Posted March 19, 20214 yr Hello All, I envision this thread to be sort of a catch-all thread about Architecture. Have a picture of a building you think is particularly beautiful or ugly? What do you think makes for good architecture and why? The relatively new field or architectural psychology (how buildings make people feel and behave), etc. I'll get the ball rolling by posting this James Howard Kunstler talk from 2007. Several of you have seen this, I'm sure, but it's a good place to start, I think: The Ghastly Tragedy of the Suburbs/How Bad Architecture Wrecked Cities: https://www.ted.com/talks/james_howard_kunstler_the_ghastly_tragedy_of_the_suburbs/transcript Edited March 19, 20214 yr by gildone to reduce visual size of post
March 19, 20214 yr Author This is on the subject of Architectural Psychology. How buildings look affect the way humans feel and behave: https://medium.com/archilyse/we-need-human-centered-architecture-back-551bcabeb130
March 19, 20214 yr Author Jerrymyc01 Said: "There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Naples train station. In fact, it's quite nice. The inside is great also." Link to station video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyLfLW3HzDs --------------------------------------------------------- In your opinion, which is fine. We don't have to think alike.
March 22, 20214 yr ^ hmm, i have mixed feels about it. its got a nice roof and it seems the light inside is interesting -- and it checks all the boxes for a train station, but its pretty sterile and i dk, cheap looking? not sure it will age well either -- it looks leaky roof prone. all that said, it seems its also a pretty unfortunately common look for new stations. if i had to put my foot down then ok a weak thumbs up. i mean, a new station is always nice to have.
March 30, 20214 yr Author Starchitects. This is an excerpt form a James Howard Kunstler podcast form 2009. Kunstler pulls no punches about the modern phenomenon known as "Starchictecture" Among the things he has to say: "We need competent architects who will give us buildings that are neuro-biologically comprehensible. That satisfy our needs for orientation and our perhaps even deeper need for cultural orientation". Modern architecture has become, he said: "A Fashionista mystification racket". What bothers me is something the modern architect Rem Koolhaas, designer of many a modernist monstrosity, has apparently said in his writings-- that he wants people to feel anxious around his buildings. To me that's an attitude that is as despotic as it is egotistical. People have enough stress and anxiety in their lives. They don't need more of it from their built environments.
October 28, 20213 yr This seems as good a thread as any to post this China limits construction of 'super high-rise buildings' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-59046480 My hovercraft is full of eels
March 18, 20223 yr It won't actually look like that is my main thought. If it does then great! I love the idea of integrating trees into the design, though otherwise this building is kind of meh. I think integrating nature into construction is in the future of architecture, it will do wonders for people's mental health. Plus it will be good for the planet. I've always liked the idea of buildings just elevating the ground rather than replacing it! My worry is that in a few years all of these trees will be dead or dying, and it will look horrible. I've seen it done well on Bosco Verticale in Milan, but that is a super luxury high rise that can afford high maintenance costs. (Plus their landscaping looks much better thought out than this). Unless this building is actually willing to put in the effort to maintain these trees it might bite them in the long run.
March 18, 20223 yr Author 22 hours ago, mrnyc said: thoughts on this atlanta building? I'd put it in the middle. It's not aesthetically awful, but it's not aesthetically great either. It would be better without the huge "Star Metals" lettering.
January 22, 20232 yr great article on the sad state of new apartment design and construction occurring all over the nation http://www.mainstreetpainesville.org/
January 22, 20232 yr I don't think it's ever not been the case that most apartment buildings being built at any given time look the same. Even the old brown brick walkups we love now from the early 20th century were basically the same with a little different detailing. Mid century garden apartments were way worse.
January 22, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, X said: I don't think it's ever not been the case that most apartment buildings being built at any given time look the same. Even the old brown brick walkups we love now from the early 20th century were basically the same with a little different detailing. Mid century garden apartments were way worse. Perhaps so, but its the materials in these new builds that just don't seem like they are going to stand the test of time (or weather)
January 22, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, Cleburger said: Perhaps so, but its the materials in these new builds that just don't seem like they are going to stand the test of time (or weather) Agreed on that, but it's a different issue than "they all look the same!"
January 24, 20232 yr if only these cookie cutter college dorm style apts had "a little different detailing" though. i guess color panels is it.
March 10, 20232 yr I saw this video last night, and I think it merits discussion. Or at least some extra love to what appears to be a new YouTube channel making quality content. The video argues for a psychological basis for beauty, rather than a merely subjective concept. I find his argument fascinating and compelling, as well as research based. While obviously beauty is partially subjective, I agree that a large degree of it can be reasonably thought of as objective within a human context. Curious to hear other people's thoughts!
March 10, 20232 yr Good video @Ethanthanks for posting. I agree with your assessment and heard nothing I would argue with. IMO he's spot on but would enjoy an architects opinion on the matter.
April 17, 20232 yr brutal! 10 Brutalist Architects You Probably Never Heard Of Owen Hopkins’s The Brutalists is an A-to-Z encyclopedia of blocky concrete and utopian ideals. Sarah Rose Sharp April 9, 2023 After decades of marginalization, Brutalism has enjoyed a cultural Renaissance of late, with fresh focus and appreciation for one of modernity’s most global and contradictory architectural movements. But even as the most influential figures are recognized for their peculiar genius, the wider canon of architects who have embraced or experimented with Brutalism remains obscure. The Brutalists (Phaidon, 2023) by Owen Hopkins is an indispensable codex of the genre, presenting some 250 architects in an A-to-Z encyclopedia of blocky concrete and utopian ideals. more: https://hyperallergic.com/802491/10-brutalist-architects-you-probably-never-heard-of/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=W041523&utm_content=W041523+CID_195630d027b4d5318e58f05a6d8862ea&utm_source=hn&utm_term=10+Brutalist+Architects+You+Probably+Never+Heard+Of Igor A. Vasilevsky, Druzhba Sanatorium (1985), Kurpaty, Yalta, Ukraine (photo Frederic Chaubin; all images courtesy the publisher)
May 22, 20232 yr Just me, I suppose, but those skinny apartment buildings in NYC look wrong in the skyline views, although they're not so bad up close. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 23, 20232 yr 21 hours ago, Dougal said: Just me, I suppose, but those skinny apartment buildings in NYC look wrong in the skyline views, although they're not so bad up close. if you dont care for them just wait a bit, in five years or so if all goes well in developments world there will be like a dozen more in that view, so it will change again. many dont realize but there was a previous skinny tower craze in the 80s. its just that those were not height leaders back then, so less noticed. obviously the building tech has greatly changed lately to be able to do these things --- and also, trends gonna trend i guess. Edited May 23, 20232 yr by mrnyc
July 3, 20231 yr Doing some scouting on Google Street View in Ohio City and noticed this abomination. Makes me wonder how something like this gets permitted but other projects that are completely suitable get shot down. https://goo.gl/maps/qPfJFom2CAEeqtxB7 Edited July 3, 20231 yr by Rustbelter
July 7, 20231 yr On 7/2/2023 at 9:41 PM, Rustbelter said: Doing some scouting on Google Street View in Ohio City and noticed this abomination. Makes me wonder how something like this gets permitted but other projects that are completely suitable get shot down. https://goo.gl/maps/qPfJFom2CAEeqtxB7 i really like this, weird as it is for cle. they build like this in houston. although i guess houston shouldnt be anyone's model lol. i wonder if it has an mother in law apt over the garage in back?
July 16, 20231 yr evil buildings insta — “Evil Buildings”: 50 Of The Strangest And Most Unique Constructions From Around The World Gabrielė Malukaitė and Mantas Kačerauskas Welcome to “Evil Buildings”, an Instagram page dedicated to showcasing the captivating allure of strange and uncanny constructions spotted around the world. With more than 77 thousand followers, this community celebrates architectural marvels that seem straight out of a superhero movie, fit for a supervillain or an evil corporation. Sounds exciting, right? more: https://www.boredpanda.com/evil-buildings-photo/
July 23, 20231 yr hmm, this massive new diamond exchange complex in india has topped the pentagon as the world's largest office building -- The world’s new largest office building is bigger than the Pentagon By Oscar Holland, CNN Updated 8:21 AM EDT, Tue July 18, 2023 *** The trading center’s architects say it comprises over 7.1 million square feet of floor space, which would mean it has surpassed the Pentagon as the world’s largest office building. more: https://www.cnn.com/style/india-largest-office-building-surat-diamond-bourse/index.html
November 11, 20231 yr check out the inside of the famous witch house in beverly hills — https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzKGDdVJPzR/?igshid=ejB6Nms3M2k0OXh4
January 18, 20241 yr i just love the indigenous, modern, colorful buildings style in suburban el alto, bolivia (suburban la paz) -- 👍 The Colorful Architecture of El Alto, Bolivia’s Fastest Growing City By Jessica Stewart on October 19, 2022 The streets of Bolivia's second-largest city, El Alto, are dotted with unique architecture that was born from local Indigenous culture. Italian photographer Yuri Segalerba traveled to El Alto, located high on the Andean plateau, to see this Neo-Andean architecture. The style, created by local bricklayer turned star architect Freddy Mamani Silvestre, has completely transformed the city since buildings began appearing in 2005. During his time in El Alto, Segalerba was able to document the many cholets—or small mansions—and dancehalls that give the city its unique character. more: https://mymodernmet.com/cholet-architecture-yuri-segalerba/
January 30, 20241 yr 24 minutes ago, columbus17 said: Completely disagree. If anything we need to start denying developments with basic architecture. They do nothing to contribute to the community fabric and offer little to no character. There is a reason historic buildings are held in such high regard... I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "basic architecture," but if I'm reading you correctly, I agree, traditional architecture is generally preferred by the vast majority of everyday people, who generally prefer "beautiful," as it has been traditionally understood, over "interesting" when it comes to building design. You might enjoy and agree with the video I posted above. It goes more in depth into these themes. On 3/10/2023 at 9:48 AM, Ethan said: I saw this video last night, and I think it merits discussion. Or at least some extra love to what appears to be a new YouTube channel making quality content. The video argues for a psychological basis for beauty, rather than a merely subjective concept. I find his argument fascinating and compelling, as well as research based. While obviously beauty is partially subjective, I agree that a large degree of it can be reasonably thought of as objective within a human context. Curious to hear other people's thoughts!
January 30, 20241 yr ^ to appeal to all, there is no question the cleve needs a wide variety of new build architecture to compete in the global and now post-covid work from home economy, from a boatload of basic infill, to high quality, and yes even some cutting edge and highly localized home and office styling.
January 31, 20241 yr On 1/17/2024 at 7:21 PM, mrnyc said: i just love the indigenous, modern, colorful buildings style in suburban el alto, bolivia (suburban la paz) -- 👍 The Colorful Architecture of El Alto, Bolivia’s Fastest Growing City By Jessica Stewart on October 19, 2022 The streets of Bolivia's second-largest city, El Alto, are dotted with unique architecture that was born from local Indigenous culture. Italian photographer Yuri Segalerba traveled to El Alto, located high on the Andean plateau, to see this Neo-Andean architecture. The style, created by local bricklayer turned star architect Freddy Mamani Silvestre, has completely transformed the city since buildings began appearing in 2005. During his time in El Alto, Segalerba was able to document the many cholets—or small mansions—and dancehalls that give the city its unique character. more: https://mymodernmet.com/cholet-architecture-yuri-segalerba/ I like the snakes. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
January 31, 20241 yr 7 hours ago, Dougal said: I like the snakes. yeah — i sure wish there was more fresh and highly original new architecture like this going on elsewhere.
March 11, 20241 yr irving gill — the forgotten pioneer of california modernism — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1-gEEOPA8v/?igsh=bndkeTV0Zjd6OTY3
March 12, 20241 yr brazil in france — you can visit the oscar niemeyer bldg in paris — 👍 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C35hMo8Ob4b/?igsh=ZjE1dDJudjU5MmJn
March 15, 20241 yr ricardo bofill designs — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1bfpQpSfPP/?igsh=bjhzZTdoMXl6MDBt
March 19, 20241 yr masp and lina bo bardi in sao paulo — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4qZ1FBurpv/?igsh=NnZxY2RubTNwMTZj
April 26, 20241 yr new building and design materials — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C528TjeOzQ3/?igsh=MXdrank1MGhjZndxdg==
May 17, 20241 yr Why are buildings today drab and simple, while buildings of the past were ornate and elaborately ornamented? The answer is not the cost of labor. https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-beauty-of-concrete/
June 9, 20241 yr b.1962 IVRY-SUR-SEINE: THE ARCHITECTURAL GENIUS OF RENÉE GAILHOUSTET & JEAN RENAUDIE IN PARIS BANLIEUES https://thefunambulist.net/editorials/ivry-sur-seine-architectural-genius-renee-gailhoustet-jean-renaudie-paris-banlieues
June 9, 20241 yr On 3/17/2022 at 11:33 AM, mrnyc said: thoughts on this atlanta building? this office bldg was built — minus the trees — and i see via streetview its in a weird area of atlanta that is booming with new dystopian apt bldgs, but still has a few scubby bars on lots around it — Star Metals Offices 1055 Howell Mill Rd NW Atlanta, GA, 30318 more: https://whatnowatlanta.com/star-metals-offices-hits-milestone/ https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7828652,-84.4116355,3a,90.000000y,2.988740h,102.515244t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szg3hDyVXeNJT-gbI3sJUtQ!2e0?lucs=,94207808,94222043,47071704,47069508,94203019,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_ep=CAISDTYuMTE3LjEuNjI5MjAYACCBgQEqSCw5NDIwNzgwOCw5NDIyMjA0Myw0NzA3MTcwNCw0NzA2OTUwOCw5NDIwMzAxOSw0NzA4NDMwNCw5NDIwODQ1OCw5NDIwODQ0N0ICVVM%3D&g_st=ic&g_st=ic
June 9, 20241 yr 13 minutes ago, mrnyc said: this office bldg was built — minus the trees — and i see via streetview its in a weird area of atlanta that is booming with new dystopian apt bldgs, but still has a few scubby bars on lots around it — Star Metals Offices 1055 Howell Mill Rd NW Atlanta, GA, 30318 more: https://whatnowatlanta.com/star-metals-offices-hits-milestone/ https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7828652,-84.4116355,3a,90.000000y,2.988740h,102.515244t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szg3hDyVXeNJT-gbI3sJUtQ!2e0?lucs=,94207808,94222043,47071704,47069508,94203019,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_ep=CAISDTYuMTE3LjEuNjI5MjAYACCBgQEqSCw5NDIwNzgwOCw5NDIyMjA0Myw0NzA3MTcwNCw0NzA2OTUwOCw5NDIwMzAxOSw0NzA4NDMwNCw5NDIwODQ1OCw5NDIwODQ0N0ICVVM%3D&g_st=ic&g_st=ic Looks like a cheap and poorly done imitation of a style found more and more in cities like NYC but which tend to be more upscale and with better quality designs and finishes.
June 9, 20241 yr ^ as streetview is want to do, if you move around a little you can see a brief throwback view the street as it was before the star office and apt bldg was built — https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7829978,-84.4116591,3a,90.000000y,340.441101h,91.470070t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sITIamBxFSgZ4-dYLLW5-YQ!2e0?lucs=,94207808,94222043,47071704,47069508,94203019,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_ep=CAISDTYuMTE3LjEuNjI5MjAYACCBgQEqSCw5NDIwNzgwOCw5NDIyMjA0Myw0NzA3MTcwNCw0NzA2OTUwOCw5NDIwMzAxOSw0NzA4NDMwNCw5NDIwODQ1OCw5NDIwODQ0N0ICVVM%3D&g_st=ic&g_st=ic
June 9, 20241 yr On 3/18/2022 at 8:17 AM, Ethan said: It won't actually look like that is my main thought. If it does then great! I love the idea of integrating trees into the design, though otherwise this building is kind of meh. I think integrating nature into construction is in the future of architecture, it will do wonders for people's mental health. Plus it will be good for the planet. I've always liked the idea of buildings just elevating the ground rather than replacing it! My worry is that in a few years all of these trees will be dead or dying, and it will look horrible. I've seen it done well on Bosco Verticale in Milan, but that is a super luxury high rise that can afford high maintenance costs. (Plus their landscaping looks much better thought out than this). Unless this building is actually willing to put in the effort to maintain these trees it might bite them in the long run. 44 minutes ago, mrnyc said: this office bldg was built — minus the trees — and i see via streetview its in a weird area of atlanta that is booming with new dystopian apt bldgs, but still has a few scubby bars on lots around it — Star Metals Offices 1055 Howell Mill Rd NW Atlanta, GA, 30318 more: https://whatnowatlanta.com/star-metals-offices-hits-milestone/ https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7828652,-84.4116355,3a,90.000000y,2.988740h,102.515244t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szg3hDyVXeNJT-gbI3sJUtQ!2e0?lucs=,94207808,94222043,47071704,47069508,94203019,47084304,94208458,94208447&g_ep=CAISDTYuMTE3LjEuNjI5MjAYACCBgQEqSCw5NDIwNzgwOCw5NDIyMjA0Myw0NzA3MTcwNCw0NzA2OTUwOCw5NDIwMzAxOSw0NzA4NDMwNCw5NDIwODQ1OCw5NDIwODQ0N0ICVVM%3D&g_st=ic&g_st=ic I think I was basically spot on in my initial reaction. This doesn't look much like the original rendering, at least with regards to the green roof / integrated landscaping. I'm getting tired of green washing renderings to get projects approved, and then not following through. Still, they did plant a few trees in the end, and that's better than the average building, so I can't be too negative. I'd just like renders to actually represent what will be planted.
June 9, 20241 yr 11 minutes ago, Ethan said: I think I was basically spot on in my initial reaction. This doesn't look much like the original rendering, at least with regards to the green roof / integrated landscaping. I'm getting tired of green washing renderings to get projects approved, and then not following through. Still, they did plant a few trees in the end, and that's better than the average building, so I can't be too negative. I'd just like renders to actually represent what will be planted. i couldn’t find a good full view of it, but i didn’t look too hard. its still a fresh build and some plantings seem to be in the works, but hard to tell and definitely not what was shown in the render. on one outside deck level maybe?
June 10, 20241 yr a look around the outside of the gamble house — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C76eLeZvgUN/?igsh=MWkwZHMxb2QxMzN5
July 24, 2024Jul 24 soviet modernism — https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9DaEuEsPi0/?igsh=MW8wdGsyaGJrNGI1cg==
December 25, 2024Dec 25 Interesting take in how architects are underappreciated villains preventing density and empowering NIMBYs. (I haven't watched the full podcast yet, just the clip, I might later).
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