Re: 60 floor concepts on new Devon tower site.
Spartan, I don't see this as a values thing . . . conservative vs liberal . . . wtfever that means. I agree that there is plenty of good architectural talent here in Okie City . . . some of it gets well showcased and some doesn't. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of really bad architecture being done. Far too often, clients are just seeking to get "their project concept" committed to paper rather than subscribing to a purposeful architectural process that considers use, zoning, site, economics, context etc.. They just want their dumb assed project built and they don't allow much creativity to creep in. btw, some of your info is out of date or inaccurate; Hans is now working in the same office as David Wanzer . . . J3 on Film Row . . . . very nice office space in the historic Oklahoma Theater Supply Building. Also Wanzer did the house at 7th and Lincoln and the other modernist project a few blocks west on Oklahoma. David Wanzer was recently appointed to the OKC Board of Adjustment replacing Donald Criswell, whose term had expired. Until the last few years, the OKCBOA was a "candy jar" for good-ol-boys wanting variances from zoning and regulation that stood between them and making a little money . . . often at the expense of good planning and appropriate land use . . . city politics at its worst.
Things in OKC are improving on many fronts . . . little by little . . .
The Old Downtown Guy
It will take decades for Oklahoma City's
downtown core to regain its lost gritty,
dynamic urban character, but it's exciting
to observe and participate in the transformation.
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