week 7 - site specific - mia simonović

Irvine Spectrum Center has drastically expanded over the past several decades. The residue of its original theme is most present by the movie theater which is where I focused my energy. The hanging lanterns, palm trees, arches, and domes depict a Moroccan theme also known as Hispano-Moorish. 


The Islamic influenced architecture and pottery style is alluded to in tile work, square framing of horseshoe arches, and geometric patterns present on the buildings and fountains. The suspended lanterns are trying to hold the design ideas together but have become overshadowed by the LED lights framing the horseshoe arch. The LED lights increase around the mall and are used mainly for highlighting store signs. This jolts guests out of a North-African ambiance into a commercial Californian mall.


As footfall increases deeper into the shopping center to its newer parts, the use of fountains and plants continue the theme, however, contemporary design begins to take over past Dave & Buster's. The ferris wheel and merry-go-round shatter the ambiance originally curated for the center which becomes a confusion of themes. However, no one seems to mind as they shop and dine.
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A store whose lighting I believe is successful is Sprinkles cupcakes. 

The play between the logo, decals, and decal-shaped lights brings the inside out and the outside in to the store. It was inviting and cute. I appreciated the design and could see there was thought behind it.


Opposite of Sprinkles was Regal Cinemas. The lighting was out of control. Flashing screens with advertisements and cuts of trailers are meant to entice passers-by. This is not particularly successful. The lighting was abrasive and flooded into the surrounding spaces by the movie theater. It made me want to leave the area immediately.


Comments

  1. Lonnie AlcarazNovember 20, 2023 at 7:14 AM

    I loved your take on the architecture and how the Spectrum kind of abandoned that style as they built out. I agree that the "neon/LED" looks do not always match what the architecture suggests. Great insights into the themes and implementation of ideas. Nice post!

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