Awaiting the Rising of a Phoenix

A fenced in vacant field of wild flowers awaits a rebirth. Motor City casino looms in the background as the land formerly known as Jefferies East, re-named Cornerstone Estates, awaits the rising of a Phoenix. Crouching in a corner of the field each morning, I hope to capture a picture of this rare legendary bird.

The Egyptian Phoenix has two long feathers fixed atop its head with a white crown of ostrich feathers. Its rising is associated with the rise of the Nile river and creation. Its cry marking the beginning of time.

The Arabian Phoenix is said to be as large as an Eagle with brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodious cry. At the end of its life it sets its nest on fire, is consumed by its flames, and after three days rises from its ashes.

The Chinese Phoenix is described as having the beak of a cock, the face of a swallow, the neck of a snake, the breast of a goose, the back of a tortoise, the hindquarters of a stag and the tail of a fish. It symbolizes high grace and virtue. If used to decorate a house, it represents the loyalty and honesty of the people who live there.

The Japanese Phoenix, known as the Ho-Oo, resembles the Chinese Phoenix. It descends from the heavens only at the birth of a virtuous ruler and the beginning of a new era. Its symbol represents justice, fidelity and obedience.

A Phoenix is about to rise over Jeffries East. One can only hope that its rising can be captured in pictures.

Releasing Some Steam

A full two levels below the public areas of the Detroit Public Library lies Sub-Level B. Containing most of the mechanical equipment heating and cooling the Library, I recently spent an afternoon surveying its condition with a mechanical engineer. I liken the area to the inner organs of a human body. The temperature rises as you descend into an artery of steam pipes and pneumatic controls. Loud random pieces of equipment cycle on and off, giving the unfamiliar reasons to pause and access the level of danger.

The life blood of the room is steam, pumped in from a network that loops its way around the center of Detroit. Multiple valves control its pressure like the sections of a submarine use water to control its sinking and rising. It’s summer, so only one section of steam piping remains open for the production of hot water. When winter returns, it will take 45 minutes to manually turn the complete system back on, as steam slowly re-animates the multiple limbs of the library's heating system and provides warmth through the winter.

When we talk of greening cities, these are the systems that require our surgical attention. These renovations are the primary challenge of the urban architect and engineer. And though restored facades can make wonderful first impressions, success is equally measured by keeping a building user thermally comfortable and utility bills to a tolerable minimum. Plans include significantly improving equipment efficiency, installing a heat recovery unit and installing computer controlled electronic monitoring devices.