Practical Architecture

Or something like that....

London-based Levitate Architects developed this ingenious plan to deal with some space issues in the shared top floor apartment of a Victorian mansion block.  They created a new loft bedroom, accessed by a "secret staircase" hidden from the main reception area.  In order to accommodate the client's desire for a library, the architects developed an idea where both English oak shelves and treads are lined with books.  Also, since 

there is a skylight directly above the staircase, there is ample light for this unique library. 

Some brilliant planning, in my opinion. 

Alas, Alack

I have been completely remiss in keeping up with the blogging world.  Partly because I have only had internet one other time than this, but excuses, I know.  What I have decided to do is as soon as I get home, I'm going to start posting my journal entries from Germany, so that I can catch up on what I have not filled in the internet world with.  

In the meantime, here is a little story that served to only confirm my love for Great Britain.  Upon leaving Frankfurt, I flew directly into London, whereupon I would take a train to Chester later on in the day.  As a result, I had an afternoon to spare in Londontown.  Dropping off my worldly goods at the bag check in Euston Station (for quite a hefty fee, might I add), I ventured out into the grey and fog.  After purchasing my underground pass, I headed straight for what any good English major would, the book alley just off Leicester Square.  Barely containing myself in the utopia of antiquity and dust, I dug through shelves, crates, and bins of gorgeous book after gorgeous book.  Amidst one shelf, I came across a book with a white slip sticking out of the top.  Generally speaking, any slip of paper sticking out of a book in a shop like this is a good sign, because it's making some sort of distinction concerning the work.  As I went to pull the book out of the back corner, my heart skipped a beat (that might be a little dramatic, but I must say books do have a powerful effect on me)...Needless to say, it was one of the most exciting finds I have ever made in a bookshop.  The book was a first edition, autographed copy of one of Dorothy L. Sayers plays, The Devil to Pay, and it was in mint condition might my add.  I would have loved nothing more than to pack it up and take it home with me, but considering it was a grand total of  ₤250 I thought I had better pass.  However, I feel better having experienced such a piece of art, even if I could not take it with me...

Thus, solidifies my love for British book shops, I think you can understand why.

Step by Step.

Pray for us.  

We are climbing the cathedral tower at Ulm today.

Graffiti is the word.

Well, our group escaped for the weekend and spent the past four days in Berlin.  There are so many things to say about that city, but I must refrain myself for now, because we are heading into a lecture.  However, one of the words for the weekend...graffiti.  

I'm not sure I have ever seen so much of it in one city in my entire life.  What is amazing is these artists are truly talented, what they can create with nothing but a can of spray paint is absolutely astounding.  Unfortunately, they do it on some of the worst places, which may just be the point of it all.  Sadly, basically every monument we saw had some form of marking on it, whether it was stupid tourists, feeling the need to scratch their names into various walls, or sub-cultured graffiti artists, almost nothing in that city has escaped unblemished.  One can maybe draw all sorts of cultural commentaries from that, but I will refrain for the moment of going too far with that.  However, Berlin is a city that has waded its way through some of the darkest hours in history, and although it has survived, one can definitely still see the scars.

I have not had a chance to download my 2400 pictures yet, so this is not a picture of mine, but they will be coming soon.