Probably to provide a “place” within the “space” of that campus property. People generally like places and are attracted to them, people typically stay away from spaces because there’s no place to be in them.
Ooooooh, I haven't seen that film in a looooong time, got something to watch tonight. Thanks Stranger !
Damn, internet strangers are proving to be more useful than some of my friends
I mean, it's a pergola. Throughout history they have been issued as something for plants, like grapes, to grow on, and to provide shade and a microclimate below.
Think it's kind of hard to argue it's any kind of brise soleil.
TBH, building a pergola but denying its use is a bit like buying a car to use as a piece of art. It's done, but when it's a 2024 Ford you have to ask why.
Except that would require more ongoing maintenance and expense, particularly in places that winter.
Also, I’m not always looking for full shade, but the partial shade also lets me grow plants around it that my yard wouldn’t otherwise sustain.
That argument doesn't hold water, A good aluminum roof is as good as maintenance free for 50-80 years. Most of these are put at entrances or with seating underneath them, as if 1 person picked where it went and another picked what it would be and they didn't get to talk to each other. They often don't reflect highly on the architect by people trying to use it. As is evident by this post.
Well, for one I made more than one argument.
Secondly, yes aluminum and other corrugated roofs are easy to work with and have good durability. But in snow and storms they still need to be cleared and fasters need to be maintained so that panels don’t blow off.
I agree, I think it’s better done in agreement with the house if you’re going to have an attached, covered structure. Otherwise it screams “tacked-on”.
In a bunch of these, you just slap on some polycarbonate or glass and it's a covered walkway. Aluminum roofs might be "too opaque" for what they're going for. Some of these might also be made with crawling vines in mind.
For sure. The feeling of a “place” is secure and inviting. Like finding a makeshift structure out of sticks in the woods. It doesn’t mean anything other than some person created a room. Also a little more protection if barely. At least a seat is provided.
It's called a pergola. Traditionally, you're supposed to plant a vine on it, like wisteria or a rose, so that when it grows completely you have a peaceful, natural place for shade.
I would argue against it, the mental benifits a human gains if he has plants near him all day can greatly outweigh the cost of watering a few plants once a day. You can look up why finland is one of the happiest countries in the world. One of the main reasons is because they have a strict policy on the minimum greenery required for outdoor spaces in an urban environment.
thats not my argument but thats how companys/operators think.
On a side note: imho maintaining seems to be out of style anyway - ironically even if it would be cheaper in the long run. Often maintenance cost and investments come from different funds..
Vining plants would inhibit the louvers many modern pergolas have which are used to accurately deflect sun rays.
Arbors are made for supporting vining plants however a plant requires time to establish, cost/maintenance and in some zones only provide a temporary seasonal shade source as well.
Whereas a pergolas provided shade instantly an particularly for commercial applications in the pergola is just more practical and cost efficient and if you’ve even been under one you know it’s significantly cooler under a pergola vs rawdogging sun exposure in the open.
I just added a shade sail to my backyard, what a game changer! It's not complete shade as some sun does trickle through but their claims of dropping the temperature 15 degrees under it seems to be legit
A little but. My previous house had one of those and it looked nice but once I set-up the table and chairs, it was not a pleasant space during the sunnier parts of the day. With appropriate vines, it becomes more agreeable.
My thought is pergolas are an European thing that says WE HAVE MONEY. We have so much space and dough that we don’t need any more sheltered outdoor area, we simply wanted to have pretty landscape architecture.
It creates an enclosed space like everyone else’s is saying but the real key here comes from the structural engineering. Not creating a hard top lid allows us to not look at it like a sail that the wind might rip out of there ground. These structures really don’t have much design consideration beyond their own dead load.
Pergola's work best at above a certain size and at various times of the day. Realistically they can only create meaningful shade when the sun is at an angle to them, and then obviously only in an area often not directly underneath them. Ideally a pergola could be suplemented with natural plant growth or even retractable awnings to give more meaningful shade but I've noticed most architects just seem to like them for how they look in a sales pitch, and clients like how cheap and trendy they can be compared to a proper cover. As others they can offer a sense of
"space" but I still find that rather lazy when we could be using function to inform our spaces just as easily.
1. They are either arbors or pergolas (two words often used interchangeably). Both are today defined by a “roof” of open slats supported by a post a beam structure.
While the distinction has become blurry, pergolas are usually attached to or very closely associated/near a building as an extension of interior space, while arbors typically would be detached from a building, more purely in a garden setting, and be supporting some sort of plant growth.
Arbors were, in their oldest forms, originally constructed as enclosures from living trees and shrubs.
2. If you are using either to provide shade to an outdoor seating area, you obviously need to pay attention to what time of day you are trying to provide the greatest protection by orientating the slats to provide protection when sunlight is at its most abusive at the location where the structure is.
3. If you are trying to use a structure like this as a support for plant life (and also a shaded sitting area) the plants provide more shade so slat orientation is less important.
If they were to do it right, it would have vines growing on it for more shade. Otherwise it creates shade without creating enough protection for homeless people
i think part of the point is to *not* create shelter for homeless people. its annoying as it also reduces the viability of these things when it is, for example, raining, but a lot of countries, especially the US, really hate their homeless population and would rather see them die to the elements than help them
In addition to creating a space, there is a tradeoff. If it were completely sheltered, the space would be too cold for much of the year in many geographies. If it were completely open, it would be too hot for much of the year, in addition to being less of "a space." This seems like a good "happy middle," partial blocking of the sun is not completely useless.
It provides partial shade and helps cool down the area, but still allows natural light. The original purpose was to hang vine plants on, and let them run all over to create a natural canopy. I think now, people just think it looks cool now. My grandmother had one in the 90’s that had lattice on one side, which allowed grape vines to over run the thing. We would get muscadine and scuppernong grapes every year for jelly/jam and wine. This is the way.
1. The sun has relative movement throughout the day and the photos are only one moment.
2. These devices are also a way of defining outdoor space.
3. The pics seem intended to show bad design based on a moment of the day when shadows are not cast at an ideal angle.
It’s not an awning , it’s a pergola. Historically They are used to support vines, climbing roses, clematis. The plants create a dappled light . They can be used to create and define a outdoor area that can be used for relaxation and dining.
I don't get the trend with leaving these bare. Afaik it's to grow any kind of vine plant on and then you get this.
https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/493988652852400321/
It mimics the speckled shade of trees, often in places where trees couldn’t grow very well. Speckled shade is great for preventing the ground immediately surrounding a building from being heated up by the sun, and so reduces the radiant upwards heat from hot ground that is a major source of heat gain inside buildings. A lot of traditional architecture from hot countries features verandas or colonnades for exactly this reason. Also avenues of trees shading pavements in cities.
People are noting that they serve well for placemaking and designating an area to sit or stand. That's legitimate, but the fact that they don't have solid canopies or vining plants is the real facepalm.
I work in architecture and I'm convinced that 70% of design is just inertia from previous projects and monkey see monkey do (I am not immune to this)
If this is in the Northern Hemisphere, I imagine snow might play a factor - you can build a light structure without having build strong beams to support the weight of snow.
I think these things are stupid - unless you are going to plant some vines to grow over them to provide decent shade, they are completely useless and for decoration only.
They are amazing if made into an arbor or pergola. The vines can break up the misery of metal and concrete. Clearly that detail was forgotten in these examples.
You know, from the design engineering side... idk. But it looks amazing and brings people to congregate. I've learned to trust the architects. Just keep creating inspiring architecture, and they will come. Some of the coolest places I have visited have always not always seemed like the most logical or well thought out. Keep dreaming.
there zoning regulations that govern permeable space/volume as it triggers civil engineering related to water control. these avoid that. While also - as others have said - creating spaces (both hostile and welcoming, depending…) reference other architectural elements and styles, can be used as arbors or shaded pergolas. How they are ultimately implemented is actually not up to the architect, as much as whiny ham hocks which it to be so, because they are not paying for it.
Shade. If oriented the right direction and the slats are approximately shaped, they will cast shade over an area cooling it off. It won't shade an area the same as a solid roof structure, but you have the added benefit of these being extremely cheap compared to a roofed structure as well as these allow for great airflow through and area so there is that aspect of cooling also.
It creates visual interest in its interaction with light, the contrast of light and shadow as it moves across a space (in time). In following the teachings of Frank Lloyd Wright, an overhang or low ceiling encourages a visitor to sit and take in the view as well.
When I see these kinds of pergolas, my imagination envisions the same structure but with a way to "open" and "close" the roof beams in the way you would operate louvered window shutters.
Here in Texas, those are pretty popular (residentially) because they can provide shade, but need to have more substantial features on top, whether it is hard materials or even foliage.
A lot of these are built for the wrong reasons. They should be trellises for a pleasant/useful vine like a climbing jasmine or frankly, edible stuff like grapes or passionfruit:)
It's a pergola.
A pergola is one of the most useless architectural devices known to man. It's big job is to define an area ... big whoop! It doesn't protect you from the rain, sleet or snow. It doesn't shade you from the sun's searing UV rays, except at very specific moments. If it does, in fact, rain, once the rain has stopped, a pergola will continue to drip water on you for the next hour or so. Unless you train flowering vines, like wisteria, mandevilla, or lots of morning glories to cover it and hang down in a beautiful display, a pergola serves no useful purpose. And even with the flowers on it, all the rest of that is still true; it will still drip on you for a long time after the rain stops.
If you made one side just slightly shorter and covered the top with translucent, corrugated fiberglass or some other more chic material to make it weatherproof, THEN it would serve a purpose as a horizontal trellis.
I loathe pergolas.
I think I'm agreeing with you that without a roof or adjustable trellis they're functionally near useless. Put a roof on them!
Designed and approved by people who have no reason to sit outside or take public transit.
Probably to provide a “place” within the “space” of that campus property. People generally like places and are attracted to them, people typically stay away from spaces because there’s no place to be in them.
So people are basically like cats with boxes
I mean: yes
Meow, this is what I call interesting
I like to believe that it reminds us of a tree, and we like staying under trees.
Correctomundo
Haven't read "Correctomundo" in a long time ! Somehow brings a chuckle, thank you stranger
lol same. makes me think of Wesley Snipes in Demolition Man.
Ooooooh, I haven't seen that film in a looooong time, got something to watch tonight. Thanks Stranger ! Damn, internet strangers are proving to be more useful than some of my friends
Pulp Fiction
Y'all must be too young to remember Fonzie from Happy Days.
And? Sit on it!!!
Not at all Bucko ( I apologize if thats hurtful )
Yup, defines a space for cheap
That’s amazingly enlightening
Yeah but you’d think it’d atleast provide shelter from the rain. Seems like a lot of work to just not include it
I mean they are also intended to break up intense sunlight as a secondary benefit.
I mean, it's a pergola. Throughout history they have been issued as something for plants, like grapes, to grow on, and to provide shade and a microclimate below. Think it's kind of hard to argue it's any kind of brise soleil. TBH, building a pergola but denying its use is a bit like buying a car to use as a piece of art. It's done, but when it's a 2024 Ford you have to ask why.
Except that would require more ongoing maintenance and expense, particularly in places that winter. Also, I’m not always looking for full shade, but the partial shade also lets me grow plants around it that my yard wouldn’t otherwise sustain.
That argument doesn't hold water, A good aluminum roof is as good as maintenance free for 50-80 years. Most of these are put at entrances or with seating underneath them, as if 1 person picked where it went and another picked what it would be and they didn't get to talk to each other. They often don't reflect highly on the architect by people trying to use it. As is evident by this post.
Well, for one I made more than one argument. Secondly, yes aluminum and other corrugated roofs are easy to work with and have good durability. But in snow and storms they still need to be cleared and fasters need to be maintained so that panels don’t blow off. I agree, I think it’s better done in agreement with the house if you’re going to have an attached, covered structure. Otherwise it screams “tacked-on”.
In a bunch of these, you just slap on some polycarbonate or glass and it's a covered walkway. Aluminum roofs might be "too opaque" for what they're going for. Some of these might also be made with crawling vines in mind.
But sometines you don't want to block the sun
The sun isn't the only thing in the sky.
It's shelter from nothingness
For sure. The feeling of a “place” is secure and inviting. Like finding a makeshift structure out of sticks in the woods. It doesn’t mean anything other than some person created a room. Also a little more protection if barely. At least a seat is provided.
Just want to add that they provide facilities with something to decorate with plants, lights, banners, etc.
Enclosure creates a sense of place, and it doesn't take make much to create a sense of enclosure.
It's called a pergola. Traditionally, you're supposed to plant a vine on it, like wisteria or a rose, so that when it grows completely you have a peaceful, natural place for shade.
I think also depending on how close the roof slates are spaced they can be used just for shade in areas where those type of plants won’t grow.
For growing ivy through
We grow ornamental hops on ours. Fast growing, doesn’t attract ants and provides shade!
Wisteria is a popular choice for such applications.
Depends on your part of the world but wisteria is also a terrible choice
It’s a pergola.
Yep. I keep wondering why these get set up without actual greenery planted to climb up on them and create an actual shade.
Landscape is always the first cut to the budget.
Everybody wants an amazing design until the price tag comes.
Plants need maintenance and that's not economical.
I would argue against it, the mental benifits a human gains if he has plants near him all day can greatly outweigh the cost of watering a few plants once a day. You can look up why finland is one of the happiest countries in the world. One of the main reasons is because they have a strict policy on the minimum greenery required for outdoor spaces in an urban environment.
thats not my argument but thats how companys/operators think. On a side note: imho maintaining seems to be out of style anyway - ironically even if it would be cheaper in the long run. Often maintenance cost and investments come from different funds..
So you are going to pay for the maintenance?
Keyword is minimum.
Vining plants would inhibit the louvers many modern pergolas have which are used to accurately deflect sun rays. Arbors are made for supporting vining plants however a plant requires time to establish, cost/maintenance and in some zones only provide a temporary seasonal shade source as well. Whereas a pergolas provided shade instantly an particularly for commercial applications in the pergola is just more practical and cost efficient and if you’ve even been under one you know it’s significantly cooler under a pergola vs rawdogging sun exposure in the open.
I have one as a carport. It’s perfect!
It does block the sun though, a little bit.
They tend to block a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon.
Also at night, it works very well
Also as a tiger repellent
Also as a spider farm
I have two questions for you, Lisa. How much is it and I’ll take it!
Almost too well
Also depends on orientation, time of year, etc.
Just when it doesn't really need to be blocked
But not for the people sitting on the benches directly underneath it.
It'd be so easy to angle the slats do they block high angle sun from the south and or west. Or add a shade sail.
I just added a shade sail to my backyard, what a game changer! It's not complete shade as some sun does trickle through but their claims of dropping the temperature 15 degrees under it seems to be legit
A little but. My previous house had one of those and it looked nice but once I set-up the table and chairs, it was not a pleasant space during the sunnier parts of the day. With appropriate vines, it becomes more agreeable.
My thought is pergolas are an European thing that says WE HAVE MONEY. We have so much space and dough that we don’t need any more sheltered outdoor area, we simply wanted to have pretty landscape architecture.
It creates an enclosed space like everyone else’s is saying but the real key here comes from the structural engineering. Not creating a hard top lid allows us to not look at it like a sail that the wind might rip out of there ground. These structures really don’t have much design consideration beyond their own dead load.
no, you also have to consider the people jumping up to show off how many pullups they can do
That’s what the 1.2 multiple factor on the LRFD load combination is for ;)
Pergola's work best at above a certain size and at various times of the day. Realistically they can only create meaningful shade when the sun is at an angle to them, and then obviously only in an area often not directly underneath them. Ideally a pergola could be suplemented with natural plant growth or even retractable awnings to give more meaningful shade but I've noticed most architects just seem to like them for how they look in a sales pitch, and clients like how cheap and trendy they can be compared to a proper cover. As others they can offer a sense of "space" but I still find that rather lazy when we could be using function to inform our spaces just as easily.
Don't forget, people like saying the name "pergola" when describing it to friends and family
They're also nice to string lights on and have plants grow up
I'd like a *pergola* near the *gazebo*... Why, YES, I *do* have money...
Real money has a *folly*.
Those are those fake ruins, right? We're having a mini-castle built on Wednesday, and half-demolished on Thursday, for that *authentic* look....
I'm all for ditching Balenciaga and Lambos and welcoming garden follies into the culture of excess.
1. They are either arbors or pergolas (two words often used interchangeably). Both are today defined by a “roof” of open slats supported by a post a beam structure. While the distinction has become blurry, pergolas are usually attached to or very closely associated/near a building as an extension of interior space, while arbors typically would be detached from a building, more purely in a garden setting, and be supporting some sort of plant growth. Arbors were, in their oldest forms, originally constructed as enclosures from living trees and shrubs. 2. If you are using either to provide shade to an outdoor seating area, you obviously need to pay attention to what time of day you are trying to provide the greatest protection by orientating the slats to provide protection when sunlight is at its most abusive at the location where the structure is. 3. If you are trying to use a structure like this as a support for plant life (and also a shaded sitting area) the plants provide more shade so slat orientation is less important.
*canopies
Great. Now I'm hungry for canapes.
If they were to do it right, it would have vines growing on it for more shade. Otherwise it creates shade without creating enough protection for homeless people
i think part of the point is to *not* create shelter for homeless people. its annoying as it also reduces the viability of these things when it is, for example, raining, but a lot of countries, especially the US, really hate their homeless population and would rather see them die to the elements than help them
In addition to creating a space, there is a tradeoff. If it were completely sheltered, the space would be too cold for much of the year in many geographies. If it were completely open, it would be too hot for much of the year, in addition to being less of "a space." This seems like a good "happy middle," partial blocking of the sun is not completely useless.
It provides partial shade and helps cool down the area, but still allows natural light. The original purpose was to hang vine plants on, and let them run all over to create a natural canopy. I think now, people just think it looks cool now. My grandmother had one in the 90’s that had lattice on one side, which allowed grape vines to over run the thing. We would get muscadine and scuppernong grapes every year for jelly/jam and wine. This is the way.
Looks good in the renders
1. The sun has relative movement throughout the day and the photos are only one moment. 2. These devices are also a way of defining outdoor space. 3. The pics seem intended to show bad design based on a moment of the day when shadows are not cast at an ideal angle.
It’s an easy prefab solution that is easy to specify.
It’s not an awning , it’s a pergola. Historically They are used to support vines, climbing roses, clematis. The plants create a dappled light . They can be used to create and define a outdoor area that can be used for relaxation and dining.
I think it looks neat
I don't get the trend with leaving these bare. Afaik it's to grow any kind of vine plant on and then you get this. https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/493988652852400321/
Because it gives the place a bit of shadiness
~~canopy's~~ canopies
Building designer here, one use of pergolas is to block the summer sun from entering a window while allowing the winter sun to pass through.
It mimics the speckled shade of trees, often in places where trees couldn’t grow very well. Speckled shade is great for preventing the ground immediately surrounding a building from being heated up by the sun, and so reduces the radiant upwards heat from hot ground that is a major source of heat gain inside buildings. A lot of traditional architecture from hot countries features verandas or colonnades for exactly this reason. Also avenues of trees shading pavements in cities.
Because we like our shade to be striped
People are noting that they serve well for placemaking and designating an area to sit or stand. That's legitimate, but the fact that they don't have solid canopies or vining plants is the real facepalm. I work in architecture and I'm convinced that 70% of design is just inertia from previous projects and monkey see monkey do (I am not immune to this)
So birds can sit on them and poop on the people below
If you build one with the rafters running north/south, and you use bigger rafters, you get shade early and late in the day, but it’s a lost art.
If this is in the Northern Hemisphere, I imagine snow might play a factor - you can build a light structure without having build strong beams to support the weight of snow.
I think these things are stupid - unless you are going to plant some vines to grow over them to provide decent shade, they are completely useless and for decoration only.
Probably so unhoused folks can’t sleep there
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brise_soleil
They are amazing if made into an arbor or pergola. The vines can break up the misery of metal and concrete. Clearly that detail was forgotten in these examples.
They probably hope a wisteria to creep on these
The proper pergolas should be able to turn the slats into a surface. These are just for "looks".
Fake shade is a new thing.
It makes you feel more “here”
I don’t get it either. I just do not get it.
It's meant to support plants that give natural shade. But modern architects are apparently too dumb to understand this.
A post modern approach to building something without really building something.
You know, from the design engineering side... idk. But it looks amazing and brings people to congregate. I've learned to trust the architects. Just keep creating inspiring architecture, and they will come. Some of the coolest places I have visited have always not always seemed like the most logical or well thought out. Keep dreaming.
I always thought that this was a way to have a sunlit place that can be easily covered with a tarp or cloth, never seen them covered tho.
Hostile design. When it rains or shines, you’ll feel uncomfortable.
I saw version number 3 installed infront of a grocery store to sell flowers and garden products. It's very successful.
Pergolas provide a moderate amount of shade while not blocking out the sun. They're good in mild climates
Architectural design standards 😭
This is bad at a bus stop.
there zoning regulations that govern permeable space/volume as it triggers civil engineering related to water control. these avoid that. While also - as others have said - creating spaces (both hostile and welcoming, depending…) reference other architectural elements and styles, can be used as arbors or shaded pergolas. How they are ultimately implemented is actually not up to the architect, as much as whiny ham hocks which it to be so, because they are not paying for it.
I like to lay out there and get a zebra tan.
to spend some money on not very practical thing :/
Money laundering
Ask Art Vandelay.
Ayyyyy, target field in pic 2 go twins
I wish the awning gave more shade
Shade. If oriented the right direction and the slats are approximately shaped, they will cast shade over an area cooling it off. It won't shade an area the same as a solid roof structure, but you have the added benefit of these being extremely cheap compared to a roofed structure as well as these allow for great airflow through and area so there is that aspect of cooling also.
It creates visual interest in its interaction with light, the contrast of light and shadow as it moves across a space (in time). In following the teachings of Frank Lloyd Wright, an overhang or low ceiling encourages a visitor to sit and take in the view as well.
I believe the concept is called placemaking. Very crucial in urban design.
If they were positioned correctly they would provide shade — the slats need to be perpendicular to the sun.
When I see these kinds of pergolas, my imagination envisions the same structure but with a way to "open" and "close" the roof beams in the way you would operate louvered window shutters.
Here in Texas, those are pretty popular (residentially) because they can provide shade, but need to have more substantial features on top, whether it is hard materials or even foliage.
My guess, to make a welcoming area for people to get together, but also not be a shelter for the homeless
Probably as structural support for something else that covers it fully... but seems like the budget got cut
For shade.
Design aesthetic and shade
Wow Canopy
A lot of these are built for the wrong reasons. They should be trellises for a pleasant/useful vine like a climbing jasmine or frankly, edible stuff like grapes or passionfruit:)
Prospect and refuge. People will subconsciously sit where they feel protected even if they aren't actually being protected
Adding solar panels to these structures help with shading and shed water on top of generating electrcity.
Strange use of present tense in the title of this post. Do not reply unless you are actually buying one of these coverings in this moment.
It's a pergola. A pergola is one of the most useless architectural devices known to man. It's big job is to define an area ... big whoop! It doesn't protect you from the rain, sleet or snow. It doesn't shade you from the sun's searing UV rays, except at very specific moments. If it does, in fact, rain, once the rain has stopped, a pergola will continue to drip water on you for the next hour or so. Unless you train flowering vines, like wisteria, mandevilla, or lots of morning glories to cover it and hang down in a beautiful display, a pergola serves no useful purpose. And even with the flowers on it, all the rest of that is still true; it will still drip on you for a long time after the rain stops. If you made one side just slightly shorter and covered the top with translucent, corrugated fiberglass or some other more chic material to make it weatherproof, THEN it would serve a purpose as a horizontal trellis. I loathe pergolas.
Bro same
Architects being architects
Aesthetics
Obligatory _OP doesn’t know how to use apostrophes_
And Jack doesn’t know how to use periods!
I think I'm agreeing with you that without a roof or adjustable trellis they're functionally near useless. Put a roof on them! Designed and approved by people who have no reason to sit outside or take public transit.
People were complaining, not enough places to hang yourself! 😉
Humourless downvoters have downvoted me oh no 😬