Posts made by Allen Weitzman

another view

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A competition project (we didn't win but the project died) to design a shelter for Catholic Charities in Pagerson, NJ. Facility would provide shelter for battered women on one level, troubled teens on another and offices, chapel, feeding center on the main level.

Allen

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Last one

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Second view

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This is another project, currently out for bidding. A 20,000 square foot, two level cinema to be built in the shadow of a viaduct and the northern edge of Hoboken, NJ. No parking - everyone walks in Hoboken.

Comments welcome.

Allen

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last one. View of the entrance

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and another

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Here is another view.

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I've been reading and learning from this group for some time but haven't shown you the work I've been doing and I feel its time to share some of my recent project. Over the next several hours, I'll be uploading some projects.

This one was built and won a New York award for Design of the Year for projects under $10 million. Its a 42,000 square foot community center with theater, art studios, gymnasium as major spaces and a host of other spaces. It relaces two seperate projects that were on opposite sides of town.

Comments are, of course, welcome.

Allen

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Uthil,

Hope you're a very busy man where ever you are and all the local architects, clients, whatever, are lining up at your doorstep to feed you work that makes you a successful and happy guy.

I like the fact that you've taken tools we all have and taken them to new heights.

I have a question though. Its not clear to me whether you're an architect designing these projects or working with architects and designers.

Best wishes,

Allen

Bravo,

Beautiful design. Place will work well and be an exciting place to work up a healthy sweat and then cool off in the beautiful pool area.

Well conceived and executed. Hope you won the competition.

Allen

and the presentation was first rate as well.

Guys,

Before we all jump to any conclusions, I'd suggest you wait until all the facts are in. There are two side to all stories and we've only read some of one side.

In todays NY Times there were some more insights. Gehry did provide some comments, which also need to be established that:

a. MIT rejected some assemblies he wanted during VE efforts that he warned would lead to problems.

b. He feels the amount of the suit is simply a negotiating position of the school to get before his insurance company.

c. Several educators interviewed at the school were surprised by the suit since they love the building and feel Gehry delivered on their program and then some.

His buildings are unique, signature pieces that patrons want and understand the exposure they have to be able to say they have a Gehry building (or other signature architect you care to insert). That's why they call it the bleeeding edge. Read some of the issues associated with Wright's Falling Water project about how the Kauffman family had to learn to live with (and eventually come to love) some of the design elements of their masterpiece. In case you want one example, the stairs that lead down to the water above the falls are not enclosed or seperated from the house and in mosquito season.....

My two cents,

Allen

To Tom and others,

Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for what you've done for me, my family and my country. Thank you for your sacrifices. Welcome home. As a veteran myself, I appreciate what you and all veterans have done and I remember my brothers and sisters in arms who did not come home.

Allen

(Alpha Company, 2nd Bn 2nd Inf, 1st Inf Div, Lai Khe, RVN)

Thank you Jackson,

Nice to be welcomed.

New York water is actually very good and they put little into it. Its been compared in blind taste tastes with bottled mineral water and usually wins.

Hope all is well with you and yours,

Regards,

Allen

My 2 cents,

Played baseball, stickball and all the typical New York sports. Handball in high school. Some basketball (I stunk but had fun).

Avid racquetball player in my 30's and 40's. Tried tennis but never took lessons and couldn't make the switch from wrist-centric racquetball to forearm-centric tennis.

Got into running in my late 40's. Trained for the NY marathon (26 at 52) and was running 35 to 40 miles a week until my knee cartelidge vanished and pain meds weren't working.

Took up long distance bike riding with my daughter in my 60's and this past May completed a one-day 100 mile (actually 108 mile) ride to Montauk Point.

Still bike riding, exercise at home every other day (100 sit ups, 100 pushups etc) and try to watch what I eat so at 64 I have more energy than most. Scares my partners who wonder how I keep my high energy drive going.

Works for me.

PS, have also become an avid reader. Hope to finish the latest Harry Potter this weekend!

Allen

Happy birthday Susan,

Hope you have a wonderful day. Hope whatever you shopped for was on sale, in exactly the color you wanted and looks fabulous on you.

Enjoy,

Allen

Suzie,

Only two carats? What about the other ear and the fingers? Don't forget the fingers.

Look, I go to New York all the time. I could get you some good deals on rocks. Sheesh, they sell them right on the street!!

This is a once in a lifetime event. With only two carats, you might forget or confuse it with something else. Let's make this something to remember!!

Best,

Allen

To Susan and Paul,

Congratulations and mazel tov on your honor. Its an honor being in such highly esteemed company.

Paul, wishing your wife Susan the best on her accomplishments and recognition. Amazingly, she managed to pull this off and probably hasn't a clue how to use SketchUp. Imagine!

Allen

Susan and others,

Small comment on an excellent discussion and discourse on the solemn day of Atonement.

For one, I have always been told that the repudiation of all vows etc. are between the congregant and G-d (as in I promise to come to services every day if I win the contract) as opposed to promises, oaths, vows etc between two or more people.

Neither G-d nor the spiritual leader of the group can absolve you of that condition only the individual(s) to whom you made the oath, promise or vow can do that. Otherwise, how could we conduct social intercourse? Of course, you forgive everyone who has caused you grief in the hopes they forgive you. After all, you cannot be sealed in the Book of Life with a major "tsimmes" hanging over your head, can you?

Secondly, there are five or six fast days in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is certainly a major day but not, as most believe, the MOST important day. Actually the Sabbath holds that honor since it is the day G-d rested and our requirement to observe that day comes real early in the Tanach (Old Testiment). Tisha b"av (the 9th Day of the Month of Av, is another major fast day and if you have the time, take a read of the events that day remembers, "Nightmare on Elm Street" is kid stuff

Anyway, too long a response. I wish and extend to you all a happy, healthy and joyeous wishes for the New Year. I forgive you all.

Allen

Ross and others,

Great to hear that you found a plan that works for you and you can keep at. The key to me seems to be you have to fundamentallty change your way of life otherwise you get on a treadmill of gaining and losing weight.

A few years ago I got fed up with my weight and gut and went on my own diet. I cut down the amount of food I eat, drink lots of water and made it a point to order healthy foods as opposed to fried grease and blubber and developed an exercise program that I keep at.

I've lost over 60 pounds and have pretty much kept it off. Yesterday, my daughter, her boyfriend and I took part in a 100 mile bike ride out on Long Island. I'm nearly 64 (that Beatle song does resonate in my ears) and kept up with and actually finished just ahead of those 30 somethings.

The key is developing a lifestyle that makes you focus on being healthy and making time on a regular basis to exercise. I do it three times a week for 2 hours and get up at 5AM to do it and ride my bike on the weekends. I still have the time (and added energy) to be active in the office, learn new software applications and enjoy myslef.

Keep at it Ross.

Allen