Wednesday, January 29, 2014

You can't save them all . .

I had the opportunity this morning to photograph another KCMOSD school building slated for demolition. Built in 1930-31, J.S. Chick Elementary was among thirty-something schools closed in a "right-sizing" plan by the School District a few years ago. Once eligible for sale and repurposing, it soon fell to vandalism and will now be torn down.

There isn't anything unusual about this these days, nor is there much of anything special about this particular building. It's just a little sad, and a pretty big waste of a well-built, solid building. But, you can't save them all.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Just stop

Who hasn't driven past a particularly spectacular building and said, "I've GOT to see inside that someday!"?

I was in Wichita for a few days photographing a large and fairly uninteresting project when we stumbled on to an amazing Catholic Church. Wichita has a lot of Mid-Century-Moden architecture, but this church is WAY over the top! "I bet it's still amazing inside.", I said as we drove by.

On the last day in town we happened to drive past it again. It was fate. We stopped. We went in. And we were in awe.

I haven't been able to find any more about this building than what's on this dedication wall. I'd love to know who the architect was!
So, next time you drive past that spectacular building, try this:

Stop.

Grab your camera.

Knock on the door.

You'll probably be glad you did!