[jcstauffer]

I always think of the building (and brutalist architecture in general) as absurdist architecture, and I find City Hall to be quite humorous in that light.

The general shape lifts up and is trying to appear as if it's floating, in contrast to the material selection. Think of an Elephant ballerina, or Douglas Adams "It hung in the air in exactly the way bricks don't".

Another example is the Holman government building a few blocks away - with these ridiculous stairways through a massive open space underneath an imposing bridge of offices.

Pure absurdist humor.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUFh9jFkERjhp7MK9

[psunavy03]

More totalitarian than absurdist. The whole idea seems to be elevating the vision of "The Genius Architect" over the needs and wishes of the people who would actually use the space, with a borderline contempt for what non-architects and even non-Brutalist architects think.

I'm reminded of the time I ended up crossing the Empire State Plaza in Albany once in the dead of winter. Such a horrid experience. Surrounded by soulless impersonal concrete with wind and snow blowing and howling. I felt like a freaking ant. It's not the type of architecture that inspires and uplifts in person. It psychologically oppresses and beats down.

Compare that to a place like Saint Peter's, which even as a non-Catholic almost took my breath away to experience in person.

[sandworm101]

>> elevating the vision of "The Genius Architect" over the needs and wishes of the people who would actually use the space

Otherwise known as all architecture. In a past life I work in the entertainment industry: lots of late nights in venues like concert halls and occasional art galleries. All of them contain expensive architectural elements that serve no need other than to stoke the ego of their designers. Look behind the veil and you will see the rat's nest of engineering workarounds needed to keep these white elephants upright. Let the engineers draw a building's outline and it may be ugly, but at least it will have sufficient electrical connections, parking, and floor space.

[DiggyJohnson]

Generally human beings value ornamentation quite highly. I think you make an interesting observation, but to say “no other need” is ridiculous. I also have a dim view of a lot of high profile architecture and the high ego architect, don’t get me wrong, but form and function ought to be a balance and not a battle. You’re claiming it’s a battle.

[unyttigfjelltol]

City Hall is absurd in both it's appearance outside and the impracticality of the design and interior. Rooms with giant concrete columns that cut off sight lines, rampant maintenance problems from elevating form over function , and the comfort of a supraterrestrial civil defense shelter.

[lo_zamoyski]

It seems to be intentionally designed to confuse and to disorient; misanthropic, as if designed by a demon.

[DiggyJohnson]

What do you think were the motives of the architects and the design committee that selected this plan?

I thought your comment was ridiculous at first until I realized that I agree.

[DiggyJohnson]

I’d encourage others to click on that link and do a 360. There are so many architectural styles with 200 yards.

[neilv]

The frog looking down upon you is displeased.

[sdwr]

Yeah, it's friendly ugly. I'd be happy going to work there everyday.