Some architects here (Dallas, San Antonio, Alamo: fit in, apartments, hotels)

[shoe01]

They sure like to design ugly buildings. The Drury Hotel at I-10 and 1604 is one example. There's another one going up at Stone Oak Parkway and Knight's Cross that I hope willl look different when finished, but I'm not too optimistic.

Anyway, I just would like to see what others thought.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by shoe01

They sure like to design ugly buildings. The Drury Hotel at I-10 and 1604 is one example. There's another one going up at Stone Oak Parkway and Knight's Cross that I hope willl look different when finished, but I'm not too optimistic.

Anyway, I just would like to see what others thought.

I can't imagine anything in stone oak area that is NOT gaudy. (Of course that is just my personal opinion) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Montirob]

Originally Posted by shoe01

They sure like to design ugly buildings. The Drury Hotel at I-10 and 1604 is one example. There's another one going up at Stone Oak Parkway and Knight's Cross that I hope willl look different when finished, but I'm not too optimistic.

Anyway, I just would like to see what others thought.

I'll agree with you on the Drury, BUT how do you know a local architect designed it? A lot of hotel chains will have one firm design their buildings regardless of the city. It could be that a firm from Dallas (very likely, actually) designed that building.

Another thing to consider is the budget given to the architects. There are many threads on this forum complaining about the "Taj Mahal" schools being built. Now, while I believe a good looking building can be built economically, the public also has a role in encouraging the school board that design matters.

I can think of many firms that design good looking buildings (look 'em up online) and are based in San Antonio: Lake Flato, Overland, Marmon Mok, Alamo Architects, Ford Powell & Carson, Kell Munoz, etc. along with many smaller/individual firms.

Now does that mean that local architects can't design an ugly building? Of course not. I'm just betting that the vast majority of ho-hum architecture you see (chain hotels, tract homes, apartments, chain restaurants, etc.) are either 1. not designed by an architect, or 2. designed by someone outside of SA.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by Montirob

I'll agree with you on the Drury, BUT how do you know a local architect designed it? A lot of hotel chains will have one firm design their buildings regardless of the city. It could be that a firm from Dallas (very likely, actually) designed that building.

Now does that mean that local architects can't design an ugly building? Of course not. I'm just betting that the vast majority of ho-hum architecture you see (chain hotels, tract homes, apartments, chain restaurants, etc.) are either 1. not designed by an architect, or 2. designed by someone outside of SA.

I was thinking the same thing. A lot of the buildings that are built for national chains within a given era, have a cookie-cutter appearance, regardless of where they are located in the country. It's doubtful that very many of those buildings were designed by local architects.

[MotleyCrew]

My husband always says his creativity is limited by your budget.

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by shoe01

They sure like to design ugly buildings. The Drury Hotel at I-10 and 1604 is one example. There's another one going up at Stone Oak Parkway and Knight's Cross that I hope willl look different when finished, but I'm not too optimistic.

Anyway, I just would like to see what others thought.

As others have said, these buildings aren't designed by local architects. They're generally mass-produced buildings that are repeated in suburban areas all over the country. Surely you're not surprised by the mediocrity of suburban buildings?

There are plenty of local architecture firms doing great work (here and in other cities).

[shoe01]

Yeah I thought that about the Drury, but the one in Stone Oak that I'm referring to is a three-story building that doesn't seem to fit in with its surroundings at all. It might look okay in Las Cruces, NM, but not here. I don't know who designed it, but it just looks out of place to me.

[Lovely95]

Originally Posted by Montirob

I'll agree with you on the Drury, BUT how do you know a local architect designed it? A lot of hotel chains will have one firm design their buildings regardless of the city. It could be that a firm from Dallas (very likely, actually) designed that building.

Another thing to consider is the budget given to the architects. There are many threads on this forum complaining about the "Taj Mahal" schools being built. Now, while I believe a good looking building can be built economically, the public also has a role in encouraging the school board that design matters.

I can think of many firms that design good looking buildings (look 'em up online) and are based in San Antonio: Lake Flato, Overland, Marmon Mok, Alamo Architects, Ford Powell & Carson, Kell Munoz, etc. along with many smaller/individual firms.

Now does that mean that local architects can't design an ugly building? Of course not. I'm just betting that the vast majority of ho-hum architecture you see (chain hotels, tract homes, apartments, chain restaurants, etc.) are either 1. not designed by an architect, or 2. designed by someone outside of SA.

Marmon Mok are actually really talented with architecture.

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by shoe01

Yeah I thought that about the Drury, but the one in Stone Oak that I'm referring to is a three-story building that doesn't seem to fit in with its surroundings at all. It might look okay in Las Cruces, NM, but not here. I don't know who designed it, but it just looks out of place to me.

Right. It's Stone Oak. Everything (like, literally, everything) there is mass-produced and generic.

[RoamingWolves]

The Drury at 1604 and ih10 suffered from a very small lot issue. I hinestly wished more places would build like that. I love that the garage is under it. There is not 10 acre parklot sitting there. More places should be forced to build in a similar fashion. As for the top half. yeah. It looks like many other Drury Inn towers I have seen.

Kinda the same logic that keeps you from confusing a la Quinta with any other chain.