If you have ever been to Dallas you have definitely noticed this building along with the reunion tower. Fountain Place is a sky scrapper that looks like it is made of just glass. The first time I saw the building it made me feel that it pierced the Dallas skyline due to how the building creates an edge at the top. It was amazing the first time seeing it because even though it looked like it was made of glass, it still looked solid and anchored down. The building almost looks as though it is a pentagon but the sides are parallel and way longer than the other sides.

When I went to New York in January I got to visit many cool places and see many cool buildings. But the World Trade Center Building 5 stuck out in my mind. The official name of this building is One World Trade Center. The building has 104 floors and stands at 1,776 feet tall. This building is also the tallest in the United States.

Walking up this building all you see is a lot of windows that give the building a beautiful glow in the day. When I got to the entrance of the building and looked up I couldn’t even see the top of the building which scared me a little bit. Once I was inside the building had nice clean white walls. The part that amazed me about this building is how fast the elevators where. Once in the elevator, it took 47 seconds to get to the One World Observatory which was on floor 102. When you get out of the elevator you are in a huge circle room that expands around the top of the building. Once in this room, the fear left my body and I was just amazed at the view this building had and how none of it would be possible without architecture.

As one of several Harding alumni in this section, I am certain that I will not be the only person to publish a piece on this building. Despite this possible lack of uniqueness, I feel compelled to write about Harding. What this building means to me is merit enough to publish something, not to mention the historical, architectural, and community significance of the structure.

To begin with some of the historical and architectural importance of the building, one can see from the attached image that it is constructed in the fortress-like, brown brick style in which many pedagogical buildings were constructed during the era of Harding’s inception. Linoleum tile, fluorescent lights, light-colored wooden doors and handrails are pervasive in the space. Antique metal lockers- many of which having long-since become defunct- line the halls on both sides, old and often unceremonious paintings hanging on the taupe drywall above them speak to the notions of grandeur to which the school hopes its pupils aspire. Harding is also important to its community- located in the heart of a somewhat historic, quaint little neighborhood, it has become a fixture. This community was also important to the students- Oklahoma City’s famed Asian District, the Paseo, and some of the more interesting developments on Western Avenue and on 36th Street are all within walking distance from the school, providing innumerable opportunities for after school adventures, even for students who cannot yet drive.

As a quick aside, it is worth noting that Harding, the institution, has been relocated to another building- one which, while newer and nicer, and sans risk of asbestos- which lacks much of the classical beauty of the original building, and certainly the community element.

Finally, with regard to my experience of the building and my continued feelings toward it, I must say that I often sense a warm nostalgia when thinking on the place. Within those crowded and bustling halls, devoid of air conditioning, I would discover so much about the world, the people in it, and myself. I would find community in my peers, all of us bonding through the “trauma” of the preposterous workload for which the school is notorious. I would find a feeling of safety and comfort in expressing myself within the speech and debate team, my principal extra-curricular activity. I would learn how to really ask the important questions, and view the world analytically, to appreciate thorough and fastidious investigation and pondering of issues. I would learn how to make friends, to develop networks, and to enjoy the fruits of hard labor. I would, in short, become myself. So much of the growth I have experienced was catalyzed by the environment created in that old, poorly-ventilated building, sited not far from many of Oklahoma City’s greatest cultural centers. I can only hope that wherever I go next can afford me such room to grow.

The Reunion Tower is located in Dallas, and stands out amongst all the other office buildings located downtown. The height of the Reunion tower makes it seem as though it is a landmark. I like the ball design at the top because it reminds me of a water tower, but with a modern twist. I remember the first time driving through downtown Dallas and the Reunion Tower being the first thing i noticed. You can’t look over downtown without admiring the Reunion Tower first just due to its size.

When I first heard about the Perot Museum I didn’t think much of it. That was until I was driving by it one day and noticed the massive set of stairs that seems to be stuck to the side of the building. I was amazed at first because it was hard to understand how it was being supported. The other thing that caught my eye was that the building looked almost sharp in a sense and rough. I thought it was cool to see on the side of the building what looked like brick sticking out from the building to give it a rocky look. The building itself just stands out and isn’t your typical brick building.

The Bizzell Memorial Library is a beautiful building from the outside. The way the architects designed the building helped give it a look that seems like it is an establishment and not just another building that will be remodeled in the next 10-15 years. It gives me the feeling that it is the centerpiece of campus. Whenever I’m in the actual building the way the natural light comes through the tall windows gives the inside a refreshing feeling. My favorite part about the design is the tall doors when you enter and tall ceilings.  It helps the building feel a lot more open which is nice because of the amount of people going in and out.

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.

Koo Chen-Fu Memorial Library is located on the National Taiwan University campus in Taipei, Taiwan. It was designed by Toyo Ito and was completed in 2014. 

The roof of the single-story library is supported by organic shaped white columns that resemble lotus leaves in water. The bookshelves of various height and curved shapes create a maze-like plan (it looked like a fingerprint in my opinion), providing partitions for reading and group study areas. 

The roof structure has skylights to allow for natural lighting. The building is surrounded by a shallow pool, and the reflection of the sunlight on the water comes into the interior through the glass wall. 

I had a chance to visit the library and attend classes in the adjacent College of Social Science building while I was studying abroad at the National Taiwan University. This was by far my favorite space on campus that I would go to study because of its relaxing atmosphere.