Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
Just down the road from my condo is a new building rising along I-75 in the cumberland Mall/Galleria area. I hadn't heard about it until I saw the construction starting, as I frequently drive by the area. The building was designed by Smallwood Reynolds and has involvement with the Facilities Group, two firms not neccessarily known as "design" firms. So far I have been impressed with what I am seeing so far, as you can see from a few of the pictures I am posting along with this blog, and wonder, even though the building isn't being done by a starchitect that it will garner any respect in the architecture world. I will look forward to seeing more as the building gets closer to completion and will share images of the process from my Flickr page. You can see more about the building HERE.
So far I would say that this building has the potential to be a landmark building in Atlanta. It has a presence about it, from its context, that is Disney Hall-ish. Now I am not saying that the building has the ground-breaking aesthetic or methods of construction that Disney had, but what I am saying is that the presence of the building seems to respond, in its form and relationship to its surroundings like Disney (though in a much different kind of context). It seems foreign from its context, yet seems to belong too. If you live around Atlanta or are heading through definetly drive by and check it out, I think it is worth your while.
3 comments:
Facility Group had nothing to do with design. Unlike "starchitect" projects which are notorious for being late and well overbudget, the Cobb Energy Center was finished on time on within budget.
I appreciate your comment Don. I never said anything about the Facilities group being involved with the design, just that they were involved somehow in the project (sorry if it sounded like I was insinuating that). I would argue that many projects become over budget and become late by firms all over the place... It just happens sometimes. We just seem to notice it more with a prominent architect and building. And I would further argue that many times it is the Stararchitect who is behind a building that has far more civil importance than what most architects deal with in their offices (which often changes the stakes in the work involved). That being said, I wasn't knocking Smallwood nor The Facilities Group in my post but paying them a compliment about the Cobb Energy Project. Thanks again for the comment and checking out my blog.
What are some recommended changes you thing that the Cobb Energy Centre should make.
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