| OCR Text |
Show 7. Description Condition ~excellent _good _ fair _ deteriorated _ ruins _unexposed Check one unaltered _ altered ~ Check one -.lL original site _ moved date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance The rehi City Hall, an irregular complex of buildings, is a late version of the Mission Style. Basic elements of the Mission Style are: the low pitched red tile roofs, the smooth stucco walls, the round arch openings, the arched corbelling on the central building, the parapet topping a side wing, the curvilinear gable on another wirg, and the arcade of the south wing. The composition of those elements, however, contradicts the basic characteristic of the Mission Style which is simplicity of form. The building is composed of no less than five sections of varying dimensions wh>se combiIlation suggests irregularity rather than simplicity. Roof heights and roof types vary. One square bay has a flat roof punctuated by a small curvilinear .gable. Another section has a shed roof capped by a parapet which' nas red tiles on its upper edges. The south end of the building terminates in an arcade, whereas the north wirg is-' set perpendicular to the major axis of the complex and:has a facade of its own that: faces north.'·- Simplicity of form was not the architect's intention. ! : ." , ~ :-'. ~ ~ :: ..~ While decorative features and the types of openings characteristic of the Mission StyIe have been used, no regular program has been implezoonted to create the essence of consistency and balance so characteristic of the Mission Style. Instead, features such as the impressive main entrance with its double doors, framing pilasters, brackets, heavy consoles, and its projecting round arch which tops the semi-circular transom, stand isolated. The same is true of highly decorative window opening on the square bay. It relates to no other elen:ent on the building except perhaps for the tiny curvilinear gable above it. 'lhatgable', ' unlike the" more typical curvilinear gabl~~which is a ., continuation of the wall of which it is a part, is so small ,that it really bears no relationship'- to the waIL ' Because so many different types and sizes of window .openings have been used, and because the groupings of _¥indc;>ws are so irregularly clustered over the surface of the building, no regular ' pattern is created which ~)Uld serve to unit its features and accentuate its simplicity. Several features are reminiscent of the Prairie Style such as the uneven division of stories of the central section, the use of groups of casement windows, and the arrargement of openings on the facade of the north wirg. The Prairie Style influeoce, however, in no way dominates the composition, but may ha-ve been strorgenough to interfere with the comprehensive exceptance of the Mission Style as a design ,choice. ' This building is in excellent condition and -is virtually unaltered. ~ .J . ' . '." "-" ." , ." _. . . .1 1 ." - |
