SAN FRANCISCO – When it comes to San Francisco, I have very mixed feelings.  Growing up, I loved spending time there and felt it was one of the best places ever.  But now, after having seen a bit of what else is out there in the world and having looked at what SF has become, I find it less in [...]

      LOS ANGELES – Downtown is one of the few parts of LA where you can find classical architecture – from beaux-arts and art deco to revival – mixed in with a range of starchitectual wows.  As far as LA goes, Downtown truly represents a treasure trove of architectural gems, reflecting not only the area’s rich history but [...]

    NEW YORK – A quick jaunt over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn’s Dumbo district brings you to one of NYC’s newest and most unique attractions in recent years (as my friend who joined me said, “only NYC would have something like this”).  There lies Jane’s Carousel, a fully restored 1922 classic carousel encased in a acrylic [...]

    TOKYO – Skip Tokyo’s lame attempts at phallic-like, big-n-tall structures (e.g., Tokyo Tower and the Municipal Government Buildings).  Where the city really excels is in the architectural form; and integrating it artistically and functionally with its surroundings. Okay, that may sound like a bit much but if you’re into structure and design, Tokyo certainly has it’s share of must-see [...]