On Rooflines and Other Matters

[ellyssian]

When I was just a wee little lad, I spent my spare time designing houses.

These were houses in the way that, say, a mansion of the rich and infamous that sprawls over Hollywood Hills might be called a utility shed.

I liked wings. Lots of them. And different levels. Not to mention waterfalls, pools, recording studios, movie theaters, gardens, grist mills, libraries, gaming rooms, and all kinds of other things - and that's just within the walls of the house itself.

This resulted in Rooflines. Many, and of various angles. Still with something of a Classical or at least Gothic architecture.

I would show them to patrixa, and she would smile and nod, or maybe ask where I would put storage closets or something useful I had forgotten.

I would show them to my dad, and he would say: do you know how many places that roof will leak? The water will pool up here and there and everywhere...

~ ~ ~

My mom pointed out an article on the almost Suessian¹ Stata Center building at MIT. Now, I remember discussing the building with my dad while they were still building it, and we both made jokes about how much it will leak, not to mention other design aspects. Clown College, he called it, as did other MIT faculty.

Apparently, surprise surprise (not at all, really), it leaks.

¹: Almost Suessian - too many sharp edges. Suess rounded things, generally, and left them with a more organic look.

Comments

[cissa.livejournal.com]

My childhood houses sound like they had much in common with yours- except I COMPLETELY FORGOT the grist mill! Damn.

And yeah- Stata leaking? I'd be amazed if it did not!

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

What can I say, I'm a big fan of the mill in Sudbury on the Longfellow Inn property. =)

[opakele.livejournal.com]

I used to plan communities. I had roads with rocks for buildings. I wasn't into toy cars or anything, I just like making roads and planning how it would all connect.

It's too bad the roof leaks. It is certainly an interesting building.

[patrixa.livejournal.com]

Only on the outside. I recall Grandpa taking Justin in for a tour and he was all excited...until he went in. What a disappointment! Inside was ordinary, just a few odd-shaped rooms, otherwise regular halls, walls, etc.!