Western Towns and American Strip Mall

  You are probably wondering if I am suggesting that there is some sort of connection between the two of them and the answer is yes, yes I am making the suggestion that the American strip mall is not a foreign idea that was born out of else where.

First of all, the Western town main street really orients itself around horse and buggy and most of the strip malls are facing streets with enough parking for the business that is located inside. They are both vehicular oriented structures.

Secondly, western towns act as a middle point between the traveler, ranch worker, gold diggers a mid way stop from the starting point to their destination. Similarly strip malls are normally located outside downtown, but on the edge of suburban neighborhoods which is perfect for people to get off of work and stop at the midpoint to eat, shop or just hang around.

Lastly, the practicality of the American spirit is what drives these two. The simple and direct way of thinking is what makes both of these work well.

Comparing strip malls with big and dying shopping malls, I do feel like the big shopping malls seem more alien and out of context in American cities, but they are still there. I feel like they should be turned into universities, the food court and Starbucks don't even have to move out, the individual shops are the classrooms, the atrium space can become a gym, the only thing that is missing some dormitories.

(BTW, here is a good article explaining why big atrium is a serious fire hazard design.https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting/atrium-features-and-firefighting-tactics/#gref)