By Michael R Weekes (inspired by Tim Tielman & Mark Goldman) - see Part 1
Green & Gardens
Everywhere you look in Lausanne, there are green spaces. Even in metro stations there are leading edge hose-gardens using recycled old hoses to irrigate and encourage growth. The gardens that adorn the waterfront adjacent to the Beau ravage Hotel and the nearby Musee Olympic (Olympic Museum) provide tranquil spaces to sit and eat your cheese, ice cream, pommes frites or falafel. There are even community or family gardens right among the newer buildings and old turn of the century chalet-type homes.
Simple Spaces
The waterfront was not more developed than the slips of Erie Basin Marina or the Buffalo River. There were only a couple of real restaurants, other than two snack-style fast food outlets. The retail was set back from the more open space adjacent to the water, to allow for children to play, skaters to hone their stunts and lovers to embrace. It was not very structured, just open and available.
The only complex structure on the waterfront was a huge jungle gym made up of what appeared to be old railroad ties reconstituted into a maze of timbers and ropes and chains to invite the older of us child-like visitors. There were the infamous shallow canal-like waterways, but they were intermingled with small bridges and fountains to entertain the eye.
Architecture
A rich variety of architecture invited the visitor to explore the range and depth of form and function. Perhaps Buffalo would benefit from thinking about and selecting a few distinctive styles of architecture or perhaps one primary style indicative of its unique story or sense of contribution to the national architectural landscape.
If I were to use one adjective to describe Lausanne's architecture it would be diverse. A characteristic that Buffalo should have no issue in providing the visitor. The waterfront seemed to be a beginning point, a connected component of a city full of destinations to go and explore.
Religious-related Destinations
Lausanne, like Buffalo has more than one cathedral-scale religious destination. The churches there are quiet, clean and they all tell a story. Their components (like the foundation of the Cathedral in nearby Geneva) have been exposed during restoration and left to teach the visitor about not only the architecture but the function and culture and customs of its residents and users through the years.
Why not articulate a network of religious institutors in Buffalo, inviting the Irish, the Polish, the German, the African American and all the other ethnic groups, new and old to participate in tours of religious entities, which starts at the waterfront with perhaps some piece of abandon church cupola or similar component to act as a kiosk of information as well?
Bakeries, Chocolates, Bars and Cheese
Every day I was in Lausanne I started the day with some type of fresh croissant. I usually enjoyed some at room-temperature or with melted cheese, samples of local sausages or bread to go along with the local or regional beer or wine. I didn't need the two to three familiar 16 oz. coffees.
I was astonished to find I gained no weight in Lausanne, after two weeks of unmonitored, unmeasured enjoyment of breads, wines, beers, cheeses and other gastronomic delights. Was all the walking we did, as well as the moderate portions, to explain for this maintenance of (marginal) health?
The Swiss don't have super-sized value meals. Their coffee is served in espresso-sized cups and even in Starbucks a large coffee is served in a small cappuccino style cup. The cost of food keeps you from spending so much that your stomach can't keep up with your eyes. You enjoy it more, since there is less.
Even at McDonald's a single cheeseburger costs 2.50 Swiss francs. That's a single cheeseburger! Not a double cheeseburger and not at 99 cents. Strangely, only a glazed donut at 2 Swiss francs was the only other "value menu item". No matter, 67% of us are obese! Maybe if it cost more to stay fat we'd spend less on getting slim? How about a Whopper Value Meal for $14.00 to curb your appetite.
Even though it's 2010, Lausanne, like Buffalo still has a huge public market every Wednesday in the same place it has been for more than 100 years. Maybe there would be room for this at the waterfront in Buffalo, just as it is in the Elmwood Village (now every Saturday) and other places throughout the city?
One Big Fat Grand Hotel
I have to admit it. Part of Lausanne's economic vibrancy is due to the higher end visitor who stays at the hotels and spas to buy the $20,000 watches and enjoy the $40 appetizers. It does seem to be something that adds a sophisticated air to the waterfront. I found that I didn't have to be a billionaire to walk the halls and lawn of these grand spaces and everyone seems to enjoy showing them off to all who visit, like a jewel in a bracelet. What's wrong with having the rich help us fund our places for the masses?
It didn't mean big KEEP OUT signs. It was more of a spectacle to be enjoyed among the plethora of free activities. As long as I acted like a gentlemen there was a warm welcome from the staff and guests.
A Unique Museum with International Connection
The Musee Olympic (Olympic Museum) really made Lausanne stand out, in not just a regional (Canton) way, or a Swiss way, but in an international perspective. By having this entity celebrating the human spirit and how it transcends all religious, politics or race, Lausanne made its people even more important, more desirable, and more attractive in a timeless way.
If Buffalo could pick some aspect of their heritage or the human experience to likewise celebrate all that makes us special, surely that would help assure a waterfront destination that not only succeeds today, but continues to sustain interest, while growing in size, participation and pride.
View image
Green & Gardens
Everywhere you look in Lausanne, there are green spaces. Even in metro stations there are leading edge hose-gardens using recycled old hoses to irrigate and encourage growth. The gardens that adorn the waterfront adjacent to the Beau ravage Hotel and the nearby Musee Olympic (Olympic Museum) provide tranquil spaces to sit and eat your cheese, ice cream, pommes frites or falafel. There are even community or family gardens right among the newer buildings and old turn of the century chalet-type homes.
Simple Spaces
The waterfront was not more developed than the slips of Erie Basin Marina or the Buffalo River. There were only a couple of real restaurants, other than two snack-style fast food outlets. The retail was set back from the more open space adjacent to the water, to allow for children to play, skaters to hone their stunts and lovers to embrace. It was not very structured, just open and available.
The only complex structure on the waterfront was a huge jungle gym made up of what appeared to be old railroad ties reconstituted into a maze of timbers and ropes and chains to invite the older of us child-like visitors. There were the infamous shallow canal-like waterways, but they were intermingled with small bridges and fountains to entertain the eye.
ArchitectureA rich variety of architecture invited the visitor to explore the range and depth of form and function. Perhaps Buffalo would benefit from thinking about and selecting a few distinctive styles of architecture or perhaps one primary style indicative of its unique story or sense of contribution to the national architectural landscape.
If I were to use one adjective to describe Lausanne's architecture it would be diverse. A characteristic that Buffalo should have no issue in providing the visitor. The waterfront seemed to be a beginning point, a connected component of a city full of destinations to go and explore.
Religious-related Destinations
Lausanne, like Buffalo has more than one cathedral-scale religious destination. The churches there are quiet, clean and they all tell a story. Their components (like the foundation of the Cathedral in nearby Geneva) have been exposed during restoration and left to teach the visitor about not only the architecture but the function and culture and customs of its residents and users through the years.
Why not articulate a network of religious institutors in Buffalo, inviting the Irish, the Polish, the German, the African American and all the other ethnic groups, new and old to participate in tours of religious entities, which starts at the waterfront with perhaps some piece of abandon church cupola or similar component to act as a kiosk of information as well?
Bakeries, Chocolates, Bars and Cheese
Every day I was in Lausanne I started the day with some type of fresh croissant. I usually enjoyed some at room-temperature or with melted cheese, samples of local sausages or bread to go along with the local or regional beer or wine. I didn't need the two to three familiar 16 oz. coffees.
I was astonished to find I gained no weight in Lausanne, after two weeks of unmonitored, unmeasured enjoyment of breads, wines, beers, cheeses and other gastronomic delights. Was all the walking we did, as well as the moderate portions, to explain for this maintenance of (marginal) health?
The Swiss don't have super-sized value meals. Their coffee is served in espresso-sized cups and even in Starbucks a large coffee is served in a small cappuccino style cup. The cost of food keeps you from spending so much that your stomach can't keep up with your eyes. You enjoy it more, since there is less.
Even at McDonald's a single cheeseburger costs 2.50 Swiss francs. That's a single cheeseburger! Not a double cheeseburger and not at 99 cents. Strangely, only a glazed donut at 2 Swiss francs was the only other "value menu item". No matter, 67% of us are obese! Maybe if it cost more to stay fat we'd spend less on getting slim? How about a Whopper Value Meal for $14.00 to curb your appetite.
Even though it's 2010, Lausanne, like Buffalo still has a huge public market every Wednesday in the same place it has been for more than 100 years. Maybe there would be room for this at the waterfront in Buffalo, just as it is in the Elmwood Village (now every Saturday) and other places throughout the city?
One Big Fat Grand Hotel
I have to admit it. Part of Lausanne's economic vibrancy is due to the higher end visitor who stays at the hotels and spas to buy the $20,000 watches and enjoy the $40 appetizers. It does seem to be something that adds a sophisticated air to the waterfront. I found that I didn't have to be a billionaire to walk the halls and lawn of these grand spaces and everyone seems to enjoy showing them off to all who visit, like a jewel in a bracelet. What's wrong with having the rich help us fund our places for the masses?
It didn't mean big KEEP OUT signs. It was more of a spectacle to be enjoyed among the plethora of free activities. As long as I acted like a gentlemen there was a warm welcome from the staff and guests.
A Unique Museum with International Connection
The Musee Olympic (Olympic Museum) really made Lausanne stand out, in not just a regional (Canton) way, or a Swiss way, but in an international perspective. By having this entity celebrating the human spirit and how it transcends all religious, politics or race, Lausanne made its people even more important, more desirable, and more attractive in a timeless way.
If Buffalo could pick some aspect of their heritage or the human experience to likewise celebrate all that makes us special, surely that would help assure a waterfront destination that not only succeeds today, but continues to sustain interest, while growing in size, participation and pride.
"Why not articulate a network of religious institution in Buffalo, inviting the Irish, the Polish, the German, the African American and all the other ethnic groups, new and old to participate in tours of religious entities, which starts at the waterfront with perhaps some piece of abandon church cupola or similar component to act as a kiosk of information as well?"
Totally underutilized asset; as an out of towner who visits the city occasionally, I am continually amazed by the quality and variety of religious structures.
This is something that set it aside from the ordinary. I live in a Buffalo-sized southern city, and there aren't 2 churches in the city which would compare to 100 in Buffalo, and that's leaving aside the spectaculars like the OLV Basillica.