This post is not made as though it is day-lighting a new add-on to the old, tired, scared bollards. The intent is to show that the plastic sleeve can be a good solution and is chosen by owners of major high-rise, class A buildings. The sleeve certainly cleans up the dock entrance and makes it look far less like a war zone.
I am sure the architects would prefer a different color that the one shown here but …
The award winning new streetscape on Bagby south of Pierce St. in Houston includes a very substantial curving row of steel bollards to protect a large pedestrian area at the intersection of Bagby and Pierce. This post is too share a great looking design and offer observations about the issue faced by whoever has to fix the one that served it purpose; i.e. stopped a vehicle from driving onto the sidewalk.
First, there is a street in Houston named Dallas Street. Plus the title to this article is correct as trees were planted and are growing in the parking lane on one side of that street. I do not know the story behind the street being named Dallas but I can share with you the story of the trees. Some would say this was the boldest experiment with streetscape enhancement and place-making in downtown Houston. I am confident it will be a resounding success as the kinks have been worked out–assuming drivers do not drive over the improved, traffic resistant configuration: i.e bollards. (more…)
Part of the theme on Preston Street in downtown Houston celebrates the water underground in an urban setting. There is more about that in the article here about the Cotswold Program.
Underground water in the City is usually seen when looking into a hole at a broken pipe or when a manhole lid is off and you can see inside Traffic cones are typically around the hole to warn traffic away. To symbolize those situations precast concrete cones are placed throughout the Preston St. enhancements. But a cone is not a bollard. In a few places the cones were intended to shield planter beds and keep cars in driveways. We hoped the cars would avoid them. But plants grow and street lights burn out and the cute little concrete cones can not be seen by the drivers–even those that care. (more…)
Preface: This will be the first in a short series of posts about bollards used in a revitalized street scape.
To state the obvious, bollards are meant to protect whatever is behind them; usually from cars. Therefore, one must assume they will be hit. Often designers put the “look” at a much higher priority than the ability to replace them when they are hit. That brings up the need to design them to be repaired or replaced. (more…)
