October 13, 2007
Pet Peeves: Rust Belt Architecture
No, this is not a maximum security prison. It’s Palo Alto’s newest parking structure, located near the intersection of University Avenue and Alma. And next door, architect Joseph Bellomo is putting the finishing touches on its companion structure, the new Blockbuster building. And that off-kilter screening hanging off the cinderblock façade is not scaffolding – it’s a “design element.”
While I appreciate contemporary architecture, I find it irritating when the look-and-feel of surrounding structures are ignored.
These two structures literally create a bridge between the entrance to Stanford University — a gorgeous example of Italianate architecture with its carved stone, tile roofs, and arches – and a row of a pedestrian-friendly retail shops. Yet the architect ignored these architectural cues. No other buildings in downtown Palo Alto use such an abundance of unfinished concrete, rusted steel, and bomb-blast protection screening, which according to the manufacturer is guaranteed to give your building “a fortified urban edge.”
And why would any landscape architect plant prickly pear cacti at toddler eye-level near the entrance of a Blockbuster video store?
I do like the Haiku placards mounted on the side of the parking structure. This placard, which is hard to read behind the bomb-blast screening reads, “This pain that I feel,” and it says it all.
bellomoarchitects said:
Thanks for your interest in our architecture. A realtor I know pointed me to you commentary on our works on the University Circle and though I understand the nostalgia that surrounds your comments I would like for you to contact us so we can educate you in the “big picture” master planning and story behind the development. I believe you are interested.
A couple other points: There will also be another mixed use building (with three residential units, (50 height with full roof gardens) built in between the two buildings that you highlighted in your blog. Architecture aside we have work the past 10 years in creating a vibrant corner that unfortunately has been ignored since the early 1900’s. We have created public paseos, plazas and walking parks that are available to the public for passage, seating and landscape. The project is a true TOD, (transit oriented development), it has received positive attentions for caltrans, as well as other Cities of “how to” create and piece properties together as a cohesive “one”. The buildings have been through rigorous review by the city of palo alto and the parking structure recently receive a design award from the City. Stanford University has also been and continues to design new buildings on their campus that utilizes honest use of material. Exposed (painted+galvanized) steel (that will not rust), exposed concrete, inventive uses of metals etc.; most designed by european architects.
We appreciate your effort (though your photos were not flattering) to walk and write about the project on the circle. And we certainly understand your “pain” in seeing new and what we believe to be an honest direction for the “bay area’s” (especially the peninsula’s) architectural vernacular.
thanks again for you time and thought.
December 8, 2007 2:04 PM
kai said:
not seeing the context to which you refer, it is truly a very honest use of materials, for that it is to be recommended. you may appreciate contemorary architecture as you claim, but you probably don’t understand it. for if we all conform to context the way you suggest, all of our built environment would be like walking down the forum shops in vegas or main street at disneyland. we need to look forward, and make connections to the past in other ways, not merely copy the italianate building next to it.
April 4, 2008 4:49 PM