Showing posts with label spectacle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spectacle. Show all posts

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Not just subtlety...

Finally had a chance to go through some Vegas photos. Wanted to share small number of observations. The first has to do with the less subtle aspects of the framework necessary to support the spectacle of Vegas.

This is the Wynn. One of Vegas' newest hotels:



While taking a walk just "behind" the 'Strip', which is to say, one street over and parallel. I came across this (massive) building:



Upon closer examination, it bore this sign:



That's right, staff parking. This parking lot, big enough for a mall in Canada (its almost as deep as it is wide), is reserved for the staff of the Wynn. Not so subtle.

This window awning from the Paladio is a bit more subtle. A cursory examination of the design wouldn't fool you as to the materiality, its metal, not cloth (as the one it is an imitation of would most likely be). But it might fool you into thinking the awning can be folded down. It sure looks that way. Of course, they don't fold at all:



A word on spectacle, of which there is no lack in Vegas. This is a vertical wine cellar with an automated robot retrieval system. The restaurant is built around the cellar, giving a whole new meaning to a restaurant built "around wine":



Finally, for those who might not have had a chance to go off the strip, some Frank Gehry in Vegas. Yes, he might not have had anything to do with City Center but even he has a building here:

Friday, January 21, 2011

A hint of things to come...


Before you all get too engrossed with steel detailing and biomimicry, let this be a reminder that all students are expected to participate in the scheduled activities while in Las Vegas including examining the spectacle of much of the city's architecture along the Strip.   It would be a good idea to get a sense of what is there, where you will be investigating, and even spots you would be interested in seeing on your own. This website has some basic information on several hotels along the strip that would be invaluable to start with. Please note that these drawings and images are for the most part not enough to serve as case study analysis. (And NO, just because you have the plans to the casinos does it make it possible to pull off a heist...).