Real Landmark for Dublin
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I,ve recenctly been on a round the world trip. I visited Auckland on the way and spent a few months there.
I was very impressed with there “Sky Tower”, and was suprised when I learned that the structure was only erected in 1997.
It provides the city with an instantly recognisible landmark, something to identify Auckland and New Zealand worldwide.
I believe Dublin and Ireland need a structure of this stature, to provide us with the same kind of identity. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t as Auckland is also a city of circa 1 million and New Zealand has a population similar to Ireland’s. The only difference is that our economy is in a much stronger position.
well it hasn’t worked because i have no idea what the auckland skytower looks like. the spike is good bet though and there are cranes back on the site now, its so exciting.
Is’nt it! I can’t wait to see it up, it is now the tallest piece of sculpture in the world, if you consider it as being that.
Is the big crane for the spike here now?
Regarding the skytower – I hadn’t heard of it either. I found a photo here
http://www.aucklandnz.com/gallery/photos/towerabove.jpg
but I’m not impressed. I think there was a couple of entries in the oconnell competition that looked like that. I’m really glad the spike won.
Does anyone know how far away the spire will be visible from? I don’t remember seeing any from-a-distance pics.
I believe that from nighttime at least, you will be able to see the light at the top of it from anywhere in Dublin city.
I hope they will be able to change the light colour also. In the same way the lighting at the top of the Empire State building in NY changes (e.g. Green for Patricks day, red for the Chinese new year etc etc.)In the EIS, it says it will not be visible from some areas within the city centre such as Merrion Square, (mainly due to the immediate height of buildings), but will be visible from the likes of Rathmines, although not that clearly as it’s colour will be pretty much the same as that of an overcast sky. At night though, it’s illuminated tip should be quite distintive. Originally it was planned to light it with something like 23 florescent tubes, but that has been shelved in favour of LEDs which last for approx 30 years. I agree, they should have the ability to change colour, as should the floodlights positioned on the 4 corner buildings that light the Spire itself.
so the auckland skytown is just a small cn tower and they put it up in 1997! what’s so landmark about that?
re spike, no big crane yet, they have one of those heavy lifting cranes that they use to put cranes up, if you see what i mean.
i live in tallaght and can see liberty hall + georges quay quite easily from my house … the lights on the canopy of liberty hall are not that bright but can still be seen at night all the way out here, so i guess given that the spike is to be over twice the height of liberty hall, its flood-light tip at least should be clearly visible (especially as it will be so far above any other light in the city) guess we’ll just have to wait and see though 🙂
This could be a great feat of Irish engineering…….never seen since the days when they built Ardnacrusha.
Doh……….did we ever do anything of note then……..Ok Newgrange but those people are a million miles away from us today…..the Vikings founded Dublin, the Normans built the fine Castles, the Brits built the cities……………..probably the Spire is being constructed and erected by a Brit firm too. Ah I suppose we always have Sam Stephenson to our credit and and all the wonderful things he did …..at Woodquay, Fitzwilliam St, etc…..
Well to be fair it was Thomas A. McLoughlin, an Irish engineer, who submitted proposals and convinced the government to dam the Shannon and build an electric power station at Ardnacrusha… the detailed design of which was carried out by Siemens-Schuckert
With regards to the spike having a British designer and contractor: Yes Ian Richie is British, but one of the contractors is most defently Irish. SIAC construction is a privatly family owned Irish construction group with it’s HQ in Dublin. And don’t be so pesimistic about Ireland’s architectural achivements, there are some very exciting projects currently happening here. We are gaining quite a reputation abroad with what is beign known as “New Irish Rationalisim”. We are far to hard on ourselfs in this country.
I’m not a big fan of the spire, as I don’t think it shows a great deal of imagination, and isn’t functional. At least the Sky Tower is functional, with 2 viewing decks and a few restaurants (one of which rotates 360 degrees each hour).
When I suggested the Auckland sky tower, I only meant as an example. Obviously to copy such a building would defeat the purpose.
However I still feel we could do with a building of this magnitute in our capital.
P.S. : I think the Sky Tower will become well known in years to come. The fact that it is only 5 years old probably contributes to it’s anonimity.
New Irish Rationalisim? I never heard that phrase before. Care to give a few examples or indeed attempt a definition? Anyone?
The Sky-tower idea is a bit overdone. They have them in Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto, Vancover, Seattle….etc It seems like a formulaic way of adding something distinctive to the city skyline.
Perhaps a way forward would be to revamp Liberty Hall – the top floor could incorporate the elements like restaurants and viewing platforms and new cladding and glazing could give the building a more dramatic look. Actually, I am amazed SIPTU have never considered it publically. Mind you they are not exactly the most farsighted of building owners…the foyer is enough to prove that.
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