#duck architecture

[deadmotelsusa]

Do you know why Novelty or Memetic Architecture is sometimes called Duck Architecture?

It’s because of this duck in New York.

Long Island’s Big Duck was built in 1931 by a duck farmer who sold ducks, eggs and milk. While the Duck’s owner and location changed multiple times, it continued to operate as a shop until the 1980s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Duck Architecture became a term used to describe buildings that are “sculptural in form and explicitly represent their function through their shape and construction.” So because the duck shaped building sold ducks, it’s duck architecture. If a teapot shaped building sold tea, it’s duck architecture. If a whale shaped building sold whales, it’s duck architecture. Get it?

Today, the Big Duck is no longer privately owned and remains a popular tourist attraction. The county maintains the interior while the town maintains the exterior.

[supermarmotte]

The Coffee Pot restaurant was open from 1929 to 1939. It was demolished in ~1960 to build a subdivision. How boring

[billherbert23]

[supermarmotte]

The National Fisheries Development Board, located in Hyderabad, India, is the headquarters of India's national fisheries and aquaculture industry. The four-storey building was officially opened in April 2012, and was reportedly inspired by Frank Gehry's monumental ‘Fish’ sculpture in Barcelona which was completed in 1992. The building is clad in stainless steel panels and, apart from the central core, is completely raised off the ground on pale blue pilotis. Blue-purple spotlights illuminate the building at night, giving the impression that the ‘giant fish’ is swimming through Hyderabad.

[supermarmotte]

«En 1932, Hermas Gibeau a ouvert son premier magasin de détail sur le boulevard Saint-Laurent près du Vieux-Port de Montréal. Là il vendait sa toute nouvelle invention, son délicieux jus Orange Julep. L’activité a été rapide durant la semaine. Son Orange Julep a été un succès immédiat! Mais durant les fins de semaine, la clientèle était limitée dans cette région. En réponse, il a pris une décision qui allait changer à ce jour, l’expérience du Julep. Fidèle à l’inspiration de son breuvage Orange Julep, Hermas a pris une initiative audacieuse de construire un immeuble sous la forme d’un fruit, la “Grosse Orange” est née.» Weird flex for business, but one that i can love

[supermarmotte]

Past «Longaberger headquarters»

From its first public tour closing: “People were in tears and hugging each other,” says Joyce Barrett, the executive director of Heritage Ohio, who helped organize the tour. “They were so happy to be back in the Basket.” Ohians are longing for the basket

[kulturado]

The Story: An Ode to What They Call ‘Duck Architecture’

The Writer: Messy Nessy

(photo of duck farmer Martin Maurer standing in front of The Big Duck, Flanders, New York; Shutter Shak, built in 1976, offering one day film developing. Now located in Blakey Historical Park.)