Buildings outlive their architects. Traditions outlive their founders. Communities inherit rituals nobody remembers creating. Objects pass through enough hands that their original purpose becomes secondary to the stories attached to them.

Michael Alvarez is interested in the people, places, and institutions that continue to serve a purpose long after they were expected to disappear.

He is drawn to things with calluses, things that have been used, and things that have earned the right to remain.

The stories worth keeping are usually told after the brochure ends.