Project365: Day 10 - Lonely Nomade

Day 10 - Lonely Nomade, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

Project365: Day 9 - All Saints Catholic Church

Day 9 - All Saints Catholic Church, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

Our church back home in the Twin Cities. This will always be one of my favorite buildings.

My fiance and I will be getting married here later this year! :D

Project365: Day 8 - Cranky Cat Nap

Day 8 - Cranky Cat Nap, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

My fiance and I were up in the Twin Cities this weekend taking care of some wedding planning stuff. Her cat, Snickers, didn't seem to impressed that I had disturbed her nap to take her picture.

People and animals: photo subjects that I struggle with shooting. I plan to do more photos of both during this project to (hopefully) get less awkward in photographing them.

Project365: Day 7 - Frosty Landscape

Day 7 - Frosty Landscape, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

Taken outside the headquarters of Meredith Corporation (think Better Homes and Gardens) in Des Moines.

I used my 35mm f/1.8 lens for this shot. I've had the lens for a while now, but need to use it more. I always love the composition and focus of the shots I get with it.

Project365: Day 6 - West Des Moines Library

Day 6 - West Des Moines Library, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

I've lived in the Des Moines area for over a year and a half now, and tonight was my first visit to the West Des Moines Library.

Project365: Day 5 - Structural Gnomes

Day 5 - Structural Gnomes, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

This is my first Project 365 photo featuring people!

Well, sort of. Gnomes are people, too.

The Equitable Building in Des Moines was completed in 1924. It was designed by Proudfoot, Bird, and Rawson (a predecessor of Brooks Borg Skiles, my current employer). A pair of these awesome little gnomes are working hard to support the building at each of the perimeter columns.

Proudfoot and Bird demonstrated a wonderful sense of humor in many of their buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s in Iowa. Other places to see their humorous handiwork in Des Moines include the Polk County Courthouse and Roosevelt High School.

I think the idea that architecture can be funny got lost somewhere between Mid-Century Modernism and today. I'll try to capture more of these funny figures and faces in Des Moines throughout the rest of my Project 365.

Project365: Day 4 - Des Moines Skyline at Night

Day 4 - Des Moines Skyline at Night, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

From the steps of the Iowa State Capital building looking down Locust.

I've come to really like the Des Moines skyline since moving to Iowa, but my architecture-dominated brain can't help but dream of better things for the image of Downtown. At certain angles the skyline has some gaping holes where you can see right through downtown.

I know, I know. Des Moines is no Chicago or even Saint Paul. But a few more prominent shapes peeking up above the mid-rises would be nice. If I'm lucky maybe I will get to help add them someday.

Project365: Day 3 - Des Moines Art Center

Day 3 - Des Moines Art Center, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

I would say that this is one of my favorite buildings in Des Moines, but that wouldn't be true. This is, in fact, THREE of my favorite buildings.

The original Art Center building (pictured) was designed by Eliel Saarinen and completed in 1948. The second wing (boxy concrete, south side of museum) was designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 1968. The third and final wing (porcelain, granite, and metal) was designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1985.

Project365: Day 2 - Rusty Ruan

Rusty Ruan, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

The Ruan Building in Des Moines was the tallest building in Iowa for 16 years (1975 to 1991, surpassed by 801 Grand). The building is locally notable for its rusted exterior.

The exterior of the the building is comprised of Corten steel and glass. Corten steel was used to prolong the life of the exterior. The steel is designed to intentionally rust on its outer surface. The rust acts as a protectant surface, making paint or other coatings unnecessary.

In most major cities, the Corten steel begins to turn a very dark brown or black color through weathering and airborne pollution adhering to the rusty exterior over time. Yet 35 years after its construction, the Ruan center is still a relatively bright rusty red color. Why is that?

Because the air in Des Moines is just too clean.

Project365: Day 1 - Forgotten Faith

Day 1: Forgotten Faith, originally uploaded by Tim Bungert.

The (Former) First Church of Christ Scientist. Des Moines, Iowa.

Built in 1931, this church has been out of use for some time. Mother Nature has already begun to reclaim this building in many areas including the main entry plaza and sidewalk.