The National Center for Civil and Human Rights was a building built in 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia built by Philip Freelon. To me, this is the most impressive building that he built. It really made me take a step back and realize how much work truly goes in to a building, even if it is something that’s not noticeable at first or without being told. The multi-coloured panels on the exterior are used to represent different skin tones. The two slanted walls are divided by a glass curtain wall, which is an evocation of two hands coming together.

The Motown Museum is a large museum in Detroit, Michigan. It was overhauled by Perkins+ Will, a global design practice founded in 1935 with the help of Philip Freelon. It’s amazing to me that multiple big name designers were able to come together and design a single building. It joins existing house-like structures that currently accommodate the museum, so they had to make sure that this building flowed with what was already in place. The images of the building were released in February 2019, only a few months before Freelon passed away. I personally like the colorful strips at the top of the building and the way that they grab the eye.

This museum is really cool to me for a couple different reasons. The first one is the large glass windows, allowing you to see inside. Although it is common, I still love getting to see large windows, and the bright lighting behind it only adds to the effect. The museum contains slave narratives and documents the history of enslaved Africans. The museum is part of a 42-story skyscraper and is joined by condominiums and a 5-star hotel.

Philip Freelon was an architect who was loved for the diversity of his projects. This one in particular stood out to me when I was looking at his work because it is a place I have actually been to It is located in Houston, Texas, and I would highly recommend going to the location if you are in town. There is a playground as well as a performance hall. The most important thing about the park is the location- it is built in a mostly African-American neighborhood and was the only public park their at times.

As a kid, one of my grandpa’s favorite places to eat was at Meers in Lawton, Oklahoma. It’s not the fanciest restaurant  but they make burgers out of longhorn cattle that is amazing. One thing quirky about the restaurant is that it’s closed on Tuesday’s and I remember going down there a couple times and not being able to eat because the restaurant was closed. It’s near Mt. Scott so it makes for a good place to eat while going to check out the mountains.

When I was in the fourth grade my family and I went to London. While we were there, we rode to London Eye. I still remember being able to look out over the city when we were at the top, and I also remember being slightly scared. It was amazing and I hope that it is something that I can take my kids to someday.

The Chesapeake Energy Arena amazes me how many different things that the building can be used for. My grandpa and I have had season tickets to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the last few years and they have some of the best experiences I have had. I’ve been going to this center in downtown Oklahoma for a long time and seen it renovated from the Ford Center to the Chesapeake Energy Arena.. I also went to a Monster Jam concert once there that was also a lot of fun. Every time I am downtown and go past the building it reminds me of the good memories with my family.

This building has  had a very positive on me and my life. My first ever vacation was a trip to Disney World with my family, and I was blown away by the size of the Epcot building. It reminded me of a giant golf ball. When I see it now it reminds me of my first trip with my family. I hope to go back one day and see it again and how the surroundings have changed.