Photographed June 12, 2010
Developed by former CBS chairman William Paley, Paley Park is a pocket park located along the prominent path of E 53rd St. in Manhattan. Just east and west, respectively, are The Seagram Building and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).
The architecture of both the Seagram Building and the MOMA are of the International Style and I contend that Paley Park is as well.
The International Style was prevalent in America from the 1920s to the 1960s; Paley Park was completed in the 1967. "Form follows function" is a common phrase that describes the International Style and like this style, the form of Paley Park follows its function. The function of the park addresses each of William Whyte's characteristics of successful small urban social spaces: seating - visitors can sit in the chairs provided or along the built in stone benches that span the majority of the park; close proximity to the street - the park is directly adjacent to the street; trees and tree cover - planters, ivy covered walls and tree cover; sunlight - diffused sunlight; water feature - a prominent waterfall; food - a built in kiosk selling cuisine; elements encouraging congregation - tables and chairs encourage congregation. These functions form the space in a simplistic and linear manner. Walls, seating, planters and trees are all along linear paths that are parallel to one another. The waterfall in the rear and shallow steps balances the harmony of these lines with a perpendicular orientation.
The International style was largely used for corporate buildings and Paley Park is largely used by corporate professionals. In this way the culture has influenced form and therefore the design of the urban fabric.
The architecture of both the Seagram Building and the MOMA are of the International Style and I contend that Paley Park is as well.
The International Style was prevalent in America from the 1920s to the 1960s; Paley Park was completed in the 1967. "Form follows function" is a common phrase that describes the International Style and like this style, the form of Paley Park follows its function. The function of the park addresses each of William Whyte's characteristics of successful small urban social spaces: seating - visitors can sit in the chairs provided or along the built in stone benches that span the majority of the park; close proximity to the street - the park is directly adjacent to the street; trees and tree cover - planters, ivy covered walls and tree cover; sunlight - diffused sunlight; water feature - a prominent waterfall; food - a built in kiosk selling cuisine; elements encouraging congregation - tables and chairs encourage congregation. These functions form the space in a simplistic and linear manner. Walls, seating, planters and trees are all along linear paths that are parallel to one another. The waterfall in the rear and shallow steps balances the harmony of these lines with a perpendicular orientation.
The International style was largely used for corporate buildings and Paley Park is largely used by corporate professionals. In this way the culture has influenced form and therefore the design of the urban fabric.
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