More of the Getty Center

Here are a few additional shots from the Getty -- primarily of design details that I liked, or at least thought were worth noting.

The entry fountain:

A water feature running along the steps that led to the main entrance:

One of the things I love to do speculate about what design revisions have taken place after a site has been occupied for a while. I would bet you that the potted flowers at the landing was an add-on. Without it there, you could step over the fountain and into a small landscaped area. I am sure this was unintended and the pot was placed there to make access prohibitive.

The lawn areas were in great shape -- they must have a terrific grounds supervisor and irrigation system. You can also see more corten steel retaining walls. It makes a nice edge for the lawn.

Of course, we have those...things...in the background...

Ugh. These bougainvillea planters were, to me at least, just awful. They remind me the parachute drop in Coney Island, but not at all in a good way. They're so clunky and heavy. And then the edging around the teardrop shaped planter looks like it came from Home Depot.

On the bright side, you have the soaring cafe space.


Another view from a courtyard.

There seemed to be a fair amount of James Turrell-like moments of framed sky.


Along these steps you have a clean-looking sandwich-style detail for the rail posts.

Though I still don't know why, when dealing with a contemporary vocabulary, you need to powder-coat steel. It always ends up rusting and becoming a maintenance problem. Especially when the galvanized steel on the top rail looks so good.


And here, we have my absolute favorite part:


How absolutely luscious is that floating walkway? Great big slabs of stone that are seemingly floating, with no visible construction detail holding them together, let alone aloft. Gorgeous!