McAuliffe + Carroll Architects

Buildings We Like: Bikestation Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach was deserted on a Tuesday morning, but the transit hub had some activity. There I found Bikestation A really cool, smart, building for use by bike commuters. Designed by Fernando Vasquez Studio, it is right next to the Blue Line station, which runs along street level at the Long Beach terminus. Surrounded by a garden the building is a glass envelope shielded from the sun with vertical aluminum extrudes:

Pow- front door:

The inner ramp leads up to the upper floor storage area:

It looks like it could be modulized for other sites. Nice to see:

jm

Stylin' Street Bike

I need to keep a photo diary of bikes I see in my travels. The white rims make this one a real standout. Note the matching cross tube guard wrap. Stylin' indeed!

JM

Bikes too...

Everyone who knows me, knows I love bicycles. I have too many according to my wife, yet I feel one can never have enough bicycles...If I had as many bikes as she has shoes in the closet, I might be happy. The thing about bikes is that they are simple and elegant. Pieces of kinetic sculpture tuned to the pinnacle of pragmatism. I would love to see Trenton host a Pro level race again someday, but in the meantime, I would love to see Trenton just get a bike shop back in the city limits and an active promotion of reintegrating bikes into city life. More people own bikes than own cars in most cities. I wonder if the same can be said for our fine capital?

For all you young urbanites with growing families, here is my favorite of the day. It might be a bit pricey, but you will be able to hand it down for many generations...

Linskey Performance Designs

Isn't it great?

I am going to start regularly posting my pick of the week, so stay tuned!

Rich