-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1080-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/12820356443_e13b13b979_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />All dressed up and no place to go: Terrific renovation. They removed the sloped floor, there's a dance floor, a mezzanine, and a balcony, two bars.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820680624/" title="IMG_1075-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1075-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/12820680624_0f8d8c8f57_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />From the behind the balcony bar.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820272565/" title="IMG_1077-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1077-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/12820272565_7dc6502ba3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />They kept the good parts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820684884/" title="IMG_1078-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1078-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/12820684884_f811a665fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The proscenium style stage has it own behind-the-band balcony.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820695834/" title="IMG_1084-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1084-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/12820695834_0609ceec70_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I took this from the southern Juliet balcony.<br /><br />Maybe these will help give you a sense of the space.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820208725/">Panoramic video from the center stage</a> 30 seconds.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820233563/">Panoramic video from the southern Juliet balcony</a> 24 seconds.<br /><br /><b>Then there's the roof!</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12911515813/" title="IMG_1575-2014-03-03-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-exterior by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1575-2014-03-03-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-exterior" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/12911515813_b2acff0ec6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />There are two levels of rooftops up there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820245875/" title="IMG_1063-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1063-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/12820245875_4f7d910dec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />The first level.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820659084/" title="IMG_1064-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1064-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/12820659084_ed01e139f2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Looking down on North Highland. I want to party here.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820661494/" title="IMG_1065-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1065-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/12820661494_eeb759746f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />There's another level.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820345873/" title="IMG_1074-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1074-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/12820345873_1511347a45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Yeah... <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820338703/" title="IMG_1070-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1070-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/12820338703_c47b196a6a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />I want to party here too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820339943/" title="IMG_1071-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1071-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/12820339943_a5749dc3cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />To the north "Wolfmother" Mural by Matt Haffner commissioned by whitespace.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12969607034/" title="IMG_1069-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park  Druid Hills United Methodist Church Steeple through the trees detail by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1069-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park  Druid Hills United Methodist Church Steeple through the trees detail" height="453" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/12969607034_254c8d90d0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />To the east the steeple of Druid Hills Methodist designed by Ivey and Crook <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12969299913/" title="IMG_1068-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park Druid Hills Baptist Church detail by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1068-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park Druid Hills Baptist Church detail" height="453" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/12969299913_2680936c43_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />To the south the lantern at Druild Hills Baptist designed by Edward Bennett Dougherty<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12969240233/" title="IMG_1067-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park Druid Hills Presbyterian Church from North-detail by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1067-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park Druid Hills Presbyterian Church from North-detail" height="355" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/12969240233_6881cb2308_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />To the southwest Druid Hills Presbyterian designed by Francis Palmer Smith.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrykearns/12820654614/" title="-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park by clambake444, on Flickr"><img alt="-2014-02-27-Atlanta-Hilan-Theater-Atkins-Park" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/12820654614_2c8ce6a13b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />Now you know.

The Hilan Theater Is In There, Did You Know?

This great Atlanta neighborhood just can't support this space - but I hope I'm wrong. Maybe you have an idea? It had been wide open ...

Read more »