Category Archives: Architecture

Of course 4/20 is opening day

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

On 4/20/17, a former Lutheran church in Denver, Colorado will officially open as The International Church of Cannabis. The 113-year-old church building, which was decorated by renowned Spanish “ecclesiastical” street artist Okuda San Miguel and Kenny Scharf, is the new … Continue reading →

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Pop Up Museum

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the country’s finest museums. Since we live nearby, I get to visit often. When I stopped by to see the current special exhibition and to see the model for Frank Gehry’s $150 … Continue reading →

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Revolutionary Philadelphia

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Set to open on April 19, 2017, the new Museum of the American Revolution promises to be a welcome addition to Philadelphia’s collection of exceptional museums and historical attraction. Covering 118,000 square feet, the museum will offer an impressive collection … Continue reading →

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What do Patti Smith and Arthur Rimbaud have in common

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

What do Patti Smith and Arthur Rimbaud have in common ? They both owned the same house in France. The American singer and author recently purchased the partially restored home in Roche near the Belgian border with the intention of … Continue reading →

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Don’t Mention The War

Posted on March 11, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Situated on the shores of the Laacher See near Andernach in Germany, Abbey Maria Laach is a handsome 800 year-old center of devotion and learning with a gorgeous 18th century library and a dark history. During the years leading up … Continue reading →

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Singapore Does It Better

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The government of Singapore has launched an initiative to provide residents with the world’s best transit stops. Located in the Jurong District of the city-state, the first example of these super stops features both book racks for print reading materials … Continue reading →

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Amsterdam’s Primordial Soup

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

No matter how many times that I’ve visited Amsterdam, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. Just recently the old Beurspassage between the Damrak and Nieuwendijk in the heart of the city underwent an extraordinary transformation. As part of … Continue reading →

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Saint Petersburg Is Packed With Surprises

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

When I was in Saint Petersburg, Russia this Fall, I did my due diligence as a tourist and visited as many museums, palaces, cathedrals, and attractions as I could manage in a week. Unfortunately, I was a few months too … Continue reading →

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Little Free Libraries

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

In thousands of neighborhoods, in 70 countries around the world, book lovers have taken the initiative to create Little Free Library book exchanges in public spaces. If you don’t have one near you, maybe you should consider starting your own. … Continue reading →

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Here Comes The Bloom

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This week the Netherlands celebrated their annual Nationale Tulpendag, or Tulip Day. Every year, flower growers set up temporary gardens around the country and invite everyone to come and pick bags of tulips. The Tulpenpluktuin in Amsterdam’s Damrak Square offered … Continue reading →

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