Leaning into Architecture and History
Andy Sturdevant wrote a regular column, The Stroll, for MinnPost until 2017. I still miss it. For those who feel the same, I can offer a brief taste of Andy’s writing on a Stroll-like architectural … ‣ more…
Category Archives: Architecture
Payne
We found lots to like in a brief incursion into St. Paul’s northeast quarter, out along Payne Avenue. Unlike Minneapolitans, St. Paulites don’t call this quadrant of their city “Northeast.” Rather it’s “Payne-Phalen and The … ‣ more…
Underground
In a cold and harsh climate, it makes sense to get the best insulation you can around your living space. Earth, for example. A thick berm also helps with sound insulation in noisy cities. A … ‣ more…
22.5
Here’s a story of the origins of the urban preservation and revitalization movement. In yesterday’s below-freezing temperatures and brisk wind we walked the two blocks, 1400 feet, of the urban park that is Milwaukee Avenue … ‣ more…
Stroll
Monday evening we went to hear Andy Sturdevant talk about strolling throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. If you don’t know Andy’s work, you should. Andy writes The Stroll weekly for MinnPost, which also falls … ‣ more…
Preservation
How widespread is the Californication phenomenon in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul? Here’s a quick survey. I use the term Californication for the practice of tearing down an older, smaller house and erecting a … ‣ more…
Californication
The Twin Cities are slowly being Californicated. I’m taking liberties with the term, which most know as either a 21st-century TV series starring David Duchovny or a sort of global cultural imperialism originating in Hollywood. … ‣ more…
Alley
The residential areas of the Twin Cities, the parts built up in the 20th century, feature a distinctive and characteristic pattern of shared alleyways. I’m coming to understand the critical role this pattern plays in … ‣ more…