Another interesting building is Cambridge is the Harvard Lampoon building, on Auburn Street. The architect, Edmund M. Wheelwright, was originally from Boston -Roxbury. The information I have about the building is truly astonishing. Wheelwright was inspired by an old church in Virginia and the street’s architectural details. It is definitely worth seeing if you stop by Boston.
She wanders through Memorial Hall. I wander off, too. Like mother, like son, I guess. Memorial Hall is a Harvard University cafeteria. The interior is reminiscent of the Harry Potter dining hall. This sketch is from the back side of the building. That summer day, there were a lot of tourists, like my mother, who tried to peek at the inside. I am not sure that it is open to the public. Anyway, it was memorable experience for my mother.
The recently renovated addition to the Boston Public Library Copley Square branch was designed by John Phillips. In previous posts, I executed an interior sketch from the mezzanine. In this sketch, I discovered the exterior. I did not have a good feeling about the exterior facade and yet the interior spaces are truly useful and planned very well, with all due respect. The idea of installing seating which looks out on the street is quite considerate as it is not possible to see this included in most of today’s libraries. Perhaps it is a question of location. However, the light which showers down on us from the skylight is transcendent. It should be seen. This sketch is from a picture taken from Boylston Street.
In the summer, should you want to find fresh organic fruits, vegetables and more, farm fresh, you should go to Copley Square and meander between the stalls. It is, of course, more expensive than Whole Foods and Star Market and yet it worthwhile as the products have a savory taste. While wandering, I find myself looking upon Old South’s details. Although I have been inside it and sketched an interior space, this time I decided to draw it from the outside. The sketch was from Copley Square, looking through the church.
Every Wednesday from 6 PM to 9 PM, there is a drawing session at the MFA. Most importantly, it is free and open to the public. It is so funny as not only a lot of curious people go, but also art students. There are always so many wondering eyes. I am used to going there and sketching as much as I can and yet the struggle is real. I do not have time due to my classes. This sketch was from the grand hall from which people find their way to explore the museum and gnosh. The extension was designed by Foster + Partners. The clarity of materials and the pureness of the glass is well defined to receive sunlight in the space.
Wandering through the Plymouth, I also saw a street called “Leyden,” laid out in 1823. But this is not the original name. There were two names before this, namely, “Great” street and “Broad” street. It is noteworthy because it is the oldest continuously inhabited street in the United States. It is certainly worth seeing. There are many wooden structures from the old days and they are still standing tall.
When the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620 arrived, they gave thanks after their arduous journey. Today, the rock can be seen by the public in Plymouth harbor. The town is small enough to see in the day, having a great deal of seafood restaurants and antique stores. I also recommend that you walk on the long breakwater in the harbor and look at the town. It is truly astonishing, then, to walk through Burial Hill cemetery and look at the sea. The view also is stunning. The sketch was from the harbor, where the rock is.
When I take the red line, I always get out at the MGH station and walk to the Back Bay -whatever the weather is. This is because I like Beacon Hill’s buildings with their brick facades and I feel as if I am walking in Europe. But, in lieu of pretty, petite French cafes, in the U.S., there is always a Starbucks on the corner. One of them is in Beacon Hill. I think that it is the prettiest, having a smaller seating area when compared to others. It is funny because I have never been inside and yet I always pass by. The sketch was from a picture taken from across the street.
Fenway Park is home to the Red Sox and there are throngs of baseball devotees who come to worship at this altar. I have never seen a game as it is too boring for me, but I admire those who love it. It is the oldest ballpark in MLB. Therefore, for tourists, it must be seen. Of course, my sister wanted to see a game while visiting me. In fact, at that time, there was a game against the Yankees! It was a truly good opportunity to understand the ambiance of the game and yet, you know, I am a student, so I can’t even cough up for nosebleed seats!
After a delicious dinner, it was time for dessert in the North End. We headed to an Italian patisserie called Bova's Bakery, family-owned and operated since 1932 by over three generations. There is such a dizzying array of desserts that you can lose your head. My favorite is creme brulee and it is my sister’s, too. They also carry a wide variety of breads. My Boston brother, MUSTA, introduced me to it. Thanks to my brother, we can taste real creme brulee. People who visit the North End have to go and get a dessert as they are not going to regret it! This sketch was from across the patisserie.
Even on my fifth visit, there was a crowd waiting in front of The Daily Catch, in the North End, which, of course, is the Italian district. This time, I went with my sister, who truly loves seafood, especially calamari. They have incredible fried calamari! Another important dish is black pasta with alfredo sauce. These dishes are mouthwatering. I have never tried their lobster, which is a little bit extravagant for me. I hope some day to do so. This quick sketch was from outside and I captured a moment with the chef, which I added at home. We were so impatient due to the savory aroma of garlic while awaiting our dishes. Keep it mind -cash only!
The Boston Public Market location is prominent as there are great many historic places surrounding it. These are older buildings, of course, and they are worthy of curiosity. For example, around the corner there is has an old restaurant called “The Bell In Hand Tavern.” It is acclaimed as “America's Oldest Tavern: First Pour 1795.” It is definitely worthwhile to see and taste their New England clam chowder. Also, behind that building there is another called “Union Oyster House.” Most importantly, there is the famous Boston Stone nearby. This stone is on Freedom Trail, so you can see it while walking. There are a great many legendary stories about the stone. I suggest checking it out on Wikipedia. The sketch was from in front of the Boston Public Market, where people can find local and fresh prepared foods, fruits and vegetables.
After the completion of the station, finally, people do not need to see signs of construction in Government Center. It was a summer day and the humidity was oppressive, so I got a cold beverage from the Boston Public Market and started to sketch. That time was not rush hour and tourists were probably eating something around the corner at Quincy Market. Luckily for me, I did not have to draw figures. Anyway, the sketch was from in front of John F. Kennedy Federal Building. It was a great place to understand how Boston is heroic in terms of concrete, though.
There is considerable foot traffic in Quincy Market when the summer comes to Boston. This is because the place is part of a larger tourist area. So many musicians and other street performers -I do not understand what they really do- try to garner attention for themselves. This sketch was done when my sister was visiting me in the summer. She was shopping, of course, and sampling foods in the building’s food court. I should say there are a great deal of opportunities to find good food places in that location and also a stomach-turning stench.
Another interesting museum to see in Boston is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which is very close to the MFA. Do not think about visiting them on the same day! My mother loved it, without a doubt. I did, as well, but I was more interested in the added building which Renzo Piano designed. Quite simply, it was terrific. I could not sketch Renzo’s building and yet I wandered in it, seeing a very unusual concert hall -a must see for those who study architecture. This sketch was from the courtyard of the museum, where everyone takes a photo and shares it on Instagram.
I always take visitors to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as this is the fourth largest museum in the United States. There are exquisite collections which I very much admire, such as, from Europe, Monet, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh. Of course, the list goes on and on. It is certainly impossible to finish the whole museum in merely a day, as my guests always bemoan. On this occasion, my mother was visiting me and we were relaxing on the grass. The sketch is from there.
These days, a great deal of green buildings have appeared in Boston’s landscape, in a last-ditch attempt to ward off global warming. Of course, it is too late and we are all going to die, but we have to say we tried, right? Architects, at least, try to improve buildings system that have a minimum impact on the environment. This sketch is across from the Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge Campus, built by CANNONDESIGN. There are a myriad of laboratories in the building, so you can only guess at the size of the budget, especially when you consider who the neighbors are.
First, he gives his middle finger to critics, and, secondly, told them, "So let me tell you guys. In the world we live in, 98 percent of the buildings that are built are pure shit, there is no sense of design, respect for humanity, for judgement for anything. Just dumb buildings. He is the Frank Gehry, one of the pioneers of parametricism. Of course, he is definitely right against those who ridicule his design. Embellishing and creating new thinking ways can lend itself to uniqueness and perfection, which, in turn, lend themselves to being certainly disparate and successful, in lieu of merely emulating those who came before. He is bold as he did not repeat what others have done. Although my first studio professor at the BAC was from MIT and said that some parts of his buildings are useless, I genuinely admire them. This sketch was from MIT, and is one of Boston’s icons.
I used to live in Watertown, MA, and the place that I liked the most was is the public library. Almost every day, I used to stop by and did my homework. Recently, I visited it as one of my Turkish friends lives behind the library and I needed to see him, too. Lucky guy! The library is really cozy. It is important to read in a place which has bonhomie to be relaxed and happy. Therefore, this time, I sketched it. This sketch was in front of it. I observed new bicycle repair equipment next to the entrance and thought how the locals are lucky.
As an interior architect, I greatly relish designing staircase due to the fact that they are always problematic. I’m not talking about just sticking on a prefab. Perhaps, many architects do not like them for this reason. My father tells me that architects shows their worth through their staircase designs. At any rate, today, it is not truly compelling, thanks to software. This staircase sketch was from a picture taken at Longy. The staircase has carried people since 1889, having high quality woodworks.
Needing to transfer a great deal of passengers for Red Sox games at nearby Fenway Park, Kenmore Square is one of the most important places in Boston, and has two MBTA stations. Moreover, two major avenues intersect here, that is, Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue. It is also the starting point of the Boston University campus. A major landmark of Boston is the neon Citgo sign sitting atop the Boston University bookstore. Although the logo of a Venezuelan oil company, the sign complements well with the cityscape. This sketch was from the square.
I went to Cyprus to receive an award on architectural competition from Eastern Mediterranean University, having a tough time with the heat at that time. While awaiting the ceremony, I wandered the whole area as much as I could. Saying that Cyprus is abundant in beauty. For many years, people have live in an ongoing conflict along ethnic and religious lines and still continue in the country to a degree. In fact, some zones are still No Man’s Land. One of the interesting buildings to which I needed to pay attention was the Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque in Mağusa. This is due to the fact that the mosque was originally a cathedral. Later, the Ottomans turned it into a mosque. The funny thing is that the cathedral and the mosque were designed with different prayer directions. Churches are built so that worshippers face East. Mosques, however, are built to facilitate prayer in the direction of Mecca. From Cyprus, this means Southeast. This sketch was from in front of the building. Note the later addition of the minaret.
One can appreciate how concrete can cause a great deal of undescribed feelings within spatial areas at the Yale University Museum. I think that Louis Kahn was truly talented to use materiality upon forms, especially mass and heavy forms. We can even envision his works as “monumental beyond modernism.” This sketch, which was from an old photo, was of Yale University’s Museum from the courtyard. As the art gallery is the oldest university art museum in the western hemisphere, it has a great deal of precious pieces over there. The museum has ben collecting them since 1832. It was truly a good time with one of my cousins, also a graduate student of architecture, until we heard students getting rowdy in the pitch black New Haven streets
I really did not relish the route, on the green line, I took when I was going to a crappy language school, but I did enjoy looking around while taking the subway as part of it runs as a trolley. This lent itself to exploring new places. One of them is the Boston University central campus, seen here. The Martin Luther King Jr. sculpture was truly appealing for those who are keen for art. I wish I could have seen it when the sunlight creates the shadow which appears on the ground. There is always next time.
Boston has a great deal of small surrounding towns. One of these is Rockport, where I wolfed down a lobster roll. This fishing town is quite quiet, yet, in the summer it is pretty crowded, having a plethora of art galleries which are open seasonally (that is, not in the harsh winters). I certainly recommend this place to visit for those who want a day trip, see a good place and eat fresh lobster. The sketch was from a parking lot and seen through the lens of the obligatory red house. At that time, no one was there as the season was winter. I got lucky. Just me and the lobster traps.
Oh boy, this is an Italian job -not the movie! Of course, the architect is Renzo Piano and here you are, the New York Times building in Manhattan. Due to Renzo’s background, that is, engineering, there are so many details which I am happy to figure out. The building is a green structure and the design team planned to increase energy efficiency. For example, the double skin curtain wall, automated louver shading system, dimmable lighting system, underfloor air distribution system and cogeneration are the main sustainable design features. It is certainly worth seeing it. The sketch was from a picture which I took on a trip. Later, I stopped by the Muji on the first floor, as, as an architect, I appreciate fine pens and pencils.
One of James’s events was visiting the Longfellow House / Washington's Headquarters national historic site. At that time, I was trying to learn English. It was a great trip for not only learning something about American culture, but also seeing and understanding the architecture of that era was truly beneficial to me. This is due to the fact that I had moved here only 3 months earlier and knew nothing about Boston. The house was built in 1759 and it is still standing. It was erected by a Tory who abandoned it when he fled from the Patriots. Washington later took up residence and used it as his headquarters while in Boston. The house later came into the possession of the Longfellow family. The sketch was from in front of the house. I also fell in love with its garden!
When I am in Turkey, of course, I call my friends to grab coffee or get breakfast. That day, one of my best friends from high school, my sister and I had a delicious breakfast in Karakoy. Then, we decided to go to old Istanbul, where everything is a rabbit warren -Sirkeci. Strolling through the old streets, taking in the buildings and eating traditional food was very cheerful. Historic architectural details and elements marred by time and fools was upsetting, but, even so, Istanbul seems to be pristine although many modern additions have spoiled it. This sketch was from Sirkeci of Karakoy, from the outskirts. Due to the fact that my whole street’s buildings were demolished, next time, I will probably find Istanbul unrecognizable. In the meantime, I was still jet lagged as the date should have been 2017, not 2016.
I owed them, literally. Had they not had this coffee, certainly, I would not have graduated. I am talking about Mehmet Efendi’s Turkish coffees. This coffee keeps me alert. While studying for my senior project, my mom always brewed me a fresh cup. As I needed to toil very late, I had to drink something, eating also Turkish delight. The sketch was from a picture taken from the Ground Bazaar. Getting in Istanbul, purchasing fresh coffee and feeling its aromatic smell, brought me back to my old days in Turkey. Now, I should learn how to make my own coffee. If I could just manage the foam...
Finally, I got a ticket to go to Turkey due to my unexpected illness. I need to say that you should not be sick on this continent. Thanks to the U.S.’s prices for medical care (nearly the same amount as airfare) I could see my family and country. I refused the treatment which the doctors recommended. At any rate, while wandering in Istanbul, I saw the U.S. president’s towers, our “Trump Towers.” they are located in the most desirable zone, of course. Money talks. The Turkish government wanted to remove the name of the tower on the building after the U.S. travel ban on Muslim countries. But it is still there! The sketch was from a metrobus station. I got lucky and not too many people were there at the time.
Time to graduate for those who complete all requirements at the BAC. A part of a beauty of studying at the BAC is graduation as it is held in a gothic church in the Back Bay, that is, at Old South Church. It is a historic United Church of Christ congregation first organized in 1669 and it is home to one of the older religious communities in the U.S., at least, according to Wikipedia. Trying to transfer, I hope that my turn will not come -but It seems unlikely. It would be a transcendent atmosphere to attempt this kind of event in this space. The sketch was from inside the church.
I was perusing a book on Turkish architecture and found a famous architect’s building. I remembered having taken a picture of that building. The architect is Vedat Tek. I have known his work as he holds a very important place in architecture and also he gave many lectures in my university. But, what shocked me was that the postoffice in Sirkeci is his first building. The facade is curved stone and marble. The building is truly astonishing as it has so many details. The sketch was from the picture that I had taken earlier. I will certainly visit the next time I am in Istanbul!
I go to the best English learning program in Boston. I think James, who is the owner, is the most patient teacher I have ever seen. I know this from personal observation. Regardless, thanks to James, he, his students and I have attended opera performances at Longy, a music school in Boston, to see his students’ performances, and not only one time, but several times. This sketch was from one of his lovely students’ final performances. I was upset as, perhaps, we can not come again, but do not worry, James has a great deal of organization to support people who would like to learn this damned English!
I was looking for my old sketchbook and found this quick sketch. It was from a City Lab assignment. The instructor showed us MGH and revealed the design process of the new building. We discovered many spaces within it, as you can see from my previous sketches. During this trip, we sketched extensively. In an entrance to a floor, we had only 5 minutes to draw an interior space. I got my place and started to draw. At the end of the day, everyone did a good job. This sketch was one of them.
The best place in the U.S is Boston! At least, according to one of my friends. Although I have seen many places in Europe and beyond, I have not yet formed an opinion of Boston as I have not yet seen many places in the U.S. However, I need to heed my friend as she wandered the world, including the Americas. She is a real globe trotter. This week’s sketch is from a picture taken from John Hancock Tower during my City Lab class. It was greatly beneficial for understanding Boston as a city as we looked out over it. After 3 years, I can not say it is the best place, and yet it has potential -it is still Istanbul for me!
I am pursuing a portrait project entitled “OCA2, or ‘Seeing Through Color To Colorlessness’ ”. I started to shoot subjects who wanted to participate in this project. I have very much enjoyed this experience thus far. Thanks to one of my Turkish friends from college introducing me, I made my first ginger friend, who is a lovely person. Until then, I had been under the impression that the South Park definition of gingers as soulless to be absolutely correct! But, I both jest and digress. I am recruiting more subjects to complete this project. The sketch was in front of my computer. A that time, I was trying to line up shoots.
I felt as if I were a plane! -What security! I just wanted to see the Statue of Liberty! As there are a great deal of security issues in the U.S, people who take care of the country pay attention to everything, researching and scrutinizing everyone. They are right so far! After passing tight security, I ultimately arrived at Liberty Island. I would say that the cityscape was great and it was worth shooting, actually, and I did. I subscribed to the children’s tale that the statue had been intended for what was then Turkey. I assumed that the statue was made genuinely for Ottomans and yet, at that time, some problems came about and it never arrived in Turkey. I needed to check my history notes to remember. The sketch was of the island with the city in the backdrop
This semester, I often needed to pass long hours in libraries as a large quantity of readings from the contemporary architecture class ruined my daily life. Of course, it is hard to read and understand academic papers in English when your mother language is another. I need to say that I had tough times with these readings. Usually, I, therefore, go to the Boston Public Library and yet, at times, my school’s own library is my preference. We are fortunate as the college is located on Newbury Street, having a great street view. When I am bored of reading, my escape is sketching. This sketch is from there, overlooking the Back Bay and the Prudential.
While taking a class at the BAC (Community Practice),I learned a plethora of information on East Boston as our focus was in that zone. Most importantly, the issue which East Boston will seriously face, at the time, is extremely challenging after some floods -that is, the sea level is rising. This problem will be destructive as I have been informed. I think that the city council is in very serious discussion of this case due to the fact that many people’s lives are at risk. The sketch was from East Boston looking at Boston. Sketching, I thought upon the people who will not have the opportunity to see the cityscape as there will be no land in 50 years.
Should you want to see too many people, literally, in every hour of the day, you should go to the city and walk around Times Square. The energy of the streets is indescribable and everyone took pictures of neon signs and the electronic displays. This is the way the world works, perhaps. Despite everything, experiencing this atmosphere gives a new perspective to reveal how New Yorkers hate crowds. Instead of mingling in this crowd, I sketched in the middle of Time square. This fast sketch was from there. In the meantime, I found a place to sit on the red chairs -luckily.
Boston has a great deal of restaurants. Especially, in the North End, there is an abundance of Italian restaurants. The dishes are truly mouthwatering, indisputably. Perhaps, many individuals and tourists do not know that the oldest building in Boston is in the North End, that is, the Paul Revere House. It was built about 1680. Although it saw many fires, it still stands. It is definitely worth seeing! North Square Park -where the building is- also offers many buildings to understand Boston’s old and traditional architectural features. The sketch was done in the middle of the park looking through the building, of course, after eating delicious food.
While wandering downtown to relax for the upcoming semester at the BAC, I found myself glancing at City Hall and pondering if it is truly brutalist. Moreover, I remember how brutal people’s comments are about it as some of them abhor it and others really like it. I fall in the latter group. The building has a pretty strange story as the design process had two stages and it was selected from 256 entries by a jury. To me, it is strange that selecting this kind of new design for that era and accepting it in the middle of the city -was very bold. The sketch was done from the front of the building -where Government Center station remnants are.
February is a month which I loathe as it makes me older and yet there is nothing to do except eating a mouthwatering lobster roll at Luke's Lobster in the Back Bay. Every year, while in Boston, I go there and eat this roll -a kind of a gift to myself. The funny thing is that the weather is always freezing and snowy and no one is there. It is easy to grab a bite to eat in the winter! Then, of course, going to the public library is a necessity with a double shot of espresso to wake me up. This sketch of the lobster place was done from the library. It was an enjoyable day until I caught my reflection in a window and I saw the spread of white hair. White is the color of getting old -not of happiness. lamentably!
I wish I were a student at Berkeley and yet it is too late for me to be a good musician as there are many other responsibilities. So, I do not have time to practice anything, of course, except drawing, as always. This sketch is from Boylston Street, where many wannabe musicians and real ones milling about. The new building is truly appealing due to the fact that it incorporates a very smart architectural solution for the organization of spaces, that is, putting the performance hall on the second floor and making it visible instead of hiding, as in a standard design. As such, students can see outside while hanging out or watching performances and people who walk around the building can see the space, as well. This leads individuals to become a part of the school and also the school to become a part of the environment.
Boston has a new skyscraper, the Millennium Tower, downtown -not to be confused with Millennium Place. This new building is perhaps the most expensive estate as of writing as it commands views of Boston and is in the middle of the city, as well. However, I heard the penthouse is going for nearly 300 million dollars. I think that many have this pocket money to perch on a futuristic pedestal, in lieu of living closer to the ground and nature with the rest of us slobs. This quick sketch was from behind the building and I tried to juxtapose one of the oldest buildings downtown, Old South Meeting House, and the newest.
The Mother Church, also known as the Christian Science Church, is a tourist place in Beantown. This is because this building is the headquarters of this religion. They try to treat people’s medical conditions through prayer, shunning modern methods, such as medication. They have a prayer for every situation, in fact, even for cyber attacks. Although the sketch was across from the domed building, which is an extension. The original church is behind this building. The funny thing is that the architect of the extended building had no architectural education and yet it is has been standing since 1906.
Wind has color at 888 Boylston. This is the most recent addition to the the growing number of green building in Boston, as of writing and has brought green to the Back Bay. The design of the building is incorporates sustainability. It is even atopped with wind turbines.This throws different colors on roof of the building. Experincering interior spaces is also exciting. In fact, I glimpsed an Anish Kapoor sculpture behind the security desk. This quick sketch was from the corner of Gloucester Street
Upon wandering through a Boston neighborhood, I found myself on the top of Bunker Hill Monument to see what the Hub looked like. Charlestown, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, has a unique atmosphere, as Beacon Hill and I very much relish seeing these old settlements to envision how Boston genuinely grew out of these neighborhoods.I would say that the silhouette of Boston is truly astonishing -but not like that of the Big Apple. I wish I could say that the sketch was from top of the monument, but it was stifling. Therefore, this time I merely sketched from a photo that I took that day.
At times, I think that I am very lucky in that I have five uncles who show me around the world. Recently, I went to Ocean City, Washington with my smartest uncles. We hit the beach but it was desolate as it was the end of May and there was still a chill in the air. It was great as we did not need to wait in boring lines like on roasting summer days. This sketch is of a building on the coastline, as seen from the boardwalk. This was truly a convoluted facade. At first glance, I could not figure it out, but, then, I understood that it was a building -an art gallery. Due to the season, it was not open. As such, I did not have a chance to look at it. But, I did remember a cup of giant fries which we wolfed down.
