University Park Condominiums - I.M. Pei 1961

The University Park Condominiums in Hyde Park were designed by I.M. Pei and built in 1961.  They were built during a period of urban renewal in Hyde Park during the late 50's and represent the international style of modern architectural design.

I find this building interesting.  I think that it is a very good example of an overlooked aesthetic gem in Hyde Park (overlooked moreso with students/new residents than the long term residents I'm sure).  I.M. Pei is a well known architect the world over.  His works span the globe from the Bank of China tower in Hong Kong, to the pyramid entrance to the Louvre in Paris, to the east wing expansion of the National Gallery in Washington, DC.  And to think that his truly international style is a common and accessible experience in this south side neighborhood is really amazing.  It is worth considering that many homes around it are quite old and traditional.  There are innumerable 3-4 story brownstones and walk ups in the surrounding area.  Old apartment homes that are clad in brick and wood, and squeezed together. 

In contrast, this building is raised above the ground, with living space starting on the second floor.  It is so obviously symmetrical and patterned which I find almost comforting.  The long, uniterrupted lines that follow 55th street are quite dramatic when you view it from an angle. 

It stands taller, brighter, even lighter in weighty-ness than the traditional homes near it.  Its regularity and pure forms are typical of I.M. Pei's modernist sensibility.  There is a strong rectangular shape to the buildings, regularly spaced supporting columns, a single color, and little else to adorn the facade.  The little ornamenation on this building is in the windows, which are set back and have a slight curve to the top.  This gives depth and texture to the facade, and it softens the windows slightly.  I think it actually gives the building a slight classical feel, like stripped down arched roman windows.  The corners also don't exactly meet, and the result is an "embellished" corner (as embellished as you might expect from this style) that also works to set this apart from an unimaginative concrete box.

It incorporates some "public" space which was another element being added to urban design in this time period.  Originally, there was no fence around it, but in the late 70's, a fence was added for resident safety.  The fence is unfortunate because there is a plaza between the buildings and a park at the east end that these days seem a little cold and lifeless, because you hardly see anyone in them.  There are also two small curled park/seating areas on the west end that are outside the fenced area and I think also soften the associated building. 

I think the fence makes it feel a bit more intimidating and exclusionary a structure than it was intended, but I understand the concerns of the owners.  I don't know much about the insides or the quality of the layouts of the apartments, so I'll limit myself to the external structure.

Overall, it's just the first example of a series that I'm thinking about doing about modern architecture in our neighborhood.  I have thoughts about what buildings to look at next, but if you have suggestions, leave them in the comments.