Wednesday, January 12, 2011

#354: Away, Awful Awnings

Yorkville, NYC

Most awnings in this city, while serving a practical purpose, grate on my nerves like sandpaper. Little to no thought is put into design; it's like someone took a scissors to the Barnum & Bailey tent and ran off with it, sticking the flapping monstrosities into the cement with rickety poles that look like they belong on a campground rather than the sidewalks of Manhattan. Such affronts to innocent, historic buildings are many, and unfortunately with my number-spotting obsession, the awning eyesores are hard to ignore. But every now and then, I'll stop in my tracks to note a happy exception. This clean sans serif number, carved into galvanized steel and fixed to the sides of a cherry red awning, is one.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Like the 5, hate the 3 and the 4.

Julie said...

Conan has a thing going with these 5s.

I see what you mean about carved now. Now that I actually look.

But can you have gallvanized steel? I mean, is there such a thing? I know of galvanized iron, but ...

Julie said...

Just spent time with my google buddy who tells me that Corrugated Iron = Galvanised Iron = Galvanised Steel. I feel much better now that I have that one pigeon-holed.

Therese Cox said...

Conan - I shall respectfully disagree with you re: the 4. But I will be on the lookout for some more charming 5's for ye.

Julie - My knowledge of materials comes directly from the IKEA catalog, so I appreciate the enlightenment.