I’m taking my annual pilgrimage to Germany, this time without plans to take any German language classes. Instead, I’m joining a free weekend Sketchfest in Berlin, a side trip to Leipzig for opera and concerts, and more of the same in Hamburg.

Descent into DC

A long layover on the way to Berlin gave me an opportunity to visit the Capitol Mall with plenty of time. It was reassuring to know that the Metro is finally, after over 50 years, being used as intended. In the early days, it was a white elephant and far too ahead of its time. The waffled concrete stations have held up well and are a signature system in terms of durability and aesthetic longevity.

I had never noticed so many flags speckled throughout the capitol previously. Despite the dour circumstances of recent elections, seeing these iconic symbols restored some of my faith in American democracy.

The beauty and wealth of the nation was clearly evident throughout the mall. Wide vistas, free national museums of every imaginable persuasion and the lush landscaping afforded by the hot and humid South all contributed to this exciting discovery.

Buildings seem to boast their well-kept grounds and renovated facelifts. The historic Smithsonian sandstone palace, closed for renovation, contrasted with nearby giant modernistic office buildings, polished and sparkling.

A day-long, single purpose journey didn’t give me a proper perspective on the real life and times of Washington, DC. I had seen some of that on previous trips. Instead, my goal for the day was to tackle two museums on the mall as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

The donut-shaped Hirschhorn Art Museum reminded me how awkward flat paintings look in a building with curved walls. Wall segments managed to divided spaces successfully, however. An exhibition by women was an unexpected find.

Every exhibition has a story to tell. In this case, it focused on the male-dominated control of the art we see in museums. An overwhelming proportion of artistic work is produced by men and funded by men. The manifesto by Guerrilla Girls made the message very clear. In response, the Hirschhorn has committed to rectifying this disparity by increasing works and exhibitions by women artists. Two of the pieces I particularly enjoyed are represented below.

The Natural History Museum was a first timer for me. It wasn’t until I marveled over exhibitions in London and Berlin that I realized our own garden variety is no slouch. Great displays on man’s emergence from the ocean and evolution from other primates were well communicated in that very down-to-earth American style of gee-gosh.

I splurged and used award miles for my first Polaris flight transatlantic from DC to Berlin. It lasted just short of eight hours and was enough time to fully appreciate the fully reclining cocoons.

Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin, Germany

After an early morning arrival, I headed to my AirBNB in the convenient Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood in Northeast Central Berlin. This district captures young thriving interests in sustainable, gluten-free, organic, and S-L-O-W living. Shops, cafes, and services are directed to these new ventures.

What makes Berlin so fascinating and intense, as in other European cities, is the integration of history within modern living.

Here, the water tower, a local church with a huge slate steeple, and the closely guarded Jewish synagogue provide history and context for new developments in Prenzlauerberg. I stopped to ponder the brass plates inscribed on one of the cobbled streets. The tragic story as many others was told: a family of five, including a mother, her two grown children, and a young granddaughter all met the same fate.

Coming up: Sketching in Berlin with 1000 other participants

Some of you may be wondering what has been happening since the last post a woeful six months ago. We are in recovery mode, letting the development of the ADU settle, occupying the glorious space, and focussing on the exterior landscaping and entrance to the unit.

Homeowners always seem to ask themselves why they didn’t do the landscaping sooner. While funds are usually stretched to the limit, committing to getting maximum benefit and value from what’s left is the order of the day. The effect and the rewards are immediate and immensely satisfying. We’ve come a long way to fulfilling our goals for developing multi-generational housing, remaining in place, and potential rental, so it was important to complete the project with landscaping.

The first task at hand was to create a design . To a large extent, the original concept developed twenty years earlier for a path to the rear yard was reactivated to forge a safe path from the street to the ADU entrance. About 100 feet from the sidewalk to the entrance, an intertwined path down the hill served two purposes: a ramp that could be used by strollers (and wheelchairs maybe!) and a set of gentle steps for a more direct route.

With this idea in mind, the best hardscape finishes suitable for each path were contemplated. What to use? Wood? Metal? Stone? After many trips to Lyngso, a stone supplier in San Carlos, and Broadmoor in South San Francisco, decisions were made: wooden railway ties for steps were integrated with rounded Pami pebbles in between. Compressed sand with additive for stabilization was chosen for the ramp. Irregular pieces of flagstones were imbedded in the sand between the steps to match the flagstone entry area.

Seeing huge shards of flagstone in varying color ranges was thrilling and terrifying. What type? What color? Does it match other materials on the exterior of the building? I did know one thing. In terms of durability, it was going to outlast any of us! Fortunately, having a deadline forced the decision so the landscape contractor wasn’t kept waiting. You have to look at the brighter side of life to avoid fear of flying.

The minimum order required 2 Tons, so highs school match kicked in to calculate area and weight. Materials including mini boulders, gravel, sand, and pebbles were delivered to the job site, making our plot look like a quarry.

Thanks to good friend, landscape pro and sketch buddy Mary Swanson, she helped me with some additional heavy lifting. Scores of plant tpyes and positions needed coordination and planning. Her skill, foresight and insight were a godsend.

Landscape architects not only have to know a million species of plant life and their botanical names, but they also must fully comprehend the nature and performance of these living creatures. A command of hardscapes are also in their toolkit. When you serve as owner, you come to appreciate the necessity of getting such good professional advice.

After numerous trips to Pacific Nursery, a wholesaler, all the plant materials were selected and ordered. Exotic names like Alogyne Heugera, Libertia Peregrine, and Dicksonian Antartica were ordered, along with a Gingko, Japanese Maples, and a host of more commonly known ferns, agapanthus, and lavender.

The height of trees became a major stumbling point. Views from windows needed to be preserved, and inadvertent interference from treetops could block views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. The ultimate height of each new tree was checked before being planted to ensure that no sightlines would be blocked.

The flagstone and stone delivery was almost as exciting as the first timber delivery for the house. The earthworks required shaping the windy path to follow the natural grade. Once the flagstone was laid at the entry, it was alot easier to visualize connecting the path from the street to the front door.

Newly planted trees and plants need time to grow into their element. We are happy and relieved to complete this final phase of the project and declare victory after an intense couple of years! We love our development and thank all who participated, especially J&J and Felix Associates. We hope you will come to visit us soon!

News Flash!!!

Stay tuned for another trip to my favorite country: on to Germany for a three-day sketch fest in Berlin and three weeks of opera and concert performances in Berlin, Leipzig and Hamburg! Watch for the next post in a week!