I take color for granted. I walk around looking at the great architecture of the neighborhood and sometimes the color just seems like part of it all. Like that’s what color it was built to be.
Bob Buckter, Dr. Color, probably resents that idea. This Mission resident consults property owners on building on the beauty of the design by properly coloring the exterior. (he does interiors too, but I don’t get to see those) And judging by the examples on his website, he gets the job done.
Here is the doctor’s handy guide to stenciling:
Picture from drcolor.com
How to stencil:
(1) Look for a similar building of the same period which has more architectural enhancements.
(2) Take a photograph of the enhancement.
(3) Enlarge the print to scale.
(4) Trace the print on Mylar or acetate.
(5) Cut your stencil.
(6) Wearing the right colored shirt helps you to “tie-in”!
Yeah, it seems like a good idea until Bob goes and does something like this to your neighborhood:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=McAllister+and+Divisadero,+SF,+CA&sll=37.78617,-122.440122&sspn=0.050874,0.111494&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Divisadero+St+%26+McAllister+St,+San+Francisco,+California&ll=37.777773,-122.438542&spn=0.001545,0.003484&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.777786,-122.438429&panoid=MooRrQxLxTlHgLwKTOXFcw&cbp=12,316.84,,0,-11.49
“Great architecture of the neighborhood”????
WHAT great architecture??? All I see in the Mission is a bunch of shitty one and two story run down faketorian buildings that probably haven’t been touched by a paint brush in decades.
The only decent building I’ve seen in the Mission is the building at the corner of 14th and Guererro.
Well, I guess you and I see things differently.
really man. There are a lot of great buildings. And unfortunately a few turds. La Cocina is a prime example of moderism on Folsom. There are some wonderful old churches. The school on 18th and Shotwell is great. There are a few truly Victorians around but most of the stock was built post 1915 so some would call them Edwardians. Up on Dolores there is an oddball federal style house, and a few arts and crafts houses. The old box factory at 18 and Folsom used to be really cool when it was a functioning factory, now it’s condos, but if you squint you see the boxes being made. Then there is the weird Atlas stair building on 22 and Harrison.
I get this all the time. I don’t like Victorians why are there so many? Well dude, if you don’t like them go somewhere else, Shanghai is ultra modern, Oxford UK was built in the 12C, I hear Barcelona is nice, or maybe try Lagos for a taste of a mega slum.
@ Ariel. No, I actually do share your appreciation for the charm and grit that many buildings in SF have… I just wouldn’t go as far as to call them “great”. To me, great architecture stands out, takes risks, is bold, modern and progressive. Most of the buildings in the Mission (IMHOP) are just so so. They all pretty much look the same and they’ve been that way for a long time… each a variation on a lame theme, constrained by outdated hight limits and restrained by people who are resistant to anything new.
BTW, Really great photos. I particularly like the one with the dueling color schemes.
@Neo,
DOOD!
I don’t live here because of the architecture, I live here because it’s full of interesting, smart and creative people. I just wish that the architecture in this city could be more in step with the vibrant spirit that makes this city great. I think, for the most part, San Franciscans are to precious with the architecture here. We’re too in love with the crunchy-crappiness of it all. Sure it’s sort of charming and cute, but when you look closer at it,It’s pretty bad. All I’m sayin’ is we can do better and we shouldn’t be so resistant to new things. I’m all for saving that one or two truly good examples of SF victorians/ewardian/decco/ whatever. But the rest of it should be fair game for bulldozing as far as I’m concerned.
Okay, well for me I mainly love that you can feel the history and the stories embedded in all the walls and alleys and rooftops of the neighborhood. Not architecture as it was conceived and built, but as what it has absorbed and become. I don’t want to see that torn down and replaced with something blank and bland. I live here because it inspires me. In fact, that’s why we built our own alley.
Thanks about the pics.
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[...] discussion of local architecture and color at Mission Mission yesterday featuring Mission-based color consultant, Bob Buckter. The work of a color consultant [...]
[...] discussion of local architecture and color at Mission Mission yesterday featuring Mission-based color consultant, Bob Buckter. The work of a color consultant [...]
Can I get a track back! What what! Hoo rah!