Needs a Cornice

Great architectural achievements as reviewed by my neighborhood design board.

Philip Johnson’s Glass House – Photo by Herry Lawford

Overly simplistic use of materials. No sense of privacy. Roof doesn’t drain water. Needs a cornice.

Mies Van Der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion – Photo by Alexander.Huls

Ill-defined public realm. Out of context with the surrounding neighborhood. Poorly defined entrance. Looks like a gas station. Needs a cornice.

Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye – Photo by m-louis

Poor articulation of base middle and top. Lack of pedestrian scale. Ribbon windows could be improved with shutters. Needs a cornice.

Louis Kahn’s Salk Institute – Photo by Alfred Essa

Undulating form undermines the definition of the public realm. The fountain is a tripping hazard. Should add a railing. No storefront articulation at ground level. Needs a cornice.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water – Photo by brian donovan

Cantilevered floors appear to be structurally over-spanned. The basement is actively leaking. Needs a cornice.

I.M. Pei’s Louvre – Photo by Guilhem Vellut

While I appreciate the reference to ancient Egypt, the excessive use of glass is inconsistent with the pattern of the surrounding buildings.

Snohetta’s Oslo Opera House – Photo by Jens Sederskjold

Aggressively anti-urban public realm. Appears to slide occupants into the sea. Arbitrary distorted forms. Needs a cornice.