"Scalies" is a term that was immortalized a year ago in a New York Times piece about the little fake people who reside in architectural renderings purely to offer a sense of scale to the buildings, roads, and parks—"They may not seem to have much on their minds, those orderly little scalies, but it turns out they have a lot to say." With a few exceptions, most scalies seem reasonable good natured, buoyantly striding out of a mall, happily taking a dip in a pool, or serenely spending Sunday afternoon in a park. Take the couple above. They're soaking in the bright sunshine at BOOM, a Palm Springs residential development targeted to the gay community. Developer Boom Communities has brought together architects such as Diller Scofidio + Renfro, LOT-EK, Arakawa + Gins, and others into a $250M project that's expected be completed next fall. No doubt the guys above will have a rockin' Valentine's Day: they've got BOOM's "communally accessible gardens," "healing funhouse," and "Rooftop Mist Disco and Market" to choose from.
? Soon to be built in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake: Bloomrs, a huge woven steel saddle that won a neighborhood competition for a spot on a triangular median. While the committee works with design firm All That is Solid to refine the concept, this cute couple remains blissfully unaware that they're basically hanging out in the middle of the street. Ah, young love.
? Last month, San Francisco's Art Commission approved renovation plans for Dolores Park, a much-discussed project stalled by debates about dog runs and toilet design. With landscape architecture by local firm Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey, the revamped park will have green roofs, plazas, and a multi-use path. Not to mention a grassy knoll perfect for reciting, say, Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems to each other.
? When 14-story NYC condo building YVES released renderings in '07, the scalies were so striking that Curbed NY then-editor Joey Arak was inspired to devise the story of "Natalia" and "Adrian": "Our combined hotness will always trump whatever character flaws we may have, let's enjoy a beautiful Chelsea sunset together on our YVES private terrace." Then: "Oh Adrian, hold me close." Luckily for wannabes, three units in the building are for sale.
? A mixed-used building doesn't sound romantic, but apparently there's love to be found in developer Rick Caruso's Burton Way project in Los Angeles. Called, ever so coolly, 8500 and on track to be finished in fall, the complex will have 88 apartments above a Trader Joe's supermarket—if there's anything that can bring two people together, it's microwaveable vegan apps and cheap wine.
? No talk of sultry scalies would be complete without a look at the Long Island City, N.Y., condo East of East, which released renderings two years ago. Included: a revealing shot of a woman stepping into a steamy solo bath. One can only assume that her husband—shown a more attired kitchen scene—is en route to joining her.
· Go Figure [New York Times]
· Gay-Friendly BOOM Brings the Mist Disco Back to Desert Life [Curbed National]
· This Giant Steel Saddle Will Be Jiffy Lube's Sunset Junction Neighbor [Curbed SF]
· First Phase of Dolores Park Renovation is Approved - Now Comes the Fun Part [Curbed SF]
· Now Playing: the Story fo Yves [Curbed NY]
· New Look For Caruso's 8500 Burton Way Project [Curbed LA]
· Strange New LIC Building Takes Rendering Porn to a New Level [Curbed NY]
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