Big Duck, Novelty architecture building in Flanders, United States.
The Big Duck is a commercial building in the novelty architecture style in Flanders, part of Southampton, in the United States. The construction sits on a wooden frame covered with concrete shaped like a Pekin drake, stretching 30 feet (9 meters) from beak to tail.
Martin Maurer commissioned the building in 1931 to advertise his duck farm after seeing similar structures during travels on the West Coast. The structure originally stood in Riverhead and was moved to its present location in 1988, where it now serves as a tourist information center.
This structure influenced architectural terminology when Venturi and Brown introduced the term 'duck architecture' in their 1972 book Learning From Las Vegas.
The building sits along Route 24 and is easy to spot from the road, with a small parking area in front. A shop inside sells duck-themed souvenirs and displays exhibits on the history of duck farming in the region.
The tail lights from a Ford Model T were installed as eyes and glow red at night. Each year on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving, a lighting ceremony takes place with children singing carols and the local fire department bringing Santa.
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