The Devils and Details of Belltown
[ Site 17 North, at Western Ave. and Wall St. in Belltown ]
I like it. Because, unlike Belltown Court (see previous post), there is life and vision in its design, from the massing and form, down to the detailing.
A big reason why so many people react negatively to new development is the lack of quality detailing. Why is it that subtle and rich detailing, such as you tend to find on the older brick buildings, is so much less common today? This contrast is well illustrated here.
It’s a complex question, but I believe that overall it is a reflection of a culture that, as it has become ever more utilitarian, is forgetting how to value what can’t be quantified. When a building is designed and built by a culture in which the bottom line rules, it shows. In contrast, cultures that value human realms beyond the material tend to produce buildings that people love.