Austin Harvanek 3

This is Mcalester High School in my home town Mcalester, OK. This is were I roamed the halls and attended high school all four years from 2008 to 2012. Me and my friends all went here together and this is were we grew relationships not just with each other but also with our teachers. There were roughly 800 kids that went here with me but I never saw a face I did not now. our teachers were as much like parents and mentors to us as they were teachers. they really cared about us and made sure that we were always doing right and doing what we needed to do to better ourselves. It was a giant family outside of the family. Yes we raised hell in here but we also learned a lot and had a great time. I would not trade my high school for another and the relationships I made here are second to none.

#6 – (9/25) Mercedes Garcia – Pritzker Pavilion

The Pritzker Pavilion is located in the heart of Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. While it is not a building in the traditional sense (it is actually a band shell), it still manages to be conspicuous against the backdrop of the some of the most notable buildings in the Chicago skyline. It was designed by Frank Gehry under the commission of the city in order to house (among other events) the Grant Park Music Festival. Because of its location within Grant Park proper, however, its lawn and the surrounding area are often occupied. On my first visit to Millennium Park, the Pritzker Pavilion was the most noticeable structure in the area to me. I remember thinking I had never seen a public space like this and the natives who I asked seemed to agree that the Pritzker Pavilion added to the novelty of living in Chicago.

#5 – (9/18) Mercedes Garcia – Hancock Tower

 

            The John Hancock Center was one of the first buildings I visited after I moved to Chicago. My first year dormitory hosted a meet and greet event on the 44^th     floor, which is home to a sky lounge with a view overlooking Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. Not only was the space itself compelling but learning about the history of the skyscraper from the videos on the ground floor made it even more memorable to me. The Hancock Center was revolutionary – the visible X braces on its exterior allowed it to be the second largest building in the world at the time of its completion. And there is such a sense of the city in this building. By this, I mean that it is distinctively a part of the city of Chicago. In the same way that the Empire State Building could only be so effective in New York City, I think the Hancock Center is more representative of Chicago than even the Willis Tower.

#4 – (9/11) Mercedes Garcia – Water Cube

 

            I graduated high school in 2008, which was the same year the Summer Olympics was hosted in Beijing. I remember a lot of hype around this Olympics in particular, due mostly to the host country’s political policies. But a good part of that hype was also centered around the construction of the Beijing National Stadium and the Beijing National Aquatics Center – referred to as the ‘Bird’s Nest’ and the ‘Water Cube,’ respectively. The Water Cube was dually designed by PTW Architects, an Australian firm, and Chinese regulated building groups, specifically for Olympic use (as was the Bird’s Nest). I remember watching a documentary in class on the Water Cube and how the design team had studied the way soap bubbles formed. All the anticipation of the Olympics itself and the new buildings was definitely lived up to, in my mind. I still remember watching the Opening Ceremony during a graduation party and feeling blown away by the whole production.

Kevin Price - Week 4 - Keller Central High School

 

This is the high school I attended in Keller Texas and has it has some interesting architectural features. This photo shows the front entrance to the school, however I believe the most impressive part is the back court yard. Once you walk through the courtyard and into the building there is a space that is two stories tall with large pillars leading to the main staircase (shown below).

      

I have made many memories in this building and really enjoyed the experience both inside and outside the building. The school currently holds 2,500 students daily with 120 teachers. It was a massive population of students when I was attending as well and seeing how it opened in 2003 this shows the immense growing of Keller Texas. 

Fred Lee post 12

I have lived in apartments, base housing and rental housing. 

I have even lived in my mom’s house. 

Now, the first time in my life, I can say I live in my own house.

Fred Lee post 11

Graceland, now a tourist attraction for what was grandeur over 30 years ago for a musician’s home, is not elegant by today’s standards.  The architects Furbringer and Ehrman provided a Colonial revival style for this home which does not match the surrounding area.  Personally, I don’t agree with the hype around

this building.