Summary: Kansas City From Cowtown To Uptown

Most events and places of historical value nowadays holds little value in our lives. We confine ourselves to our interstates and highways, following the long line of motel chains stopping for maybe two minutes to take a picture just to say we were there. We take nothing away from these sites that is of real value. We barely scratch at the surface of information and true meaning of what happened at these historical sites. Rinker Buck explains his own experience with removing himself from this cultural norm

This manifesto proposes an approach to sustainable design that I am interested in exploring during my time studying architecture. The idea of sustainability is a complex one, not without apparent contradictions. This makes it difficult to define in a wholly satisfactory manner. For the purposes of this manifesto I will advert to the definition proposed by Jason McLennan who asserts that sustainable design: “seeks to maximize the quality of the built environment, while minimizing or eliminating negative impact to the natural environment.” I find this definition particularly useful in the emphasis which it places on quality. By quality, in this

Growing up in a small town, someone wouldn’t think how much history is in that place. I’m very fortunate enough to live in a remarkable place that has a lot of history behind it. So let’s begin this journey together as we look back into the place that I call home.

From the beginning of my architectural education I have been inspired and influenced by political realities and issues throughout Canada and the wider world. Discussions relating to how architecture participates in political change, conflict, movements, and other events have refined, shaped and sustained my interest in the field. Growing up in suburban Winnipeg I have been continuously struck by the lack of architectural authenticity, consideration and intention found on the fringes of the city. These monotonous architectural landscapes promote and enable political inactivity. Among and in-between the many strip malls, condominiums and stucco-clad houses, there is no space for political activism or protest. In a reality where consumerism

As time has progressed on, in a little town in eastern West Virginia, it is as though time has taken a halt. In Elkins West Virginia nestled in the mountain tops a small community on a hill does its best to preserve history the best way it possibly could by holding one of oldest buildings in town on its foundation. It is a showing of a time long before, it truly is something to be celebrated. History, a true design of focus on the Campus of Davis and Elkins

I met with Greg Williams, who has been an archivist at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) for 11 years. Prior to arriving at CSU Dominguez Hills in 2004, Mr. Williams was curator of photographs at the San Diego Historical Society. He has also worked as an archivist and curator for the New Jersey Historical Society, Rutgers University, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the Oregon State Archives. He has traveled all over the country. Mr. Williams received his master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Oregon and his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University. However, he did mention that this is his favorite location.

Possibly the place with the highest concentration of music history in all of Kansas City. 1823 Highland is a small building where jazz music once lived daily; The Mutual Musicians Foundation, or “The Foundation,” has been a home to everything musical. Created to protect the rights of artists in Kansas City, The Foundation was established in 1917 under the name, “Colored Musicians Union,” operated as a center for social gatherings, a clearing house, as well as a vehicle for grievances against unfair practices by booking agents and band leaders. The Jazz style pioneered and fostered by the members of Local 627 developed along original lines influenced by, yet unique

The anchor of this Renaissance is the revitalization of The Sears Concourse building. The Art Deco 1.5 million square foot structure built in 1927 was once a source of pride for the city, attracting 30,000 visitors at its grand opening to marvel at its decadence and eventually serving as a distribution hub for 50 years. Employing 1500 people and attracting thousands of visitors per day in the department store, it was an economic pillar of the Crosstown neighborhood. However, in 2010, the building standing empty for 22 years, became an eyesore that Crosstown co-founder Todd Richardson describes as “ a beacon of hope that is now a disappointing reminder of unmet expectations for the city”. The surrounding neighborhood would keep hoping sooner or later, someone would eventually solve the dilemma of what to do with so much space that had been empty for so long. Year after year, businesses boarded up, houses deteriorated and neighbors lost hope. No one knew what to do; that is to say, until an artist, art

The Oregon Historical District is a twelve city block area in Dayton, Ohio that is registered with the National Register of Historic Places. This reasonably small area has both commercial and residential land uses. Though mixed use space, commercial and residential, is seen as a modern phenomenon, this area of land is quite old for an American city with the original plat recording in 1829. However, the homes in the area developed over a period of 100 years which allowed for them to development with different architectural features with the most common being Classic Revival. This different architectural development could also be seen throughout the business district. Intriguing ideas held within the historic value of the Oregon Historical District are the ideas of preservation and protection. Instead of requiring its residents to rehabilitate the homes to original status the requirements are that the home look authentic and have the appeal of authenticity. The aesthetic nature of the homes should be less museum-like and more home-like with the intention of preserving the architectural character of the past.

Over the past couple of years, there has been much debate on whether our city needs a new one terminal airport. The future of Kansas City Airport is an issue that affects everyone in the Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri area. No matter what side of the state line you live on, who you root for (Jayhawks or Tigers), we all share this staple to our community. Unfortunately, this was not considered when the vote came to the public as only residents of Kansas City, Missouri had the ability to vote. No matter who was and wasn't invited to vote, there are many advantages and disadvantages that are shared through us all. Those who supported this project believe that it will bring in more revenue to our city and state. The revenue stems from additional

Over the last several decades Kansas City leaders have taken great pride in their efforts to build a world class city. In fact, Kansas City residents passed an $800 million general obligation bond referendum to address issues of deferred maintenance and capital improvements. Mayor Sly James celebrated the passage of this referendum by stating: “These are the things to which a world-class city commits”. Kansas City’s commitment to similar investments has been illustrious, but the beneficiaries were few. Those that have benefited most are corporations and domestic travelers. Kansas City's revitalization investments are costly for all residents, whether rich or poor. This era of ongoing investment began in 1989 with the ‘Clever Plan’ to redevelop

In this compelling book talk, Andrew S. Dolkart, the Director of the Historic Preservation Program and Professor

This novel is set in the future in the year 2044. Wade hardly travels outside of the OASIS into the real world, but when he said, “We lived in the Portland Avenue Stacks… just west of Oklahoma City’s decaying skyscraper core,” it shows that he lives in what used to be Oklahoma City. Many locations were mentioned in the book but the most important ones are the stacks, Wade’s van, his new home, and the virtual world inside of the

What happens to a city when it loses reliable points of association with extraordinary moments in the past? Did New York City need a marble-clad building with Venetian motifs and a curved façade fronting on one of its few major important intersections and Central Park, an edifice designed by a Edward Durell Stone whose work is not much in evidence in the city? Even the most majestic cities like New York City are pockmarked with horrors. The knowledge that every shade of architectural experience, from sublime to excruciating, can exist in such compressed space that takes part of a city’s seductive pull. Yet there are a handful of buildings in New York that fail to contribute even on these grounds. Usually it ends with a wrecking ball, but in this case with 2 Columbus Circle - it was demolished, rebuilt, and then renovated again - taking away something crucial from the building’s history and it 's initial intent. Words that have been associated with this building are “queer,” “hate,” and “traumatic.” When and how do these words surface when describing a man-made structure? By masking the original design of 2 Columbus Circle and not declaring it a landmark, the city erased an exceptional piece of history that was deeply embezzled in our culture during the 1950’s up until the 1970’s.

In the introduction of The Death and life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs acknowledges city planning and the need for a reform by addressing the effects of beautification and the lack of resources and support. In her introduction of The Death and life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs introduces city planning and presents the reader with "real life" view. She also explains the principles of planning and the effects it contains on social and economic issues. Jacobs highlights the theory of beautification and the lack of city planners understanding the needs of the general people.