Juanito on December 04, 2009, at 09:17PM – #1

The diagonal scoring isn't at all called for. A diagonal line establishes drama and in this case, is not needed. We have all of the drama we need with the buildings.

As well, how does this diagonal idea work with trying to preserve the historic glass block ceilings to the extended sub-basements? It doesn't.

What we need is high-quality craftsmanship, layout and in particular, carefully detailed jointing of the pavement. As well, fail-safe automatic irrigation systems are needed for new street trees. Witness the occasional dieoff of Plane trees over past decades along upper Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. The firm which developed Cal Plaza paid a pretty penny for the specimens which fell in the first massacre.

Witness as well the colored, stamped crosswalks throughout Downtown which lend the place the aura of downtown Tijuana.

As to the color of new concrete, perhaps nothing more than French Grey is called for. This would greatly complement preserved/restored terrazzo fronting the movie palaces.

A typical, Seventies On The Brain landscape architect would specify a tan or buff color to the concrete, edging which matches the pavers at 400 South Hope and palm trees from Indio. The previous Rio de Janeiro approach seems to have been dispensed with. No, we don't need a botanic garden along Broadway. What is needed is renowned urban design: conservative, subservient to the glorious history of this one eminent thoroughfare.

Juan F. on December 05, 2009, at 01:38AM – #2

Looks fantastic. Wish all of downtown could be like this!

Norbie 7 on December 05, 2009, at 12:38PM – #3

Juan F: are you the landscape architect for the city of Mexicali?

Jua on December 05, 2009, at 10:12PM – #4

Of course the designer must give prominence or emphasis to their solution. Hence, the marvelous architectral surround is relegated to caricature, simple line drawings. Simple background orientation. No historical legacy or resonance is imparted.

These rendering show exactly the weakness of the proposed solution. All of the historical vibrancy of the facades (albeit faded) is lost. We are not made to feel anything; there is no magic in it.What of the memory of this singular place?

Once again, we are confronted with what is essentially a landscape solution when a more deep, respectfull and historicist sensibility is in order. In other words, Paul Rudolph's accomplished definition of Urban Design. Altogether too many landscape architects proclaim themselves to be urban designers and it is truly sad and laughable.

Come on, Lauren. Get out Mary McCarthy's Stones of Florence and reread it God dammit! Slip in a disc of Puccini's Turandot and punch in the final chorus. Feel the splendor. Granted, you're limited by the program you've been given: a streetscape - when an integrated and comprehensive effort is what is required, an effort geared towards rehabilitating the structures and facades in tandem with the ground plane.

But then, as an idealist I tend to forget how things get done in L.A., especially under the usually infamous auspice of redevelopment authorities.

Chrystal on December 06, 2009, at 01:55PM – #5

PRESERVE PRESERVE PRESERVE

Ravi on December 08, 2009, at 05:11PM – #6

in re Jua: Gosh I want to pull from dialogue from Good Will Hunting when the 2 characters are in the bar and Will says to the college student that he's (the college student) regurgitating from the class material. Which makes him booksmart but lacking in original thought. I'm not saying you lack original thought, but I am saying it sounds as if you like what you read from an urban design philosophy text book &/or reading list.

peenee on December 09, 2009, at 04:05PM – #8

design solely on concepts (and on paper) really scares me. the best example is "pershing sq." arechitects and urban designers can always do great presentations and makes great theoretical sense but... the people usually end up with finished projects like "pershing sq.".

anthony costantino on December 09, 2009, at 06:59PM – #9

It looks way too yuppie and faux-modernist, down to the bmw and volkswagens in the renderinigs. I like Broadway pretty much as it is right now; a thoroughfare for the people by the people. Design should also be influenced by necessity. We don't need a MOCA in every storefront, make it a bit more utilitarian. And also I'm sure all those chairs will be taken over by homeless immediately.

I'm not a designer or architect, btw.

Juanito on December 09, 2009, at 08:34PM – #10

Ravi, I don't know of your background and neither you mine. All I can say after so many years of assorted involvements and observing the course of events in Downtown is to cite the oft quoted answer to the old question: "Where does an elephant sit?" Yes, of course, it sits right in the center of the crapulent environs of 4th and Flower.

Hint: Why don't you buy a copy of my book? you'll really learn something about Downtown.