Encore Sustainable Architects On the Road
Travel always inspires. It's fascinating how people work, live and play in different structures. Even more so if you look at historic structures in locales near and far. We're exploring buildings, journeys and culture with members of the Encore Sustainable Architects team.
Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, Built in 1526
Benjamin Banneker Homestead, Original to 1700's
Reconstruction Built in 2009
Cantonsville, MD
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This past fall, Designer Ernest Demby visited the 142-acre Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. Benjamin Banneker was born a free man in 1731. He was raised by African-American homesteading parents on their tobacco farm, received a formal education, and established a reputation as a well-rounded intellectual. He developed experience in astronomy, surveyed the land for a nascent Washington DC, authored numerous almanacs and corresponded directly with Thomas Jefferson in regards to abolition.
Ernie's photographs come from his shots of the reconstruction of the colonial style cabin Benjamin might have lived in. A fire destroyed the original cabin and time deteriorated his family cabin not too far away. Ernie remarked that his favorite thing about the cabin is its simplicity. For a man with such an impressive mind, "it feels very humble. For some reason, I really like seeing the logs and chinking. I also like old simple windows, no matter the size."
