Whimsical Windows - Pirelli/Armstrong Building

Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors is a fun architectural meme hosted by Toby. We look for interesting portals and today is the highly visible Pirelli in New Haven CT. This building was opened in 1970 and in a Modernist style designed by architect Marcel Breuer, who used cast concrete for the exterior while draped over the steel frame. 

It was built for the now defunct Armstrong Rubber Company as their corporate headquarters until acquired by Pirelli. When IKEA purchased the land for its blue and yellow big box, the city requested that the landmark building remain in place - and IKEA accommodate that request. The detail seen in the vertical view just above the window is a stylized slanted A that represented the Armstrong logo - perhaps the advantage of working with the malleable concrete. The past and present can coexist...

Shadow Shot Sunday - Spring like shadows

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back on a great nearly Spring day!

Last Sunday the always lovely Patti and I undertook a trip to IKEA in New Haven. It was a delightful day, with blue skies and a breeze of Long Island Sound allowing for a chilly 48°F (9°C), But the sun is moving northerly at this time, so shadows are abundant.









The place to park was on the fringes of the massive (1200 space) parking lot (car park). As shadows come in many shapes, the subject would be the lot itself. Patti, the intrepid photo huntress, took the views. Our entry to IKEA was near the old Armstrong Rubber headquarters. Shadows are all over the structure, the flags waving in the wind accordingly. Upon our exit from the retailer, and given our far-flung location, shadows instead of card were all over. From the cart return to the rental U-Haul vehicles, the shadows are slight (tree, tubular steel) to bigger (the U-Haul van). I am partial to parking area shadows... 

Nearer our vehicle, the photographer and myself are evident on either side of the Dodge. Shadows surround the scenes well, so the usual subjects define the theme today. Shadowy artistry surround us all, so be sure to see more at the fun SSS2!