Working with Bill on this documentary has introduced me to a lot of people who are passionate about and excited by the built environment of St. Louis. While some are specialists or experts – historians, preservationists, architects – there are plenty of everyday people who simply love the brick homes, commercial buildings, schools and churches around them. It’s unrealistic to think we’ll be able to film an interview with everyone I’m meeting because an hour-long documentary doesn’t allow us the time, but I’ll feature some of them here.
I was excited to discover an excerpt from Toby’s interview featured today on Creative Saint Louis, where she talks about the St. Louis blogging community and the variety of people writing about history, buildings, preservation, development, neighborhoods, transportation – their environment. Our first filmed interview was with one of those people.
Paul Hohmann, an Architect who specializes in historic renovation projects, has an extensive photo collection of buildings (more than 10,000!) that are in danger of or have already been demolished. I’m intrigued by these photos because, despite all of the peeling wallpaper, chipped paint and ceilings that are falling to pieces, it is easy to see the detail and craftsmanship that went into the average St. Louis home. Even in a state of disrepair, these buildings have personality and character. It’s sad to pour over the photos of intricate stairwells, impressive front entryways, beautiful fireplaces, doorways, the interesting floor plans and so on – only to learn the building has since disappeared.
It’s been great getting to meet experts, bloggers and regular folks who share our passion for St. Louis brick and I look forward to introducing you to them on the film’s production blog. For now, take a look at these photos Paul took of the Arcade Building.
