Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.6.0 - Department of Defenestrated


"Bath Building"
Raleigh, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.

This is the Bath Building, considered by some to be the "ugliest building in Raleigh". (Personally, I beg to differ. Raleigh has much uglier buildings than this one in my opinion.) And while I'll admit that it's not exactly the most aesthetically appealing structure I've ever laid eyes on, the upper floors are probably windowless because of the building's function. Bath is one of the State Health Department's laboratory facilities, and in all likelihood the design was necessary to create lightproof space -- and possibly containment for bilogic pathogens in the event of an accident. I'm not sure exactly what research goes on here, bu tconsidering this building is only a few block from my office I'm personally happy that they're playing it safe. Even at the expense of curb appeal.
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2 comments:

invisible said...

I kind of like it. It has a '60s kinda groovy post-art-deco-greco roman look to it. (deco-greco, I like it.)
In London, there is an insurance company building ( Formerly London Life) that has the original 1930's building, then has a new 60's building grafted on the other half. They are totally incongruous except for the fact they are both exceptional examples of their period.
Like most government edifices, the one in your photo dwarfs the populace and visually expouses the might of the State.
Please share some of Raleigh's uglier buildings with us.

Maude Lynn said...

The post title is hysterical!

Now, that's creepy, just pondering what they might have in there!