Driving through town the other day I saw these two buildings, completely stripped of their outer sheathing. The original material, which has been removed, was asphalt shingles, which was actually pretty ugly. These buildings are pretty old - I believe that one of them was the original U.S. Post Office at one time. After taking the pictures, I went over and read the permit, and they are going to replace the windows and doors and heating system. I bet they are going to look pretty nice when finished. The thing that I really liked about seeing these buildings in this condition, is that you can see the nature of the construction. The sheathing that is nailed on diagonally is to strengthen the building - they used to do it that way, before the time of plywood sheathing. Click on this picture to see it in more detail.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Stripped
Driving through town the other day I saw these two buildings, completely stripped of their outer sheathing. The original material, which has been removed, was asphalt shingles, which was actually pretty ugly. These buildings are pretty old - I believe that one of them was the original U.S. Post Office at one time. After taking the pictures, I went over and read the permit, and they are going to replace the windows and doors and heating system. I bet they are going to look pretty nice when finished. The thing that I really liked about seeing these buildings in this condition, is that you can see the nature of the construction. The sheathing that is nailed on diagonally is to strengthen the building - they used to do it that way, before the time of plywood sheathing. Click on this picture to see it in more detail.
I hear these buildings as they release a sigh of relief. Think of the old days when your mother removed her girdle after coming home from church or an evening out. Finally, after years of confinement, the building's original "skin" is allowed to breathe, to relax, to feel the sun again! And like the brightest women who learn to appreciate the bodies they have, despite the yawning number of birthdays that have passed, these buildings are proud of the way they look, secure in themselves, even though other buildings may be taller, sleeker, more modern, they have a richness that comes only with passing time. Like the wisest women, they've watched and listened and know to give advice only when asked. They ask each other: "Who likes a know-it-all?" Smart, smart buildings. Just like the brightest women.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like faces to me.. the eyes, the nose and the mouth in some way.
ReplyDeletevery nice..
If they're faces, the one on the right is winking at us!
ReplyDeleteI did see the faces in the buildings, and tried some compositions where I didn't include the foreground, in order to accent the face aspect. But then I chose to show the buildings in a more documentary way. but I am glad you both saw the faces.
ReplyDeleteI liked learning about the diagonal sheathing - thank you. bsk
ReplyDelete