Wednesday, April 27, 2011

DSA Tries Out a New Linear Paver for the Farmington Canal Greenway





DSA is hoping to use the linear pavers depicted in the video above for the final stretch of the Farmington Canal Greenway that it is currently designing.  Test subject Kai Sakamoto demonstrates that the paver can provide a comfortable riding surface for a standard wide-tire bike.


Although this choice of material is a big improvement over the steel grating that was originally considered for the riding surface, there is still a question of whether the grooves between the pavers might make cycling with thin racing bike tires difficult.


Cyclists, let us know what you think.


Note: those wishing to try out the paver for themselves should visit Kroon Hall at 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Minoru Yamasaki's architectural legacy takes another hit - this time from Mother Nature

The Yamasaki Associates designed Lambert-St. Louis International Airport took a direct hit from the tornado last Friday. Remarkably, both the terminal and the architect's legacy remains intact! Yamasaki (1912-1986), a self-made nisei born in Seattle, was one of America's top architects at mid-century and was also the designer of the ill-fated World Trade Center in New York City. He was shunned by critics as an architectural "decorator" and remains nearly forgotten today.  However, the resilience of his Lambert Airport design proves otherwise. Yama's Michigan Medical Group Building in Lansing, MI (b. 1961) is pictured below. What do you think?


















Also see yesterday's Times story in which Gyo Obata of HOK reminds us of the significance of Lambert Airport: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/us/25stlouis.html

Monday, April 25, 2011

DSA's Chapel West Vision Plan Continues to Inspire Change


New Haven Independent Photo


Brian McGrath, District Manager of the Chapel West Special Services District, presents a zoning change based on DSA's vision plan.
The New Haven Independent reports on the issue.