kz's photos from WITHIN various skyscrapers

[kz1000ps]

Like I've made clear elsewhere, my job gives me access to all sorts of places, including the offices of everyone from big-time securities and law firms like Bain and Ropes and Gray right on down to small design companies. So the purpose of this thread is for me to share any and all photos I have of rooms inside office buildings, such as lobbies, swanky elevators, receptionist rooms, ect. If it caught my eye, then I caught it back.

For the first installment, here's some receptionist/entry rooms

[kz1000ps]

For the next set, I'm going to focus on two buildings: the first is 101 Merrimack Street, and second is the Ames Mansion at Commonwealth and Mass Aves

From the AIA Guide book: 101 Merrimack Street, by The Architects Collaborative, Mural by Richard Hass, 1990.

"The focus of this contextual office building is a six-story trompe l'oeil mural by Richard Haas. Most of one wall of the multilevel central interior space is a mural suggesting a domed glass pavillion filled with palms, while real falling water at the base provides sound to reinforce the image. Haas's painted details enhance the central space, producing a winter garden effect without the chore of maintaining real palm trees and tropical plants."







truly a "baroque" space if there ever was one




***************************

AIA Guide on the Ames Mansion: 355 Commonwealth Ave, Carl Fehmer, 1882

"H.H. Richardson prepared a sketch design for the Oliver Ames mansion, but for some reason Carl Fehmer became the architect. Ames made a fortune in manufacturing and railroads and was governor from 1887 until 1890. The mansion if the largest in Back Bay and has some of the most opulent interiors. It was the first Back Bay house to draw on the style of the French chateaus of the Loire Valley. A solid brownstone block without the three-dimensional modeling of the Burrage chateau one block away, it has a deep mansard roof penetrated by dormers and chimneys. The end bays of the Mass Ave facade project slightly and are exposed in the roof. Running around the house between the first- and second-floor windows is a frieze of putti and floral ornament depicting household activities such as dining, reading, and music. For many years headquarters of the National Casket Company, the mansion is now an office building.

Taken July of '05


January of this year














All interior shots of both buildings were taken 4/30/07...........................

[kmp1284]

I am quite stunned that you have not been called out on this. If I had some bicycle courier waltz around my office snapping photos of potentially confidential information on my conference tables, I would be pissed off and would assure him a hasty and forceful escort out of the building by security. If they told you it was permissible, I guess that's alright, though it would sure as hell blow my mind if you were told that. If you want the view, lease the space, until then do your thing, ride your bike and stay away from the cabs.

[bosdevelopment]

Originally Posted by kmp1284

I am quite stunned that you have not been called out on this. If I had some bicycle courier waltz around my office snapping photos of potentially confidential information on my conference tables, I would be pissed off and would assure him a hasty and forceful escort out of the building by security. If they told you it was permissible, I guess that's alright, though it would sure as hell blow my mind if you were told that. If you want the view, lease the space, until then do your thing, ride your bike and stay away from the cabs.

You're an idiot.

[kz1000ps]

When I take these interior pics (except for shots out the windows.. I ask upfront for those), I'm usually being extremely discreet because I'm well aware that it's all private property, not to mention that I only do it if nearly nobody's around. But none of my pics (either the ones posted or others I have on my hard drive) contain confidential info that could be legible, not to mention that the versions posted here are sized down considerably, rendering any details even more obscure.

I'm not looking to blow the lid off the next big aquisition or anything, so I really couldn't care less about your concerns, kmp. All I'm interested in is capturing scenes of stuff I find visually interesting, and as long as the risk in taking a pic is low and I'm not hurting anybody, I'm gonna do it.

[chumbolly]

kmp, perhaps you didn't mean it, but that seems a little harsh. I, for one, am grateful for all the pictures that kz1000ps contributes. Sure, if he took a picture on non-public space inside my firm without asking, I'd tell him not to, but I wouldn't get all "get back to your messengering until you can afford the view, you bicycle courier guy." You just sound a little constipated about your conference tables.

[stellarfun]

Originally Posted by kz1000ps

When I take these interior pics (except for shots out the windows.. I ask upfront for those), I'm usually being extremely discreet because I'm well aware that it's all private property, not to mention that I only do it if nearly nobody's around. But none of my pics (either the ones posted or others I have on my hard drive) contain confidential info that could be legible, not to mention that the versions posted here are sized down considerably, rendering any details even more obscure.

I'm not looking to blow the lid off the next big aquisition or anything, so I really couldn't care less about your concerns, kmp. All I'm interested in is capturing scenes of stuff I find visually interesting, and as long as the risk in taking a pic is low and I'm not hurting anybody, I'm gonna do it.

Posting interior pictures of common space won't bring much in the way of complaint from building owners or tenants. However, when you start posting on the Web pics of clearly identifiable company or firm offices, including conference rooms with people in them, desks of private offices, etc., that is going to raise hackles, and the possibility that one or more of those companies or firms will likely send a polite but very direct communication to the owner of this board.

[kz1000ps]

^ Point taken. I posted all the photos I have of the private offices anyway, so this shouldn't be an issue any more.

Originally Posted by chumbolly

kmp, perhaps you didn't mean it, but that seems a little harsh.

Ah, we all know by now that kmp has a golden blackberry stuck up his ass, so it's probably best we get use to always getting those terse statements rfom him.

[stellarfun]

Originally Posted by kz1000ps

^ Point taken. I posted all the photos I have of the private offices anyway, so this shouldn't be an issue any more.

It is likely to still be an issue with Morgan Stanley, etc. Its not a matter of what's done is done, and I don't have any more to show and share. For these companies and firms, the photos reveal to somebody who might not be the most honest person in the world, the ease of access, layout, and potential opportunities for miscreant behavior.

[kennedy]

i like the swanky office pics, so lets give kz a break and maybe if were extra nice he'll keep taking them.

[Ron Newman]

I'm happy to see any and all photos, especially from high floors of skyscrapers. The complaints are wildly off-base.

[stellarfun]

Originally Posted by Ron Newman

I'm happy to see any and all photos, especially from high floors of skyscrapers. The complaints are wildly off-base.

Then you're willing to pay Kz's court costs?

Lets cut to the quick. Kz admits to seeking and obtaining authorization to take pix from the upper floor windows of Boston skyscrapers. That's fine and good. But he also admits to taking pictures of office interiors, and of not seeking permission or authorization to take those pictures beforehand.

As he never received authorization to take the office interior photographs, he is almost surely guilty of trespass, and by subsequently publishing them, is subject as well to a claim of privacy infringement.

Taking photographs of the common areas of private property, e.g., lobbies, courtyards, etc., would not be a trespass unless he did so after being asked to stop. Taking photographs of tenant space without authorization would be a trespass. (BTW, Federal government buildings have their own trespass provisions with respect to unauthorized photography, with a already-prescribed set of fines.)

[kz1000ps]

Sooooo.. should I take down the explicit photos?

[castevens]

Just take the ones down with the naked lady.

:roll:

[bosdevelopment]

Originally Posted by stellarfun

Then you're willing to pay Kz's court costs?

Lets cut to the quick. Kz admits to seeking and obtaining authorization to take pix from the upper floor windows of Boston skyscrapers. That's fine and good. But he also admits to taking pictures of office interiors, and of not seeking permission or authorization to take those pictures beforehand.

As he never received authorization to take the office interior photographs, he is almost surely guilty of trespass, and by subsequently publishing them, is subject as well to a claim of privacy infringement.

Taking photographs of the common areas of private property, e.g., lobbies, courtyards, etc., would not be a trespass unless he did so after being asked to stop. Taking photographs of tenant space without authorization would be a trespass. (BTW, Federal government buildings have their own trespass provisions with respect to unauthorized photography, with a already-prescribed set of fines.)

He's not "guilty" of anything. He's there for work purposes. Any trespass claim would be made in tort anyway.

The required elements for an invasion of privacy claim are 5 pronged, and I doubt any of those are fulfilled.

He won't be liable for anything either.

[Ron Newman]

Also, if there's a problem, that's for the operator of this forum to deal with. Not the rest of us.

[chumbolly]

Good grief. Reading threads like this make me realize what a persnickety society we live in, and it almost makes me want to give up corporate law and go be a lifty at some old school ski hill with no cares in the world.

Guys, its just pictures. Pictures are cool.

[briv]

Originally Posted by kz1000ps

Sooooo.. should I take down the explicit photos?

No. I dont know the legalities of all this, but it seems to me that it is much ado about nothing.

We need more shots of interiors around here anyways. A building doesnt begin and end at its facade.

[kz1000ps]

Originally Posted by briv

We need more shots of interiors around here anyways. A building doesnt begin and end at its facade.

Amen! People lament the "ugly brown boxes," but on the inside they're all quite impressive, and will completely make you forget how banal their exteriors are.

Once I have some time (maybe tomorrow night?) I'll get another themed set of photos together.. lobbies and/or elevators perhaps.

[Bobby Digital]

Kz keep doin your thing... pictures are always welcome.

I wanna see more.