If I’m all agog about Belgian rooftops it’s because Albuquerque’s skyline seems so flat. Looking down at the city from the La Luz Trail it seems like the roofing has been given a crewcut which makes sense considering how much of the city’s economy is dependent on the military. Outside of the high rises downtown clustered together like turrets in a castle to give people a feudal reminder of where the power looms, the city’s architecture doesn’t challenge the stretch of barren mesa land to the west.
On the other hand, the unobtrusive lopped-off roofing allows a great view of the mountains to the east. As much as I admire Belgian artistry enlivening the horizon, I also reflect that they’ve had to endure centuries of dodging cannonballs because the lack of mountains makes it easy for artillery to fire over their defensive fortifications. So maybe living with forgettable rooftops is worth it if we’re not worrying about the next land invasion.
But let’s hear it for memorable rooftops! Here are two better examples of what I was talking about in an earlier post. The first is of a classic mansard roof. Like the building is wearing a yarmulke.
The second, along a street across the square, is an entire block of stepped gables. No matter how large the urban center, they add a village touch, a calming atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle.
Closer to home news
The wall at Lindy’s Dinner at 5th and Central collapsed early this week
And that s no where near as old as where you walking around!
Be carefull
I’ll never look at rooftops the same!