Saturday, March 24, 2007

Poly Canyon - Lost Architectural Treasures

What an amazing experience. Our family went on a walk to Poly Canyon - after about three quarters of a mile form the entrance is an arch made of stone - apparently a senior project - that draws your attention. Underneath is a sign listing over 15 more projects so we decided to take a look:

Poly Canyon shows just what is possible when you combine skill, art, and passion without the focus being on profit. Creativity and possibilities spring up that you never imagined.

The first structure you see (after the arch) is what looks like an artistic staircase, created from cement. It is hard to explain and I do not have a picture, but imaging a spiraling staircase each step curves upward away form the center to also be the wall.


Next was this amazing sail tent created in the 70's. It is in almost pefect condition still held taught by its steel cables.


My son's favorite structure was the pirate ship, the bow sticks out from the hillside allowing you to look to the creek 30 feet below.


Other structures include complete furnished houses including: bridge house, shells house, and modular house (not shown). The names might not be impressive but the ideas were.

Bridge house is covered with windows, and for a senior project, I was surprised to find it equipped with a water heater and air conditioning. I definitely found my self wanting to live in these structures when they were in their prime.

Unfortunately as you look at the house projects you can see windows broken out from vandals and the once complete houses are now a danger to the vistors. Bridge house, vacant, plubming now broken, and wires exposed, is still powered. I could hear the transformer to the AC unit humming.

Shell house was the most impressive, this one picture of the inside does not do it justice. Every outer wall is made of glass, one third of which are broken. This house is complete with a kitchen, loft, and family room. I have never seen anything like the way this house was put together. Each room literally FLOWED into the other.


On our way out we saw other structures that our kids were excited to climb.
Despite the dangers of mixing broken down structures and curious kids, we had alot of fun. While leaving I found myself inspired by the visions of past college students but also saddened by the current conditions of them.

These projects are probably the most difficult challenge these students faced in their lifetime. With creativity and passion only a young adult could have it was amazing to experience such uniqueness.

1 comment:

Kristen Borland said...

i love poly canyon! we used to go during poly royal, back in the day. my dad had a senior project out there back in the 70s (they had to spend at least one night, or maybe a weekend?, in their structure). his structure was completely suspended off the ground and would sway. you should ask him about it sometime.