As local partner to world-renowned design firms, Robert P. Madison helped ensure that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland Browns Stadium and The Q fit Cleveland’s existing architecture and culture. His firm was the lead designer of the RTA’s ultramodern Waterfront Line stations: Their bright glass and white lines reflect the lakefront landmarks he also helped create. Madison, a native Clevelander, tells us his favorite pieces of local architecture, including a few that are older than his 85 years.
~ The Cleveland Museum of Art’s original 1916 building | “It’s such a magnificent building. It’s so typical of the architecture of that era, and it replicates the Greek work so beautifully.” 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, clemusart.com
~ The Temple-Tifereth Israel | “It stands quite proud, and its high point, with that magnificent dome, gives it a presence on the horizon that I think is wonderful.” East 105th Street and Ansel Road, Cleveland, ttti.org
~ Mixon Auditorium at the Cleveland Institute of Music | “It’s quietly elegant. It reflects what it is, and it is compatible with the community in which it finds itself.” 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, cim.edu
~ Robert A. Little House | “It was designed to accommodate the land in such a way it melds into the topography. From the interior looking out, it’s like living in the changing seasons.” 5 Pepper Ridge Road, Pepper Pike
~ The Cleveland Public Library’s 1925 main library building | “It makes you feel so meditatively involved in knowledge. It’s inviting to come into, which is what libraries ought to be.” 325 Superior Ave. N.E., Cleveland, cpl.org
~ The Federal Reserve Bank building | “It’s an elegant, ornate, Renaissance-type building with all that beautiful stone on it. It represents the power of money. It feels like a fort, but looks like it’s inviting.” 1455 E. Sixth Street, Cleveland, clevelandfed.org
~ Ohio Aerospace Institute, NASA Glenn Research Center | “It’s very engaging. It’s light, it’s soaring, its spaces on the inside are enchanting in terms of how one leads to the other. The light comes in from all different directions.” 22800 Cedar Point Road, Cleveland, oai.org
~ Trinity Cathedral | “It’s a very sensitively designed, detailed building. It says ‘church.’ It says ‘faith.’ ” 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, trinitycathedral.org
~ The Temple-Tifereth Israel | “It stands quite proud, and its high point, with that magnificent dome, gives it a presence on the horizon that I think is wonderful.” East 105th Street and Ansel Road, Cleveland, ttti.org
~ Mixon Auditorium at the Cleveland Institute of Music | “It’s quietly elegant. It reflects what it is, and it is compatible with the community in which it finds itself.” 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, cim.edu
~ Robert A. Little House | “It was designed to accommodate the land in such a way it melds into the topography. From the interior looking out, it’s like living in the changing seasons.” 5 Pepper Ridge Road, Pepper Pike
~ The Cleveland Public Library’s 1925 main library building | “It makes you feel so meditatively involved in knowledge. It’s inviting to come into, which is what libraries ought to be.” 325 Superior Ave. N.E., Cleveland, cpl.org
~ The Federal Reserve Bank building | “It’s an elegant, ornate, Renaissance-type building with all that beautiful stone on it. It represents the power of money. It feels like a fort, but looks like it’s inviting.” 1455 E. Sixth Street, Cleveland, clevelandfed.org
~ Ohio Aerospace Institute, NASA Glenn Research Center | “It’s very engaging. It’s light, it’s soaring, its spaces on the inside are enchanting in terms of how one leads to the other. The light comes in from all different directions.” 22800 Cedar Point Road, Cleveland, oai.org
~ Trinity Cathedral | “It’s a very sensitively designed, detailed building. It says ‘church.’ It says ‘faith.’ ” 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, trinitycathedral.org
