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With a few notable exceptions, modern fueling stations are often a mishmash of depressingly decaying features: old bolts rusting onto cracked concrete, a plethora of punchy advertisements for junk (and junk food), and architecture inspired by the inside of a cereal box.
Yes, we’re cherry-picking some fantastic examples of retro gas stations, and yes, many older stops were little more than some pumps and attendants—but what gives? Why can’t all stations look fantastic?
Now, with more choice than ever, you’re able to buy cars that run on electricity, biofuels, diesel, propane, gasoline, and hydrogen. Perhaps an enterprising firm could transform the forecourt into an area that attracts customers who actually want to be there, instead of the get-in-and-get-out cycle that happens today.
I’d gladly hang out at a modernist gas station. In fact, beautiful but disused designs, like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Nun’s Island station near Montreal, Canada or the ex-Agip station at Piazzale Accursio that Mario Bacciocchi designed are finding new life today. The former is now a beautiful community centre, while the latter is headquarters for Lapo Elkann’s innovative Garage Italia Customs.
Just think: the station down your street could have looked like one of these structures…
Image sources: eni.com, reddit.com/r/RetroFuturism/, palmspringslife.com,
italianways.com, flickr.com, wallawalladrazanphotos.blogspot.com, tabletmag.com, moderndesign.org
Maybe it’s because the stock market demands short term gains every quarter. Once companies went public in order to gain access to the capital that would allow growth that would serve customers, owners and workers. When long term growth was the goal, there were resources enough for some style. Now it’s bare bones. Cut the bottom line to buy back stock and increase the dividend. Style is not a priority. The building will be torn down in 10 years, anyway.
In Copenhagen, Denmark we have this beauty from 1936:
http://www.dac.dk/Images/img/1920x1200M/(27849)/27849/ajbenzinstation2.jpg
Another L.A. preserved example… A small gem.
https://news.starbucks.com/news/gilmore-gas-station-store
CPN Kielce
United Oil, Slauson at La Brea, Los Angeles, Kanner architects, 2009.
http://www.archdaily.com/36062/united-oil-gasoline-station-kanner-architect
We recently had one of our cities first filling stations remodeled into a wine bar, fitting they named it The Station. It’s a small 1920’s 2 bay garage, but it has plenty of art deco flavoring. I wish it had remained something automotive related but really I’m just happy someone did something with the building rather then tear it down.
In Milan, the beautiful AGIP Piazzale Accursio gas station has been recently purchased by Lapo Elkann, Gianni Agnelli nephew, and is being transformed into a car shop. Sadly, it is looking like they will just apply questionable vinyl wraps to exotic cars.
Every time i passed by with my friends, we always dreamt to purchase it and make it a true shop with a diner on the second floor.