Jon Jerde—one of the country's most recognizable and prolific architects and urban designers—passed away this week.
Kriston Capps pens an obituary for Jon Jerde, "the architect who designed the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, and the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota." Jerde died Monday at age 75.
Capps writes the obituary to spread the word about Jerde's numerous contributions to the built environment in cities all over the world.
"More than any designer, Jerde took a quintessential American concern—consumerism—and gave it its built form. His theatrical shopping malls and urban centers are cathedrals of late capitalism. The Jerde Partnership, a global firm headquartered in Venice Beach, is represented by work on every continent but Antarctica; its architects work on up to 30 different design or planning projects at any given time."
Capps also links to many of the obituaries printed this week to honor Jerde and many, many colorful images showcasing the singular achievements of his designs.
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