Virginia Highlands – rhegner1's Blog

Final Draft Built Environment Analysis: Communal Differences: Virginia-Highlands v. Little Five Points

rhegner1 on April 29, 2016

Communal Differences: Virginia-Highlands v. Little Five Points

While strolling down the stained sidewalks of Little Five Points, drum beats played on turned over buckets pulse through the streets, the smell of street food fills the air, and an array of people explore the eclectic retail district. On the contrary, on the streets of Virginia Highlands there is a certain stillness. Other than the sound of cars passing by, the area has peacefulness to it. The restaurants are more uniform and so is the community. Surrounding the shops and restaurants are suburban homes with front porch swings and minivans. These two areas are in close proximity, but differ greatly. The built environments of Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands shape and are shaped by different groups of people due to differences in the historical foundation of the spaces, the layout of the streets, and the location of these neighborhoods in proximity to other influential spaces in Atlanta.

Historical Foundation

An area’s historical background influences how the built environment of that space develops as time progresses. Since the late 1960’s, Little Five Points has been known for its odd knick-knack shops, antiques, and discount clothing (Wheatley). Even back then people knew they could go to Little Five Points to save money on picture shows, clothing, and other goods. It is interesting to see how that trend has stayed with and developed the area over the last fifty years. Because the neighborhood’s roots are deep into the eclectic culture of city living and freedom of expression, the area has not developed into anything more than just that. Because it has been “known for” a certain type of merchandise and culture, this image has shaped the built environment a great deal and stayed with the space for many years. Even today, Atlantans know they can go to Little Five Points and come back with a funky new pair of sunglasses and a stomach full of cheap (but delicious) food.

As for Virginia-Highlands, even back in the 1960’s the area began transforming into a family-oriented, upscale neighborhood (Virginia-Highland: A Rich History). Young professionals and families began moving into the area and renovating old homes and utilitarian storefronts into boutiques and restaurants. The area transformed into a city-walk with a suburban feel, well equipped with parks and excellent schools. What really drew the community in close was the announcement that a major highway, I-485, would run right through the beautiful neighborhood, disrupting what the community had created and destroying hundreds of homes. A group of civilians decided to fight back and formed the Virginia-Highland Civic Association; the group was successful in putting a stop to the highway plans (Virginia-Highland: A Rich History). A group like this taking shape within a built environment build a foundation for a strong community and a “work together” attitude. The Virginia-Highland Civic Association is still an active group within the neighborhood to this day. Even fifty years ago, Little Five Points and Virginia-Highlands began to differ in community, which in turn transformed both neighborhoods into unique areas.

Neighborhood Layout

The layout of both neighborhoods is different in many ways, but each serves a purpose for the built environment and caters to the community. In Little Five Points, there is one large communal area in the center of the neighborhood, known as Findley Plaza. All the restaurants and shops surround the large area, which is equipped with benches, trees, and always filled with street musicians. Compared to Virginia-Highlands, Little Five Points is smaller and although there are residential homes, they are not really included in to the main retail area of the space. This can be seen from the photograph shown below: the communal area allows for a “hang out” spot for those strolling around the area, while the homes are located in a different part of the neighborhood.

This type of built environment accommodates a younger, more social crowd. The central area provides groups a space to spread out and socialize. This spot is always a meeting place in Little Five Points. There are friends embracing and then going on their way to explore the remainder of the eclectic neighborhood, street musicians jamming on various instruments, and pedestrians walking their dogs. Branching off from Findley Plaza is the main street, Euclid Avenue, where all the funky shops and restaurants are located. Below is a screenshot of a map of Little Five Points that shows how Findley Plaza is the common area within the retail area of Little Five Points.

The layout of the built environment in Virginia-Highlands differs greatly from that of Little Five Points. The major retail strips are directly across from the residential areas. This aspect of the layout shows how the area is more family-oriented, which is why the retail area is more reserved and quiet. When I visited Virginia-Highlands for my exterior built environment description I noticed that the aural characteristics of the space were very quiet; here is one of my sound recordings (Hegner). Out on the street the only noises to be heard were cars passing by and an occasional dog barking. There are no street musicians, loud chatter, or boisterous music filling the air in Virginia-Highlands.

There is a certain calm in this area during the day, which I think has to do with the layout of the neighborhood. The residential area surrounding the shops is one reason why the area is much more composed; another reason for this is the parks located in Virginia-Highlands. In one of the major retail spots, North Highland Park is across the street from the retail area. To be able to walk out of a restaurant or coffee shop and cross the street to a peaceful park is a major characteristic of this built environment. Parks take away from the hustle and bustle of the city and influence the area in a positive way. A screenshot of the park mentioned is pictured below, which shows how it is surrounded by shops and homes.

Influential Surrounding Areas

As for Little Five Points, the neighborhood has a significantly lower household income and this can be seen by observing the built environment. The used goods, vintage apparel shops, and thrifty stores are an indicator of a whole different community that has taken root (Lydia Bohanan). The shops would not be there if the population of Little Five did not frequent them. For instance, the new designer shops in Buckhead that were recently built would not be seen in an area like Little Five Points. These shops would quickly go out of business because the type of clientele that they cater to does not reside in Little Five. The retail district of a neighborhood adapts to the type of people that reside there, and overall their income as well. Therefore, the areas surrounding these to spots have some effect on the type of community and how the built environment adapts.

Overall, when observing the built environment of a neighborhood there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Before I researched these two places, they were merely two neighborhoods I drove through on occasion while exploring Atlanta. Now after exploring them in full, I can say with confidence that Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands are different in so many ways, despite the less than two mile difference between them. That is another interesting component that comes into play, Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands are within such close proximity, but differ greatly. That is the beauty of the built environment of a city, you can can walk two miles down the road and experience a whole new atmosphere. This all has to do with the historical foundation that the neighborhoods were built on, the layout of the streets and attractions, and the surrounding places. All three of these factors shape and cause a certain crowd to gather and settle, which in turn forms the type of housing, shops, restaurants, and communal areas that shape an area’s built environment.

Works Cited

“Atlanta, Georgia (GA) Income Map, Earnings Map, and Wages Data.” City Data. Accessed April 26, 2016. http://www.city-data.com/income/income-Atlanta-Georgia.html.

Lydia Bohanan. “Exterior Built Environment Description: Little Five Points.” Blog. Lydia’s Blog, February 13, 2016. http://sites.gsu.edu/lbohanan1/2016/02/13/exterior-built-environment-description-little-five-points/.

Rachel Hegner. “Exterior: Virginia Highlands Digital Record #4.” Blog. RHEGNER 1’s Blog, February 13, 2016. https://sites.gsu.edu/rhegner1/2016/02/13/exterior-virginia-highlands-digital-record-4/.

Thomas Wheatley. “How Did Little Five Points Get Weird?” Newspaper. Creative Loafing Atlanta. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://clatl.com/atlanta/how-did-little-five-points-get-weird/Content?oid=17069654.

Virginia-Highland CivicAssn. Virginia-Highland: A Rich History, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncw7Dkhc8D4.

SECOND DRAFT: Communal Differences: Virginia-Highlands v. Little Five Points (Built Environment Analysis)

rhegner1 on April 28, 2016

While strolling down the stained sidewalks of Little Five Points, drum beats played on turned over buckets pulse through the streets, the smell of street food fills the air, and an array of people explore the funky shops. On the contrary, on the streets of Virginia Highlands there is certain stillness. Other than the sound of cars zooming by, the area has peacefulness to it. The restaurants are more uniform and so are the people. Surrounding the shops and restaurants are suburban homes with front porch swings and minivans. These two areas are in close proximity, but differ greatly. The built environments of Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands shape and are shaped by different groups of people due to differences in the historical foundation of the spaces, the layout of the streets, and the location of these neighborhoods in proximity to other influential spaces in Atlanta.

Historical Foundation

An area’s historical background influences how the built environment of that space develops as time goes on. Since the late 1960’s Little Five Points has been known for its odd knick-knack shops, antiques, and discount clothing (Wheatley). Even back then people knew they could go to Little Five Points to save money on movie theaters, clothing, and other goods. It is interesting to see how that trend has stayed with and developed the area over the last fifty years. Because the neighborhood’s roots are deep into the eclectic culture of city living and freedom of expression, the area has not developed into anything more than just that. Because the area has been “known for” a certain type of merchandise and culture, this image has shaped the built environment a great deal and stayed with the space for many years.

As for Virginia-Highlands, the area has been family-oriented and more upscale than Little Five Points since the 1960’s (Virginia-Highland Civic Assn.). Young professionals and families began moving into the area and renovating old homes and utilitarian storefronts into boutiques and restaurants. The area transformed into a city-walk with a suburban feel, well equipped with parks and excellent schools. What really drew the community in close was the announcement that a major highway, I-485, would run right through the beautiful neighborhood, disrupting what the community had created and destroying hundreds of homes. A group of civilians decided to fight back and formed the Virginia-Highland Civic Association; the group was successful in putting a stop to the highway plans. Even fifty years ago, Little Five Points and Virginia-Highlands began to differ in community, which in turn transformed both neighborhoods into unique areas.

Neighborhood Layout

This type of built environment accommodates a younger, more social crowd. The central area provides groups a space to spread out and socialize. This spot is always a meeting place in Little Five Points. There are friends embracing and then going on their way to explore to remainder of the eclectic neighborhood, street musicians jamming on various instruments, and pedestrians walking their dogs. Branching off from Findley Plaza is the main street where all the funky shops and restaurants reside. Below is a screenshot of a map of Little Five Points that shows how Findley Plaza is the common area within the retail area of Little Five Points.

The layout of the built environment in Virginia-Highlands differs greatly from that of Little Five Points. The major retail strips are directly across from the residential areas. This aspect of the layout shows how the area is more family-oriented, which is why the retail area is more reserved and quiet. When I visited Virginia-Highlands for my exterior built environment description I noticed that the aural characteristics of the space were very quiet; here is one of my sound recordings. Out on the street the only noises to be heard were cars passing by and an occasional dog barking. There are no street musicians, loud chatter, or boisterous music filling the air in Virginia-Highlands.

There is a certain calm in this area during the day, which I think has to do with the layout of the neighborhood. The residential area surrounding the shops is one reason why the area is much more composed; another reason for this is the parks located in Virginia-Highlands. In one of the major retail spots, North Highland Park is across the street from the retail area. Parks take away from the hustle and bustle of the city and influence the area in a positive way. A screenshot of the park mentioned is pictured below, which shows how it is surrounded by shops and homes.

Influential Surrounding Areas

As for Little Five Points, the neighborhood has a significantly lower household income and this can be seen by observing the built environment. The used goods, vintage apparel shops, and thrifty stores are an indicator of a whole different community that has taken root. For instance, the new designer shops in Buckhead that were recently built would not be seen in an area like Little Five Points. These shops would quickly go out of business because the type of clientele that they cater to does not reside in Little Five. The retail district of a neighborhood adapts to the type of people that reside there, and overall their income as well. Therefore, the areas surrounding these to spots have some effect on the type of community and how the built environment adapts.

Overall, when observing the built environment of a neighborhood there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Before I researched these two places, they were merely two neighborhoods I drove through on occasion while exploring Atlanta. Now after exploring them in full, I can say with confidence that Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands are different in so many ways, despite the less than two mile difference between them. That is another interesting component that comes into play, Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands are within such close proximity, but differ greatly. This all has to do with the historical foundation that the neighborhoods were built on, the layout of the streets and attractions, and the surrounding places. All three of these factors shape call a certain crowd to gather, which in turn forms the type of housing, shops, restaurants, and communal areas.

Works Cited

Virginia-Highland CivicAssn. Virginia-Highland: A Rich History, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncw7Dkhc8D4.

Rachel Hegner. “Annotated Bibliographies 1,2, and 3.” Blog. RHEGNER1’s Blog, February 6, 2016. https://sites.gsu.edu/rhegner1/2016/02/06/annotated-bibliographies-12-and-3/.

“Atlanta, Georgia (GA) Income Map, Earnings Map, and Wages Data.” City Data. Accessed April 26, 2016. http://www.city-data.com/income/income-Atlanta-Georgia.html.

FIRST DRAFT: Communal Differences: Little Five Points v. Virginia-Highlands (Built Environment Analysis)

rhegner1 on April 27, 2016April 27, 2016

While strolling down the stained sidewalks of Little Five Points, drum beats played on turned over buckets pulse through the streets, the smell of street food fills the air, and an array of people explore the funky shops. On the contrary, on the streets of Virginia Highlands there is certain stillness. Other than the sound of cars zooming by, the area has peacefulness to it. The restaurants are more uniform and so are the people. Surrounding the shops and restaurants are suburban homes with front porch swings and minivans. These two areas are in close proximity, but differ greatly. The built environments of Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands shape and are shaped by different groups of people due to differences in the historical foundation of the spaces, the layout of the streets, and the location of these neighborhoods in proximity to other influential spaces in Atlanta.

Historical Foundation

Neighborhood Layout

This type of built environment accommodates a younger, more social crowd. The central area provides groups a space to spread out and socialize. This spot is always a meeting place in Little Five Points. There are friends embracing and then going on their way to explore to remainder of the eclectic neighborhood, street musicians jamming on various instruments, and pedestrians walking their dogs. Branching off from Findley Plaza is the main street where all the funky shops and restaurants reside. Below is a screenshot of a map of Little Five Points that shows how Findley Plaza is the common area within the retail area of Little Five Points.

The layout of the built environment in Virginia-Highlands differs greatly from that of Little Five Points. The major retail strips are directly across from the residential areas. This aspect of the layout shows how the area is more family-oriented, which is why the retail area is more reserved and quiet. When I visited Virginia-Highlands for my exterior built environment description I noticed that the aural characteristics of the space were very quiet; here is one of my sound recordings. Out on the street the only noises to be heard were cars passing by and an occasional dog barking. There are no street musicians, loud chatter, or boisterous music filling the air in Virginia-Highlands.

There is a certain calm in this area during the day, which I think has to do with the layout of the neighborhood. The residential area surrounding the shops is one reason why the area is much more composed; another reason for this is the parks located in Virginia-Highlands. In one of the major retail spots, North Highland Park is across the street from the retail area. Parks take away from the hustle and bustle of the city and influence the area in a positive way. A screenshot of the park mentioned is pictured below, which shows how it is surrounded by shops and homes.

Influential Surrounding Areas

The areas that surround a neighborhood influence the type of community that settles there and overall help shape the built environment. The neighborhoods surrounding Virginia-Highlands are Midtown, Druid Hills, and Ansley Park, which are all upper to middle class areas. The areas surrounding Little Five Points include Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, and Downtown, all of which consist of a middle to lower class population and vary more racially. One major influence of an area’s built environment is household income. The average household income changes drastically when going from Little Five Points to Virginia-Highlands. For instance, the average income in Little Five Points ranges from $66,000 to $76,000. Whereas in Virginia-Highlands this span is more like $109,000 to $128,000 (Income Map). With the income being almost double this, the Virginia-Highlands draws in a more family oriented, upscale community. This may just sound like a matter of real estate, but household income trickles down to the types of shops and restaurants built in the area, the upkeep of the streets and sidewalks, and the type of community that settles in that particular built environment. As for Little Five Points, the neighborhood has a significantly lower household income and this can be seen by observing the built environment. The used goods, vintage apparel shops, and thrifty stores are an indicator of a whole different community that has taken root. For instance, the new designer shops in Buckhead that were just built would not be seen in an area like Little Five Points. These shops would quickly go out of business because the type of clientele that they cater to does not reside in Little Five. The retail district of a neighborhood adapts to the type of people that reside there, and overall their income as well.

Works Cited

Virginia-Highland CivicAssn. Virginia-Highland: A Rich History, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncw7Dkhc8D4.

Rachel Hegner. “Annotated Bibliographies 1,2, and 3.” Blog. RHEGNER1’s Blog, February 6, 2016. https://sites.gsu.edu/rhegner1/2016/02/06/annotated-bibliographies-12-and-3/.

“Atlanta, Georgia (GA) Income Map, Earnings Map, and Wages Data.” City Data. Accessed April 26, 2016. http://www.city-data.com/income/income-Atlanta-Georgia.html.

Built Environment Analysis outline draft

rhegner1 on April 6, 2016

Intro information

Little Five Points and Virginia-Highlands are within close proximity, but seem worlds apart due to the communal differences in income, the surrounding neighborhoods, and the age range of the Atlantans that affiliate with these areas.

The built environments of Little Five Points and Virginia Highlands shape and are shaped by different groups of people due to differences in the historical foundation of the spaces, the layout of the streets, and the location of these neighborhoods in proximity to other influential spaces in Atlanta.

Annotated Bibliographies Final 1-10

rhegner1 on April 4, 2016

Annotated Bibliography #1

“Homepage.” Virginia-Highland Civic Association. Accessed April 4, 2016. http://vahi.org/.

This website reports on all things Virginia-Highland. Everything from volunteer opportunities to the preservation and history of the area are easily accessible from this webpage. The information I obtained furthered my knowledge of the area greatly. Scans of some of the original historic maps of Virginia Highlands, some as early as 1871, show how the area has transformed over time. The maps show the slow but steady increase in industrialization and development of the area, thus showing in detail how the built environment was formed. The site lists all the parks, which is important in shaping the area’s built environment, and where they are located. This site provides an array of information and is kept by the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, making it a reliable and useful source. Although this association provides more information on the area than any other site, the source could possibly be biased. Because the association only considers one view, details about the area’s history and current status may be left out. Overall, this source provides a bulk of information to further the viewer’s knowledge about Virginia-Highlands and built environment within the area’s borders.

Annotated Bibliography #2

Virginia-Highland CivicAssn. Virginia-Highland: A Rich History, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncw7Dkhc8D4.

The short film goes deep into the history of Virginia-Highlands, going back to the first settlers of the area, which were Creek Indians. The community was agrarian based, but most of that was ruined after the Civil War. Most families had to rebuild their lives, due to the many battles fought during the war. As the town was rebuilt, trolley lines were built, which connected Virginia-Highlands to other surrounding Atlanta burrows and made travel more accessible. This video mentions multiple pieces of important information about the built environment that cannot easily be found on the webpage. This source is very informative and addresses several different controversial events that the webpage does not, such as the land lottery only offering land to free white males and the different opinions about the widening of I-485. The widening of the highway was controversial because it would have obliterated parks and hundreds of homes. Thus, citizens began taking a stand against it and formed the Virginia Civic Association to combat the highway widening. This short film provides a lot of vital information about the architecture and development of Virginia-Highlands and furthered my understanding of how the area came to be what it is today.

Annotated Bibliography #3

Robert Craig. “Late Victorian Architecture: Overview.” Encyclopedia. New Georgia Encyclopedia, September 30, 2006. http://m.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/late-victorian-architecture-overview.

This encyclopedia article provides insight to how architecture in Virginia-Highlands was created and where the inspiration was drawn from. Gustav Stickley and his magazine, The Craftsman, inspired the Craftsmen bungalow. This style of home, which still fills the streets of Virginia-Highlands today, incorporates exposed wood, front porch columns, and shingle siding. Craig mentions how this type of architecture symbolizes freedom and character, which are popular democratic morals for Americans. More specific information on where the inspiration for the built environment came from is found in this article, whereas the short film and webpage do not do so. This article provides direct evidence on how and why the homes in Virginia-Highlands look the way they do. This source varies from the others in that it focuses mostly on architecture rather than historical and present events in the area.

Annotated Bibliography #4

Shepard, Andrew. “Criminal Records | Little Five Points.” Little Five Points, May 25, 2010. http://littlefivepoints.net/criminal-records.

This article, written by Andrew Shepard, informs readers about the ins and outs of Criminal Records: the ambiance, the types of products sold, and the uniqueness of the shop. Criminal Records is the only record shop remaining in Atlanta, which contributes to the built environment of the city quite a bit. Because this shop is one of a kind it has formed its own community and provides customers with something no other shop within the city can. The article was posted on the Little Five Points, the burrow of Atlanta where Criminal Records is located, website. Because of this, there is some bias to what Shepard writes. He only mentions the positives of Criminal Records, how friendly the staff is, the reasonable prices, and the extensive collection of albums, comics, and other knick-knacks. Overall, this source provides useful information about Criminal Records and gives readers insight on what to expect when visiting the shop. criminal_records

Annotated Bibliography #5

Nessy, Messy. “Documenting the Disappearing Record Stores of Paris.” Blog. MESSYNESSY Chic, August 14, 2015. http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/08/14/documenting-the-disappearing-record-stores-of-paris/.

The author of this article, who goes by the penname Messy Nessy, writes about the history and unfortunate disappearance of record shops in Paris, France. The record store is a dying breed in today’s world. The streets of Paris used to be filled with these shops that held decades of musical history within their walls. Nessy writes of the slow drop off of some of Paris’ most well known record dealers. Thomas Henry’s website, Disquaries de Paris, documents the disappearance of these shops in an interesting way. This is the website from which Nessy gets most of her information. What sparks the reader’s attention is the way Nessy displays a side-by-side comparison of photos of the old record shop storefronts and what replaces the shops in modern day Paris. I chose this source because it is specific in mentioning how sparse record stores have become and pays tribute to the rich history they provided. I would not necessarily say this

source has bias, Nessy is definitely appreciative of music, but that is not cause for bias. As said in my fourth annotation, Criminal Records is the last record shop in Atlanta. This blog post supports that in explaining how these shops have fallen off the grid in the past decades. This post provides great insight into the record industry and incorporates some great photography as well.

Annotated Bibliography #6

“City Cafe: History of Little Five Points.” Atlanta’s NPR Station. Little Five Points: 90.1 FM WABE. Accessed February 26, 2016. http://news.wabe.org/post/city-cafe-history-little-five-points.

This radio broadcast illustrates the fruitful history of Little Five Points; it is not just a “hippie” burrow of Atlanta, but a site with rich background that has shaped the built environment of the city. The author of a recent book about the area, “The Highs and Lows of Little Five: A History of Little Five Points”, spoke during the broadcast. Author, Robert Hartle Jr., spoke to the NPR host in the center of Little Five Points. He explains the evolution of the area, in that it thrived during the Great Depression, but began to sink during the 1950’s when schools integrated. Listeners can hear as Hartle points out landmarks, like the Corner Tavern, and elaborates on their history. The tavern was not just a place to drink and mingle, but also a meeting place where the community gathered and held discussions. The area is so much more than it looks, he explains, and has vast history for such a small burrow of the city. This broadcast provides an aural source for people to learn more about Little Five Points. There may be some bias because the author has written a book about the area, so he is clearly passionate about it. Hartle only mentions the upside to Little Five Points. Generally, this source fits in well with my other sources and provided me with new facts about the site.

Annotated Bibliography #7

Board, Editorial. “Atlanta’s Diversity Is Cause for Envy.” Magazine. Creative Loafing Atlanta, December 22, 2010. http://clatl.com/atlanta/atlantas-diversity-is-cause-for-envy/Content?oid=2543183.

In Creative Loafing’s article, Atlanta’s Diversity Is Cause for Envy, the Editorial Board enlightens readers on the noteworthy integration of Atlanta compared to other U.S. cities. In the year 2000 an unseen line existed along I-20 that seprated the “black” and “white” Atlanta.

Since then the line has significantly dissipated due to the integration of these two neighborhoods along with outsiders from various backgrounds moving in. This will help Atlanta move in the right direction and maybe set an example of post-racial equality for other cities around the country. This article helped me to better understand how racial integration in Atlanta is at a steady growth rate, which in turn shapes the built environment. Before reading this I was unaware that the I-20 ‘line’ was so severe. I chose this source because it offers information that none of my other sources have thus far. This article showed me a different side to the built environment and that other factors besides architecture have impact on shaping it.

Annotated Bibliography #8

Lisa Mowry. “Virginia-Highland Abode.” Magazine. Atlanta Magazine, Spring 2011. http://www.atlantamagazine.com/homeandgarden/virginia-highland-abode/.

In this magazine article for Atlanta Magazine, Lisa Mowry goes into detail about local Atlantan, David Scrulock’s, humble abode tucked away in the Virginia-Highlands. The article describes how three talented individuals, an interior designer, a contractor, and an architect, transform the 1920’s Craftsman bungalow into a cozy, modern home that still recognizes its Craftsmen roots. The home is equipped with an outdoor space, a two-story add on in the back, and a backyard pool. Scurlock describes the home’s side porch as, “the perfect place for a Southern porch party”. The kitchen has a touch of Craftsman magic with natural wood and earthy colors. This all being said, along with the lovely photos displayed within the article, this home is clean, natural looking, and suburban. This article furthered my knowledge of the Craftsman bungalow architecture, which is mentioned in a few of my previous sources, and the overall mood and built environment of the Virginia Highlands. The Virginia-Highlands are not only urban, but also suburban and with homes like these I can see why it a sought after spot to settle down. I did not find this source to be bias; I think the author did a great job of describing the home and how the team chose to remodel it.

Annotated Bibliography #9

“Microsoft Word – L5P_ECA.doc – Little Five Points Commercial District.pdf.” Accessed April 1, 2016. http://www.eca-usa.com/files/Little%20Five%20Points%20Commercial%20District.pdf.

This report by the Environmental Corporation of America informs readers of the developmental history of the Little Five Points Commercial District in Atlanta. The area is a great example of the city’s growth and expansion. The built environment of Little Five Points suggests that it has historical ties to what Atlanta used to be, which evolved from farmland, to Victorian estates, to what it is today. The eclectic space reminds city dwellers of the evolution of the city. The maps throughout the report were very helpful in mapping out where Little Five Points is located in relation to parks and other parts of the city. One of the maps, within the trace outline of Little Five Points, color codes what structures are residential, commercial, public, or vacant. These maps alone tell me a lot about the built environment of Little Five Points. The extensive report goes into a detailed evolution of the Little Five Points commercial district and I think this would be a great asset to the research for my final project. I chose this article because it is solely focused on Little Five Points and is more detailed than other sources I have found about the area.

Annotated Bibliography #10

Discover Atlanta. Atlanta’s Diverse Neighborhoods. Atlanta, GA, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbpJ-ReJHhQ.

This informative video by Discover Atlanta shows viewers the different hubs in the city of Atlanta. The video mentions and shows popular attractions around the city: Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, the Georgia Dome, and The High Museum of Art. The neighborhoods that the video describes each have their own look and description, which differentiates them, but also allows the viewer to see that all the areas flow together and connect rather than being secluded from one another. This source is relevant to my built environment analysis because it directly compares Little Five Points to Virginia Highlands. Little Five Points is mentioned first as being “edgy and quirky”. Right after the video describes that, it switches over to filming the Virginia-Highlands with the segue, “If you’re a little more clean cut, follow North Highland the Virginia-Highlands”. This source will also be helpful for my analysis because it conveys information through film, which is something only one of my other sources provides. I think this source could potentially have some bias due to the fact that it is only briefly highlighting the parts of Atlanta, so it only focuses on the positive aspects of each neighborhood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbpJ-ReJHhQ

Exterior Built Environment Description: Virginia Highlands

rhegner1 on February 13, 2016February 17, 2016

The Virginia-Highlands is a neighborhood within the city of Atlanta; it is located in between Druid Hills and Midtown, north of Little Five Points. The lovely neighborhood has record of settlement dated back to the early 1800’s. Virginia-Highlands has a mixture of urban shops, trendy restaurants, and suburban bungalows. As I strolled around Virginia-Highlands, I realized there is a lot more than meets the eye. To a passerby the space just appears as a nicer part of Atlanta with some shops and places to eat. However, I discovered so much more as I began listening, watching, and feeling the area that surrounded me.

Cheerful pastel colors like orange, green, and blue covered the storefronts and made me feel welcome and eager to explore. The space is very easy to move around in, free of crowds and obstacles. Many of the restaurants have outdoor patios, balconies, and some even have entire walls open to the outdoors. The signage is very useful and clear. I noticed markers above many of the street signs; they read ‘Historic Atkins Park’. Atkins Park is a large area within Virginia-Highlands that came about in the early 1900’s. These act as boundaries for the area and let people know when they have entered or left Virginia Highlands. I found these very helpful as I meandered around. From time to time I would look up and notice the signs were not present anymore, which was my queue to turn around. The majority of the neighborhood is laid out in such a way that the homes are on one side of the street while the attractions are on the other. This keeps the homes separate from any noise that nightlife may produce, giving those streets more of a suburban atmosphere.

As I continued my exploration around the area I began to notice all the different sounds that met my ears. Pleasant music crept out of open shop windows, fallen leaves rustling across the concrete, and cars slowly passing by. The speed limit within the area is fairly slow, so this eliminates most sounds of vehicles zooming by. I stopped by a coffee shop called Henry and Jane where I heard the familiar sounds of an espresso machine and the clanking of the milk steamer. I wandered across the two-lane street to shady New Highland Park, which is one of several parks in the area. I noticed that the Highlands is quieter than most other parts of Atlanta. The sounds did not make me feel anxious or flustered like many other urban areas; I felt content and peaceful as I strolled around.

Overall, Virginia-Highlands is pleasant and has a perfect combination of suburban and city living. I do not think this site necessarily targets a specific user; I saw an array of people as I explored. However, based on the layout and price point of the homes and shops, I would say the area is family oriented and mainly caters to the middle-class or higher. This site made me feel welcome and I would not hesitate to return!

Exterior: Virginia Highlands Digital Record #6

rhegner1 on February 13, 2016March 4, 2016

New Highland Park is right across the street from the strip of shops seen in my video post. I really liked the open layout of the park. Even though there is infrastructure all around the area, the park allows an escape from all that. There are trees, benches, and a field for pets to run around. This space provides Virginia Highlands with a great balance of nature and city-living.

Exterior: Virginia Highlands Digital Record #5

rhegner1 on February 13, 2016March 4, 2016

Virginia Highlands Video

I took this video while crossing a small side street onto the main sidewalk where all the shops and restaurants are. A large, bright Coca-Cola mural on the side of the building really draws attention. The restaurant I approach as I cross the street has a wall that is completely open to the outside. The space flows very nicely; it is open and easily accessible. The texture of the buildings changes from wood, to chiseled stone, to painted cement as the wall goes from belonging to the restaurant to the salon next door.

Exterior: Virginia Highlands Digital Record #4

rhegner1 on February 13, 2016March 4, 2016

I took this sound recording as I was standing on the sidewalk in front of one of the main areas in Virginia Highlands. If you listen closely you can hear a door squeaking open, leaves rustling in the wind, and a car’s engine as it drives past. I found it interesting that the area was quiet enough that all these things could be heard so easily. Compared to other areas of the city, where sometimes music and voices overpower the sounds of everyday life, the space was peaceful and quiet.

Exterior: Virginia Highlands Digital Record #3

rhegner1 on February 13, 2016March 4, 2016

I noticed repetitive signage all over Virginia Highlands. Above a lot of the road signs it reads ‘Historical Atkins Park’. It turns out, Atkins Park is an area within Virginia Highlands. The labeling of these signs creates borders within the neighborhood. I noticed as I began walking further from the area of shops and homes, the road signs were no longer labeled like this, which told me I had travelled outside the Virginia Highlands area.

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