Tag Archives: Architecture

Spooky Sunday: Prison Camp Rd.

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Hello dear readers. This is the first in a new series of reviews about investigating abandoned places. Today I visited Prison Camp Rd. in Rutland, Massachusetts. Prison Camp Rd. is located on the grounds of Rutland State Park. During the warmer seasons, you can drive the 2 miles to the site. I chose to walk the road. Upon arriving, one can see some cement structures where some of the old buildings used to be.

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The largest structure appears to have been used for storage. Graffiti is pervasive at the site. Inside is always nice and cool. Not far from here is a free standing building that one can climb (carefully) up onto the roof. Back toward the road is an old tunnel one can walk down. Be careful as the pathway to the entrance has large holes where one could accidentally fall down into the tunnel. I met some fellow adventurers and showed them how to access the tunnel in the safest manner possible. I have been to this location multiple times, but have not experienced anything otherworldly. It is just a cool place to visit if you have some time and the curiosity to explore. If you go, be careful and have fun.

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Architecture: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya

One of my unexpectedly favorite things about the Maya Museum in Merida was its architecture.

The building was designed by 4A Arquitectos. Visually, it evokes both ancient Mayan pyramids and also a tree (or Ceiba) – according to an article I read, the architects were referencing the Mayan creation tale.

Gran Museo del Mundo Maya - permanent exhibits on the left, parking garage underfoot.
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya – permanent exhibits on the left, parking garage underfoot.

I loved the beautiful ways they made it accessible – one of the stairways leading up to the first floor (primary level) had a switch-back ramp built into it, and the central core in the building was composed of elevators surrounded by a spiral staircase.

A view of the stairwell showing the integrated ramp.
A view of the stairwell showing the integrated ramp.
"Inside the tree"; the central elevator and stairwell area.
“Inside the tree”; the central elevator and stairwell area.

The building had open space throughout – terraces, walkways, and the central area were all outdoors.

Stairwell up to the main floor - I loved how on the left, they're used as a planted terrace!
Stairwell up to the main floor – I loved how on the left, they’re used as a planted terrace!