The Big Picture

This isn't necessarily an architectural element, but it is an overview picture of some buildings in midtown. It also is a "big picture" symbol of why I haven't been adding photos to this blog.

This picture was taken 24 weeks ago. How do I know that? I was in the hospital after having a baby. This is a view to the west from my room. My life has changed. I haven't lost my personal interests, but I have a lot less time to pursue them. I will still post here, just not as frequently, as you can see. In the meantime please enjoy my archive of architectural elements and check back once in a while for new photos.

Hilton Lights

I love this!

Maritime Hotel, Chelsea

I saw this a month ago and had no idea what it was from the front, but then I saw the sign on the side where the restaurant is. It was originally designed in the 60's for the National Maritime Union.

9th Avenue & 16th Street

Don't Stick Your Tongue Out At Me...

Look at these faces!

These are on the south side of 27th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

New York City Official Door Knob

;) 

Another Crappy Phone Picture

Sorry, I like these faces though. This is somewhere on my walk between Lexington and 8th Avenue on 34th Street.

NYU Element?

This looks like the NYU torch to me, but I don't know that this is an NYU building. It's right across the street from the Armory on Lexington near 25th Street. (I know the quality is not very good. I took the pics with my phone.)

Painted Harlem vs. Unpainted Harlem

I'm not a big fan of painting brick. See the nice raw brick next door? But I did find it interesting that they took care to paint some of the details separately. This is a building they have fixed up on 134th street between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell.

Here's the building next door that looks quite similar, but has more neutral colors. They're working on it now. I hope they don't paint the brick and details.

Eagle With a Chicken Body

I love this little gem on Broadway. It looks like it is supposed to be an eagle, but if you look closely the body looks more like a chicken. 

Windows Like a Waterfall

I love the windows on this building. They look like they are cascading down rocks, like a waterfall. I do not know what this building is, but it's right next to Washington Square Park.

I also feel bad for all those rooms that do not have windows. Look at all that brown wall space.

Faces Lurking in the Shadows

These are on the North side of 54th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Owls and Bats in Central Park

These are right across the way from the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, which is near 72nd street. (I <3 bats!)

Leafy Face on the Lower East Side

This is on Clinton Street just south of Houston.

Rams' Heads in Chelsea

I only had my phone as I was walking around Manhattan this week. I will have to go back to capture a better look at the golden rams.

Scary Little Men

I believe this building is on 110th near Amsterdam...the guys are quite cartoony and grotesque.

Creative Signage

I wonder what kind of clothing they sell here?


I love it! Signs signifying items for sale without saying a word.

This is somewhere down in SoHo.

More Graffiti

This is in the East Village...Do not park your car here to take a picture of the graffiti. It will get broken into in 2 minutes flat. Bleah...

I have seen better graffiti. I like the shapes in the green word on the left. The shapes make me think of a dragon, or forest. I have no clue what the word says so functionally it stinks, but it looks cool. Now that I look at the picture, I wish I had gotten more of the word on the right. I like the shapes there too, with the ovals and teardrop shapes. I'll have to go back, but next time I'm taking the subway.

Mural or Graffiti?

I'm pretty sure it's a mural, but what is the difference? (One guess what Street this is on.)


Clinton Street in Manhattan just south of Houston.

Here is a former student's tag I just found at a train station. This definitely isn't a mural, but it definitely is graffiti. It's not art, but some of the other tag-work he has done is...it's sad when he just defaces surfaces with crap.


I'll take a cheesy mural any day.

Topography Without Topography

I ♥ topographical maps, and this was right under my feet as I was walking down the street.



Bond Street between Lafayette and Bowery in Manhattan.

Decorative Architectural Lace

I wouldn't call it beautiful, but it did catch my attention because it is unique.




This is on Bond Street in Manhattan between Lafayette and Bowery.