Deco District architecture tour set for Saturday downtown

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.迷你倉Dec. 12--Those whose work weeks involve walking to and fro downtown are usually looking ahead, not up.But this weekend provides both downtown denizens and those who haven't visited in a while perfect opportunities to slow down, look up and soak in some sights that make Tulsa a treasure trove of Art Deco architecture.The Tulsa Foundation for Architecture (TFA) will lead the "Deco in December" tour, its holiday-themed Second Saturday architecture tour, which will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Topeca Coffee in the Mayo Hotel, 115 W. Fifth St.TFA's Second Saturday is a standing monthly tour that aims to teach Tulsans and visitors to the city more about the many historic and architecturally significant buildings downtown. Architectural styles and periods included on the tours are Art Deco, zig zag, streamline and moderne, with landmarks such as the Tulsa Club and Oklahoma Natural Gas building, constructed during a period of great growth and optimism in Tulsa.TFA had been providing tours for organizations like Tulsa Chamber, Tulsa Public Schools, Rotary Club, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Philbrook and many others over the years, said local architect Ted A. Reeds II with The McIntosh Group LLC. He's a member and past president of TFA."We decided to get more down to earth and provide a community service every second Saturday that would provide a snapshot of the history of our built environment and an update on what's happening dowmini storagetown at a time when our fair city is going through a renaissance," said Reeds.Typically on these tours, someone with TFA will talk about the buildings from an architectural standpoint but also about the people behind the buildings, Reeds explained -- the architects, owners, developers, even tenants, as well as any anecdotal stories that may be attached to them."Architecture is about so much more than terra cotta, finials, sills and lintels," Reeds said. "It is also about the soul of her spaces and the tragedy and humor that resides within her walls and on her streets."We have such a grand history for a city of our size, and it is important for all who care to know that she is a special place and that going forward we need to treat her as our own," he said.Yes, it's educational and interactive, Reeds added, but it's more about "challenging participants to remember that a city is nothing without a heart, and that her heart will forever be downtown."Admission to the tour is $10 per person, with children ages 12 and younger admitted free. Proceeds benefit TFA, a resource that recognizes, records and encourages preservation of the built environment, and advocates quality future development that enhances Tulsa's livability.For more, visit tulsaarchitecture.comJason Ashley Wright 918-581-8483jason.wright@tulsaworld.comCopyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at .tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存