sleek
SUPERFICIAL DIVERSITY: A BUILDING STYLE BREAK DOWN
& MODERN
This category represents the most expansive of the four. These buildings often feature smooth, white walled façades, broad windows and stone or metallic detailing. The aesthetic’s central aim is clean elegance and economy of ornament. Where the Brick House façades featured elusive shop titles, the Sleek & Modern façades frequently provide no signage at all.
homey cottage
POP OF COLOR BRICK HOUSE MODERN Though widely varied in terms of building materials, many of these “sleek & modern” shops feel figuratively plastic. Wood has been buffed to shine and concrete has been painted over, all seeming excessively new, excessively clean, and entirely fabricated. 12
Though a distanced perspective of Abbot Kinney allows for relatively self-contained categories of building styles, while walking the stretch of the boulevard, one is given the impression of wide variety. Trip Advisor reviewer, Writerontherecord, wrote, “Abbot Kinney has such a unique silhouette... none of the glitz of Beverly Hills or even Santa Monica.” The above map visualizes the spatial distribution of building styles, depicting how Abbot Kinney has gained its “unique” reputation. Broadly
intermixing styles serves visitors and Figure 1. Building Style Distribution pedestrians a rich visual array that accounts for the impression of “uniqueness” many received. Concentrations of similar styles—particularly the Brick House style near the streets NorthWest end (Right, on the map)—create a monotonous pedestrian experience and were observed to receive less foot traffic, illustrating the necessity of visual appeal in this superficial space.
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