What a skyscraper should look like.

[Blisterman]

I'm looking at images of some of the proposed skyscrapers in Dublin, and I must say, nearly every single one of them is bland and unimaginative.
If we ever want Dubliners to accept tall buildings, we'll have to do better than that.
Skyscrapers, by their nature are hard to ignore. They are much more visable than any other building, so people are much more likely to have strong opinions. Therefore tall buildings require much more care and attention to design than most other buildings.
Looking at some of these proposals on this site I keep getting the feeling that pthese architects think that all you need to do is to design a normal building, but make it have more storeys.

Designing a good skyscraper means spproaching it, in a different way. The best skyscapers, are not just tall buildings. They are elegant expressions of height and presence.

Here are some images of what I think are good skyscraper designs.





Let's hear your opinions.

[henno]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chicago_Spire.jpg

I love this design... something very natural and aspirational about it....

[aj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chicago_Spire.jpg

I love this design... something very natural and aspirational about it....

it looks like a ladies sex toy !

[notjim]

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's IBM building in Chicago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2004-09-02_1580x2800_chicago_IBM_building.jpg

[JoePublic]

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's IBM building in Chicago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2004-09-02_1580x2800_chicago_IBM_building.jpg

You like this?? Are you serious?????? Do you also think the other slab of Dublin, Hawkin's house, is an architectural masterpiece?

Blisterman you have it right, those are the kind of skyscrapers we should aspire to.

[massamann]

Here's the problem though - apart from the Empire State, the others do nothing for me. They're just a bit, um, flash. I don't necessarily think a building should scream "look at me!", and that's why I like the IBM building. It's classy and reserved without needing to be showy.

I guess you can please some of the people all of the time, etc etc....

[Paul Clerkin]

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's IBM building in Chicago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2004-09-02_1580x2800_chicago_IBM_building.jpg

more here:
http://usa.archiseek.com/illinois/chicago/ibm.html

[cokedrinker]

I did quite alot of research on skyscrapers for my final year project - and the Bank of China, Hong Kong, is by far my favourite existing skyscraper. It looks amazing at night time also, when the steel structure is illuminated.

[ForzaIrlanda]

I have to agrre with Cokedrinker, the Bank of China tower is fantastic and different.It just looks

[fergalr]

I've heard the argument before that if the Empire State wasn't as tall as it is, the monumentality of the design wouldn't be able to cover up how bland it is. Also, I found it astonishingly ugly when saw it in reality.

The Chrysler is the epitome of 20s/30s skyscrapers, I think.

As far as tall buildings go..



It's the Gherkin for me. Such a playful design. Makes me smile

[alonso]

Chrysler all the way!
Best building on the planet.

[KerryBog2]

Hmmmmm... the Chrysler looks good only because of its "top" which took advantage of the new materialof that decade - aluminium. Take away the top and the rest is rather mundane.
I agree with fergalr - the Empire state is bland when you see it and it is even worse on the inside, a veritable warren of poxy offices and corridors. So bland .....possibly that's why they change its illumination colours on a regular basis (but it's always green for 17 March!) However, what other modern building could withstand the impact of a plane? (a B52 flew into it during WW2).
Personally, I prefer the Woolworth; 40 Wall is not bad either, but again it is grotty inside, very dark/dismal until you get to about floor 16 bit the old banking hall on the ground floor is spectacular! The "Lipstick" building in midtown is cool also.
Kb

[archipig]

Torre Agabar in Barcelone has had a big impact.

[The Denouncer]

The Hancock..love that building, It dominates the Chicago skyline.

[Angus Scrimm]

This yoke

The Chrysler, the empire state are beauties (art nouveau) and that New York skyscraper with the angular roof which is some sort of floating damper to counterbalance the windsway. TEchnically interesting but ugly as fsin. Citybank?

[shamrockmetro]

whats going to happen to all those aging buildings in NY?

bridges whats next?

[The Willinator]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chicago_Spire.jpg

I love this design... something very natural and aspirational about it....

Will this be Head Quarters for HILTI ? It looks like a drill bit.

That lad Santiago Calatrava can do anything these days and everyone just coos and goes “wow”, “sensational”, “genius”, “inspirational”, “ Santi baby you my hero!”

Steady on folks!

[cokedrinker]

i preferred the original proposal for the chicago spire. Wasn't as organic looking and had a cool twisting lattice structure at the top. Now, it just looks like a giant dildo

[wearnicehats]

this is an interesting site

http://www.emporis.com

[Blisterman]

i preferred the original proposal for the chicago spire. Wasn't as organic looking and had a cool twisting lattice structure at the top. Now, it just looks like a giant dildo

Have any pictures? I'd like to see you.

I agree with you. Although I'm a big fan of Calatrava's, This building really does like like a big dildo and/or tampon.

[cokedrinker]

Chicago Spire - original proposal

[The Willinator]

Will this be Head Quarters for HILTI ? It looks like a drill bit.

That lad Santiago Calatrava can do anything these days and everyone just coos and goes “wow”, “sensational”, “genius”, “inspirational”, “ Santi baby you my hero!”

Steady on folks!

wow, just after looking at Calatrava's original design, thanks for posting pictures coke drinker.

THAT LOOKS SLICK!

Santi, I take it all back. Obviously some QS made you water down your original plan for current banal effort.

[notjim]

The New Museum on the Bowery: http://www.newmuseum.org/

Brilliant and a great discussion of it in the NYRB: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/20935

[ctesiphon]

I'll have a chance to check this out in the flesh within the month. Hell, Yes!

I saw that article in the NYRB just the other day- not bad, but it could have done with a little less fawning. I notice also that the museum's own website calls it a seven storey building. Well, yes, but each of those storeys is roughly twice the height of a standard floor of a building.

Also, I THINK THE CAPS LOCK KEY IS BROKEN ON THEIR WEB DESIGNER'S KEYBOARD. I HAVE A HEADACHE FROM 30 SECONDS OF BROWSING.

If you can manage it, there's a nice little time lapse video of the construction here: http://www.newmuseum.org/about/new_building

[notjim]

Yes fawning but only as a way of being bitchy about moma and its fans, which I enjoyed.