Vintage Seattle
regular Benjamin Lukoff
posted an article recently over at Crosscut about the Pacific Science Center arches being under attack. They’ve found their way to the Cultural Landscape Foundation’s 2008
list of endangered modernist landscapes. Apparently the city has a plan that would potentially alter the campus walkway and demolish several Yamasaki
structures. Check out the
full article for more. I smell a fight a’ brewin’. Here are a couple snapshots from 1962 that I dug up.
[see also:
Part 2]
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| The U.S. Science Pavilion arches, designed by Minoru Yamasaki. 1962 The Craftsman Press, Seattle. |
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| The U.S. Science Pavilion arches, designed by Minoru Yamasaki. 1962 The Craftsman Press, Seattle. |
Lovely shots! Thanks for the link, Cliffe. I should note, however, that it’s not the arches per se that the CLF considers endangered, but the (integrity of the) campus landscape as a whole. Even though they’re not (yet) landmarked, I literally cannot conceive of a scenario in which the arches themselves would come down.
Noooo! They better not even think about altering that portion of the S.Center! Besides the Space Needle, it’s all that is really left of that architecture style. Also, Elvis climbed on them in that movie. Let’s get the rabid Elvis fans in this fight!
My Grandfather Richard (Dick) Tracy was an ironworker and built those arches. IF there is any indication that they will be demolished, please let me know as I will be more than happy to petition!
From an outsider, thanks so much for posting these nostalgic, but important photos of the Science Pavilion. I am a Salt Lake City resident.
When I was 10 years old, I visited with wonder, the World’s Fair and Science Pavilion. I am now 56 years old; a design and architecture major and professional. I can say that the experience of the architecture at the World’s Fair was formative in my young mind, of the excellence, wonder and higher reaches of mankind in peacetime efforts that elevate our thoughts and hopes. It was inspiring to me, even at a young age.
This era represents an important time in post-war America. We were coming of age and cogniscience that we needed a style that represented a new era of peace, prosperity and hope for the future. Think of other national icons that were designed in this ‘mod’ futuristic style: the Kennedy Center, the cathedral at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Pan Am Terminal (at JFK airport), the St. Louis Arch, and more. It was a new time in our country that marked an important era. These landmarks, and others of their era, need to be preserved.
yeah I agree & I couldn’t have said it better. keep it up