Some notes in progress about the building we are living in after our rushed urban exit from Brooklyn on March 17th, 2020, during this “great pause” and time of social distancing.

I used to visit this place with my Dad when it was a book store years ago. Now we are living in the floors above that space waiting out the pandemic, together with my wife and daughter in Germantown’s “Halcyon” lodge, built by IOOF (Independent order of Odd Fellows) in 1870.

Here is a chance to study a building that has collected the passage of time, a place that feels in some way like a time capsule; I am also aware of how may layers of change and adaptation have occurred here. The space is deeply theatrical.

  • Each room has more than one door, some rooms have three or four doors. There is a circular flow because of this.
  • The windows on the sides of the building are set lower relative to the floor height than the windows on the front and back. This adds some complexity to corner rooms where you have both. I’m unsure why it would have been done; perhaps because it gives the interior the sense of being more dynamic without adding building cost or difficulty.
  • The transom windows above the doors on the ground floor make use of the height and massing
  • Small details about this building are unusual, there is an elegant economy in a handmade wire door handle. Usually, I think, this sort of thing would have been demoed years back without a second thought. What’s special is that this place exists at all.
  • Its barn-like economy and desire to create large, community space helped it become a very forward looking, adaptable building. A building that has learned well, exemplifying “loose fit, long life”.

  • Light pours in
  • The glass in the front doors.
  • These dust corners in the back stair look like they were cut out by hand. Why don’t all stairs have dust corners?
  • A wire door handle
  • In addition to serving as Germantown’s first fire station, this side room (back around 1905) was the location of Germantown’s first telephone company. Subscribers would pay their bills through this little window.
  • The building is remarkably dry and free of rot, like a hay barn. It has no problem drying out, and so no major issues with condensation. The “German” style siding looks original (1870s).
  • In the back of the big built in cabinets on the second floor kitchen there is a piece of remaining wall paper. The paper was put directly over the lathe. The Oddfellows saved money this way. Drywall was later put on top in most areas. I’ve never seen this before. Reid says the wallpaper is very “Eastlake”.
  • Event programming, left over from the Instar Lodge, a feminist art collective who were the previous tenants
  • Even more satisfying than a push button switch. This one gives a loud snap click on each turn.
  • The only motif, also repeated on the front columns. Vaguely ecclesiastical.
  • Window stops like this serve two purposes: locks and stops. Less hardware than a typical sash lock.
  • These cabinets in the rooms off the assembly hall are where the ceremonial vestments were kept
  • I admire how simple this kitchen is.
  • Through the peep hole.
  • The rafter tails are nailed on and look to be pieces of recycled siding.
  • The glass store windows are set in giant hinged frames, along with the three conventional doors in front, the whole front of the building is openable. The fire wagons entered through these operable window-doors.
  • Playing the Theremin in the old assembly hall with my daughter Maya