Full Width [alt+shift+f] Shortcuts [alt+shift+k]
Sign Up [alt+shift+s] Log In [alt+shift+l]

New here?

Welcome! BoredReading is a fresh way to read high quality articles (updated every hour). Our goal is to curate (with your help) Michelin star quality articles (stuff that's really worth reading). We currently have articles in 0 categories from architecture, history, design, technology, and more. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and start reading. This is the best way to increase your attention span, grow as a person, and get a better understanding of the world (or atleast that's why we built it).

28
I’ve mentioned before the way that the numbered street grid was literally cut though the once-hilly topography of Manhattan Island. It’s hard to find visible evidence of that process today. The Dyckman Farmhouse, near the north end of the island and dating to 1784, is on a hill above the street and you can sort-of […]
9 months ago

Improve your reading experience

Logged in users get linked directly to articles resulting in a better reading experience. Please login for free, it takes less than 1 minute.

More from Old Structures Engineering

Top To Bottom

From Scientific American, December 8, 1894, an interesting view of two buildings: drawings that include both the above-ground portion of the buildings, more or less as you would see them, and the foundations as they could never be seen. The foundations are seen as if the earth had been turned transparent. The image of the […]

a month ago 38 votes
Happy Christmas

I’m not so sure about that vest.

a month ago 33 votes
Genteel

That’s the Hotel Marlborough at 36th Street and Broadway, shortly after 1900. The hotel opened in 1888 when the entertainment district on Broadway was further south; by the time it was demolished in 1922, that district had moved to Times Square, a few blocks to the north. It’s a story repeated for hundreds of buildings […]

a month ago 36 votes
Once Again, In Plastic

The restoration of Notre Dame deserves all the praise that has been heaped upon it, but have I mentioned recently that my son and I have built the LEGO Notre Dame? We finished our small Notre Dame about a week after the official opening of the large one, but they had a head start on […]

a month ago 32 votes
It Looked Familiar: Archetypical

From a graphic novel about art called Naked City: how do you capture the spirit of New York? A relentless grid and Old-Law tenements.

2 months ago 38 votes

More in architecture

2025 Summer Architecture Programs for Adults and High School Graduates

Archinect’s 2025 roundup of summer architecture programs continues with Part 2, focusing on opportunities for high school graduates, college students, and adults of all experience levels. Whether you're exploring architecture for the first time or seeking to deepen your knowledge in a specialized area, these courses and workshops — hosted by top academic institutions and organizations across the U.S. — offer a valuable introduction to architectural education. From foundational design skills to advanced topics, there’s something for everyone. Apply early, as spots fill up fast! If you're interested in summer programs for kids and high school students, check out our recently published Part 1.

2 hours ago 2 votes
New York City Is Losing Affordable Housing at an Alarming Rate

The problem is that City of Yes was an open call to build with no requirements that lost affordable units be replaced.

an hour ago 1 votes
2025 Summer Architecture Programs for Kids and High School Students

Looking for an engaging way to introduce your child to architecture this summer? Or are you a high school student eager to explore design and gain pre-college experience? Archinect’s 2025 roundup of summer architecture programs offers a curated selection of courses, workshops, and camps across the U.S. (and two in Canada and the UK).  Whether you're seeking hands-on creative fun or an academic head start, these programs provide exciting opportunities for young minds to discover the world of architecture.  This first installment highlights offerings for elementary, middle, and high school students — so secure your spot before summer arrives!

yesterday 4 votes
The Nazi Block

In the heart of Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, an unusual concrete cylinder sits as an abandoned eyesore. At first sight, it might be mistaken for a deteriorating grain silo or a remnant of Cold War infrastructure. But this peculiar structure, known officially as the Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load-bearing body”), carries a darker history: it was the first

2 days ago 2 votes
“AI Is Just a Tool”—and Other Fictions

AI usurps the freedom to experience the pain, growth, and satisfaction of true artistic and design growth.

2 days ago 5 votes