Follow-Up
This is the "last thoughts" portion of the post. I score the model and give a brief explanation why it received said score. I also thought it would be amusing to give awards (and/or anti-awards) about notable items within the model. This includes things caught myself or comments from others that have viewed the model. There is also a Final Score which ranges from 0 to 10, whole numbers only and they are relative to the entire line of 3D models created. A final note, this type of review post might be expanded to other topics in urban planning, design and architecture, and other related items. It all depends on what I come across or what others bring to my attention.
And so, without further delay...
Most Annoying Facet of Model
The "Earth"/"Desert" Park
Reason: Least appealing of the "parks" and arguably least appealing item of model.
While it does complete the "elements" theme of the parking lot parks, it just sticks out too much and in very bad ways. The Earth park has the design and components of being "earthy" but it lacks dimension. Some of the surfaces could have been extruded upwards, even slightly, to create a variation and a terrain feel to the park. The Lightning and Fire parks suffer from this as well, but their designs are simple and easy to discern compared to the Earth park which looks like a different random spattering of earthy designs and textures.
And with that, it leads to the next accolade
Yeah, Whatever Award
All Elemental Parks
Reason: Notable impossibility and silliness of the idea.
What I mean is that the impossibility is on levels far beyond the typical "new urbanism/suburban retrofitting can't be done" talk. Putting parks within the parking lot does happen but usually nowhere near this scale and definitely not in this format.
Also,
Wrecking Crew Award
All buildings at the periphery of the Hamilton Plaza property
Reason: They were wrecked for the space
(but their sacrifice is not in vain [insert brief moment of silence here])
While I could insert a "sacrifices must be made" cliche and be done with it, there is still something to be said here. Those Google Streetview samples of the buildings claimed in the model are quite telling. Large expanses of parking even for the buildings closer (slightly) to Route 4; and there are very few cars occupying the spaces. One thing that cities really should try to avoid is underutilized space and reduce dead spaces where possible as they are discouraging sights.
Final Score: 4 out of 10
Below Average. Things get better (at least in my opinion).
Some might be surprised with the score, but as I said, its compared to the other models created through the years. With the Hamilton Plaza model, its a fairly common and rudimentary example my 3D modelling work. The ideas are there and reviewing the model like this has given me some things to think about for future works. However, certain ideas can be seen as excessive like the aforementioned parks; the use of numerous pavers in the walkways, plazas and the crosswalks; urbanism/suburban retrofitting exceeding two stories. Also, a few people noted that perhaps the entire property should have been demolished and rebuilt instead of having a hybrid retrofit. A definite point for consideration as this type of work moves forward.
Other thoughts:
As more models are shared, hopefully ideas are generated, comments are made, thoughts are stirred, discussions happen and maybe action taken. Considering the models created in the lineup, there's sure to be different opinions and reactions. Hamilton Plaza serves as a good first model or introductory model - a old and declining strip shopping center and borderline mass of a parking lot, rethought and rebuilt as semi urban retrofit. Certainly readers have examples of similar strip centers going to massive decline or being abandoned and left as dead spaces and the Hamilton Plaza model could generate thought on the relevant subjects.
Aside from that, I'm looking forward to seeing how this experiment turns out.
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