A TOUCH OF COLOR - UPDATE

A couple months ago I posted an article about a particular building on Bank street that could use a touch of color. It was great to get positive feedback from you and see that some even wanted to get involved (See comments on MOOT's Facebook page here).


Imagine my surprise, when I recently passed by the place and noticed that it had been painted. Maybe it's a coincidence but it seems like the owner or tenant got the message and it looks much better. There's just a couple little things to fix to complete the new look and I really hope whoever is responsible keeps at it to make it a successful makeover. So if you're reading this (or someone who know that person does), please consider the three following suggestions:

1. Add some color

Now that the triangular panels of top portion are painted in the new charcoal grey, I doubt it will change to implement the initially suggested rainbow effect. Still this building needs a bit of color. The panels above the windows are a great alternative. They currently look beige and would look a lot better with some color. (Notice the left most panel is charcoal for continuity).


2. Finish the bottom portion

To really separate this renovated building from the old ones next to it and complete the new look, the bottom part should also be renovated, either by painting it or replacing the tiles so that it matches the new charcoal paint. The metal trim will look great against it too.

3. PLEASE modernize the signage

The big light boxes are old and bulky and take away from the architectural features of the building. Raised letter with LED light behind them would be ideal. Something like the signage in the photos below taken from my last trip in Las Vegas (shown below).

It's also a great opportunity for Knit Knackers and Biogenie to redo their logos as well so that they better represent what they are offering. I pass in front of that building on a regular basis and I had no idea Knit-Knackers was "Ottawa’s largest yarn and knitting store". There's nothing about the logo that indicate that.

Look how cute the logo from Ravelry (it's like facebook for knitters) is. Something along these lines would be fun and probably better portray the company. Maybe a sheep, a yarn and cat next to the company's name? How about the name knitted with a cute alpaca on the side?



photo : ravelry | MOOT

A TOUCH OF COLOR

When you look at a building like the Sugamo Shinkin Bank above, the first words that comes to mind is "happy" and "fun". Designed by emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design, this bank in Tokyo, Japan doesn't come across as austere and most likely affects the mood of passers-by in a positive way. Using color is one of the smartest, cheapest and most effective ways to update a building and I think the following building on Bank street could use some color.

When walking in front of this building there's not much to it, but I noticed the vertical white "architectural features" on top. I was also thinking something fun could be done with them and almost immediately thought of adding some color. It would be neat to paint them in a rainbow as shown below



photo : designboom | MOOT

FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE IMPERIAL THEATER

I think it's safe to say that the Barrymore's building, formerly known as the Imperial Theater, is in great need to TLC. Doesn't it look sad? Every time I walk in front of it on Bank Street, I can't help but think "I wish I could help fix it. It has so much potential, it just need some TLC". The peeling paint, the dangling wire, the bird poop, the boarded up windows, the broken or missing reliefs, the mismatch signage and facing,etc. All of that can be fixed before it's too late. It just needs a bit of tender loving care.




Below is how the building used to looked like back in 1938. Notice the two large windows on either side of the giant signage. Now they've been boarded up like an abandoned building. It looks like the middle window was replaced and the large vertical signage was removed, leaving a large gaping hole above the Barrymore's signage, for pigeons to nest in perhaps? I don't think it needs to look the way it did back in the days, but even for a modernist like me, I think it would be nice to restore some parts and modernize other parts in a way that will respect its history,after a good clean of course.



If it was up to me this is what I would do.


Wouldn't it be nice if this building was restored to it's former glory in a modern fashion? I had a chance to visit New Orleans earlier this year and was amazed to see how their older buildings were preserved and restored (especially considering Hurricane Katrina). One particular building that I think would be a great benchmark for Barrymore's building is this beautiful police station in the French Quarter with black framed windows.


There was also this dramatic and impressive a hotel called "Le Pavillon". It's a big white building with a lot of architectural details, but the fact that it's all white makes it modern and really showcase the relief of the building. Doing something similar to Barrymore's building would emphasize the neat sculptures left on the building. I also really like the way they designed the signage.



A portion of the building is currently for lease. This is a great opportunity for a major and relatively affordable fashion retailer such as H&M, Guess, Parasuco or Mango to move in this developing area, but it's just not attractive enough for these retailers. At least not yet. It's too bad because their customers have already moved in the neighborhood in new condos such as Mondrian, Hudson Park, the Pinnacle. And more will move in soon considering other condo projects such as Central, Gotham, Soho. Another great idea (if it's still profitable nowadays), would be a movie theater that would hopefully feature films well into the night. Only time will tell. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.