It looks like what it is
The flags help, too.
Walking by the Stratton Albany VA Medical Center in Albany the other day, we had a thought: Is there another building* in the city that looks as much like what it is? (Also: Is there a word for that?)
Background: the medical center opened in 1951 and serves veterans in a 100-mile radius that includes 22 counties. It's named for Sam Stratton, a Congressman who represented this area for three decades. Before that he was mayor of Schenectady. He served in both WWII and Korea. He's the father of former Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton.
Here's a large-format photo.
* You know, aside from the Capitol and churches.
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Comments
For another example of Albany's architectural onomatopoeia, I'll go with the obvious choice: the NYS Court of Appeals building. Straight out of casting central.
... said Bob on Feb 12, 2013 at 11:26 AM | link
I could be wrong, but I believe that all (or many) of the VA hospitals were built using the same architectural plan. So if you've seen one VA hospital, you've seen them all.
... said Amy on Feb 12, 2013 at 12:04 PM | link
I should have added "from that era." Clearly the ones being built today are not from the same plan.
... said Amy on Feb 12, 2013 at 12:08 PM | link
One term you might be looking for is "embodiment of the Platonic ideal." And no, I can't think of a better building.
... said MikeM on Feb 12, 2013 at 12:59 PM | link
A company that I formerly worked for used to rent space in that building. Yep, our office was in the middle of a hospital. Totally weird.
... said Deanna (Silly Goose Farm) on Feb 12, 2013 at 2:01 PM | link
@Bob: "architectural onomatopoeia" -- I like that! Also: you're right about the Court of Appeals.
@Amy: I believe it. And maybe that's why the design says so clearly (to me, at least): government and hospital.
@MikeM: Platonic ideal might be in the right direction. Whatever direction that is, it probably leads to Greek philosophers.
@Deanna: That is weird. Like maybe something from a Charlie Kaufman film.
... said Greg on Feb 12, 2013 at 5:29 PM | link