Disney Epcot Memory 1979

Now that our oldest son is a cast member working at Disney in resort management, we reminisce about Disney more than ever since we have been Disney fans for more than 35 years.

In 1979 I graduated college with a degree in Civil Engineering Technology and went to work for a site engineering firm in Westchester County, NY. I remember that first summer seeing an interesting poster on the wall of our lunch room. What caught my attention was a very interesting drawing that looked like some type of “futuristic city” plan. It was actually an advertisement by WED Enterprises, (Walt Elias Disney), or known today as WDI (Walt Disney Imagineering), The Walt Disney Company. They were looking for junior engineers and engineering technicians to work on the new EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) Center in Walt Disney World, FL.
They were offering casting roles from1979 to1982.

Although I was married at the time but without children, this sounded like a fun adventure. So, a coworker of mine and I called Disney (there were no cell phones or email at that time). When we learned that most of the work would be in the field outdoors in the Florida heat we decided to pass. (Having an air-conditioned NY office job, the thought of working in the blazing Florida sun was a bit daunting).

In 1981, I went back to school at SUNY Buffalo and got my Masters degree in Architecture, but have often thought “what if” we had gone to work for Disney building EPCOT; perhaps I would be a Disney Imagineer today.

Disney Inspiration

My family has been a Disney fan for over thirty years, and today our oldest son Andrew is a Disney cast member in resort management. 

  

This past Christmas and New Years while visiting Andrew at Disney World, we had the opportunity to experience the newly opened Fantasyland. I was especially intrigued by the Enchanted Forest themed area, in particular the Royal Castle, Gaston’s Tavern, and especially Maurice’s whimsical cottage. Being an architect I found this story book cottage to be magical. I’m always fascinated with the creativity of the Disney Imagineers, wishing I could do that.
 

After having been inspired, and with the Enchanted Forest images impressed in my mind, I thought to myself, “This could be fun!”. So while driving back to our room at the Saratoga Springs resort, and I came up with a whimsical cottage concept sketch, which is now part of my “Little Mountain Home” collection.   http://www.mtnarc.com/desbld.htm

 

Mountian Home Wins Gold Award

Timber Frame Raising ~ " Topping Off Ceremony "

It’s a Tradition – another timber frame raising is complete

in Black Mountain, NC.

Architect, builder and timber framers celebrate with a

“Topping Off Ceremony”, a tradition for centuries and

a legacy for timber framing; the ceremony where a small

evergreen tree or bough is anchored to the highest peak in

celebration of the craftsman’s successful raising, good fortune for the new owners and to honor the trees and land which made building the house possible. This tradition can be traced back to Europe and Scandinavia as well as Native American Indian tribes, as a symbol of thanksgiving and respect.

International Builders Show in Orlando, FL

February 8 -11, 2012 sponsored by the NAHB and Hanley Wood.

When my son Andrew started his Disney Internship in Hospitality Management last week, I was fortunate to be able to stop by the 2012 “New American House”, a reinterpretation of the classic “white box” of the 1960’s and 70’s made popular by world renown architects LeCorbusier and Meier. .

This house was quite interesting to see in person, showcasing design trends and technologies, the latest green building products and materials, as well as many innovative construction techniques.

The home was designed by architect / builder Phil Kean of Winter Park FL. It received Emerald level certification from the US Green Building National Standards program, USGBC LEED for Homes Platinum Certification, and the US DOE Energy Star.
http://www.buildersshow.com/generic.aspx?genericContentID=159761

Timber Frame Raising In Burnsville, NC

This custom Timberpeg® post and beam home was designed by Asheville architect Ken Wertheim, AIA and is currently in construction in Burnsville, NC.  Another frame raising will begin later this month. It will be the first in “The Little Mountain Home” Collection to be built; a 1,385 square foot energy efficient mountain retreat incorporating green sustainable design principles, a high performance envelope and advanced technologies. It will feature a full timberframe structure and structural insulated panels (SIPS). 

For more information, visit www.mtnarc.com/events.htm

Remembering 9/11

Today America remembers 9/11 ....

Tomorrow we will see the World Trade Center rise again!