Tag: Architecture

Episode 28: Fueling Up!

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Gas stations get a second act: donut shops, roasteries, and beer gardens where the pumps used to be. Rae and Andi trace roadside architecture from Art Deco curves to Mission Revival tile to a baffling Tudor cottage phase (chimneys included) and land squarely in your coffee cup. It’s architecture, nostalgia, and a mild caffeine addiction, all in one episode.

References:

The NPS has a fascinating article about Phillips 66 station restorations and also Preservation Brief 46 “The Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations” by Chad Randl, mentioned in the episode.

Photo of the Red Truck Bakery
Andi’s old internship digs
A “Phillips 66” Tudor Cottage Gas Station

Episode 26: Upright: A Brief History of Holding Things Up

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A whirlwind tour of columns at their most iconic: capital moments, load‑bearing drama, and centuries of standing their ground. Rae and Andi lean into Greek bulges, Roman rule‑breaking, and postmodern inside jokes.

A good overview of the classical orders can be found on Wikipedia

The Lee-Custis Mansion at Arlington Cemetery
Venturi’s Ionic column
Can you recognize the order on your own?
Wright’s column demo
Wright’s “dendriform” columns in use
Egyptian palmiform columns

Episode 25: Flying on Concrete Wings

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Rae and Andi dive into the chaos and charm of airports — the security scrambles, the gate‑change sprints, the lost‑passport panic, and the tiny design moments that somehow make it all feel magical anyway. They celebrate the clacking boards, the terrazzo floors, and the jet‑age swoops that turn terminals into portals. They also take on the big question: does a rainforest waterfall inside a terminal count as bold design or just architectural overkill? 

Airship Mooring in Providence RI
Old Newark Airport
LAX Theme Building
TWA Terminal at JFK
TWA Terminal Interior
Dulles
CDG Terminal 1
CDG Tunnel
Portland Carpets
Portland Redesign
Daxing
Changi

Episode 24: Xanadu – Preservation Lessons from a Cult‑Classic Mess

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This month, Rae, Andi, and guest Colin tackle Xanadu, the 1980 neon‑drenched musical that “only vaguely refers to preservation” but somehow opens the door to a surprisingly rich conversation about what’s worth saving—and why. From roller‑skating muses to a once‑grand auditorium begging for a second life, the team digs into how even the most chaotic cult films reflect our shifting ideas about memory, place, and cultural value. It’s preservation with leg warmers on.

You may recognize Colin from last month’s Save the ________! or last year’s Night at the Movies. If not, check out those episodes next!

The “real” Xandu: the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles
Xanadu as seen in Citizen Kane
Not Xanadu but the inspiration for the Citizen Kane version: San Simeon
A Holiiday Inn Holodome
Not *the* but *a* Xanadu at The Dells, now demolished

Episode 22: Spire Wars – LeDuc Strikes Back

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This month, Andi and Rae discuss two early visionaries of preservation, often described as foes: Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and John Ruskin. Their thoughts on architecture, authorship, and reuse are all still current today. In particular, Notre Dame would likely not have survived the disastrous 2019 fire quite so well without the work pioneered 150 years earlier. Plus, both men were charismatic fellows with excellent facial hair. So come learn about Mr. Beard and Mr. Sideburns, and discover how places like Carcassonne and Notre Dame got a new lease on life.



John Ruskin
Barboursville Ruins
Statue of Le Duc on Notre Dame
Carcassonne before and after restoration
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc

Episode 21: An Ode to Otis

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In this episode, Rae and Andi give proper respect to the inventor of the safety elevator and cities today as we know them: Elisha Otis. Escalators, steel, and some *really* dangerous contraptions also get a mention. Going up!

The Bradbury Building, inspiration for this episode
Otis being theatrical
The Chrysler Building
A *comfortably sized* French elevator

Episode 20: Historic Swap 2025

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To celebrate this holiday season – in what is now a tradition – Rae and Andi are sharing some favorite historic sites from across the country. Tune in for the wonderful historic sites, stay for the incisive critique of the National Register. After all, complaining is part of the fun. Happy holidays, everyone!

Bradbury Building
Lucy
Kenilworth Gardens
Lexington Cemetery
Big Brutus (and Rae!)
Street Clock on 5th Ave
Stonehenge Memorial at Mary Hill
Masonic Temple in SLC
Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village
Contoocook Rail Bridge
Carhenge
Cadillac Ranch
Salvation Mountain
33 Thomas Street

Episode 19: Bathrooms

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Do you ever wonder why subway tile is so common in bathrooms? Are you flummoxed by bidets? What’s your take on pedestal sinks? Join Rae and Andi as we talk all things evacuation and cleanliness while trying not to giggle 🚽🛁

Three Story Outhouse
Urinal at the Madonna Inn
Thomas Jefferson’s “Necessary”
Paris Urinal
Medieval toilet diagram

Episode 18: Haunted Houses

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To celebrate spooky season – the best season – Rae and Andi talk all things haunted house-related. What is the most eerie architectural style? What are the best examples and what makes those houses so wonderfully spooky? Get yourself a seasonally-appropriate beverage and join us as we talk about mansard roofs and other spine-chilling features. 👻

Haunted HousesDownload

Episode 16: Postcards

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Most mail is spam, or maybe bills. But postcards! Getting a postcard is a joyful little moment, and then you can keep it on your fridge, or your mantel, or a shoebox, and then every time you look at it you get another little burst of joy. So this month, Rae and Andi talk about postcards and share postcards and generally appreciate all things postcard. Hope we can encourage you to send some to your loved ones! 📫