What is concrete, anyway? This versatile building material can be used in so many ways, it's a kind of chameleon or shape-shifter - it can be heavy, solid, hard and weighty but in other hands it can be something else entirely.
Here in the Mid-Century Modern facade of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, a wall of concrete blocks transcends its own mass and becomes airy, transparent, and brings light to the upper floor.
This feature is called out in landmark documents for the building as a "brise-soleil," French for "sun-breaker." What a wonderful name that is for an architectural feature.
8 comments:
Concrete is amazing.
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Very, very cool.
Ah, very nice concrete indeed! Amazing style.
I can just imagine the building with a bird's nest in each 'box.'
Great Concrete! Retro concrete maybe?
I love how a heavy, opaque building material can be used so creatively to play with light. I absolutely must visit this building the next time I'm on the correct side of the continent.
I'm guessing the architects of yore could teach today's designers a thing or two!
Bob Scotney, you speak the truth, pigeon abatement is an issue at the facility!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought of birds...
Your photos bring out the artistry in the design, Aunt Snow.
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