A Comprehensive Architectural Plan for Downtown « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Development

A Comprehensive Architectural Plan for Downtown

[7 posts] [6 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 2 years ago by alove
Latest reply from jpizzow

Tags:

alove
Downtown
Login to Send PM

Since we're only going to see more development, let's talk about a comprehensive architectural plan for downtown. I'm content with some of the architecture happening, and I like our city's architectural diversity, but I'm tired of things like plain brick parking garages. If we REALLY want downtown to succeed, we need to be openly talking about what we want our city to look like! Not just what we want built, but how we want our buildings to look and how they look compared to what we already have.

Even though we lost some history through torn down buildings, we can still MAKE history with relevant architecture being added to our core. We need to be taking more leaps and bounds with our city to spice it up a bit. I would personally like to see all of our future projects built extremely modern with a touch of what we already have (art deco, brutalism, etc)

I am very excited for everything happening, but I'm worried we're all blinded by the excitement of infill, and we're ignoring how the architectural style will relate to everything else in the future. We need to come together and get all the urban planners and architects on the same page, along with residents. No more majority concrete or marble; let's give Columbus some (more) buildings to be proud of!

Posted 2 years ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
Login to Send PM

I've been in a real art deco mood lately. I could go for some more of that.

Posted 2 years ago #
Talcott
Clintonville
Login to Send PM

I agree that I'd like to see more architectural diversity downtown, but that's the exact reason why I don't want some kind of comprehensive plan in place.

I want a Modern building next to an Art Deco next to a Gothic building next to a thatched hut next to a Greek Revival building next to a giant dinosaur next to a... and I'm out of architectural terms.

And I realize that that's part of what you're going for with your idea, but everywhere I've seen with these kinds of architectural plans (usually college campuses) winds up looking dull and generic. I would entirely support some incentives for interesting and varied architecture, (as well as a permanent ban on offices made of red brick with blue-tinted windows) but don't feel like placing restriction on all future buildings accomplishing that.

However, I'm the first to admit that I don't know much about urban planning or architecture (see my above list for proof) so please let me know if I'm misunderstanding your plan. As I said, I think that I agree with you on a desired outcome, just not the way to achieve it.

Posted 2 years ago #
groundrules

Login to Send PM

Yes. Leaps and bounds. Extremely modern. I saw these plans kicked around a while back. what do you think?

Posted 2 years ago #
alove
Downtown
Login to Send PM

I actually could go for one or two of those... but I should also add in the word "timeless."

When it comes down to it, I wish we would use less brick and more glass to keep up with futuristic-looking cities like Seattle and Vancouver. Don't get me wrong, I love brick, it's an important part of what physically makes up our city, I just think it's time to move on and add some more contemporary structures to our skyline. When I see how some of these projects are using brick, I get a little concerned.

The Scioto Mile restaurant is a step in the right direction... might be a little too out there for some, but I love everything about the renderings. I even like the simple fact they chose white.

Posted 2 years ago #
anillo
Marzipan City
Login to Send PM

very Christopher inn-esque. i'd love to see that thing rebuilt.

Posted 2 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
Login to Send PM

alove wrote >>
I actually could go for one or two of those... but I should also add in the word "timeless."
When it comes down to it, I wish we would use less brick and more glass to keep up with futuristic-looking cities like Seattle and Vancouver. Don't get me wrong, I love brick, it's an important part of what physically makes up our city, I just think it's time to move on and add some more contemporary structures to our skyline. When I see how some of these projects are using brick, I get a little concerned.
The Scioto Mile restaurant is a step in the right direction... might be a little too out there for some, but I love everything about the renderings. I even like the simple fact they chose white.

One word: COST

Detail and building "bling" are not cheap. I totally agree with you about the need for more modern buildings. I'm a huge fan of modern architecture. The new courthouse and CCAD housing are perfect examples. Hopefully the new AIA chapter in Columbus will encourage developers to be a little more bold.

Posted 2 years ago #