Architecture The Architecture Thread

[SDNR]

Gateway Project, Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE
Architects: Snøhetta, Oslo, Norway

VIDEO



It shares a similar 'biomimetic' aesthetic with the CITROËN GT Concept

 

[SDNR]

The Palm Jumeirah
Dubai, UAE

Truly unbelievable.

The scale of these projects in Dubai is breathtaking.

 

[Sunny]

lol, what happens when the poles melt.

I see the the biggest irony in the making: Oil causes global warming, global warming causes polar ice caps to melt, the melting poles causes the ocean level to raise, the rising ocean submerges all those houses build with oil money!

 

[MikeJ]

All right. Am I the only one to think that these things being built in UAE are truly and utterly vulgar?

 

[SDNR]

Hmm, "vulgar"? This is all about making Dubai one of the great cities of the world. The 'McMansions' above look very much like the type of high-end subdivision developments seen in the US.


The western world's self-indulgent obsession with iconic buildings and the vast wealth in the Eastern world has fueled the proliferation of fantastic buildings in cities like Dubai and Shanghai -- but the problem is everyone wants a major "Icon" -- these cities have become architectural laboratories (or playgrounds) -- with so many buildings trying to outdo eachother, the whole effect becomes one of chaotic excess rather than high culture and iconic inspiration. The Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas: "The work we do is no longer mutually reinforcing, but I would say that any accumulation is counterproductive, to the point that each new addition reduces the sum's value" .

Architects have become celebrities and their work reflects the Neo-Baroque excesses of Late Modernism -- the global economic crisis will see a major shift away from this ....and usher in an era of formality and order -- all of a sudden, Shanghai looks out of date.

Dubai Renaissance, Dubai, UAE. Revolving building design by Rem Koolhaas.

The Cloud, Dubai, UAE

Dubai Towers, Dubai, UAE

Dubai Towers Istanbul, Turkey

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

What do you mean 'Shanghai is looking out of date' Rob?

 

[SDNR]

What do you mean 'Shanghai is looking out of date' Rob?

Well, I didn't mean it literally -- but Shanghai will come to represent late Modernism and its excesses -- I believe this era of architectural indulgence is all about to come to an end

Shanghai has some stunning buildings -- it is a city full of 'wannabe' Icons -- but they all get lost amid the chaos they, themselves, create.

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas:
"We are in the rococo phase of modern architecture. The consummate rococo figure is Santiago Calatrava (see example here), whose work people like, in the same way they like Gothic architecture, because it's sweet and you don't have to think about it. You see it once and go 'Wow!' Of course, we know that not much happened in 300 years of Gothic architecture. It was always the same 'Wow!' However, I personally resent, for example, two billion dollars being spent on a subway station in New York City that looks like a bird. I have no idea why a subway station should either look like a bird or cost two billion dollars".

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Well, I didn't mean it literally -- but Shanghai will come to represent late Modernism and its excesses -- I believe this era of architectural indulgence is all about to come to an end

Shanghai has some stunning buildings -- it is a city full of 'wannabe' Icons -- but they all get lost amid the chaos they, themselves, create.

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas:
"We are in the rococo phase of modern architecture. The consummate rococo figure is Santiago Calatrava (see example here), whose work people like, in the same way they like Gothic architecture, because it's sweet and you don't have to think about it. You see it once and go 'Wow!' Of course, we know that not much happened in 300 years of Gothic architecture. It was always the same 'Wow!' However, I personally resent, for example, two billion dollars being spent on a subway station in New York City that looks like a bird. I have no idea why a subway station should either look like a bird or cost two billion dollars".

Ok I get you. I wonder if you'll prove to be correct about the end to architectural indulgence. You have in other threads suggested extravagant car design will also become more restrained, to reflect the current economic climate etc. Many of the models hitting the street now would have been concieved at leat 3-4 years ago, at the height of the so called 'economic miracle,' which could pose problems for car companies.

I agree with MikeJ, those Dubai McMansions do look quite vulgar. The complete lack of vegetation doesn't help! Just imagine the huge amounts of energey that would be needed to keep those houses cool.

 

[SDNR]

It coincides with the shift toward more ecologically aware and 'sustainable' solutions.
_______________________________________________________________________


Historically, western culture has followed a pattern of periods of chaos followed by periods of order.

Neo-Baroque -- what Rem Koolhaas calls the "rococo phase of Modern architecture' represents a period of chaos.

*Rococo was a decorative style that was fashionable during the reign of King Louis XV of France.

Where do we go from here? -- that is the big question.


There are some parallels here:

High Baroque architecture (during the reign of Louis XIV):
Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France, circa 1680

City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain, 1996

 

[Mr. M]

Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Completed by: 2009

Look at the astounding number of cranes.

 

[SDNR]

That "Sky Park" roof garden is quite spectacular James. Do you think you might be able to sneak up there and take some pictures for us when it is finished

 

[Cashmere]

not sure where to post this, not exactly an architectural marvel but a pretty awesome bachelor pad. Belongs to some dude on 6speed.

x

 

[modena_360stradale]

Taken by a guy named 'aarhap' in "West Keys, Napier, New Zealand":

 

[Mr. M]

As promised, more pictures of the house I recently moved into... Hope you guys can appreciate it as much as I do.

Exterior views (taken on New Year's Eve before a party!)

My beloved car and cat!

Interior:

Look at the wrapping still intact...

The chandelier...

That's about it so far. Haven't got the artwork or decor in yet.

 

[SDNR]

I have been meaning to post this for over a month.

On March 12, the American Postmodernist architect Michael Graves died aged 80.

Michael Graves is one of the great architects of the late 20th century. In the mid 1980s he was briefly the most celebrated living architect in the world ....but by the mid 1990s his work had fallen out of favour.

My introduction to the work of Michael Graves was through his product designs - his famous kettle for the Italian firm Alessi was a best seller around the world and has become an iconic object of the '80s

Graves' genius first gained him attention in the 1970s when he started experimenting with incorporating Classical forms to Modern architecture.

For half a century, Modernist architects had almost entirely rejected historic references and elements such as Greek columns and Keystones.

Graves was the leader in early Postmodernist architecture which introduced Classical references and themes to Modern architecture.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Are you an architect, Rob?

 

[SDNR]

Are you an architect, Rob?

Ha, no ....I considered studying architecture ....but my first love is fine art (painting and sculpture).

 

[Carmaker1]

Ha, no ....I considered studying architecture ....but my first love is fine art (painting and sculpture).

I had also considered studying architecture from when I was 7, as I always loved drawing cars and various buildings as a kid. Wanted to do a minor in architecture, but that idea didn't come to pass, as motor vehicles have always been my passion since I could breathe (Birmingham/Midlands will do that you. Minoring in business made more sense (hope to preside over a company one day).

I did help my parents design their main Texas residence when I was 15-16 years old, but some of my ideas where not so realistic and caused some really bad setbacks, making for some unnecessary losses to correct them. Took 27 months in total, 1 year longer than planned and my father very disappointed in me.

Their foyer and staircase I had the most input in. The original idea was to have a separate, hidden staircase like on the other wing of the house (below). Implementing a centralized staircase (above), that lead to both sides of the house and basement is an idea my father rejected initially in 2006, but gave in eventually.

I am currently designing my own house (still saving up for it and some great land), which my target is an ultra-modern ideal. Doing that in the UK is a massive challenge and nearly impossible, so that will take me some years.

 

[Carmaker1]

As promised, more pictures of the house I recently moved into... Hope you guys can appreciate it as much as I do.

Exterior views (taken on New Year's Eve before a party!)

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My beloved car and cat!

Interior:

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Look at the wrapping still intact...

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The chandelier...

That's about it so far. Haven't got the artwork or decor in yet.

That house is amazing! It's a theme that I have been trying to work with, but that much glass would be a dream and too much for me to work with.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Ha, no ....I considered studying architecture ....but my first love is fine art (painting and sculpture).

I did too, during my childhood and mid teens. Then around 15, industrial design struck me like a thunderstorm and I wanted so badly to become one, but no university on Bolivia was teaching when I finished college. I did my best to convince my parents to send me to Italy to study, but the f*ckers didn't
In the end I went to study industrial engineering, which I was very fond, none the less (my father and my two sister are engineers too) and go figure, just when I was finishing my career and ready to work on dad's company, I decided to start my own lil shop and making musical instruments....what a rollercoaster of life

Still these days I still love architecture and industrial design, and on my spare time I do some furniture and object design. Pretty much like carmaker, I'm on the design of both my living room and kitchen.