ruminations about architecture and design

Saturday, March 3, 2012

architectural sales technique 101


This is a rendering of the  resort casino that Steve Wynn is seeking to gain approval to build in Foxborough, Mass. I am skeptical of his chances of success, but I don't begrudge the money he is paying his architects right now to develop designs and images for the project. If Wynn is helping someone put food on the table then I can't be too critical, because I am unequivocally in favor of food on tables.

I am of the opinion that this design is a straw man that Wynn is using as a discussion point and as a foil for people who oppose his casino plan. The architecture is so garish and out of keeping with the character of the traditional architecture of New England that I cannot seriously believe that he intends to build anything that looks like this. I am nearly certain that his architects have an alternate plan that is much more conservative and tasteful that they will unveil at some appropriate moment. By demonstrating that he is sensitive to local feedback Wynn will be able to improve his standing in the community and possibly gain some measure of support for his plan. In gambling, I believe this technique is called bluffing.

I'm probably wrong about this.

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