Behind a Casement Window

I love stories.

 I love being able to gaze at buildings and know the story behind it. In my History of American Architecture class, I find myself fascinated with the ideas and influences behind a simple two story home. The ideals that caused fan lights to become popular and the statement that simple windows can make. My eyes now search and identify certain key characteristics in buildings and I guess at the architect's reasons for each brick laid.

I imagine the stories behind a home, a painting or a chair. Was it a young family moving in right after World War II? Did the woman idolize Jackie Kennedy, therefore causing that style of drapes to be there? It's amazing how many stories there are surrounding us.

Then my mind turns to people.

If there is so much to know behind a few wooden clapboards and a spiral staircase, what of those faces around me? Rather than just seeing architectural designs, my eyes look at the people inhabiting those designs.

There are  hands, faces, and eyes that I had not noticed. What stories do they hold? What makes them who they are? Who do they love?

I look at the tired, lonely, or smiling faces that capture my eye. With every movement made, or laugh that echoes, I see the architect's design. Though I can't always see the reasons behind his work, his image is reflected. Just as on each building we can identify what different architects were like, here we can also see His personality. He knows how to align the roof with the balcony, or maybe he wants some to be a little off balance. Either way, behind each window is a story, and I want to know them.