When studying the facades along the 63rd Street corridor, an interesting architectural detail becomes evident. This detail being, Mid-Century Modern inspired screen block covers numerous building facades along the corridor including The Landing Mall. The particular version of this detail that seems to have encompassed this part of the city is a repetitive circular pattern (as seen in the following graphic).
63rd Street Corridor Screen Block Facade Examples
Source: Jared Islas (2019)
Screen block became a popular architectural detail in and around Palm Spring, CA and the sun belt in the 1950’s and 1960’s – which was the same time much of the 63rd Street corridor in Kansas City was developed.
Source: http://www.moderndesign.org/2011/05/mid-century-modern-wall-screens-and.html
Source: https://la.curbed.com/2018/2/13/16936656/palm-springs-midcentury-breeze-blocks-photos
This architectural detail seen on facades extends North of the 63rd Street corridor to the South Plaza/University area just south of Brush Creek and even further North into Downtown Kansas City. The following graphics show these examples.
Source: Jared Islas (2019)
Source: Jared Islas (2019)
These examples of facades along, around and outside of the study corridor lead to an interesting conclusion regarding facades in the “urban” realm. Some of the examples are evidently more pedestrian-oriented in their form, scale and detail than others. In my opinion, these include…
- B. A to Z Theatrical Supply
- E. Kody’s Learn-N-Develop
- F. Unbakery Juicery & Coffee
- H. Rockhurst Parking Garage
- I. Former KCPS Education Building
- J. Hammerpress Building
These examples’ facades are more oriented towards the pedestrian for their close proximity to the street/sidewalk, smaller size or presence of the structure, the ability for multiple transportation methods that can easily access the site, the increased level of detail on the facades and the attention to materiality on the building. Together, these things make the facade oriented more towards a person walking by the structure.
Source: Jared Islas (2019)
The other examples discussed in this post are therefore more automobile-oriented in their form, scale and detail. These include…
- A. The New Landing Mall
- C. Ewing Marion Kauffman Charter School
- D. Research Medical Center
- G. KC Public Library Plaza Parking Garage
Conversely, these examples’ facades are more oriented towards the automobile for the fact that the structures are setback further from a street/sidewalk, the larger size or presence of the structure, the lack of access for non-auto transportation modes, the less impressive level of detail on the facades and the relative lack of attention to materiality on the building. Together, these things make the facade oriented more towards a person driving by the structure.
Source: Jared Islas (2019)