Skyscrapers

[Kent Wang]

Foster rather likes this X-shape frame. I suppose you won't like the planned The Bow (Calgary):

 

[gdl203]

Kent - I don't especially like that rendering - but that's not based on the crossed mullion structure. I think Swiss Re is a successful building that found its place in the London lanscape. The Hearst is just plain fugly from all angles in NYC - it adds nothing to the landscape. I cringe everytime I drive by or see it from the Park. Many of my architect friends disagree with me btw

The Solow building is my second favorite NYC skyscraper

Portzamparc's LVMH tower is probably my third (mostly because of what he was able to achieve in such a narrow space)

 

[spertia]

I have always been rather fond of the John Hancock Center in Chicago:

The Sears Tower, on the other hand, I feel is pretty awful.

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Man, there are some ugly-ass buildings in this thread.

Originally Posted by iammatt

On the other hand a skyscraper will always be powerful because of its size, so the true art is to make it subtle. It is something that is rarely done as few architects will make a name for themselves out of sheer simplicity.

Couldn't agree more.

On another note, JetBlast's fascination with phallic-shaped objects never ceases to amaze me.

 

[tundrafour]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

Its never going to be known for its excessively tall buildings, but if that is your sole definition of a beautiful skyline, I think you are missing out. The Tokyo skyline is not defined by a few large buildings, it's defined by a carpet of buildings that stretches out as far as the eye can see, creating its own artifical topographic features. There are thousands of unique and beautiful examples of architecture hidden in this panorama of concrete and steel, but if all you look at is the tallest buildings, you'll never see them.

This is an awesome description of Tokyo; I agree completely.

 

[jeansandtshirt]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Number one for me...

Seagrams Building, NY

The thread should have started and ended with this building. IMHO every other skyscraper will be second fiddle to this masterpiece.

 

[LanAltec]

Originally Posted by spertia

I have always been rather fond of the John Hancock Center in Chicago:


The Sears Tower, on the other hand, I feel is pretty awful.

I agree. Love the JH Center though.

 

[Dragon]

Not the most beautiful, but I like the design of these 2 skyscrapers, because they blend in very well with the local design themes.

Taiwan - Tapei 101:


Malaysia - Petronas Towers

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by gdl203

The Solow building is my second favorite NYC skyscraper

It's my first.

I love the graceful curves. Here is a street-level pic showing it in all its beauty. My wife worked for a consulting firm with offices there and I would go to NY for the weekend just to see the building.

The Grace building on 42nd is also beautifully sculpted in the same manner. They are so unique and aesthetically pleasing.

 

[spertia]

The company I work for in Chicago (I'm a telecommuter) used to rent space in a rather nondescript tower, but now I'm happy to call this skyscraper home when I'm in town:

It was designed by Edward Durell Stone and is the third tallest in the U.S.

 

[spertia]

Originally Posted by EL72

It's my first.

I love the graceful curves. Here is a street-level pic showing it in all its beauty. My wife worked for a consulting firm with offices there and I would go to NY for the weekend just to see the building.

The Grace building on 42nd is also beautifully sculpted in the same manner. They are so unique and aesthetically pleasing.

Wow, those are both great. Who were the architects?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by spertia

Wow, those are both great. Who were the architects?

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (Gordon Bunshaft)

I personally much prefer the Solow building - more elegant than the Grace and the location/setting is fantastic right at the south border of the Park. The park views from the conference rooms of the Solow building are just mindblowing

 

[von Rothbart]

I agree with the Seagram Building being the masterpiece, but why there's no love for the Lever House? 2 Masterpieces right across street from each other:

 

[gdl203]

LH is beautiful - some of the art that resides in and around the building now is dubious though... too bad because it's a great building

 

[von Rothbart]

But the installations, no matter how dubious, are only temporary.