#HTE

Today’s Urban Design Observation: Is This Screw-Up the Designer’s Fault or the Installer’s Fault?

In the last post we looked at the accidental street furniture that Siamese connections make. Buildings that have them are required to provide signage labeling them. These signs are usually simple and workmanlike.

But the designer of this ground-floor business somehow convinced the client to go for more, and spend on individual letters that would be adhered to the surface of the building, adding that little bit of visual punch.

It probably looked fantastic in the rendering. Then you get up close…

…and see the installer did a shit job. I’d argue the exposed adhesive makes this look worse than the standard signs.

Also, look at how dirty the white lettering has become. Did the designer think someone would come out and wipe these off each day, really going the extra mile to get into those angles?

Who would you say is to blame here? The designer, who I’m guessing had no idea how these letters would actually be attached, or the installer, who either takes no pride in their work or did not receive the proper training?

I definitely blame the designer for spec'ing out white letters that would perfectly catch and trap grime and dust. As for the installation, I suppose there is a third alternative, which is that the designer recommended it be installed by a competent subcontractor, but that the client figured they could save a few bucks by having a handyman friend tackle the job.

In any case, this is a prime example of someone envisioning something cool, without considering the real-world factors that would get it all the way there.

http://www.core77.com/posts/74389/Todays-Urban-Design-Observation-Is-This-Screw-Up-the-Designers-Fault-or-the-Installers-Fault