Land+Living: Architecture turned on its head

Commentary — April 14, 2006 Posted by James

I love malls... really...

There is nothing more glamorous for an architect than designing America's malls... except perhaps designing 13,000 square foot faux-Tuscan additions to 9,000 square foot even-more-faux-Tuscan houses... ahem.

This project in Anaheim, California, has been in the proposal stage for years, and it appears that it is finally going to move forward. Situated right across the street from Disneyland, the architects absolutely had to out do themselves... and indeed they have turned architecture on its head. Don't believe me? Let's take a closer look just for shits and giggles...

Link: GardenWalk
Via: Curbed (LA style) - Anaheim Approves New Tourist Trap

It all appears to be a fairly standard outdoor mall borrowing heavily from the work of Jon Jerde, though obviously without the finesse. Lots of warm beige and cream colored stucco and some obligatory fountains to get you in the mood to shop. Oh, and I almost forgot the lush landscaping that makes this project the "Garden Walk." But wait... there's more...

Let's take a closer look at that first image up top.

What's this?! Eureka! They've done it! They have actually found a way to turn architecture on its head! Take that, Disney. This weennie will lure the cash dispensing hordes away from your mouse trap and into the garden of consumption for sure!

It is a perfect plan... if only I had come up with it myself... this is what architecture is all about, my friends.

6 comments

Comments (6)

Steve — April 14, 2006
Same thing is already in orlando

This looks exactly like the Ripley's believe it or not in orlando. http://magliery.com/Graphics/flnov98/wonderworks.jpg

James — April 14, 2006
The plot thickens

Wow... I am speechless. A plagiarized upside down classical building to boot. Or the same design firm... developer... rendering firm? Anyone know more?

Steve — April 14, 2006
It is exactly the same

It is exactly the same design, down to the "wonderworks" title of the building and the broken pillar. It is probably another Ripley's. Also, the first one is near disneyworld in Orlando and this is near disneyland, though i don't know if there is any connection between them besides the fact that they are touristy.

Chris — April 18, 2006
Wonderworks

“Wonderworks” is not the title of the building; it’s the name of a tourist attraction. I live just a few miles from the one in Orlando. According to the website (www.wonderworksonline.com) there's also one in Pigeon Forge, TN. It’s advertised as “An amusement park for the mind”. I’ve never been there, so I don’t know exactly what that means. All I know is that it’s not a Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum. There is one of those a few blocks away. Anyway, I doubt that the architecture is meant to do more than grab the attention of little kids who will demand that their parents take them to the upside-down building.

aaa — April 27, 2006
Not even close to Ripleys

Wonderworks is not even close to Ripley's ... it is a terrific place for kids and not just a walk thru boring museum like Ripley's. The one in Tennessee will open in a few weeks. The building is not pagerized and takes alot of hard work to build !!!

James — November 18, 2009
Design

The architecture looks like some of the work done at: http://www.redlandbrick.com/cphotos.asp