Corners

 

One of things I enjoy about Little Italy in San Diego is the fact that many of the corners have some sort of commercial use. Sometimes it's a small commercial component of an otherwise residential market, sometimes it's just an old corner store. They are generally not large commercial enterprises, but they bring some life to the street and provide locals a place to meet and visit.

San Diego Neighborhood Signs

I enjoy the way these signs identify San Diego neighborhoods. They do double duty as way finding for visitors as well as helping to establish a sense of neighborhood identity and pride. 

How to Treat a Corner

These two buildings sit across the street from each other at an intersection in Little Italy, San Diego. One of these buildings has a relationship with the street and sidewalk, it is accessible from the sidewalk, and it brings life to the neighborhood with outdoor dining and a fountain. The office building is walled off from the intersection. There are no entrances on this side of the building except for a garage entry. The mirrored windows prevent even a visual connection to the rest of the neighborhood from either side of the glass. The building on the left seems more likely than the other to contribute to making the neighborhood a place worth a caring about.