Monday, July 25, 2016

Inside Brownhill & Kramer

A well executed design.



The short summary is that the finished apartment units are aesthetically pleasing. This, however, deserves a more detailed review.
It was good of the management team to allow me to photograph the interior design of the units. I'm sure many were shocked that this happened and that there was a mutual willingness of trust and respect. The best part was that the developers did not once make a pitch to influence my opinion. They didn't need too. Their work spoke for itself.
I lacked a wide angle lens which would have better displayed the unit. So my photographs do not fully capture the interior. A wide angle lens, on the other hand, tends not to accurately capture the actual dimensions. Too many times it exaggerates the dimensions. It is always best to see things for yourself and not get caught up with the typical sales pitch of square footage. In the end, proper lens usage was not crucial by any stretch of the imagination or fact.
The hallways had soft but well placed lighting. The lighting fully illuminates the front door of each unit. There is nothing to obstruct the view of the entire length of the hall. This a very important point of security and comfort. 

Each unit has an address plate designed in keeping with the industrial past. They look nice. Little things do mean allot.  I was shown a one bedroom unit. None of this was planned because my purpose was to photograph Fishtown from the roof. I would, otherwise, have sought out larger units as well to present a better balance of the living spaces. I was aware not to over extend the time needed to do so or to quickly wear out my welcome. I knew that the project manager had more important things to do to complete work at hand.


The galley (kitchen) is the first thing that you'll see upon entering the unit. It was impressive because of the attention to detail and good planning for the utilization of the space. This is also true for the placement and design of the bathroom and the niche space for the piggyback washer and dyer. (trust me I've seen smaller bathrooms than this)


There was sufficient lighting installed in all the rooms. The front window is factory huge or should I say one of the walls. The natural lighting worked well. The higher up the unit the better the lighting and view but we all know that. This building is situated on a narrow street.

The bedroom was partitioned behind the living room area. Attention to detail and design: the partition left an open space at the top so that the natural lighting extends into the bedroom. It's just enough light so you can see without bumping into anything on a sunny day. Turning on the installed light works even better. We all know that too.
The floors are highly polished. This in combination with the light color wall paint helps to reflect the light. This ambient lighting creates a cozy environment.
Looking upward through an old smoke stack.

Here's what I didn't like and it had nothing to do with the actual environment. The real estate advertisers pitch was not fully forth coming in their description of the units. The largest units got the royal treatment where as the smaller units were given that square footage pitch. This approach left me with a vague understanding about the included amenities. It borders the label of misleading in my opinion.  Descriptions change over time and tend to become more honest and accurate.  Again, always see things for yourself and ask a lot of questions. (I don't always get it right too.)
I also met and talked to a couple of people who were moving in on that day. They were nothing short of being happy as to were they now will call home. They were very happy. Why not? Major transportation to reach any part of the city is within walking distance. The same applies to the growing "amenities" of the neighborhood.

I also want to stress that the craftsmanship of the exterior and interior of the building  is noteworthy. I only wish that there was enough floor space to include more parking spaces. They, however, did maximize the space that was there. (I don't want to hear a word from the neighborhood parking problem deniers.)

My side note observation is the preservation and re-usage of this building, as well as others in our immediate area, obviously dispels the bull shit pitch that these building are "blight" and need to be torn down. Structural sound buildings, such as this one, will last another hundred years and preserves the history of our community. That is something well worth keeping and to fight for.  Oh yea, it's more cost effect overall for the developers.
  Three slices of ham but damn good excellent craftsmen. Thanks guys.

pov words and oictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved         







Friday, July 22, 2016

Turkey

A State of Emergence?


as questioned by roman blazic 

The Fishtown Hawk

The beauty of nature.

Fishtown residents have been captivated by a hawk that has perched atop St Laurentius's church steeple for the past few months. It also has been roosting in Fishtown's historic Palmer Cemetery.
Here's another series of pictures for those who have not seen this majestic bird.

(click on picture for slideshow)





photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved

Thursday, July 14, 2016

France

Liberté, Equalité, Fraterni


La Marseillaise

 Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L'étendard sanglant est levé !
L'étendard sanglant est levé !
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Egorger nos fils et nos compagnes !

    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,
    De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?
    Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,
    Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ?
    Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ?
    Français, pour nous, ah! quel outrage !
    Quels transports il doit exciter !
    C'est nous qu'on ose méditer
    De rendre à l'antique esclavage !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères
    Feraient la loi dans nos foyers !
    Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires
    Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers !
    Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers !
    Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées
    Nos fronts sous le joug se ploieraient !
    De vils despotes deviendraient
    Les maîtres de nos destinées !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Tremblez, tyrans et vous perfides,
    L'opprobre de tous les partis,
    Tremblez ! vos projets parricides
    Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix !
    Vont enfin recevoir leurs prix !
    Tout est soldat pour vous combattre,
    S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros,
    La terre en produit de nouveaux,
    Contre vous tout prêts à se battre !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Français, en guerriers magnanimes,
    Portez ou retenez vos coups !
    Epargnez ces tristes victimes,
    A regret s'armant contre nous.
    A regret s'armant contre nous.
    Mais ces despotes sanguinaires,
    Mais ces complices de Bouillé,
    Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié,
    Déchirent le sein de leur mère !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Amour sacré de la Patrie,
    Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs !
    Liberté, Liberté chérie,
    Combats avec tes défenseurs !
    Combats avec tes défenseurs !
    Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
    Accoure à tes mâles accents !
    Que tes ennemis expirants
    Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Nous entrerons dans la carrière
    Quand nos aînés n'y seront plus;
    Nous y trouverons leur poussière
    Et la trace de leurs vertus.
    Et la trace de leurs vertus.
    Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre
    Que de partager leur cercueil,
    Nous aurons le sublime orgueil
    De les venger ou de les suivre !
    Aux armes, citoyens !
    Formez vos bataillons !
    Marchons ! marchons !
    Qu'un sang impur
    Abreuve nos sillons !
    Je ne vous oublierai_roman blazic
     

Freedom Rocks the Park

Confession of a Party Pooper


I know I wasn't feeling it. My body and mood where both best left at home. I came anyway and did my part. Let me explain. My part for the Friends of Penn Treaty Park  is photographing the events, capturing the spirit. Sometimes the Spirit* community newspaper prints them up in the paper. That's fun for everyone
.

I just wasn't with it to start taking pictures of people enjoying the outing. It actually is a fun way to meet and greet people. I could tell you a lot of good things and about a lot of nice people. I only photographed three or four people who called on me as I was walking through the crowd. Plan B was hatched while walking to the park. (that last sentence started me thinking about Ed Woods) I could avoid the crowd to a minimum by using my telephoto lens. Capture things that way, kind of, further away. That satisfied my body and especially my mood and sense of duty.
It didn't take long to feel how impersonal my photo shoot became. This was different. This was a challenge to re-approach framing a picture using a telephoto lens. It's finding a moment in someone's else's life at a distance.  Sounds a little creepy. (I've seen other photographers in action.)  It's what's going on in the picture that keeps the photos interesting. It's not that easy.

The end result produced a clear reflection of my mood. TV's CBS Philly Ch 3 did a great job reporting on this traditional neighborhood 4th of July celebration at Penn Treaty Park. They came and went before I got to the park. I even missed the  Nines's rocking out on the stage. I always wanted to put these guys on the spot and have them headline the bill.  I think they would fit right in with the fireworks. I didn't even stay for the fireworks. That's a first for me for the fourth.  It rained on the 4th. Deb and I didn't see any fireworks not even on TV but they did broadcast momentary bright flashing clouds, yea. Here's the pictures.
* turn to page 11

words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved  







Friday, July 1, 2016

On Top of the World in Fishtown

Brownhill & Kramer Hosiery Factory

The preserved and converted former Brownhill & Kramer Hosiery factory now houses fifty-seven rental units. Aesthetically pleasing is a quick summary of the building's common area and units. I can write more later and include photographs.
The initial objective was to photograph Fishtown and beyond from the roof of this building. It's a spectacular view. The old and new structures stand in contrast to each other. Many old industrial buildings can be seen that have  been preserved and converted near and far. Most  of all it's a spectacular view of the neighborhood.

I thank the project management team of Roland Kassis and his partner Jules for their time making this possible. (all photos)
click on picture for slideshow 


















words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved