This is the Biltmore House located in Asheville, NC, not very far from me. It was designed by the architect William Morris Hunt. Have you noticed any interesting buildings in your area? Can you find out who designed them?

Our critique group helped author Dianne Dayhuff Kimball with her book Journey to a Jewel Box. She lives near Newark, OH. The Licking County Foundation commissioned her to write a book about their Home Town Bank building because it was designed by the famous architect Louis H. Sullivan. Mrs. Kimball’s book is written in a memoir-style of her shopping trips with her family. As a child, she was only interested in the ice cream shop until the older family members began to recollect how the building looked when they were children.

The outside of the building has unusual designs of branches and leaves, and terra cotta trees. There is an old sign made with mosaic tiles. Sadly there was another sign over the top that damaged the original sign. Mrs. Kimball goes on to describe the stone floors, the opalescent windows, and the winged lion. She includes a glossary to help children and adults understand the terms used to describe the designs. She also has a chapter of questions she asked an architect to learn more about the design and safety of the building. Also included are blueprints for the original floor plan.

Just think of all the things an architect has to know to design a building. First, he needs good reading and writing skills to make notes. He needs great math skills to measure and draw. He may need to know the history of the location to plan a foundation and to make it relative to the use of the building and the people.

Just think of all the skills our Creator used in designing our universe. No one had to teach him. He already knew. He teaches us if we are willing to learn. Everything we see around us was designed by someone or created by God. Nothing has happened without a designer.

Want to learn more about an architect and his job? Journey to a Jewel Box can be ordered from Explore Licking County.

Blessings from Gail Cartee

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