Rainbow Center Winter Garden [1977]

Designed by Cesar Pelli (who would later go on to form Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects) whilst working as Partner for Design at Gruen Associates, the Rainbow Center is an unmistakably bold example of utilitarian modernity. A heralded atrium design, Pelli’s massive exposition of steel structure and services through shear glazing (35m+ vertically) and removable panelling has been branded a ‘triumphal arch’ (Michael J. Bednar), and remains a civic emblem of Niagara Falls.