The building, designed by New York-based firm Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF), is a bit of a statement to say the least: a red box structure wrapped in a series of churning steel ribbons, which are meant to evoke a sense of speed and movement. The new design, reported KPF's website, "transforms the Petersen building into one of the most significant and unforgettable structures in Los Angeles." ... But the Petersen has put the firm on the map in L.A. -- in ways the architects likely didn't intend.

I put an image of the in-progress building (which is scheduled to open in December) on a couple of social media feeds and asked for input. It was variously described as being inspired by wrestler's tights, Fruit Stripe gum, a pile of string cheese, an unspooled Diet Coke can, a pair of toe socks and the "Edsel of architecture." ... Certainly, there is something about the building's willful awfulness that I have to admire -- like a lady who puts on all of her shiny jewelry to go to the gala. This finger in the nose of good taste is even more intriguing given that this is the very moment that design critics and aficionados have been fretting about the look of the Miracle Mile while Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor's develops his plan for LACMA and Piano prepares to construct an alien spaceball -- er, I mean, domed theater -- at the Academy Museum next door.