It's nice seeing the crown in something other than a boring white light. I was starting to think that was their spectacular "crown lighting" we were all waiting for.

The white lights are on the inside and not part of the LED setup.

They are just now testing the LED's in the crown.

The "crown". Cool.

Ok, so now I know what to call the top section without always having to say "the triangular part at the top".

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon92812a.jpg


Sorry to get off subject here but the graffiti in this pic pisses me off. I'd love to just pitch a tent up there and run these wanna be gang poppers off for ruining something amazing, but I can't because I have to work!

Sorry to get off subject here but the graffiti in this pic pisses me off. I'd love to just pitch a tent up there and run these wanna be gang poppers off for ruining something amazing, but I can't because I have to work!

Wow.. I didn't even notice the graffiti in the pic until you said something. So sad. Why are people such assholes?

I hate people sometimes, this is such a beautiful part of our downtown...and people have to be jerks about it

The "crown". Cool.

Ok, so now I know what to call the top section without always having to say "the triangular part at the top".

In the plans they are refered to as 'lanterns'.

I added it as a bookmark. Thanks Sid!

There is actually quite a bit of graffiti on the bridge considering how long it has been open. I was shocked when I visited last weekend. On one of the benches there was a name and date. Worried it will become a custom for visitors to tag and date their visits...

Someone told me this will be a featured project in October's Architectural Record magazine. I haven't been to the bookstore to check it out yet though. That's definitely one I may just buy.

Someone told me this will be a featured project in October's Architectural Record magazine. I haven't been to the bookstore to check it out yet though. That's definitely one I may just buy.

http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-development/31896-new-life-american-city.html#post579566

There is actually quite a bit of graffiti on the bridge considering how long it has been open. I was shocked when I visited last weekend. On one of the benches there was a name and date. Worried it will become a custom for visitors to tag and date their visits...

Wow very disappointing. I'm surprised that they did not use graffiti proof paint. There's also tagging popping up on the new Crosstown as well.

Unfortunately until that area is finally bulldozed and cleaned up for the park (and all the security that entails), this will continue to be a problem.

just speculating, but my guess is your typical urban camper who acquires spray paint doesn't tend to do a lot of tagging ... paper bag interiors being a notable exception.

just speculating, but my guess is your typical urban camper who acquires spray paint doesn't tend to do a lot of tagging ... paper bag interiors being a notable exception.

My friend that lives in Mesta Park had a problem with the stop sign in front of his house getting tagged. He finally waited up all night and caught the idiot doing the tagging. It was a 44 year old hispanic male doing the dirty work at 4:00 am. The police came and hauled him off.

You would think at such a public place they could easily put security cameras to catch these idiots in the act.

Plus, it would be a good idea for general public safety.


These setups have become much cheaper over time and images can be transmitted wirelessly.

I'm surprised that they did not use graffiti proof paint.

Pardon my ignorance, but is there really such a thing as "graffiti proof paint"? I've never heard of this.

Pardon my ignorance, but is there really such a thing as "graffiti proof paint"? I've never heard of this.

Spray paint can not physically bond to graffiti proof paint. Like trying to mix oil and water. Just physically and chemically can not bond.

Not so much "grafffiti proof" as it is, cleanable, with no need to repaint once the graffiti is removed. Someone still has to clean it off, but it goes much faster, doesn't require repainting, and doesn't leave you with the "rectangle of similar, but not quite the same, color" of paint covering where the graffiti was.

Part of the problem with this bridge is all the cedar used. I'm curious how they will remove the graffiti from there, since they can't just paint over it.

Pardon my ignorance, but is there really such a thing as "graffiti proof paint"? I've never heard of this.

Its more a film than anything else. Stuff like this:

Anti-graffiti coating antigraffiti coating anti-stick non-stick (http://www.seichemical.com/products/GPA-proofer_anti_stick.html)

Its not cheap on larger applications and the urban artist types have found ways to get around it but its better than nothing.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8044625464_b4d5ea682f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044625464/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044625464/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8044625090_6762fc06c1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044625090/)
Bricktown at Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044625090/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8044624322_58bfe9fea4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044624322/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044624322/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8044624770_16723af42b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044624770/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044624770/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8044616815_a502df6d24.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044616815/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044616815/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/8044617381_02b5bcd5cd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044617381/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044617381/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8044617729_e8b1fa8254.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044617729/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044617729/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/8044627062_959f524447.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044627062/)
Devon Energy Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/8044627062/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr

Hate to continue the off-topic convo, but I have spend a lot of time lately getting on and off of I-40 at Shields, plus driving around the Gaylord detour due to I-40 demo, and that entire area around the new I-40, including the highway structure itself, is being BLANKETED with graffiti.

Guys, PLEASE call the graffiti hotline!

It's the only way to knock this problem down.

I call it all of the time. Have used the graffiti hotline with regularity for well over a decade.

What is the #? I will start contributing. I'll never understand the thought process of these thugs and goons who don't want this city to be succesful, ruining parts of town that have such great potential.

From above:


Be sure to report any graffiti you see to the Action Center. Their goal is to mitigate it within 2 weeks. Usually they get to it within a week. Most people don't call though and for a reason I still cant really figure out, it isn't reported by law enforcement. Even though it is vandalism. If we reported every instance of it when we saw it, we'd have the funding to fight it very effectively. The few people assigned to this task isn't enough.

You can report it online here: City of Oklahoma City | Online Service Request (http://www.okc.gov/action/onlineservicerequest/)

or call 297-2535

or my favorite, email them at: action.center@okc.gov

I did go ahead and report this instance of graffiti to the action center.

Curious on a related point. Say someone's private property gets tagged, e.g., a closed structure with an absentee owner.
Does the city notify the owner to address within X days and if not addressed, the city will address it, with bill sent to the owner. I know code enforcement can address other things like overgrown grass, excess trash? Does tagging, artful or plain ol' vandalism either one, fall into the same situation?

Curious on a related point. Say someone's private property gets tagged, e.g., a closed structure with an absentee owner.
Does the city notify the owner to address within X days and if not addressed, the city will address it, with bill sent to the owner. I know code enforcement can address other things like overgrown grass, excess trash? Does tagging, artful or plain ol' vandalism either one, fall into the same situation?

Yes, I'm sure it does but that is a municipal code issue separate from the graffiti hotline.

You would have to contact code enforcement.

I'm finally getting caught up on photo editing. I took several hundred over a week ago. Sorry it took so long. I've been on vacation but wasn't sitting around. I took photos of the Rock Island Plow Building, around Bricktown, Skinny Slim's, and all around SandRidge/Braniff yesterday. I was making good time but I ran into a problem with Photoshop crashing every time I tried using Automate/Batch to put the watermarks on. I spent literally half the day yesterday messing with that. It was an issue with my AMD Radeon drivers. I had already tried clean installing the drivers but it left remnants. One driver file in particular was the culprit. I uninstalled it all again and then tried Photoshop and it still showed that same driver. How could it still be there if it was uninstalled? People say modern driver installation doesn't need 3rd party software to do a driver sweep. Well I downloaded Driver Sweeper, booted into Safe Mode and ran that. Restarted and then tried Photoshop again. It worked this time. I got a new computer four months ago and set it all up and had it working months ago the last time I was doing photography. Something changed since then. I guess it was the newer driver the came out a short while ago. Anyway, I'm currently running on the basic Windows drivers which is plenty fast enough. It's a new computer so it's good enough for photo editing. I'm going to spend most of today catching up. There's no way I can edit each photo like I usually do. When you're working with hundreds of photos, it's extremely tiring.

I took a lot of panoramas with my phone too and I'm impressed with it.

I went to Midtown last night, and walked around a bit. The lighting in the crown and indentations was just incredible. It was a simple solid color light blue, but the crown stands out to the extreme.

Much better in person than in the photos.

September 25 2012

Devon Tower Construction (September 25 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157631691521037/)

I'm finally getting caught up on photo editing. I took several hundred over a week ago. Sorry it took so long. I've been on vacation but wasn't sitting around. I took photos of the Rock Island Plow Building, around Bricktown, Skinny Slim's, and all around SandRidge/Braniff yesterday. I was making good time but I ran into a problem with Photoshop crashing every time I tried using Automate/Batch to put the watermarks on. I spent literally half the day yesterday messing with that. It was an issue with my AMD Radeon drivers. I had already tried clean installing the drivers but it left remnants. One driver file in particular was the culprit. I uninstalled it all again and then tried Photoshop and it still showed that same driver. How could it still be there if it was uninstalled? People say modern driver installation doesn't need 3rd party software to do a driver sweep. Well I downloaded Driver Sweeper, booted into Safe Mode and ran that. Restarted and then tried Photoshop again. It worked this time. I got a new computer four months ago and set it all up and had it working months ago the last time I was doing photography. Something changed since then. I guess it was the newer driver the came out a short while ago. Anyway, I'm currently running on the basic Windows drivers which is plenty fast enough. It's a new computer so it's good enough for photo editing. I'm going to spend most of today catching up. There's no way I can edit each photo like I usually do. When you're working with hundreds of photos, it's extremely tiring.

I took a lot of panoramas with my phone too and I'm impressed with it.

Mac

*endrant*

^^ Some great photo's, thanks a lot!

As usual, great shots Will !

September 25 Panoramas

Devon Tower Construction Panoramas (September 25 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157631691904554/)

I saw something different at one point last night (might've been all night, but - perhaps shockingly - I have finally moved on from the stage where all I do is stare at Devon Tower). The LED strips on the crown were lit bright white, and the LEDs down the side were off except for the one strip immediately on the inside edge of each recess. It defined the recess, but the recessed areas weren't "lit up." It had a very classy, understated appearance. Makes me think that looks like that might end up being the default, and that wild colors, chasing lights, etc., might eventually be reserved specifically for special event nights. I'd be fine with that personally, as I think color-shifting LEDs are at risk of becoming a bit cliche, and frankly I think the other approach fits Devon's corporate culture better.

Yes, I posted some time ago that white will be the default mode of the crown.

They will have substantial ability to change colors, create movement, etc., but I believe white will be the every-day setting.

I saw something different at one point last night (might've been all night, but - perhaps shockingly - I have finally moved on from the stage where all I do is stare at Devon Tower). The LED strips on the crown were lit bright white, and the LEDs down the side were off except for the one strip immediately on the inside edge of each recess. It defined the recess, but the recessed areas weren't "lit up." It had a very classy, understated appearance. Makes me think that looks like that might end up being the default, and that wild colors, chasing lights, etc., might eventually be reserved specifically for special event nights. I'd be fine with that personally, as I think color-shifting LEDs are at risk of becoming a bit cliche, and frankly I think the other approach fits Devon's corporate culture better.

I really wish that is what they would do with SkyDance Bridge. Showing off how many different colors you can light the thing with every night doesn't add anything and detracts from whatever beauty there is in the structure itself (I personally like it, though I think it could have been better).

Yes, I posted some time ago that white will be the default mode of the crown.

They will have substantial ability to change colors, create movement, etc., but I believe white will be the every-day setting.
I wasn't talking about the crown so much as the recesses running down the sides. I liked the understatement and minimalism I saw last night, and I think it will make the multicolored color-shifting chasing lighting fiesta seem more special if it only happens for special occasions.

Didn't mean to come across as "I already said that!"


I do know that when evaluating lighting contractors they specifically wanted to have white LED light without merely blending all the colors together, which is the typical way and more expensive to operate.

They wanted to do colors but were very specific about wanting to go into white light mode and the indication was this would be a frequent/default configuration.

That's good news. Looked classy as hell, and that seems to what they are going for on everything else here. Multi-colored can turn garish in a hurry when over-done (which is most of the time, when used). What struck me most though was no lights in the recesses except the furthest edge. Something totally new to me, and I look at this building from all angles both near and far every day.

I'm sure they'll do crazy shows only occasionally, but I hope that they do more than just white for 200+ days a year. They don't even have to change colors every night, but the nice thing is they have the ability to constantly change it up without being gaudy. They don't even have to use oscillation in the colors, but if they do Blue 3 nights, White 2 nights, Red 1 night, White 3 nights, Fancy show, Green 3 nights, White 2 nights etc. I think that would be the best use. Doesn't have to be flashy, but it would be cool as something to keep downtown guessing.

October 4 2012

Oklahoma City at Night (October 04 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157631696273708/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8055828898_9f27fc40b1_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8055837691_f2119a9eca_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/8055835704_4eaf6a7e74_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8055832619_0e2cd2e3d2_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8055832147_898c4600e5_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8055823834_20d20d8b85_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/8055823726_3e4685910f_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8055821485_9c789dc151_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/8055819360_ef206c60ed_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/8055812810_1f89e4fe06_b.jpg

Are those missing spots in the lights a result of them moving while the picture is being taken are they just not working there?

I'm sure they'll do crazy shows only occasionally, but I hope that they do more than just white for 200+ days a year. They don't even have to change colors every night, but the nice thing is they have the ability to constantly change it up without being gaudy. They don't even have to use oscillation in the colors, but if they do Blue 3 nights, White 2 nights, Red 1 night, White 3 nights, Fancy show, Green 3 nights, White 2 nights etc. I think that would be the best use. Doesn't have to be flashy, but it would be cool as something to keep downtown guessing.

Lighting is not an end itself. It shouldn't be noticeable (i.e. stand out) under normal circumstances. It should not be ornamental. It should be functional and complement the environment in which it resides.

If Devon's lighting keeps downtown guessing, they have failed.

Are those missing spots in the lights a result of them moving while the picture is being taken are they just not working there?

Some of the fixtures need to be repaired and others just debugged through software.

Last night about 8:00 pm, the southwest triangle was only about halfway lit up. This morning at 7:00 am, it was completely lit up. Progress is being made.

Lighting is not an end itself. It shouldn't be noticeable (i.e. stand out) under normal circumstances. It should not be ornamental. It should be functional and complement the environment in which it resides.

If Devon's lighting keeps downtown guessing, they have failed.

wow

One of mine from December 2011:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8056678981_c4d2e62897_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovemalania/8056678981/)
Christmas In OKC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovemalania/8056678981/) by iLoveMalania (http://www.flickr.com/people/ilovemalania/), on Flickr

wow

Glad you agree. :P

Seriously though, there is a standard in all modern design and architecture that form follows function. There is no functional reason for Devon to alternate between a variety of colors and as a matter of aesthetic it is gaudy and would depart from the maturity and attention to care that Devon has put into the Energy Center. To put it plainly: it's something showy that would make a few people say "ooooh pretty," but would distract from the beauty of the building itself and its integration into its new environment. Beyond that, I'm sure Pickard Chilton would be less than satisfied with that decision, though they likely don't have much of a say.

Colored lighting on Devon every day would be like keeping your Christmas decor out year-round because it's attractive. Sure, it looks nice, but doing it every day ruins the novelty and is a nuisance to your neighbors. Save it for celebrations, game days, and holidays.

Glad you agree. :P

Seriously though, there is a standard in all modern design and architecture that form follows function. There is no functional reason for Devon to alternate between a variety of colors and as a matter of aesthetic it is gaudy and would depart from the maturity and attention to care that Devon has put into the Energy Center. To put it plainly: it's something showy that would make a few people say "ooooh pretty," but would distract from the beauty of the building itself and its integration into its new environment. Beyond that, I'm sure Pickard Chilton would be less than satisfied with that decision, though they likely don't have much of a say.

Colored lighting on Devon every day would be like keeping your Christmas decor out year-round because it's attractive. Sure, it looks nice, but doing it every day ruins the novelty and is a nuisance to your neighbors. Save it for celebrations, game days, and holidays.

I have not seen Devon do anything gaudi up to this point yet, and don't expect it with their lighting. Everything they've done that applies to their building has been nothing less than world class.

Glad you agree. :P

Seriously though, there is a standard in all modern design and architecture that form follows function. There is no functional reason for Devon to alternate between a variety of colors and as a matter of aesthetic it is gaudy and would depart from the maturity and attention to care that Devon has put into the Energy Center. To put it plainly: it's something showy that would make a few people say "ooooh pretty," but would distract from the beauty of the building itself and its integration into its new environment. Beyond that, I'm sure Pickard Chilton would be less than satisfied with that decision, though they likely don't have much of a say.

Colored lighting on Devon every day would be like keeping your Christmas decor out year-round because it's attractive. Sure, it looks nice, but doing it every day ruins the novelty and is a nuisance to your neighbors. Save it for celebrations, game days, and holidays.

I hardly think going with solid green lighting for a couple nights is considered gaudy or immature. I also don't think that using the lighting that *is* part of the building itself can somehow be considered a distraction from the beauty of the actual design...I mean, I guess if they start doing candy canes every night during Christmas. Solid set lighting for the entire night, regardless of color, is the tactful norm. But if it stays White for 275 days out of the year, there's a lost opportunity for some routine variety in the OKC skyline and downtown aesthetic experience.

Apparently some Devon employees that work in higher up offices are coming down with a sense of vertigo because unlike NYC and other major cities there's not another tall building right across the street to help them with the notion of being truly high up.

Apparently some Devon employees that work in higher up offices are coming down with a sense of vertigo because unlike NYC and other major cities there's not another tall building right across the street to help them with the notion of being truly high up.

Guess we'll have to build another high tower...

What did the people in the WTCs do?

I hardly think going with solid green lighting for a couple nights is considered gaudy or immature. I also don't think that using the lighting that *is* part of the building itself can somehow be considered a distraction from the beauty of the actual design...I mean, I guess if they start doing candy canes every night during Christmas. Solid set lighting for the entire night, regardless of color, is the tactful norm. But if it stays White for 275 days out of the year, there's a lost opportunity for some routine variety in the OKC skyline and downtown aesthetic experience.

In my last post I actually meant to point out green as the worst possible color to stay on solid! haha Have you seen it when it's green? Looks disgusting. :) I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I've passed the idea around to a few other designers around my office and we're all in agreement that having the skyline lit up with bright colors regularly would be pretty disappointing aesthetic. It would only get worse as other towers are built or add lighting and we see a rainbow across downtown. *shudder* I'll just avoid looking in that direction.

Are you serious?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8055832619_0e2cd2e3d2_b.jpg

This photo would be 10x more amazing if FNC were lit up. sigh

In my last post I actually meant to point out green as the worst possible color to stay on solid! haha Have you seen it when it's green? Looks disgusting. :) I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I've passed the idea around to a few other designers around my office and we're all in agreement that having the skyline lit up with bright colors regularly would be pretty disappointing aesthetic. It would only get worse as other towers are built or add lighting and we see a rainbow across downtown. *shudder* I'll just avoid looking in that direction.

Clearly we have two very different "palates" :-). My favorite building in a lot of ways is still BoA-Dallas, mostly so because of the green argon lighting.

It was light up in blue all night last night. I actually think the blue should be the default. The faded blue crown looked like a natural gas flame from a distance. Looked very good.

First National looks like a haunted abandoned building in this photo

First National looks like a haunted abandoned building in this photo

Yeah, thanks to what's his name. Yes, I know the owner's name, but I am going to refer to him as what's his name. He has seriously hampered an important part of Oklahoma City's renaissance with one of our most treasured landmarks. Him actually trying to hold on to this building is like pouring salt in an open wound. Just what is he trying to accomplish? Is he really trying to save face with Oklahoma City's people? He doesn't have any face to save. He clawed it off like the scientist in 'Poltergeist'.