The Denver International Airport and Tulsa’s Eastland Mall: A Comparison
There is a very, very specific crowd who will understand this blog. I assume many people are familiar with the Denver International Airport (DIA), but most I’d say are unfamiliar with Tulsa’s Eastland Mall. Today, it’s called Eastgate Metroplex as it was refurbished after the initial decline in shopping malls occurred. A small part of me when I heard it was closing for renovations yearned for the interior courtyard to be demolished. This is the area that the two circus-like tent skylight structures sit above.
I drove past this mall every day to my school, sometimes twice depending on the route we would take to and from. And I despised it. Still do, I failed my first attempt at a driver’s license here so I’m bitter about that and this strange piece of architecture. I can see why it was created, makes the courtyard and two story mall shopping area feel more elevated and open. However, the Tulsa Woodland Hill’s Mall achieves this effect in a much better and cleaner way. Malls aren’t typically the most handsome of structures, something that was discussed in the PBS documentary, “10 Buildings that Changed America,” with Victor Gruen’s Southdale Shopping Center. Like casino architecture, they’re built to keep you inside and shopping, but wanted to include natural light for the shoppers.
On the other side, the mountain range-esque top of the DIA pays homage to the Rocky Mountains in a much more balanced and sophisticated way. There is no curious curve or appearance of the circus being in town, the mountain peaks are successful in conveying their idea. It took me a few years to actually see the DIA as I approached it from land, never seeing it’s full glory due to peculiar angles from the air, but aware of it due to the interior roofing of the terminals. Even the interior’s curved ‘valley’s comes across more clean and appropriate for the setting that Eastland.
Denver International Airport, Inside Airport terminal, Built Structure, tent Roof,Denver, Colorado
Eastland Mall Exterior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastgate_Metroplex
Eastland Mall Interior: https://www.flickr.com/photos/losttulsa/46100607
Denver International Airport Exterior: https://ourcommunitynow.com/news-local/denver-international-airport-named-best-airport-in-north-america
Denver International Airport Interior: https://ourcommunitynow.com/news-local/denver-international-airport-named-best-airport-in-north-america
