Transformation of Springs could be national news
Rico Martin’s designs for The Springs’ business facades are worthy to be featured in any public planning, design or architecture publication. His transformation of the Highway 12 corridor could be national news.
His website wONEder.com shows before/after visuals of the buildings’ graphics. They are a wonderful statement and a vast improvement over the bland strip-mall look that his opponents seem to prefer. I hope the governing bodies realize how fortunate they are to have such an experienced and talented visionary treasure willing to take on the project. They should now rely on his judgement to complete the project.
If I were graduating from design school today I would ask for an apprenticeship with Rico.
Bob Blosser, Sonoma
2 thoughts on “Transformation of Springs could be national news”
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You must be joking. If you don’t like the bland strip mall, why would you like a piece of Disney plonked down in your neighbourhood. The subject came up in a class I had yesterday, with someone form the Springs saying how they don’t do anything for the neighborhood. I have walked around asking people what they think (in English and Spanish) and one latina said she resented it as a caricature of Mexican style.
The garage missed a chance to be a great work utilising an auto motif, especially the old cars and trucks etc in Springs history, right now it does not make me want to take my car there, I want to stop there for a cheap burrito.
The little market is cool. Michoacan and Plain Jane looked promising when it was white – showing the little walkway with pillars. Keeping it white could have allowed the cutouts to be a focus, with something nice done in colours or designs/patterns inside the spaces of the walkway, again utilising them as part of the design. There are many beautiful ethnic designs that could have been used well inside the spaces behind the arches, or even on the arches.
The history of the Springs in Depot Park shows so many fun motifs – trains, film stars, Chinese workers, (what is missing are the original owners of the Springs, the Native American iconic reference) that are could be used. I like the Grange and Molino diversity of design.
I spoke to local artists who said the public has given thousands for these grants, and no local artists involved, in what is supposed to be a community regeneration effort.
Please make the correction. The website link is http://www.wONEder.org
Thanks!