Humanistic contemporary architecture
While this debate can extend endlessly, and this entry is surely to be one of controversy, architecture in general seems to fall under two categories in the eyes of the general public – that which is traditional and that which is modern.
The former is inspired by just about anything built before the 1930s, while the latter was, and is, inspired by what’s possible with technology. Creatives however, prefer contemporary, and seem to gravitate to a remixing of such styles into something with modest elegance, creative edge, relevance and human-scale.
It’s rare to come across anything design and developed today that can be held as a possible example of what this could be, but the folks at Khoury & Vogt Architects in Miami, Florida have provided just that with their design work for the Liberty Harbor North mixed-use development in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Check out previous posts on the value of human-proportioned buildings and human-proportioned windows. Also, notice the unique detailing around the windows. It’s not a coincidence that many of the most desirable neighborhoods have such characteristics.
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Wow, thank you so much for this post! Finally an architecture company that doesn’t build chaotic, techno, morphing box and glass buildings. This style of architecture will help revitalize older parts of cities and towns in the east by continuing the architecture continuity of the city or town, but with modern conveniences.
While I agree that this example of architecture is getting closer to a more livable space, what is missing here is ground level retail. Residents are still forced to travel for services. I would call this design ideal, if there were stores and services on the street level. Thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks for posting about this. These buildings are beautiful, of course it had to be a Miami firm- brilliant!