Comments on: Say goodbye to “wow” buildings? http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-wow-buildings/ This blog will focus on how Seattle shapes itself — its design, its planning and its aspirations. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:18:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Confit de Canard http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-wow-buildings/#comment-512 Confit de Canard Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:53:03 +0000 http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/?p=1130#comment-512 It is a relief that "wow" architecture has faded in the economic downturn. During the recent gilded age, success had become synomymous with excess; designers forgot that in architecture (as Louis Sullivan famously admonished) form forever follows function. Instead, they competed for headlines by producing the most outrageous effects possible. Architecture, traditionally a practical art where geometry and proportion are applied to enoble shelter, crossed the line into sculpture -- and silly sculpture at that. For example, what was Norman Foster's design for a Moscow skyscraper but Stalin's equally grandiose 1930s Palace of the Soviets streamlined and bereft of its Lenin ornament? But for every cancelled project, many were built. Funhouse additions were grafted onto otherwise sober museum buildings across the globe in expectation (not always fulfilled) of increased attendance. Fortunately, however, even in the most decadent eras, genuine talent manages to produce fine work. For example, when all the exalted crap built of late is forgotten or bulldozed with the next shift of fashion, the world will still admire The Museum of Islamic Art by I. M. Pei. It is a relief that “wow” architecture has faded in the economic downturn. During the recent gilded age, success had become synomymous with excess; designers forgot that in architecture (as Louis Sullivan famously admonished) form forever follows function. Instead, they competed for headlines by producing the most outrageous effects possible. Architecture, traditionally a practical art where geometry and proportion are applied to enoble shelter, crossed the line into sculpture — and silly sculpture at that. For example, what was Norman Foster’s design for a Moscow skyscraper but Stalin’s equally grandiose 1930s Palace of the Soviets streamlined and bereft of its Lenin ornament? But for every cancelled project, many were built. Funhouse additions were grafted onto otherwise sober museum buildings across the globe in expectation (not always fulfilled) of increased attendance.

Fortunately, however, even in the most decadent eras, genuine talent manages to produce fine work. For example, when all the exalted crap built of late is forgotten or bulldozed with the next shift of fashion, the world will still admire The Museum of Islamic Art by I. M. Pei.

]]> By: Shawna Gamache http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-wow-buildings/#comment-434 Shawna Gamache Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:42:53 +0000 http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/?p=1130#comment-434 Matt, that's hilarious. I can't put my finger on it, but that colored Seattle skyline really reminds me of something from my childhood. I had an immediate memory overwhelm me. Maybe an old Bumbershoot poster or a Christmas in the Northwest album jacket or a Pearljam T-shirt or something. Does anyone else get that? Mark, I'm glad you bring up color. I've been having some fun conversations lately about whether building colors will indeed become brighter during the recession (I mean downturn) because paint or colored materials are such a cheap way to bring more to a design. Matt, that’s hilarious. I can’t put my finger on it, but that colored Seattle skyline really reminds me of something from my childhood. I had an immediate memory overwhelm me. Maybe an old Bumbershoot poster or a Christmas in the Northwest album jacket or a Pearljam T-shirt or something. Does anyone else get that?

Mark, I’m glad you bring up color. I’ve been having some fun conversations lately about whether building colors will indeed become brighter during the recession (I mean downturn) because paint or colored materials are such a cheap way to bring more to a design.

]]> By: Matt the Engineer http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-wow-buildings/#comment-433 Matt the Engineer Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:35:58 +0000 http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/?p=1130#comment-433 Why imagine when you have photoshop? Really quick rendering <a href="http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5734/seattle2gp2.jpg" rel="nofollow">here</a> (I'm sure someone with an eye for color could have done a better job). Why imagine when you have photoshop? Really quick rendering here (I’m sure someone with an eye for color could have done a better job).

]]> By: Mark http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/2008/11/05/say-goodbye-to-wow-buildings/#comment-431 Mark Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:10:19 +0000 http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/?p=1130#comment-431 In Seattle's case, all it needs to do to have "wow" buildings is to stop putting beige and dingy colors on its buildings. Imagine vibrant color! In Seattle’s case, all it needs to do to have “wow” buildings is to stop putting beige and dingy colors on its buildings. Imagine vibrant color!

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