Most hobbies have a number of limitations that may prevent you from fully enjoying them, especially as you get a little older. Happily, BUILDING WATCHING is not prone to most of these failings. Let me gove you some good examples.
1. Buildings can be enjoyed in any season of the year and almost any weather. In fact, you can often get a better view of the houses when the leaves are off the trees. And if you are a photographer, the colours of the Spring and Fall can turn an average picture into something spectacular.This provides a great excuse for taking a drive in any season.
2. Buildings (unlike birds) don't migrate. They'll still be there tomorrow or next week.
3. Buildings don't hibernate when the weather worsens. And as you get closer they wont run away!
4. You can enjoy observing most buildings from the comfort of your own car.
People
1. Building Watching can be done alone or in the company of others.
2. There are no restrictions re: age, size, sex, colour, nationality or whatever. You can also mix or match!
3. Most buildings can be observed from a vehicle ( which is great if you have physical limitations). It also provides a wonderful excuse to get some exercise as you and your friends stroll through the shaded streets of a nearby town. (Be sure and stop in a small diner/coffee shop and talk about the area with some of the locals. That's part of the fun.)
Location
1. Building Watching can be done in the village, town, city or the country. And speaking of country, if you like to travel don't limit your architectural search to just Canada. Some styles are international (although they may vary somewhat from country to country (e.g. The Georgian Style of the U.S. and Britain tends to be much fancier that the Canadian equivalent).
2. Many nations also have styles that are unique to their own nation, like the MANUELINE STYLE of Portugal.
Costs
1. There are almost no costs associated with Building Watching.
The exception might be the cost of gas. (I do not, of course, associate the costs incurred with flights abroad, hotels, doughnuts, etc.)
2. Equipment is virtually non-existent. If you get really interesting in Building Watching, or have some physical disabilities, you might want to consider binoculars to study the details more closely.
3. Clothing is whatever you find comfortable and appropriate for the weather.
Other Buildings
1. Although we've been talking strictly about homes, you can easily make a case for studying other types of buildings as well. Some of the styles overlap (e.g. 'Second Empire' can be found in both homes and hotels. Other styles may be distinct to certain types of buildings (e.g. 'Chateau' is used for government buildings and hotels.
2. Some other building types that you could consider might be; churches, inns, government buildings, commercial buildings, office buildings, old barns, even bridges.
'Collecting'
1. There are a number of ways of 'collecting buildings' ; a) Historically, like the lovely Georgian at Stoney Creek, b) Chronologically, from the oldest to the newest. Keep a list of the exact locations of these buildings and share the information with other 'collectors', c) by Area, perhaps you want to confine your hunt to the Region of Waterloo, d) Artistically, try sketching or painting the building that interests you, e) or Photographically. My personal interest is to find as 'pure' a house as possible and then photograph the house and its features that emphasize that particular style.
Mentally Challenging
1. As you can see by the examples, you can approach 'Building Watching' from many dfferent angles. The degree to which you pursue the hobby is entirely dependent upon your interest and physical capabilities.
2) Obviously, the hobby can grow as your interest increases. (My wife believes that I'm at the obsession level!)
3) The hobby gives you a good reason to investigate that nearby city, travel that country lane, or return to your roots to see what still exists. In every instance you are going to be mentally involved.
4) I find that, similar to a painter, the more that I become involved in Building Watching, the more I see and experience and the more that I learn. All these factors make life a little richer.
Summary
If it's going to entertain you, be inexpensive, allow you to share pleasures with others and be mentally challenging, what are you waiting for, start BUILDING WATCHING!!
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