MY PRISON DESIGNS SAGA 4:

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (1980-1982)

Memphis was a federal correctional institution that I designed. By that, I mean, a medium security facility for adult inmates.

The correctional institution is a difficult design matter. It's an entire town within a security barrier. All aspects and interactions of a city are included: school, church, grocery store, offices, recreation, industries and housing.

Design is made more complicated by necessary security aspects: interaction, surveillance, organization and physical security. Protection must be maintained at all times for inmates, staff and the public.

Many other design aspects need to be considered: spacial relationships, functionality of spaces, relationship of certain functions to others, surveillance juxtaposition, efficient use of staff, and overall presentation to all people including the outside community.

Every aspect is designed with safety and security in mind. Also within the constraints of security, quality of the design to create an affable atmosphere is paramount. After all, 90% of the inmates will be back in society again and as much normalization as possible of the facility is conducive to good practices.

The Memphis Federal Correctional Institution brought all these aspects together producing a model facility used in other federal and state designs. My comprehensive book, as discussed earlier, was based on this facility.

Another Federal Correctional Institution: Ray Brook, N. Y. has an interesting twist. It was modeled on the Memphis facility but it was used as the athletics housing for the 1980 Winter Olympics in nearby Lake Placid! Entebbe had just happened at the Summer Olympics the time before, so everyone was concerned about security. Even the fence system was in place for the event. So it was constructed quickly with different functions for many areas. For instance, the commissary was a bank and the multipurpose room was a disco! It served its purpose well and afterward was converted to the FCI.

Next, The MARIANNA FCI.

MY HOUSES SAGA 6:

503 NINTH STREET S.E., 
Washington, D. C. (1971-1978)

I loved my first house. It was a come-down from the fabulous antebellum house I had been renting, but it was mine!

Me, Niece Laura and Dad.

You entered on the basement level where the dining room, 1/2 bath and kitchen were.

A newspaper article appeared in 1974.

The second floor contained a study and the living room.

The stained glass, by A. R. Lewis of Oakland, California, changes color as you move around it!

The living room was radically redesigned by William Earl Murphy, my long-time architect friend from New York. It appeared in a 1977 newspaper and a book on decorating:

Liza and her exploring little ones.

The third floor had two bedrooms and a bath.

It was on the Capitol Hill House Tour in 1977.

I enjoyed my little house for seven years before moving on to Massachusetts Avenue NE.

$59,000 - $110,000

MY PRISON DESIGNS SAGA 3:

BASTROP, TEXAS 
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (1975-1977)

This was an interesting project. It was for young adults—18 to 25. Therefore could be more colorful and playful than the rest.

Bastrop won an award for its solar energy plant. At the time, it had the largest square footage of solar panels in the world!

The award was given at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. I had to wear a tux! While entering the hotel, I saw President-elect and Mrs. Reagan! They were there visiting their son, Ron, before the Inauguration. Also on that night, across Central Park, John Lennon was shot. Yes, it was December 8, 1980.

Next, the MEMPHIS FCI.

WRISTWATCHES SAGA 2:

WRISTWATCHES

A Few Of My Favorites:

A replica.

A reproduction of a $320,000 wristwatch!

An original Frank Lloyd Wright!

Oh, the electronic age!

Next, My Absolute Favorite Brand.

BODY WEIGHT SAGA 10:

SIX MONTHS AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

I'm doing great! Only have discomfort when I eat too much.

As well as getting off six medicines, I no longer have sleep apnea! Sleep apnea is typically caused by fatty deposits in the throat causing interrupted sleep, which I evidentially don't have anymore!!

I seem to have stabilized at this current weight. I originally wanted to lose ten more pounds, but I think I'm really all right at this weight. I'm beginning to think 165# is too thin. It surely is GREAT not to have to watch so carefully what I eat. I can eat most anything except highly sugared things. But all meals still have to be in small amounts.

I'm considering plastic surgery on my "turkey neck." It's the really telltale spot that shows that I used to be heavy.

I've found a local doctor in Lewes, DE that does this surgery, but I'm nervous about it (pain and cost).

Time to take my monthly anniversary picture.

BEFORE 12/5/11, 225#

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225# to 177# = -48#.    ORIGINAL GOAL: 165# or 60#.

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ABYSSINIAN CATS SAGA 3:

BAXTER (1998-2010)

Baxter was judged the Best Aby in the Northeast! He was to go on to the Nationals in Nashville, but I wanted him to be with me. So, I went ahead and got him from the breeder in Perth-Amboy, NJ. EVERYONE loved him and vice versa!

A Photographic Essay:

Next, My Newest Addition: MEMPHIS.