Now that’s worth keeping…
We have it on good authority that when Hope University hightails it from Fullerton to points south, the Exaggerated Modern buildings on their erstwhile campus may be in danger. How come? Because the very entity that built them in the 1960s – CSUF – is said to be eager to reacquire the property. Based on their recent architectural efforts, a massively overbuilt campus, plus the need to house more students like sardines, the future isn’t too hopeful for the buildings on the Hope U. campus.
Click here to read more.
For the record, I am a 1971 CSUF graduate. The pictured building (above, apparently a rendering from way back when it was designed) was once the CSUF bookstore. I always thought it looked like one of those old Van DeKamp restaurants and thus not unique at all – an era that is past and a 1960’s architecture that is not worthy of a preservation effort-especially if it takes taxpayer dollars to do so. Bringing these structures up to code for a new use would in all probability be structurally and economically difficult to impossible. Plus, keeping this kind of roof from leaking makes it a money pit. Out with the old, in with the new —-
What are you talking about, Older. Those old restaurants had windmills sticking out of them! These buildings reflect an architectural style that is both attractive and historical.
If you would prefer to see your tax dollars squandered on god-awful, out-of-scale stucco and brick veneered boxes, that’s you business. Being a CSUF alum is not relevant one way or another.
BTW, who told you the roofs leak?
Older than, “The pictured building (above, apparently a rendering from way back when it was designed”, FYI I took that picture 3 days ago.
What’s great about good architecture is that is it timeless, unlike you and I. When you say “Out with the old, in with the new —-” you should think about your tax dollars at work. It makes no sense for government to spend our tax dollars on government buildings that last as long as you or I do. Buildings (especially government financed ones) should be designed and built to last hundreds of years, so we don’t have to keep wasting tax dollars to build/tear-down/build/….I hope you are not too old to understand that concept.
And, BTW OLDER THAN: when was the last time you saw a gigantic windmill in top of the Titan Bookstore?
Correction:
And, BTW OLDER THAN: when was the last time you saw a gigantic windmill on top of the Titan Bookstore?
All – Never saw a windmill on that building, but it cries out for one! Enjoy.
And, what? Reference to being an alumnus of almost 40 years ago was included to help validate my statement of memory that it used to be the CSUF bookstore – that’s the relevance – to answer the question of “how do you know?”. As for leaking roofs, I have some experience with public sector buildings with unique concrete or concrete-like roofs – trust me, a maintenance headache after the structures age. And, sometimes a huge liability due to old asbestos coating.
Tony B – I stand corrected on the date of the photo or sketch based upon your statement. Sure looked like an Architect’s rendering – I am impressed that it is so clean and tidy in appearance today per your photo (assuming no touch-up)
If the community feels these buildings worthy of preservation, perhaps the Fullerton City Fathers can use their penchant for redevelopment. However, I remain supportive of demolition and replacement based upon a CSUF facilities master plan.
While on the subject of architecture and it’s visual appeal, how about the architectural impact of the nearby mammoth CSUF parking structure? Perhaps some day some will want to preserve it as a historic affront to the senses too.
Found this on Google – former Van de Kamp’s, now a Denny’s, near Santa Anita race track.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caveman_92223/3399657142/
Older than, “However, I remain supportive of demolition and replacement based upon a CSUF facilities master plan.”, sounds like you have an interest in wasting the public’s money. I’m weary of any governmental agency with a “master plan”, to me that’s code for control, waste, special interest, what do you know about the “master plan” Older than?
There was no editing done to the image I took.
FYI: the one great thing about great designed buildings unlike crappy ones is that they can change and adapt uses as times change. For example an old ice house could be reused as a church, or an old bank could be a restaurant, or an old bookstore could be a cafeteria, or an old warehouse as lofts. Get the picture?
“However, I remain supportive of demolition and replacement based upon a CSUF facilities master plan.”
Supportive of plan you’ve never seen? Wow, now that’s just brilliant. Maybe they’ll plop down another mammoth parking structure like the one you rightly observe as an eyesore. And don’t forget the brand new behemoth on Chapman Ave. that positively dwarfs the original and very elegant admin buildings with its massive brick veneered bulk. Maybe we’ll be favored with another monstrosity like that.
Appreciating architecture is like appreciating wine, or art, or music. You like what you like. But it doesn’t mean that one’s taste is as good as anyone else’s. Fortunately.
No. 7 – you sound totally jaded about government and believe in government conspiracies to do bad things to the citizenry. Is your real name Steven Greenhut? Have you somehow been personally victimized by government? As for an example of a possible re-use of the building shown, if there is ever a new Jetsons movie it would make a perfect set. Mix in a few Eichler homes for those who like that era of architecture and the screen can be filled with harsh angles and lines for those who like that.
No. 8.- I tend to agree with your comment about the behemoth. The on campus building density is awful high – one reason I would like to see the campus spread out some – like Chapman College in Orange is doing. And, I agree with your comments on taste – would add that any time someone comments on a perspective on taste it will antagonize someone else that has a different taste. That reality is one factor that makes blog posts turn into running dialogues, sometimes at great length – of course with no one’s opinion getting swayed. It is also canon fodder for writers who like to keep things boiling. Wonder who that might be ?
Sorry, the behemoth is on Nutwood.