My water journey evolves from the rural landscape of the
shoreline road following the south cost of Lake Erie to
one of the most imposing cities of the US,
Buffalo. One of the theories about
the origin of the city name is of a mispronunciation of the French beau
fleuve, "beautiful river”. The river in question is the majestic Niagara
river.
Architecture, scale, cityscape and urban fabric in Buffalo
are towering and stately, a testimonial of the imposing architecture and
urbanism of the 19th and early 20th century. Axes hold focal points and squares
are defined by wall-like buildings such as City Hall. Niagara
Square is an example, designed by Joseph Ellicott
as the hub (marked by an obelisk) for a radial street pattern.
Almost all the major architects of the past century designed
buildings for Buffalo, including
Richard Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Frederick Law Olmsted designed in 1869
an interconnected park and parkway system, to become the largest park system in
the country.
Buffalo has
represented for me the most appropriate manmade gateway to one of the most
impressive expression of forces of nature.
City Hall
Richard Sullivan was here...
Buffalo architecture and its grand past
The Albright Knox Art Gallery
Delaware Park
Fontana Boathouse, built recently from Frank Lloyd Wright 's drawings
Martin House by Frank Lloyd Wright
A view of the Niagara River