Comments on: That Which Survives (p2)

By: Steve S.

Steve S. — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:00:37 +0000

For those of you interested in industrial architecture, here’s a depressing story out of one of my old locales, but it’s pretty good at showing the decisions companies make, even presented with alternatives that would have been subsidized.
http://onmilwaukee.com/articles/askomccentralsteel.html?a=article_image%E2%84%91=3
The article has good before and after photos along with the story.
It was quite a sight in the dark as well

By: ccexplorer

ccexplorer — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:03:53 +0000

I think perhaps the idea might be having a comeback in factory design. Check out this VW plant in Dresden Germany. Its amazing, and hopefully a sign of things to come!

By: Adam from Detroit

Adam from Detroit — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:51:10 +0000

actually its not just filled-in windows….look at the progression of ALL factories since the 1920s…

at the dawn of the 20th century, having the most available window sash on a plant was considered “state of the art” not only in work safety, but also comfort, and thermal efficiency. by the ’40s, they had found out how to make a factory blg a complete glass house.

now, factories are BUILT with no windows…

By: Bill In Indiana

Bill In Indiana — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:23:02 +0000

My office is in a 100 year old building with non-standard sized windows. Off the shelf replacements are not an option. I have eight original windows down the south side of the 2nd story that all need replaced. Since that floor is now just storage, and rarely used, an $8 sheet of plywood looks a lot better to cover the windows than $400 a shot for new windows. I imagine these building owners faced similar situations. Then combine that with the need to secure them from theft/vandalism and bingo… filled in windows.

By: ROC

ROC — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:17:07 +0000

Rocks and BB-guns do a lot less damage to block infilled windows than they do glass ones.

By: dc

dc — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:57:07 +0000

I’m always amused at people who never set foot outside in the winter, but prefer to use full-spectrum lights to get their Vitamin D. I understand work schedules and all of that, but… it’s just ironic!

By: ccexplorer

ccexplorer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Thanks Jay. isle Royale is up in that general area, its actually behind Walmart a good half mile or so. These buildings sit along Gundlach road, which is where the Houghton High School is also located.

About my natural light jabs. It always amazes me the size and amount of windows put in those old buildings. At some point (I want to blame the 70′s for some reason) the powers-that-be decided that those windows were too much trouble and worked to diminish them as much as possible. You see the results of this misshapen policy all across the Keweenaw in storefronts, school buildings, and even old industrial buildings like the IR machine shop.

I know the idea was to conserve heat loss and such, but its a real shame. It amazes me that as a society we seemed to have turned away from natural light in favor of the harsh whine of fluorescent fixtures. Its good to see that horrible practice being dismissed lately (just look at the new Tech buildings and you’ll notice that natural light has made a comeback).

By: Jay Balliet

Jay Balliet — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:23:35 +0000

“Of course they were later filled in with concrete block when it was discovered that natural light can cause cancer. “

LOL!!!

Loving the new posts Mike. The Isle Royale is up by where Wally World is today, right?