The Decorative Finish II

 



Colorwash II

One of the optical illusions employed by architects is to make the windows of the upper stories smaller than those on the ground floor. This gives the building a sense of lift and lessens the impression of the building’s weight. The same results can sometimes be employed in the building materials and/or the painting of the building by making the upper stories a slightly lighter color. The pale raw sienna building here is one of my favorites because of the care with which it has been put together for its public presentation. Not only does it look handsome but the decorative elements and the clever use of the paint almost completely eliminate the sense of the squat cube of its geometry. And while these windows are the same size up and down, the lacy railing around the top compensates to lighten the load.

The yellow building was also once nicely color washed but has been poorly touched up because of the vandalism of the spray can brigade. It is really heartbreaking for me to see good work so little respected.