Thanks to Russell Peterson and others for pointing out how disappointing the design for the new Guthrie is. Although, at this point, I'd say disappointing is an understatement. Those of us who dislike the design are going to be called "staid midwesterners" as Larry Millett has already averred, so let's try to be precise in what we don't like. (I"m trying to be soo careful here.)
The fact that the designer is French and "innovative" doesn't mean that this design is innovative. (I guess I just stopped being careful.) It's a bunch of boxes covered in metal. Plus, we've been having discussions about function in our new library and people have warned against putting popular features on upper floors, and against putting the planetarium on the top because it's difficult, awkward, time consuming and possibly dangerous (for children and those with mobility impairments) to get a lot of people up to upper floors all at the same time. So now the Guthrie puts its lobby on the FOURTH FLOOR. What sense does that make? Then they put the scene shop across the street. How's that for a functional building. Planners tell me that the client gets the building they ask for. So is this the grand vision of the Guthrie board and administration. It should fit in well with the Padilla Spear suburban box, but how it fits into the context of the historic mill district, or how it actually pays attention to the river is a mystery. The city's plans for this area of town call for pedestrian friendly housing, shops and offices. This is not a pedestrian friendly design at all. End of rant. By the way, I gave some money to the Guthrie last year and have been a patron for a long time. Maybe I'll stick to going to small venues, like Frank Theater, which opens its new show this week, called "Self Defense." Jim Berg Ward 9-Corcoran __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
