Comments on: The C. B. Van Vorst Building’s New Life http://www.vintageseattle.org/2008/02/20/the-c-b-van-vorst-buildings-new-life/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:11:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Deran http://www.vintageseattle.org/2008/02/20/the-c-b-van-vorst-buildings-new-life/#comment-6959 Deran Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:03:31 +0000 http://www.vintageseattle.org/2008/02/20/the-c-b-van-vorst-buildings-new-life/#comment-6959 And what was then casual detail abv the door way (wehre you can see 415) in shot nine has now aged over the decades into a beautiful pattern, that is probably even more decorous then intended. I think it really speaks to how structures made with natural materials on the exterior give buildings a patina over time that vinyl and glass can not. Even concrete and cement age and devlop use and weather patinas. Even sidewalks can be beautiful over time. The Smith Tower was no really design masterpiece on the out side. but the layering and acenting with antural materials has given it a character the new downtown library will never attain. I think a part of what is so unfortunate abt this boom-cycle in Seattle is that the predominant exterior building materials have little natural properties. Over time vinyl flakes, cracks and falls away. Okay, the color will fade, maybe, but is anyone ever going to look at faded vinyl and see beauty? Okay, I'm sure someone is, but did they have to cover the entire city in it! And what was then casual detail abv the door way (wehre you can see 415) in shot nine has now aged over the decades into a beautiful pattern, that is probably even more decorous then intended. I think it really speaks to how structures made with natural materials on the exterior give buildings a patina over time that vinyl and glass can not. Even concrete and cement age and devlop use and weather patinas. Even sidewalks can be beautiful over time.

The Smith Tower was no really design masterpiece on the out side. but the layering and acenting with antural materials has given it a character the new downtown library will never attain.

I think a part of what is so unfortunate abt this boom-cycle in Seattle is that the predominant exterior building materials have little natural properties. Over time vinyl flakes, cracks and falls away. Okay, the color will fade, maybe, but is anyone ever going to look at faded vinyl and see beauty? Okay, I’m sure someone is, but did they have to cover the entire city in it!

]]> By: Ben Lukoff http://www.vintageseattle.org/2008/02/20/the-c-b-van-vorst-buildings-new-life/#comment-6908 Ben Lukoff Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:04:40 +0000 http://www.vintageseattle.org/2008/02/20/the-c-b-van-vorst-buildings-new-life/#comment-6908 love those ghost signs love those ghost signs

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