But it's still the same Vanilla Chai Latte
"The fundamental strategy of Critical Regionalism is to mediate the impact of universal civilization with elements derived indirectly from the peculiarities of a particular place. It is clear [...] that Critical Regionalism depends upon maintaining a high level of critical self-consciousness. It may find its governing inspiration in such things as the range and quality of the local light, or in a tectonic derived from a peculiar structural mode, or in the topography of a given site."
In architecture school we always start every studio every semester with 'site analysis'. Analyze circulation, sun angles, topography, local context and materials, etc. I have never really considered design without the input of site specific factors aiding in design development. I have always considered it a mandatory step in formulation of design and have not often considered the alternative of architecture without context consideration.
The truth though is that not all buildings are designed with site in mind. There is a reason that almost every McDonalds looks the same, it is more about the brand than the building or place. What would happen if these generic, non-place buildings regarded context? Would this impact the customer base, the environment, the experience?
Me being the 23 year-old millennial that I am, I was browsing Starbuck's Instagram the other day and they consistently post images of their stores around the world that are specifically site designed. They are contextual, cultural, and vernacular. These rare stores immerse themselves in the culture of the place and because of that are deemed their flagship stores and what Starbucks considers worthy enough to post to their millions of followers around the world. These stores. The ones that cared about context.
Starbucks Prague, Czech Republic
Starbucks, Mexico City, Mexico
Starbucks, Kuwait
It is interesting that Starbucks only posts their stores designed with context, when that is only a small fraction of their stores with the rest being more of the same. I went to the Starbucks in Lucerne, Switzerland and it felt like any other Starbucks in the US, they are selling that experience around the world. I appreciate that they go to that effort with their flagship stores. I understand the cost implications to doing those projects but I wish they would do similar store styles across the board. Why not have a regional design, for mountains, beach, city, suburbia.... They are a fun company to follow.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason they only post their contextual stores is because these are clearly the more interesting, and they recognize that. Why they don't do more of these if they recognize that these are more interesting is the question I have. I don't think all of these contextual stores cost a lot more because a lot of them are using refurbished vernacular buildings, which to me seems way more sustainable and cheaper than new construction. Either way, I think it's and interesting and relatable precedent and case study.
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