Friday, February 8, 2008

Trompe L'oeil on First Hill


lindeman pavillion, originally uploaded by Matt Westervelt.

While not officially on my meandering route to work (or even on Capitol Hill), the Lindeman Pavillion at Virginia Mason is a wonderful bit of whimsy in the city. I remember the first time I saw this building back in the early nineties, I had to walk up and touch it (it was late, I was inebriated).

It's a beautiful example of Trompe L'oeil, and I wonder if the idea came before or after they had made the entire north face of the building with no windows. I seem to remember it having a bit more contrast back then, but I would imagine it's a bit tougher to maintain than sheets of glass and brick.

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