While I got sick during my trip to Mexico, I was able to get out and walk around a little bit each of the days I was sick … and while wandering the streets of Roma Norte, I saw this home with what I might describe as “racing stripes.” I mean, who thinks to paint just a few stripes on their house? The term “racing stripes” refers to race cars that are custom painted with stripes to make them easily identifiable by teams, spectators, and other drivers; they are a symbol of speed, performance, and a sporty aesthetic. Would you agree that this home has gained a “sporty aesthetic” with these stripes? I’d say so!
Here’s another case where the use of stripes was added as an architectural detail. In this case, it’s not a house but rather “Gingin,” a cocktail bar and restaurant also in Roma Norte. In this case, I wonder if the designer simply wanted the stylish look of these stripes on the exterior, or – are there psychological elements at play here? Personally, I think the way the two vertical sections of downward pointing stripes serve as directional arrows, causing the eye to follow the arrows down to the entrance to the bar. I’d say that’s a bit of design genius, as far as enticing one to both notice and get directed to the entrance. I love it!
