The Urban Design Legacy of Colin Rowe

HW color studies

Hi. This is Richard and Patrick to explain the motivation behind brightening up the look of the Harrison West complex.
Hi. This is Richard and Patrick to explain the motivation behind brightening up the look of the Harrison West complex.
First of all, neglected maintenance of the perimeter of the property reminded us of...
First of all, neglected maintenance of the perimeter of the property reminded us of...
a beautiful cruise ship, but with a rusting hull. Would you take a cruise? We hope to inspire more holistic maintenance in the future.
a beautiful cruise ship, but with a rusting hull. Would you take a cruise? We hope to inspire more holistic maintenance in the future.
Secondly, next to their gleaming new neighbors, the faded and dingy Harrison Towers stand out like two dowagers bemoaning the present.
Secondly, next to their gleaming new neighbors, the faded and dingy Harrison Towers stand out like two dowagers bemoaning the present.
Although it wasn't that long ago when we were still considered "modern architecture."
Although it wasn't that long ago when we were still considered "modern architecture."
South elevation. A similar concept as before, but lighter and more clearly defined.
South elevation. A similar concept as before, but lighter and more clearly defined.
Entryway detail
Entryway detail
"Clearance" signage at porte-cochère
"Clearance" signage at porte-cochère
East elevation. A similar concept as before, but lighter and more clearly defined.
East elevation. A similar concept as before, but lighter and more clearly defined.
Detail at east and west side entries
Detail at east and west side entries
Corner detail
Corner detail
Townhouses along 2nd Ave Mall looking north towards Pettygrove Park
Townhouses along 2nd Ave Mall looking north towards Pettygrove Park
Before and after detail below townhome balconies
Before and after detail below townhome balconies
Northeast corner looking south from Pettygrove Park
Northeast corner looking south from Pettygrove Park
View along 3rd Ave Mall looking south
View along 3rd Ave Mall looking south
East side wall with deck coating Revised 8-23-2021
East side wall with deck coating

Revised 8-23-2021
Detail at garage entry
Detail at garage entry
Detail at garage entry
Detail at garage entry
Detail at freight elevator
Detail at freight elevator
Detail at trellis support
Detail at trellis support
Townhouse new fascia detail
Townhouse new fascia detail
Fascia detail Revised 8-23-2021
Fascia detail

Revised 8-23-2021
Color chart
Color chart
Sheet A Revised and Clarified.png Revised August 6 and August 9, 2021
Sheet A Revised and Clarified.png

Revised August 6 and August 9, 2021
Sheet B - HW entry detail
Sheet B - HW entry detail
Sheet C - HW corner detail
Sheet C - HW corner detail
Sheet D - HW townhome courtyard elevations Revised 8-23-2021
Sheet D - HW townhome courtyard elevations
Revised 8-23-2021
Sheet E - HW townhomes and periphery Revised 8-23-2021
Sheet E - HW townhomes and periphery

Revised 8-23-2021
Sheet F - Miscellaneous topics
Sheet F - Miscellaneous topics
Sheet G - garage and elevator details
Sheet G - garage and elevator details
These were after-the-fact influences. In other words, projects that came to mind after we had developed the color schemes.
These were after-the-fact influences. In other words, projects that came to mind after we had developed the color schemes.
Frank Lloyd Wright 1901: Willits House, Highland Park, Il. Quintessential Prairie House. Note tan surfaces and dark horizontal banding.
Frank Lloyd Wright 1901: Willits House, Highland Park, Il. Quintessential Prairie House. Note tan surfaces and dark horizontal banding.
Mies van der Rohe 1960: typical townhomes at base of high rise residential tower. Note tan sidewalls and dark fascia. SOM was a disciple firm of Mies van der Rohe. This was the trend in the early 60s.
Mies van der Rohe 1960: typical townhomes at base of high rise residential tower. Note tan sidewalls and dark fascia. SOM was a disciple firm of Mies van der Rohe. This was the trend in the early 60s.
Frank Lloyd Wright 1956: Price Tower in Bartlesville, OK. This was Wright's only constructed high-rise tower. Note banding at alternating floors that stretches around tower.
Frank Lloyd Wright 1956: Price Tower in Bartlesville, OK. This was Wright's only constructed high-rise tower. Note banding at alternating floors that stretches around tower.
Oops...let's not forget the spumoni.
Oops...let's not forget the spumoni.
North townhouses with fascia
North townhouses with fascia
Townhouses 1 and 2 with mockup of how the added fascia and coping will appear.
Townhouses 1 and 2 with mockup of how the added fascia and coping will appear.
Typical condition of existing roof over townhouses. Diane Perry
Typical condition of existing roof over townhouses.

Diane Perry
This is not a scale model--it's the real world of placing insulation and a new membrane on the old roofs. Diane Perry
This is not a scale model--it's the real world of placing insulation and a new membrane on the old roofs.
Diane Perry
The finished roof awaiting the installation of flashing and coping. Diane Perry
The finished roof awaiting the installation of flashing and coping.

Diane Perry
The north elevation--the first drop painted--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building. Diane Perry
The north elevation--the first drop painted--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building.
Diane Perry
The north elevation--the second drop painted--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building. Diane Perry
The north elevation--the second drop painted--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building.
Diane Perry
The north elevation--finished, except for railings--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building. Diane Perry
The north elevation--finished, except for railings--as seen in a reflection from the Black Box Building.
Diane Perry
The east elevation with Drop 10 just finished 9-3-2021.
The east elevation with Drop 10 just finished 9-3-2021.
The west elevation completed 9-2-2021.
The west elevation completed 9-2-2021.
West elevation completed; the north elevation still in progress. Patrick Krochina
West elevation completed; the north elevation still in progress.

Patrick Krochina
Tower 9/26/2021
Tower 9/26/2021
East elevation 10-18-2021.JPG
East elevation 10-18-2021.JPG
The Dowagers of Harrison Street revisited
The Dowagers of Harrison Street revisited
TH11-TH12 roof work barely begun -- day one -- 9/14 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work barely begun -- day one -- 9/14

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work insulation in place, except on far right -- day two -- 9/15 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work insulation in place, except on far right -- day two -- 9/15

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work membrane in place, but loose on far right -- day three -- 9/16 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work membrane in place, but loose on far right -- day three -- 9/16

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day four -- 9/17 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day four -- 9/17

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day five -- 9/18 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day five -- 9/18

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work, curbs being installed -- day six -- 9/20 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work, curbs being installed -- day six -- 9/20

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day seven -- 9/21 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day seven -- 9/21

April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day eight -- 9/22 April Doll
TH11-TH12 roof work -- day eight -- 9/22

April Doll
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021
TH1 - TH7 9/26/2021

Sheet A, revised 8-6

elevations

Sheet B -

detail at main entry

Sheet C, revised 8-6

detail at the corners

Sheet D, revised 8-23

townhomes courtyard

Sheet E, revised 8-23 and 9-17

townhomes periphery

Click on images above to view, or download as PDFs

Click on images below to view, or download as image files--PNG or JPG




Color chart

Sheet F, revised 9-17

miscellaneous conditions

Sheet G, revised 9-15

Freight elevator and garage entrance