Building Rating Less than 10% of readers like the Bata Shoe Museum.
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I t seems there's a museum for everything. And while this isn't as odd as the funeral museum in Houston, Texas the Bata Shoe Museum is a unique specimen. The owner, Sonja Bata, has been collecting shoes since the 1940's. The collection runs from the modern clogs worn by celebrities like Elton John to ancient footwear from China and Egypt. In all 10,000 shoes are showcased in the five-story building (three above ground, two below) that is as modern and dynamic as the latest designs it contains. In fact, "container" is the right word here because the building was designed to evoke that staple of third-grade art projects, the shoebox. One way to create this impression is by leaving a gap around the top of the building to make the roof appear to be resting on the structure like an askew box lid, rather than a permanent piece of the construction. The Shoe Museum's walls are set at a 33.5-degree angle to enhance the whole "container" concept. Yes, real shoeboxes have perpendicular walls, but remember the basic and identifiable containers used to carry Chinese food. For maximum impact the roof illusion and the jaunty walls are intended to be viewed from the sidewalk below where a glass pyramid has been set into the pavement and the walls of the building. This incongruous element helps establish this as a 1990's construction and not one of the stark geometric forms that took shape in the mid-20th century. It also allows pedestrians to see inside, and draws the curious to the collection. Those who are truly curious might notice that the building's signage incorporates leather, that staple of the cobbler's trade.
Birk N. Stock
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 @ 7:14pm
Rating: One star. I really didn't like the building when I visited. For all the hype, it was actually very boring. Sorry..
Foster Brown
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 @ 7:39pm
Rating: One star. I don't think this should be on the architecture list. It's a 50-60ft high box, of no major interest as far as I can see from when I visited.
S.P. Ortchek
Monday, May 30th, 2011 @ 7:25pm
Rating: One star. I saw it too when I visited Toronto. Quite a disappointment, if you ask me.
Dacks Timberline
Saturday, May 28th, 2011 @ 1:20pm
Rating: One star. I visited the museum and found it a waste of time. Terrible design, boring interior... Won't recommend it to anyone else!
zilan
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 @ 1:13am
I want to know the location of Bata Showroom at USA in Newyourk city.
Capezio Rockport
Thursday, February 4th, 2010 @ 9:01pm
Rating: One star. It's a dull, listless building. Lived here for years. Never took a shine to the design.
Nyn West
Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 8:31pm
Rating: One star. Don't want to sound like I'm piling on here, but I agree with the other comments. I visited the building and was not impressed. It is a very boring building. I think the designer could have done much better with the available building 'footprint'.
Aldo P. Less
Sunday, December 6th, 2009 @ 8:45pm
Rating: One star. I know this is supposed to look like a shoe-box, but I have to agree with Mr. Calderone... This is an uninspiring design. It looks like they tried too hard to stand out from local Toronto landmarks.
Cass
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 @ 4:56pm
Rating: Five stars. This structure looks great.
John Calderone
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 @ 9:47pm
Rating: One star. I find this a rather boring and uninspiring building. Sorry, but I've seen department stores that are designed better...
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Birk N. Stock
One star.
zilan
Cass
Five stars.