BEST Products showrooms - Revision history

Editor at 14:34, 18 September 2020

2020-09-18T14:34:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:34, 18 September 2020
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−	~~[[File:BEST_Houston.jpg\|link=File:BEST_Houston.jpg]]~~
−
−	~~Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom, Houston, Texas~~
−
−	~~-----~~
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

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	* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.		* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.

−	[[Category:~~International~~]] [[Category:~~Projects_and_case_studies~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Project_Knowledge~~]] [[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Design]]

Designing Buildings at 06:36, 18 May 2020

2020-05-18T06:36:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 18 May 2020
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	SITE model of BEST store		SITE model of BEST store

−	~~-----~~
	= Outside the box =		= Outside the box =

−	As with most big box outlets, each of the SITE-designed BEST showrooms would be shaped like a ~~basic~~ simple box, but the storefronts would be ~~extremely~~ different~~. Some would even make~~ dramatic ~~efforts~~ to adapt to the specifics of the location.	+	As with most big box outlets, each of the SITE-designed BEST showrooms would be shaped like a simple box, but the individual storefronts themselves would be very different, with some taking dramatic steps to adapt to the specifics of the location.

−	One example of this inventive design is the Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom in Houston, Texas. The uppermost edge of the ~~entire~~ structure is broken away to appear rough and unfinished. Above the store entrance, a deep cut in the crumbling wall reveals hundreds of white bricks that cascade onto ~~the~~ protective canopy. It ~~was~~ said that the image of this store was one of the most commonly used photographs ~~of modern structure on~~ books that covered 20th century architecture.	+	One example of this inventive design approach is the Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom in Houston, Texas. The uppermost edge of the structure is broken away to appear rough and unfinished. Above the store entrance, a deep cut in the crumbling wall reveals hundreds of white bricks that cascade onto a protective canopy. It is said that the image of this store was one of the most commonly-used photographs in books that covered 20th century architecture.

−	Some ~~of the~~ other storefront examples include:	+	Some other storefront examples include:

	* The Inside Outside Facade in Miami, Florida and Milwaukee, Wisconsin: a broken away wall reveals a false store interior.		* The Inside Outside Facade in Miami, Florida and Milwaukee, Wisconsin: a broken away wall reveals a false store interior.
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	BEST Showroom Rainforest Building in Hialeah, Florida		BEST Showroom Rainforest Building in Hialeah, Florida

−	~~-----~~
	= Visual success, but commercial failure =		= Visual success, but commercial failure =

−	Despite the founders’ strong marketing reputation (in its heyday, the company was ~~once~~ the second most successful catalogue retailer in the United States), BEST Products went out of business in 1997. Since that time, the ~~existing~~ structures designed by SITE have either been demolished or their iconic facades removed with one exception: the Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia. This structure has been home of the West End Presbyterian Church since 2000. The forest continues to thrive inside the entrance, and it is considered an asset to the building.	+	Despite the founders’ strong marketing reputation (in its heyday, the company was the second most successful catalogue retailer in the United States), BEST Products went out of business in 1997. Since that time, the structures designed by SITE have either been demolished or their iconic facades removed - with one exception: the Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia. This structure has been home to the West End Presbyterian Church since 2000. The forest continues to thrive inside the entrance, and it is considered an asset to the building.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.		* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.

−	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:Design]]

Designing Buildings at 06:31, 18 May 2020

2020-05-18T06:31:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:31, 18 May 2020
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	In the 1970s, the American retail sector witnessed the emergence of large, discount shopping outlets also known as big box stores or megastores. It was during this period that Sydney and Frances Lewis - owners of the BEST Products chain of catalogue stores - approached the architecture and design firm SITE (originally also known as Sculpture in the Environment).	+	In the 1970s, the American retail sector witnessed the emergence of large, discount shopping outlets also known as big box stores or megastores. It was during this period that Sydney and Frances Lewis - owners of the BEST Products chain of catalogue stores - approached the architecture and design firm SITE (originally also known as Sculpture in the Environment) to design a series of showrooms.

−	~~As art collectors, the~~ family gave full creative control of the project to SITE and its founder, James Wines. ~~These~~ nine showrooms for the discount merchant became some of the most iconic structures of American postmodernist architecture.	+	The family gave full creative control of the project to SITE and its founder, James Wines. The resulting nine showrooms for the discount merchant became some of the most iconic structures of American postmodernist architecture.

	= Shopping with a special flair =		= Shopping with a special flair =
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	To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E?t=751 view this video].		To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E?t=751 view this video].

−	Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs ~~that are~~ based ~~on forms which are~~ non-architectural.	+	Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs based non-architectural forms .

−	In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using ~~techniques such as~~ shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil; applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.	+	In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil, and applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.

	[[File:SITE.800.jpg\|link=File:SITE.800.jpg]]		[[File:SITE.800.jpg\|link=File:SITE.800.jpg]]

Editor at 15:15, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T15:15:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 15 May 2020
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	* Neo-futurism.		* Neo-futurism.
	* Postmodern architecture.		* Postmodern architecture.
		+	* Retail buildings.
	* Unusual buildings.		* Unusual buildings.

Editor at 15:10, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T15:10:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 15 May 2020
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	* Architectural styles.		* Architectural styles.
	* Deconstructivism.		* Deconstructivism.
		+	* Demolishing Modernism: Britain's lost post-war gems.
	* Futurist architecture.		* Futurist architecture.
	* Modern building.		* Modern building.

Editor at 15:08, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T15:08:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 15 May 2020
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	* Architectural styles.		* Architectural styles.
	* Deconstructivism.		* Deconstructivism.
−	* Eclecticism.
−	* Form follows function.
	* Futurist architecture.		* Futurist architecture.
	* Modern building.		* Modern building.

Editor at 14:05, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T14:05:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:05, 15 May 2020
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−	[[File:~~BEST Houston~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:BEST_Houston.jpg\|link=File:BEST_Houston.jpg]]

−	Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom, Houston, Texas,	+	Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom, Houston, Texas

	-----		-----
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	In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using techniques such as shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil; applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.		In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using techniques such as shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil; applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.

−	[[File:SITE.800.jpg]]	+	[[File:SITE.800.jpg\|link=File:SITE.800.jpg]]

−	SITE model of BEST store.	+	SITE model of BEST store

	-----		-----
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	* The Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia - the entrance is cut away to accommodate the forest inside the building.		* The Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia - the entrance is cut away to accommodate the forest inside the building.

−	[[File:BestRainforest.jpg\|~~400px~~]]	+	[[File:BestRainforest.jpg\|link=File:BestRainforest.jpg]]

	BEST Showroom Rainforest Building in Hialeah, Florida		BEST Showroom Rainforest Building in Hialeah, Florida
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	* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.		* SITE, “[http://www.siteenvirodesign.com/content/best-products BEST Products Iconic Buildings]”.

−	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Design]]

Editor at 13:55, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T13:55:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 15 May 2020
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		+	[[File:BEST Houston.jpg]]
		+
		+	Indeterminate Facade BEST showroom, Houston, Texas,
		+
		+	-----
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

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	In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using techniques such as shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil; applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.		In working on the showrooms, Wines adopted the idea that the building process itself was more inherently interesting than the finished product. Each of the nine showrooms broke away from the rigid formalities of modernism and began to incorporate stylistic references that were often playful and symbolic, using techniques such as shape, broken edges and trompe l’oeil; applying unconventional elements and structural inside-out references.

		+	[[File:SITE.800.jpg]]
		+
		+	SITE model of BEST store.
		+
		+	-----
	= Outside the box =		= Outside the box =

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	* The Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia - the entrance is cut away to accommodate the forest inside the building.		* The Forest Showroom in Richmond, Virginia - the entrance is cut away to accommodate the forest inside the building.

		+	[[File:BestRainforest.jpg\|400px]]
		+
		+	BEST Showroom Rainforest Building in Hialeah, Florida
		+
		+	-----
	= Visual success, but commercial failure =		= Visual success, but commercial failure =

Editor at 13:40, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T13:40:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:40, 15 May 2020
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	Following the philosophy of architect and theorist Robert Venturi, Wines and his team embraced the idea that buildings should seek to accommodate local conditions of neighbourhood and public behaviour. Wines even went so far as to say buildings should be seen as entertainment, art, sculpture or even as a roadside event (as the BEST Products showrooms would prove to be).		Following the philosophy of architect and theorist Robert Venturi, Wines and his team embraced the idea that buildings should seek to accommodate local conditions of neighbourhood and public behaviour. Wines even went so far as to say buildings should be seen as entertainment, art, sculpture or even as a roadside event (as the BEST Products showrooms would prove to be).

−	To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E?t=~~750~~ view this video].	+	To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E?t=751 view this video].

	Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs that are based on forms which are non-architectural.		Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs that are based on forms which are non-architectural.

Editor at 13:38, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T13:38:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:38, 15 May 2020
Line 9:		Line 9:
	Following the philosophy of architect and theorist Robert Venturi, Wines and his team embraced the idea that buildings should seek to accommodate local conditions of neighbourhood and public behaviour. Wines even went so far as to say buildings should be seen as entertainment, art, sculpture or even as a roadside event (as the BEST Products showrooms would prove to be).		Following the philosophy of architect and theorist Robert Venturi, Wines and his team embraced the idea that buildings should seek to accommodate local conditions of neighbourhood and public behaviour. Wines even went so far as to say buildings should be seen as entertainment, art, sculpture or even as a roadside event (as the BEST Products showrooms would prove to be).

−	To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E view this video].	+	To hear Wines discuss BEST Products showrooms and other facets of his design ideology, [https://youtu.be/VIId5Lb8t1E?t=750 view this video].

	Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs that are based on forms which are non-architectural.		Like other postmodern buildings, the BEST showrooms were characterised by their highly decorative, whimsical and kitsch aesthetic; above all refusing to draw inspiration solely from a single source, and often focussing on form over function. They also had a metaphoric nature, with structural designs that are based on forms which are non-architectural.