architecture watch
A couple of items of note for this thrilling installation of Architecture Watch:
- The new U.S. Federal Courthouse [emporis] is looking more and more complete. For years, we’ve gazed at the skyline, wondering about the point of the awkward green glass wedge. Apparently, it is meant to accentuate the terrifying concrete-steps-everywhere entrance to the building. Maybe it’s our current distrust of the U.S. DoJ or the still-leafless birch trees crowded into the courtyard with its scary totem altar that left us creeped out by the imposing facade. Or maybe it was the questionable choice of putting the opening phrases of the Declaration of Independence on a small sinking Vietnam Memorialesque wall.
We’ll try to go back with our camera when it isn’t pouring to give the site a second chance.
- In other news of soulless takeovers, it looks like the final stages of the Camlin’s transformation are complete with TrendWest branding on most exteriors. We just hope that the people staying in the new penthouses will be haunted by ghosts of piano bars past.
Because change sucks, except when it doesn’t.
It’s probably for a very goofy and personal reason, but I’ve taken quite a liking to the new courthouse. I see it every day off in the distance as I walk to work along Olive. At first I was puzzled by its green topknot, but since then it has grown on me. Just recently, I realized that the building looks just like some sort of squat little Kubrick* samurai-judge, at least from where I’m viewing it. Now I can’t help but think of Takashi Shimada, who played the wise and honorable leader of The Seven Samurai, every time I look at it — which isn’t at all a bad image for a courthouse to have.
I’m sure that seeing it from close up provides a very different experience.
As to the Camlin, I guess I’m relieved that they didn’t just tear it down. But it’s definitely sad to see the Cloud Room go.
*The cubey plastic dolls, not the director.
Hmmm… don’t know if I read/heard this, or it came from my own brain, but the green thing on the Courthouse looks like the cross-section of an airplane wing. I remember being able to see this under construction at one place I worked in late ’03, and the HUGE American flag that had been set up by the construction firm being blown completely away one really windy autumn day. So maybe with the wind at that height, it acts as an aileron.