Casual Highrise Talk

[I-10east]

I tried to search for a thread on opinions of different skyscrapers throughout the world, architectural styles, preferences, comparisons, etc but couldn't find anything. I thought that I'd make this thread, kinda like bringing a lil' Skyscrapercity.com to the world of MJ if you will.

I found this building in OKC that kinda looks like the Wells Fargo Center's lil' brother; It's the only building I've seen so far that looks remotely close to it; Union Plaza (probably not the best view of the building).

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Plaza

[I-10east]

Within highrise architecture,  seems like alot of people don't like 'boxes', I actually don't mind them at all. My highrise pet peeves are irregular 'shards' like the BOA Tower in NYC etc; I'm just not feeling these asymmetrical monstrosities. Sadly these 'eye squinters' are getting more and more popular.

Another thing that I don't like are these unnatural 'height pleasing spires' ya know, like 'gloried antennas' just to say that a building is tall. You have buildings like the Empire State, and the Chrysler that have natural spires that don't look slapped up together; Then in contrast, you have the new One World Trade Center. Far as I'm concerned, Chicago still has the US's skyscraper height record; I'm saying this, and I was born in NY!!! LOL Yall know that I'm not one to hold back.

[thelakelander]

My pet peeve is highrises that don't integrate well with the human scale at street level.  As far as architecture goes, I prefer buildings that are designed with materials and in styles that reflect the time of their construction.  As far as recently built highrises go, I find Miami's Espirito Santo Plaza and Chicago's Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies aesthetically pleasing. 

However, I do find older Prairie School style high rises pretty interesting because the design and materials used can make them appear taller than they really are. Klutho's Florida Life Building on Laura Street is a great example.

[I-10east]

^^^The Espirito Santo Plaza has been kinda growing on me. The Spertus Institute is definitely interesting; It has two very contrasting buildings on either side of it. A normal square glass grid, the Spertus Institute, then some old school Prairie View.

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spertus_Institute_for_Jewish_Learning_and_Leadership