Remembering Michael McCall, developer of the Chrysalis
On the occasion of Michael McCall’s death I reflect on his signature achievements in Columbia, Maryland.
downtowncolumbia
A new plan for Symphony Woods
The Inner Arbor Trust is revising its plans for Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods to reflect new realities.
Soulful Symphony elevates Howard County
Merriweather Post Pavilion gets its own resident orchestra
No sophomore slump for OPUS Merriweather
OPUS Merriweather 2018 repeated the success of last year and improved upon it.
Now that the Chrysalis has been created
I have some final thoughts after completing my series on the Chrysalis and the background to its creation.
Creating the Chrysalis: Timeline
A timeline of significant events in the history of the Chrysalis and its surroundings, from 1962 to the present, with references.
Creating the Chrysalis: Details, details
Getting the details right on the Chrysalis, featuring Living Design Lab and Mahan Rykiel Associates.
Creating the Chrysalis: What comes next
Now that construction of the Chrysalis is complete, what are the next steps to fulfill the vision of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods?
Creating the Chrysalis: Attracting the public
I discuss how the Chrysalis and Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods can attract visitors, based on research conducted by Integrated Insight.
Creating the Chrysalis: Subfloor and related construction
I present more details on the Chrysalis foundation/basement or “subfloor” and related construction, featuring the work of Whiting-Turner.
Creating the Chrysalis: Shell skin
I explain how the skin of the Chrysalis was fabricated and installed by A. Zahner Company.
Creating the Chrysalis: Shell structure
I explore the steel frame underlying the skin of the Chrysalis, as designed by the structural engineering group of Arup.
Creating the Chrysalis: Theater
I discuss how the Chrysalis will function as a professional stage, as designed by the theater consulting group of Arup.
Creating the Chrysalis: Design
I explore the design of the Chrysalis and the work of Marc Fornes, its designer.
Creating the Chrysalis: Politics and process
I discuss the various institutional activities related to implementation of the Inner Arbor plan
Creating the Chrysalis: Vision and strategy
I explore the vision for a new park in Symphony Woods and the strategy to implement it
Creating the Chrysalis: Symphony Woods
I recap the history of Symphony Woods and the various attempts over the years to develop it as a park.
Creating the Chrysalis: Introduction
In this series I explore the conception and construction of the Chrysalis amphitheater and Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.
Raising the roof at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion gets ready for the 21st century, and the Howard County Design Advisory Panel offers its advice.
The Crescent development by the numbers
The Crescent development in downtown Columbia is going to be a (very) big deal.
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods plans approved
I testify in support of the plan for Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods and the Planning Board approves it (note that correlation is not causation).
Chrysalis designer wins World Architecture News 21 for 21 award
Yet another indication that the Inner Arbor Trust did a good job of selecting its design team.
Renovating Merriweather Post Pavilion: The schedule
Are you wondering when the renovation work on Merriweather Post Pavilion will be done? Wonder no more.
On the Inner Arbor plan, listen to the people, not the protestors
There is a “silent supermajority” in Columbia in favor of the Inner Arbor plan for Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.
Renovating Merriweather Post Pavilion: Projects and costs, part 2
I conclude my two-part series on the proposed Merriweather Post Pavilion renovations.
Renovating Merriweather Post Pavilion: Projects and costs, part 1
Why Merriweather Post Pavilion is being renovated, what’s being done, and what it will cost.
A better plan for Symphony Woods
If you really want to “save Symphony Woods” then the Inner Arbor plan is the best one on offer.
How not to save Symphony Woods
Would the Cy Paumier plan “save Symphony Woods”? I don’t think so.
Looking back at the Paumier plan for Symphony Woods
I take an in-depth look at the details (such as they are) of the Cy Paumier plan for Symphony Woods.
GGP, CA, Cy Paumier, and the battle over Symphony Woods
How overreach by GGP and blowback from CA led to Cy Paumier’s plan for Symphony Woods.
A walk in Symphony Woods
I take a lonely walk through Symphony Woods in order to get a feel for what it is and might be.
Symphony Woods and sacred lands
Why is the controversy over Symphony Woods so heated? Because at least in part it’s about questions of “sanctity” and “violation”.
The Crescent development in downtown Columbia: Areas and phases
The information in this post is now out of date based on the approved final development plan for the Crescent neighborhood phase 1. For more current informat...
No fooling, Columbia’s becoming a city
Columbia is well on its way to becoming a real city with a real downtown.
Parking at venues comparable to Merriweather Post Pavilion
How parking is handled at Jiffy Lube Live and other venues comparable to Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Parking and the future of Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion will continue to be a centerpiece of downtown Columbia. But where are Merriweather visitors going to park?
Should the nation’s best library go to the mall?
Congratulations to the Howard County Library System for being selected the 2013 library of the year by Gale and Library Journal magazine. Note that the cover...