POSTCARD FROM VANCOUVER Dear ArchitectureWeek, I was delighted to visit the Vancouver Public Library, in Vancouver, British Columbia, designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. On the surface, the 1995 library seems to be a postmodern homage to the Roman Colosseum. The form and facade work together to render the building a good neighbor in downtown Vancouver, aided by active public plazas on two corners. But it is the interior that really sets this building apart. — Published 2007.0711
	POSTCARD FROM PORTLAND Dear ArchitectureWeek, Plentiful rainfall in Portland, Oregon is more than a nuisance for residents and a deterrent for visitors. It's also a public-works nightmare. The city's under-sized storm sewer system is frequently overwhelmed, causing combined rainwater and sewage to be dumped into the Willamette River, creating a serious biohazard, even after only moderate rainfall. — Published 2005.1116
	CLASSIC HOME 060 "This attractive little four-room house was one of the prize-winning designs in a competition. The architect suggests that the roof covering be of nonfading green slate, that the front wall in the lower story and the walls of the entry be covered with narrow clapboards, and that the remaining walls be covered with wide clapboards, all painted pearl gray. Exterior surfaces of the walls, sash and doors, and lattice to be painted cream white. Blinds to be painted olive green. Entrance to the combination living and dining room is through the entry." — Published 2003.1008
	CLASSIC HOME 059 This house was built in Los Angeles in 1939 on an extremely steep site. The foundation is an 8- by 20-foot (2.4- by 6.1-meter) concrete caisson with rigidly braced 4- by 4-inch (10- by 10-centimeter) posts, 4 feet (122 centimeters) on center. The exterior construction is stucco on metal lath. A large window on the south looks out over an adjacent lot, which is considerably lower. Otherwise, the main windows do not face the street or adjacent property. — Published 2003.0924
	CLASSIC HOME 058 "Here is a bungalow of unusually attractive design and plan. It is especially suited to the country but would look well in a suburban location, though it would need a good-sized site to enable its full beauty to be seen. A garage is suggested in the illustration, tied into the house by a brick wall. In this arrangement, the garden and lawn would be at the opposite end with a terrace outside the living room windows. The construction of exterior walls is face brick." — Published 2003.0910
	CLASSIC HOME 057 This steel-built house of 1200 square feet (110 square meters), was built for William Beard in Altadena, California. Full-height, sliding glass and steel partitions communicate with a side and a rear patio and to the breakfast nook and kitchen, both of which have a broad view to the Sierra Madre mountains. — Published 2003.0827
	CLASSIC HOME 055 This house for a bachelor who entertains often sits on a hillside with a commanding view, against a background of tall firs and cedars. The wood-frame house is finished inside with white sand-floated plaster. A large section over and around fireplace is covered with zebra flexwood. — Published 2003.0723
	CLASSIC HOME 054 "The entrance to this house leads directly into the living room, but an ample vestibule with coat closet would shut off drafts in cold weather. The staircase starts from the living room and, with the vestibule, frames an inglenook around the fireplace, adding a decorative feature to the room. The second floor provides three bedrooms of good size, well equipped with clothes closets. The porch overlooks the street and side lawn. Face brick." — Published 2003.0709

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