dancing with architecture: Charleston, South Carolina

Went out east to be a spouse at the bride's work retreat and see my mama and sister. Saw some architecture, but not much Modern (as a local architectural historian wrote, the less that is said about Modern architecture in Charleston, the better). Nonetheless, Charleston is a beautiful and romantic city (although I suggest not going in the summer months; sweat dripping from your elbows doesn't bring on the ladies). Charleston is mostly known for the Charleston single house, a multistoried house with the porches facing the side yard rather than the street.

rainwater and anger issues

Had a bidness lunch with a former colleague the other day and the chatter turned to building once the brisket and taters arrived (building a house is a great table topic: everyone has a horror story). My pal designed his own house (it can be done!) for a lot on the outskirts of town with plans of capturing rainfall for indoor and outdoor use. Once the neighbor realized that my pal would be relying on rainwater for his sole supply (and that he would be building on a long-empty lot valued as easy access to the greenbelt), the neighbor tried to rally the neighborhood association against him (everybody had their own water well). When that didn’t work, she sued.

At work, when someone threatens to sue or sues, someone will invariable yelp “They can’t sue us for that!” and my response is “Of course they can: You can be sued for anything!” However, winning a lawsuit is a totally different deal...

For my friend, there was no reason for him to be sued. No deed restrictions, covenants, or subdivision rules prevented him from relying on rainwater for his supply. Furthermore, he was burying his tanks so there were no aesthetic issues. Nonetheless, the neighbor sued alleging that relying on rainwater was going to adversely impact her property values. She withdrew the lawsuit after he showed that she had trespassed on his lot to take photos of his tanks.

He says he doesn’t get invited over for BBQs. And she doesn’t get invited over for a glass of cool, clear water...

 

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dancing with architecture: San Antonio

Went down to San Antonio to yap about artesian wells to 500 people (yikes!) on Saturday morning and made a day (and night) of it. None of the usual architectural suspects here (well, maybe a few...). Ended the day hoofing it across town to grab a bite at Ocho where serendipitously we bumped into Ray of Son y No Son, an Austin latin dance band that played at our wedding, playing a gig to commemorate Ernest Hemingway's b-day.

A crazy night filled with crazy corners...