“Of the many doorways we pass in a short walk, most are fulfilling their purpose, most of them are well-enough built. How many are worth a second look? It seems that there is something more than merely ‘function,’ something more than good construction, something more difficult to achieve, if so few can achieve it. It is precisely the pursuit of this something that makes of architecture a thing apart.”
Paul Philippe Cret
I had the opportunity to visit Seattle, Washington recently and my experience was everything I dreamed it would be. The Pacific Northwest is notorious for its rainy weather and gloomy skies and sure enough the clouds were out in full-force every morning. The following photo series is from October of 2017.
Below is a view of the downtown area from a rooftop.
Below is Metropolitan Market in Sammamish, Washington. I ate lunch here on my first day. They had a selection of homemade gourmet food options and a small bakery inside. I had some macaroni salad, coffee, and an appetizer plate filled with cucumber, hummus, kalamata olives and dolmas. I loved the pumpkins and plants that were stacked outside because they finally made me feel like autumn had arrived. I ate my lunch on a patio that was located to the left just off-camera that overlooked a tree-lined street.
Below is the view from 1st Avenue and Stewart Street looking east towards the waterfront in downtown Seattle. 1st Avenue runs parallel to the waterfront and each of the streets leading down to Pike Place Market were very steep. I love the way the clouds hang over the water as if they were suspended on a wire.
Below is the view from Waterfront Park of the Seattle Great Wheel.
Below is the view from 1st Avenue and Virginia Street looking east towards the waterfront and Victor Steinbrueck Park. Note the similar light fixtures from the previous picture near the waterfront.
At this point I stopped for breakfast at a small French bistro on 1st Avenue. There were numerous cafes in this area and each of them had long lines spilling out into the street from the sidewalk. I walked a few blocks northwest and went to this restaurant called Le Pichet, which was tucked away next to a shoe store. I sat at the bar and tried to blend in with the crowd.
Below is a picture of a beautiful building at the corner of Cedar Street and 4th Avenue. I came across this building by accident. I was walking back to my car and realized that I had forgotten to see the Space Needle. I began walking northeast along 1st Avenue until I reached Cedar Street, where I saw the Space Needle looming over the buildings to my right. I began walking northwest on Cedar Street and as I approached 4th Avenue I came across this beautiful facade and I stopped to take a picture.
Below is a view of the Space Needle looking up from the corner of John Street and Broad Street. At this point in the day the clouds had disappeared and I was able to take this lovely photo.
Below is a picture from Pike Street and 5th Avenue looking southeast towards 4th Avenue. If you were to continue walking down Pike Street from this direction you would eventually reach Pike Place Market.
Below is a picture from 4th Avenue looking northwest towards Pike Street. All of the buildings in this area had very striking facades and ornate details.
Below is a picture from the corner of 4th Avenue and Pike Street. Note the decoration where the roof meets the exterior wall.
A Walk Through The City 