Content provided in partnership with

Square milieu

Architectural Review, The, July, 1994 by Francesca Morrison, Elizabeth Young

<< Page 1 Continued from page 2. Previous | Next

The new Pershing Square has an uncompromisingly Modern design, totally urban in concept and detail. Its architecture has a scale that responds to the high-rise buildings that surround it. Its surfaces are mostly hard -- patterned and red-tinted concrete and crushed granite. Ramps and stairs weave through the changes of levels linking the different areas and creating a multiplicity of spatial experiences. Planting is used both to accentuate the shape of the spaces and as free-standing blocks of colour and form.

Most Popular Articles in Business: Research and Markets : Tesco Plc - SWOT Framework Analysis; Do Us a Flavor - Ben & Jerry's Issues a Call for Euphoric New Flavors; eBay made easy: ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will ...; Katrina's lawsuit surge: a legal battle to force insurers to pay for flood ...; Wal-Mart's newest distribution center opened last month near the southwest ...; More »

The 10ft drop over the site is accommodated by dividing the place into three distinct areas with three main features -- a large calm pool to the south, a central space with purple campanile (the Latno symbol of the centre of the city) and a northern grassy amphitheatre. But the whole is a subtle, complex arrangement of parts, spaces and elements, a masterly exercise in creating a variety of discrete and defined areas, each with its own character and spatial qualities and each with a precise role to play in forming and articulating the larger composition. Nowhere is there the sense of an overpowering monofunctional space.

The main pivot of the square is the 125ft high purple campanile. It is linked to the south end by a purple pergola that frames views of the organge grove and the yellow cube of the delicatessen in the central space. At the end of the pergola, a Barraganesque aqueduct cascades water into the large black pebblelined circular pool. This slowly drains and refills, giving the illusion of a tidal beach. The focal point of the north end of the square is the gently sloping bluegrass amphitheatre in which are set simple concrete benches that will seat 2000 people.

The smooth surface of the area leading to the pool is ripped by a 20m quartzite 'earthquake fault line' that extends its vibrations into the 'ocean'. The square's art consultant, Barbara McCarren, is responsible for this and the many other concepts that provide a sense of place and history. The orange grove has a star walk, reminiscent of the star-studded pavements of Hollywood Boulevard. On the low wall near the brilliant yellow deli are 'telescopes', not for viewing the stars, but slides of Pershing Square's past. Old postcards of the square are set into benches and the original bronze statues of the square are placed on high pedestals in a palm grove on the eastern boundary. What could have been a reminder of the park's sad history is redeemed by Legorreta's dazzling pink grove of columns.

Throughout the square, walls are used to define spaces and create views. They become picture frames, backdrops for sculpture and places to sit. When the planting matures, the space will be layered and softened. The colours of the orange, camphor and liquid amber trees, the coral and jacaranda flowers will be delicate complements to the strong architectural elements.

'If you do something that has dignity people will respect it. If you give people a happy, inviting space you instil a sense of pride in the users,' says Legorreta.

Square milieu

Architectural Review, The, July, 1994 by Francesca Morrison, Elizabeth Young

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Arts

Most Popular Articles in Business

Most Popular Publications in Business