‘Peterson Prize’ continued from page 19
‘Romania’ continued from page 27
ings of rural south Texas. It is located near the intersection of State Highway Loop 1604 and State Highway 16, in the vicinity of the town of Somerset, and about 17 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio. Constructed of load-bearing, rough-cut, coursed red sandstone blocks, the building has served multiple functions throughout its history, including a combination general store/ post office. It also has been used as a residence. A date stone, etched with “Heermann.1892,” above the central double doors on the front facade indicates its origins. Theodore Heermann erected the building on land he owned for use as a general store. The current owners, who purchased the property in 1970, use the building for storage and make necessary repairs to keep the structure stable. Its overall dimensions are approximately 29 x 54 feet, with no partition walls. The northern storefront facade – measuring 17 feet, 9 inches above the finished floor – forms a parapet wall above a shed roof. The floor measures 8 feet, 9 inches above the basement floor on all four walls. Stone masonry basement walls are two feet thick. The north elevation facing Loop 1604 features double doors and windows on either side. The south wall mirrors that arrangement. The other 2010 student teams represented (first place) University of Arkansas’ Fay Jones School of Architecture; (second place) College of Charleston/Clemson University’s Graduate Program in Historic Preservation; and (fourth place) University of Miami’s School of Architecture. In addition, two honorable mentions in this year’s competition went to teams from Texas schools: The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture (Amanda Carpenter, Grace Cynkar, Meg Frisbie, Hannah Meyer, Nathaniel Muhler, and Jessica Ugarte) for documenting the Sampson-Nalle House (1877) in Austin under the guidance of lecturer Monica Penick; and Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture (Justin Curtsinger, Colin Darby, Pamela da Graca, Stephanie Guariglia, Sheldon Henning, Craig Jeffrey, Ashley Martin, Jacob Morris, Analyn Nunez, and Renee Post) for documenting Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church (1914) in Bryan under the guidance of Robert Warden. More information, including a chronological listing of prize winners, is posted at www.nps. gov/history/hdp/jobs/peterson.htm.
from my Texas friends and colleagues through the Peace Corps Partnership Program.) Also, with minor restructuring of our current space in the visitor center, we hope to provide a more efficient and enjoyable place to work. For an organization not used to planning, PNLM leadership and staff have welcomed project input and have been open to new ideas. In planning and implementing these projects, I have received long-distance advice and assistance from several of my friends and colleagues back home. In particular, I am grateful to Rolando Garcia, FAIA; Michael Hovar, AIA; Carmen Perez-Garcia, Hon. TSA; James Humphries, AIA; and Marvin Boland, AIA, as well as Herman Dyal, FAIA, in Austin and master artist-teacher Miki Rodriguez in Laredo.
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Peace Corps spirit, will allow our work together to make a difference. I hope to plant seeds that will grow! As a volunteer, I receive an allowance intended to support a modest lifestyle. That, with a weekly double-pot of chicken and vegetable soup and doing my own laundering and housekeeping, has contributed to a simple, yet pleasant Romania life for me. Climbing the five flights of stairs to my apartment, combined with biking as my main transportation, have provided enjoyment and positive physical benefits. (The photo on p. 27 shows my daily commute.) Romania has an abundance of red wine and welcoming people but as temperatures are again beginning to drop toward freezing, the warm weather of South Texas is missed. And while the taste of cabbage-wrapped sarmales is close to enchiladas verde, there’s no place like home!
My career as an architect and core-belief in the AIA’s successful public-service initiatives has led me to be optimistic that positive changes in Romania can be achieved. I also believe that my Romanian and PNLM hosts, infused with
The author practiced architecture in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for many years as a principal with Ashley Humphries & Sanchez. His two-year tour with the Peace Corps ends next year. See more photos at texasarchitect.blogspot.com.
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