Code,951005
Subject,Jim Herman
Date,7/27/2006
Interviewer,Sandra Storey
Abstract,"Jim Herman has worked as an architect in Cleveland since 1963 at the firm that is now called Herman Gibans Foder.  His area of interest is senior housing, and he has worked on a number of such projects in the city, including the Bruening Health Center at Judson Park.  In this 2006 interview, Herman discusses his work in Cleveland, focusing on the challenges of building homes for the aging.  He also talks about his firm's work on the construction of the Jewish Community Federation Building on Euclid Avenue and the Tower City/Terminal Tower renovation.  More generally, Herman gives his opinion on Euclid Avenue's redevelopment, other opportunities for development in Cleveland, and challenges presently facing the city as it tries to attract more residents and tourists."
Special Notes,"architecture, senior living centers, urban issues"
minutes:,
0,introduction and background
1,early attraction to architecture
2,beginnings of architectural career
3,"World Trade Center: description of architectural design, role in design/construction"
4,structural columns
5,response to terrorist attacks of september 11th 2001
6,"local architectural projects: Westerly (subsidized senior home), Chesterfield Apts."
7,"Jewish Community Confederation:  location, arch construction"
8,description of building design and usage
9,
10,Bruening Health Center/Judson Park: interior design suited to elderly residents
11,location presented challenges
12,Amasa Stone House: challenge of meeting client's specific needs
13,other nursing home and senior center projects
14,other projects
15,considerations of building/designing for elderly residents: ambience
16,"Americans with Disabilities Act, common areas"
17,facilitating dignity through design
18,
19,"architecture, theory and practice: developing a project to meet criteria"
20,design considerations
21,integration into existing environment
22,"Lake View Terrace: history, succesful design"
23,Gehry Building at Case: relation to adjacent neighborhood/campus
24,"Terminal Tower/Tower City Center, renovation:  architectural firms"
25,"project phases, imaginitive reuse of older fixtures"
26,Prospect Avenue façade
27,challenges of renovating Movie Theatre
28,"""I think that the whole complex is terrific… as a public image it does a good job"""
29,"Cleveland Trust Building: ""it's very welcoming"", description"
30,"Huntington Bank: ""feels very stable…very permanent… magnificent"""
31,"Colonial Arcade: precursor to malls, ""helps to connect the city"""
32,"Euclid Avenue, needs: pedestrian-orientation, downtown residential development"
33,"becoming an entertainment district, outdoor activity"
34,Public Square: each quadrant has a different character
35,"viability of reconfiguring automobile traffic to make way for pedestrians, challenges"
36,"Lake Front development:  ""we need to have much better access"""
37,possible development along lakefront
38,"Cleveland, city planning mistakes:  demolition of quality buildings"
39,"highway development isolated lakefront, development issues"
40,"Cleveland, urban issues: decline, assets (healthcare, technology)"
41,projects in development
42,"Cleveland, tourism: Mall area, University Circle (""the best thing about cleveland"")"
43,"Cleveland, personal attraction/connection"
44,"Herman-Gibans-Foder architectural firm, downtown office"
45,possible relocation to W.25th St.
46,"Beechwood, Ohio: moving to the suburbs"
47,"Herman-Gibans-Foder architectural firm, specialization: senior living centers"
48,
49,"architectural conventions: keep architects up-to-date on technology, marketing"
50,
51,spelling clarifications
52,end