450 “B” Street
By michael-leonard creditor / flexible fotography
This month’s A Photographic Look is dedicated to architect Robert Venturi who died last month at the age of 93. While a vocal proponent for what became known as Post-Modern architecture, he (along with his partner Denise Scott Brown) made good buildings in other styles, too. I just hope he doesn’t try redesigning the pearly gates.
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While I have a definite partiality for Art Deco, I enjoy and appreciate all types or categories of architecture. For me, a structure just has to make design sense no matter what form or style the design might take. (Not being out of place in its location also helps a bunch.)
What I mean is that whatever form the design had in the architect’s mind, must have a reason, a functional basis in reality—not just be something different for its own sake, or something added-on just for the adding of it. I am not fond of Post-Modern architecture for this reason. Go look at The Aventine in La Jolla for an example. The tiny windows I understand (it’s more the perspective of the large wall area), but why are those little adornments there? That doesn’t mean a building can’t have some feature that is intended just for decoration. Just that it should be done well, not simply added-on as if from a catalog.
On the other hand, the fancifully-conceived structures in Antonio Calatrava’s Cuidad de la Artes y Ciencias in Valencia, Spain all serve their functions before being astoundingly beautiful designs. Another example is the classic, traditional step-up design on many (millions of?) buildings, the architecture is functional first, then the design takes over to make some of them good, others bad… and a few extraordinary.
Notice all those swooshy, upswept rooflines around town? A nice little addition when they were new, the swoop roof shows how something good isn’t good anymore when you see it just added-on everywhere. Same with their geometric opposite: the arc-roofs that were very popular a few years ago. They were everywhere, especially on sports-themed buildings.
San Diego architecture gets bashed a lot, mostly with good reason. But there are also many buildings—and parts of buildings—that I think successfully realize their designer’s ideals. Of course, beauty being where it is, you may not agree that all (or even any) of these illustrates good architecture. But, I hope it gets you thinking about it. Comments are welcomed. Oh, and here is the first Orchids & Onions report.
I hope it gets you thinking about it because my birthday is next month and I’m gonna celebrate it here by showing off a bunch of just some of my own personal favorite architectural images of all kinds, from all over.
I chose to limit this collection to structures still standing; I didn’t think it’s fair to delve into history to show that there is good architecture in town. And, I’m not mentioning the designers of these buildings because I don’t want to write that much. Also, I am omitting the two — that’s right, only two — San Diego buildings that have actually won major national awards for their design and architecture. Brownie points if you know which buildings they are.
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Marriott Hotels (nee Intercontinental)Concave was the first; a beautiful, bold design. Convex deliberately imitated the first one two years later in a successful design pairing. -
And ConvexConcave was the first; a beautiful, bold design. Convex deliberately imitated the first one two years later in a successful design pairing. -
And ConcaveConcave was the first; a beautiful, bold design. Convex deliberately imitated the first one two years later in a successful design pairing. -
Convention CenterThe basic designs used in the Convention Center are beautiful, the circles and angles. And the original sail pavilion. Too bad about the inconvenient placement, of course. But that’s what convention Centers do. -
The PaladionLiterally across the street from each other, one is very vertical, the other horizontal. But the vertical also beautifully incorporates horizontal, and so does the other structure use vertical elements. I like ‘em both. -
Le MeridianLiterally across the street from each other, one is very vertical, the other horizontal. But the vertical also beautifully incorporates horizontal, and so does the other structure use vertical elements. I like ‘em both. -
450 "B" StreetThe very symmetrical glass enclosed lobby of the B of A Tower and the extremely horizontal and linear terraces (the roof of the bank branch itself) are beautiful opposites married together. -
BofA Terraces and PlazaThe very symmetrical glass enclosed lobby of the B of A Tower and the extremely horizontal and linear terraces (the roof of the bank branch itself) are beautiful opposites married together. -
El CortezWhen first built in 1927, this was not only San Diego’s tallest building, but also one of the most innovative designs around. -
Popular Market and Ibis MarketPopular Market, an original built in 1927 as Harris Market; Ibis Market, built about 30 years later, looks like a design copy but actually isn’t. Yes, the tower is leaning just a bit. -
Popular Market and Ibis MarketPopular Market, an original built in 1927 as Harris Market; Ibis Market, built about 30 years later, looks like a design copy but actually isn’t. Yes, the tower is leaning just a bit. -
Energy Innovation CenterMost of what makes this building good architecture can’t be seen but we can still appreciate the clean horizontality of it. The wooden fence is another great touch. -
May Company AnnexThe under-appreciated mid-century Modern design is especially visible in the saw-tooth roofline -
Aerospace Museum CurveOriginally built as the Ford Motor Company pavilion for the 1935 Expo, the double-circular design is still futuristic. And, being a circle, this is a good entrée to a section of curved buildings. -
Curve, Wall and RooflineThis new building at PLNU continues that institution’s use of avant-garde architecture on the campus. -
Mission Valley LibraryIf you want to see a whole collection of repeatedly good architecture, make a tour of the newer libraries in San Diego county. The downtown main library is only the most visible example. From Pacific Beach to South Bay to Rancho Bernardo, good designers are making good public buildings. -
Mission Bay Visitors CenterAliens landed in Mission Bay and disguised their craft as a building. -
Outryder Office EntranceOriginally built as a classy burger joint and owned by the designer, who also had his office right above. -
South Mission ApartmentsOf course, residential structures can also have some good architecture. Most architects actually begin designing houses, then move on to other types of buildings. Here are a few residential buildings. These row apartments along Bayside Walk are designed perfectly for, and to take advantage of, their location. -
Crown Point Prairie StyleWalking around a corner to find another vantage for something else I was shooting, I came upon this transplant. A very nice replica of a FLW prairie design. -
OB Beach ModernThis little remodeled cottage is wedged between two retail businesses on busy Voltaire Street. -
Beachcomber's HouseI always thought this design shoulda been facing the ocean instead of Mission Bay. It just has a sea-weathered look to it. -
2900 Sixth AvenueOriginally built as a patrician mansion (note the opposing fireplace chimneys) this great residence has served as a veterans center for several years. -
Purple & Red #3This paired apartment building is one of my long-time favorite examples of using of color to enhance the quirky design. -
Angular Awnings and Awning SculptureI would’ve liked it better if the awnings had been an outgrowth of the building’s structure instead of bolted-on afterward. But I like the design/functionality integration. Both of these functional adornments work for me -
Angular Awnings and Awning SculptureI would’ve liked it better if the awnings had been an outgrowth of the building’s structure instead of bolted-on afterward. But I like the design/functionality integration. Both of these functional adornments work for me -
CentersideWithin the category of what this is -- rectilinear, reflective-glass office towers -- I think it’s designed well. Also, the location next to a freeway means the size doesn’t overpower whatever is nearby. -
Sunroad CenterThe architecture of the individual buildings is integrated well into the entire office park including obelisk and reflecting pond. -
Pyramid BuildingIn another location, the Miramar Metroplex would have been a terrible intrusion. Right across the street from the air station, and with no other competing structures nearby, it is like a beacon instead. -
Geisel Library, UCSDWe conclude with a San Diego classic. Like its award-winning Torrey Mesa neighbor the Salk Institute, I admire the sheer horizontal audacity of this building’s design.
All photos © michael-leonard creditor / full-size images @ flexible fotography
Michael-Leonard Creditor
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architecture, must be from some Greek words meaning how to fuck the environment with ego, studied architecture at Berkeley in the 70’s, dropped out because I did not want to design housing developments to the edge of the horizon, or industrial parks most boring or rich people’s ridiculous ego trip homes…or inner city redevelopments exclusive to rich people… let us please NOT pay excessive money to architect dramas..like I have seen for decades, and studied in school, they will just fall apart, new unstudied materials, ego ego ego, and no sustainability, and that goes for Frank Lloyd Wright, nice vision, no sustainability… keep it simple, and small is beautiful, oh ye architects…
You know how when you close your door to a crack you generate a more powerful air courant ?well, I would say design a wind electric generator in every door edge to help power the home…