Exploration of the past

Today's overall architecture and buildings bore me. I found them to be superficial and lacking in creativity. Now Kirkbride buildings are exemplary and to fathom what the meaning behind his genius structure one must research, which is what I did. Few know what i enjoy doing when bored and or given the opportunity, well I like to find abandoned buildings and explore them. Yes, they appear to be guile and some of his structures seem to cast a dark shadow over the area in which they reside. Many misconstrue his purpose. Yet, if one were to only read about him and what he set out to do one would understand why his buildings, for the mentally insane, are so beautiful in such a dark way. Personally I find them quite placid. The front of the building protrudes into the grounds and the rest falls behind in an almost zig-zag pattern. The front of his buildings can come off as a bit stark, but they are usually so detailed and stunning that such a detail can be overlooked. Most people know that health care for the mentally disturbed was not good and many were mistreated and most of the homes were in horrible condition. Kirkbride attempted to help matters by building glorious, giant, mansion like hospitals. His buildings were designed to allow the patient sufficient fresh air and sunshine because he felt that this is what a disturbed person needed. Unfortunately his buildings did not stay with such a goal in mind and as they become more crowded with those who needed to be hospitalized they grew to be in a disreputable state. Many over the years were torn down, unfortunately, including the Columbus state hospital. I think it is sad that we let such beautiful work and history get torn to the ground. Organizations with integrity do exist and they are trying to preserve the few that remain. Some now house tours and hold overnight stays for those interested in ghosts or staying in such a work of art. Still, so many go unnoticed and are crumbling to the ground.

http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/