Crouch Street Office Complex (613 Crouch Street)

onion

I've placed this under Urban Design, however you may wish to move it to architecture as it would be consided an Onion under either category. My reasoning for Urban Design was due to the City of Oceanside's recent plan to improve the streetscape and adjacent structures along Oceanside Blvd, which this project is adjacent to (the attached photos were taken from just south of Oceanside Blvd, which I fondly refer to as Oceanslime Blvd).

About a year ago each City Council person appointed 5 or 6 citizens, for a total of 30-36, to review the street from Coast Highway east to El Camino Real. How 30 plus people came to any conclusion is amazing but a report was submitted to the Council after about six months. Recently a ranch home and stable were removed and the subject office complex built. While the site is surrounded by some less than outstanding examples of urban design including the gas stattion and utility lines, the new buildings do nothing to improve the situation. And since they are recent they only add to what furture developers will use as an example of what they will wish to inflict upon the street.

If any of you have visited Oceanside recently you may be aware that the City is searching for a design style. Sadly it appears it is becoming the Long Beach of north county.

Project Information
Project Address: 
613 Crouch Street
Project Owner/ Developer: 
unknown
Owner Contact Name/ Email: 
Unknown
Project Architect/ Designer: 
unknown
Image
IMG_1595.JPG
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Comments:

Crouch Street Office Complex (613 Crouch Street)

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 07:16.
Orchid. Although design flaws aplenty, this structure may not “fit” the current landscape; that does not mean it won’t influence it. The juxtaposition to a nearby gas station may result in the station’s removal or a future remodel in all likelihood. The rudimentary design, a big square, combined with earth tones and textures of stones and colors is safe and will accommodate a range of office renters. Initially, this complex appears to be more of a private space; however, the totality of the remaining buildings will complete a public office complex, thus completing its function through its design.

Perhaps too much regulation

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 23:59.
I don't see this as an example of poor architecture, but the process that dictated it may be flawed. Of course it isn't an orchid either. There are a tremendous number of regulations applied to developments like this. Perhaps the developer maxed out the site, best he could to pencil out, based upon what the regulations say. I'm guessing there was a protracted review process that probably even involved public hearings. Too bad a collaboration including the regulators and the public during design is so costly.