Jumping from place to place and a general lack of free wireless has kept my internet use to a bare minimum. To say the last portion of the trip was a whirlwind would be modest. We visited and studied urban form evolution in cities such as Ostia Antica, Caprarola, Fiesole, Sienna, and Florence. From Florence to Paris and London then Edinburgh the history of the cultural landscape unfolded before our eyes.

The first photo is a night shot from San Maria Novella cathedral. One of the older cathedrals in Florence, it is near the Roman age core of Florence.

After Florence the next big stop was Paris… and big it is. The city feels as though it was built for giants. The civic infrastructure and City Beautiful monuments combined with Beaux-Arts architecture can be overpowering, however, Paris holds a collection of well preserved historically significant sites that map the evolution of design from the Medieval times to the Modern times. The first photo shows the intimate medieval street character here spared by the Haussman/Napoleon III redesign of Paris. The Montmartre area where the photo was taken would later inspire iconic artists from Dali to Van Gogh. The second photo is a paving pattern and tree grate detail shot from Parc de la Villette. The park is said to be dated (go 80s!) but provides a great example of the deconstructionism style.

Next we were off to London with its public squares, fish and chips, and international feel. The rain was oppressive, but I donned my raincoat and union-jack umbrella to slog on through. On the last day the sun returned and I was able to visit the royal botanical gardens at Kew (what a treat). Here are a few images of the plants at Kew.

The final stop was Edinburgh. I cannot say enough about the city, and I already want to go back. The history of the area is well recorded in its architecture, and the rolling Scottish countryside is a fitting foil for the towering cathedral spires. The photo is of the Edinburgh castle…. on an average night (what a backdrop).

The Roman Coliseum.

My feet hurt! The sun is hot, and I feel like a tourist. For the previous 5 days we toured practically all of ancient and middle age Rome. Many, many unbelievable sites all inundated by tour groups and Germans on holiday.

Roman nightlife (breakdancers showing off in the Plaza Santa Maria, Trastavere).

I am glad to be starting work. My studio is in a former palace located in the historic center of Rome. The project underway deals with a section of the Roman wall and the difficult task of integrating the historic structure into the urban fabric.

Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain in the Piazza Navona.

Rome is a city built upon cites of the past, and sensitivity to previous eras is a must in designing for the present. That being said, creating public space in an environment with existing structures pre-dating the Christian calendar presents challenges unlike any experienced in the U.S.A.. In the U.S., public space design can take on the dual task of imbibing an area with a cultural identity, however, designing in Rome means discovering and celebrating the identities that connect people to the past.

Ciao, Bravissimo!

NC

P.S. see my facebook “Rome” album for photos of classic sites and Roman culture

The bags are packed and I’m ready to go. I’m giving the blog a quick test-run so that uploading photos and scans of drawings will be easy once overseas. I have decided not to take a computer of my own (mostly to keep baggage and worry to a minimum), but I will be able to submit to the blog while at the Rome Study Center and hopefully from internet cafes in France, England and Scotland.

I have finally pieced together my drawing supplies (india ink, brush, pen, pencil, watercolor pencil and a variety of sketchbooks). Here is a photo - more to come.

NC