Pretty weak reason

3quarksdaily has this to say:

I love the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles but, generally speaking, I think it’s pretty underappreciated. Sure, people know it. They recognize it, it’s generated it’s share� of buzz (let’s be honest, mostly not very positive). It has won the hearts of post-modernists and ironic architecture-appreciating hipsters during its various oscillations on the so-wacky-it’s-cool spectrum. But I think where it really earns the most points is in its sheer lack of apology or regret.

"...where it really earns the most points is in its sheer lack of apology or regret."

That's the damnedest reason I have ever heard in defense of a structure. I think such a reason is meaningless. Beyond the anthropomorphizing, such a rationale could be used by defenders of the worst strip mall or seedy motel (or whatever) in LA. What difference does it make that the building (or even its human defenders) won't apologize or regret? Not apologizing or regretting does not in itself create a good building or even "design integrity."  And its designers should apologize and make amends and do better.

As an object, and for me only from afar, the Blue Whale is sorta interesting. As a piece of urban design, of "city," it's terrible. I was hoping I'd find some engaging and its absence of "apology or regret" and its refusal to admit a mistake.

Comments

[John Kaliski]

How do buildings apologize? Should the architects some thirty years later? How do we know for sure that it will not be appreciated even more in coming years, after all it is as iconic as ever. It even has doors facing Melrose Avenue and a fancy new fountain that my kid loves playing in on San Vicente. Soon it will have a red addition (that's progress). I have always thought that the PDC was an urban opportunity waiting for the City around it to grow up, which it slowly and inexorably is. Someday I can easily imagine fixing the spaces in between and finding a series of urban spaces that are a relief and respite from the surrounds. It already sorta works this way. Except for the little art gallery I enjoy staring at it more and more with the passing years.

[Alan Sullivan]

This end of the building is shaped like the island of Hispaniola.