Including its antennas, the John Hancock Center has a height of 1,500 feet (457 m), making it the fifth-tallest building in the world when measured to pinnacle height.
One of the most famous buildings of the structural expressionist style, the skyscraper's distinctive X-bracing exterior is actually a hint that the structure's skin is indeed part of its 'tubular system'. This idea is one of the architectural techniques the building used to climb to record heights (the tubular system is essentially the spine that helps the building stand upright during wind and earthquake loads). This X-bracing allows for both higher performance from tall structures and the ability to open up the inside floorplan (and usable floor space) if the architect desires. Original features such as the skin have made the John Hancock Center an architectural icon. It was pioneered by Bangladeshi-American structural civil engineer Fazlur Khan and chief architect Bruce Graham.Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Little White House
Warm Springs, GA
Today the Little White House is part of Georgia's state park system and is open to visitors; it’s been preserved to look almost exactly as it did the day FDR died. Items on display at the facility, besides the Unfinished Portrait, include his customized 1938 Ford convertible (in the bottom floor of the garage/servant house) and his stagecoach.
Today the Little White House is part of Georgia's state park system and is open to visitors; it’s been preserved to look almost exactly as it did the day FDR died. Items on display at the facility, besides the Unfinished Portrait, include his customized 1938 Ford convertible (in the bottom floor of the garage/servant house) and his stagecoach.
This was made in Japan
Monday, December 12, 2011
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery in 1911, a growing number of tourists visit Machu Picchu, reaching 400,000 in 2003. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Manneken Pis
This photo was found among my Grandpa's things and we presume he took it during World War II.
He bought the replica Manneken Pis below about 20 years ago and displayed it proudly for years. I have it now and continue the tradition. It is a concrete cast piece. The head was cast separately and it has metal tubing running from the middle of the base to the junk.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Crown Point Vista House
Got this salt shaker on a vacation in Oregon for a mere $16.50. It is ceramic with a rubber plug in the base. For some reason the holes in the top really bug me. I kind of resent dual purpose miniature buildings.
From Wikipedia:
Monday, January 25, 2010
Trevi Fountain
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunsphere
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. Archaeologists believe the standing stones were erected around 3200 BC and the surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC.
Thanks as always to wikipedia!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Fort Sumter
The fort was a five-sided structure (although not a regular pentagon but more like the home plate used in baseball). It was a brick structure, 170 to 190 feet long, with walls five feet thick, standing 50 feet over the low tide mark. It was designed to house 650 men and 135 guns in three tiers of gun emplacements, although it was never filled near capacity.
Fort Sumter was built after the War of 1812 as one of a series of fortifications on the southern U.S. coast. Construction began in 1829, using slave labor, and the structure was unfinished in 1860, when the Civil War began.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Friday, April 6, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Ancient step pyramids

The pyramid on the left was a gift from Mexico and the one on the right was a gift from Belize. These may not qualify as actual miniature buildings however I like them. Some people think aliens built these building. I think it was slaves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_pyramids
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Why is this 2 inch tall imported Leaning Tower of Pisa being assaulted by a giant Godzilla like creature? We may never know.


Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Biltmore House

I've seen the house but have not been inside. It's a shame because I live just a few hours away. I got this exact building twice as a gift. I'm not complaining, I love it. I am always thankful for gifts of buildings.
Labels:
$25,
Asheville,
Biltmore house,
Made in america,
North Carolina,
plastic
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)