For many people all around the world, the word vacation conjures up thoughts of a visit to a Disney theme park. And while we wouldn't say that the folks who live in Disney's planned community, Celebration, necessarily wanted to take up residence in said parks permanently, after seeing some of the whimsical
very Disney architecture that makes up some of the buildings in and around that town, we are thinking that...
...it is just how they might feel. Compare these to your "typical" gas station, fire station or movie theater...!
Shown above, left to right:
Googie Cinema by Cesar Pelli (1996)
Post Office by Michael Graves (1996)
Gas Station by Venturi Scott Brown (1995)
Emergency Services/Fire Station by Venturi Scott Brown (1992-3)
Celebration City Hall by Philip Johnson (1996)
All photos from Bluffton University's amazing architectural photo project. See the full Disney Architecture archive on their site right here.
Images: bluffton.edu
Hmm. The first building is decidedly Art Deco--my absolute favorite style of architecture. I did a little research and discovered that Art Deco is the architectural influence behind a lot of Disney's buildings. That's because Disney was running his studio when Art Deco was all the rage. So I wouldn't necessarily say that these buildings (at least the first one) is Disney. It's Art Deco filtered through a Disney lens.
view khamedra19's profile
Meh. There are bigger things in life to worry about than if your post office is too "cartoony". And, well, it does fit the "character" of the neighborhood. It's not over-the-top; in fact I think it's kinda playful and fun.
What's the problem again?
view kellylc's profile
People always right off anything disney. I actually think their designers have to have a more in-depth understand to pull off some of the spaces they create. Mind you, these are brand name architects and not their own here.
view Steve13's profile
I live right down the street from Celebration. It's actually a lovely little town, though their "homeowner's association" restrictions are...pretty firm. There are rules about the kinds of dogs you can have, if I recall correctly, as well as rules about the linings on all of your window treatments and the way your first floor furniture looks from the windows outside.
view alittlelately's profile
eh. I don't minda any of them aside from the Michael Graves building. Then again, I am not a fan of any of his architecture. haha.
view chaunceyd's profile
Yes, Disney made his mark and his fortune during the age of Art Deco. You could have fooled me that the first building was from that wonderful era -- except that the waves off the towers are just a little too exuberant.
I'd love to see more posts of neighborhoods with genuine Art Deco buildings. So many imaginative buildings were lost in the building boom at the end of the Twentieth Century -- when everything had to be International Modern or it wasn't corporate enough.
view AustinSarah's profile
I think it's kind of cool... not for me, but I dont see a problem
view blondblogger's profile
While I don't find the idea of living in Celebration appealing, I like all the buildings and would enjoy them in my own neighborhood.
view BetterBombshell's profile
I went to EPCOT this summer, and wanted to go to Celebration, but it didn't happen. I'd like to see how it compares with Seaside.
view Alaricus's profile