cliffapotamus
Active Member
that photo is about a year old... walmart has done a lot of work to the exterior, including new paint, cladding in some areas, and revising the doorways.
That being said, this is the best part of the mall! the brick forms jutting out and hovering over the mall's surroundings create something spatially interesting, as opposed to the brick box and band windows that make up the rest of the facade. the brick choice, with its variegation, is an engaging enough material to keep these masses feeling tactile and interesting to the eye, as opposed to a more contemporary approach of EIFS or machine-made uniform brick. the entrances also used to have this lovely orange-red glazed tile around them that was a lovely colour to see, especially in the winter. the high gloss with small inclusions was a really welcome detail as well.
It was very of it's time, but I found the Sears wing, especially in it's original state (ignoring that dreadful pediment thing on the East side) a lovely, subtle bit of brutalist massing, with a strong sense of materiality and tactile engagement; something newer buildings don't have. Interacting with the Sears facades always felt like encountering something a little bit unique or special, contrasted with the rest of the mall.
That being said, that's all a moot point. I don't have current photos, but I'm by there every couple weeks. it's all painted light grey, Walmart blue in a could places, new cladding in a few places, and a bunch of clumsy signage will sure muddle up the rest as work progresses.
That being said, this is the best part of the mall! the brick forms jutting out and hovering over the mall's surroundings create something spatially interesting, as opposed to the brick box and band windows that make up the rest of the facade. the brick choice, with its variegation, is an engaging enough material to keep these masses feeling tactile and interesting to the eye, as opposed to a more contemporary approach of EIFS or machine-made uniform brick. the entrances also used to have this lovely orange-red glazed tile around them that was a lovely colour to see, especially in the winter. the high gloss with small inclusions was a really welcome detail as well.
It was very of it's time, but I found the Sears wing, especially in it's original state (ignoring that dreadful pediment thing on the East side) a lovely, subtle bit of brutalist massing, with a strong sense of materiality and tactile engagement; something newer buildings don't have. Interacting with the Sears facades always felt like encountering something a little bit unique or special, contrasted with the rest of the mall.
That being said, that's all a moot point. I don't have current photos, but I'm by there every couple weeks. it's all painted light grey, Walmart blue in a could places, new cladding in a few places, and a bunch of clumsy signage will sure muddle up the rest as work progresses.
