A new look for Bank of America

[gatorback]

I like the American Heritage Life building.  I like the red and blue glass panels that make up the side.  I also like the Silver and white building next to the Omni...which building is that?

[reednavy]

I like the American Heritage Life building.  I like the red and blue glass panels that make up the side.  I also like the Silver and white building next to the Omni...which building is that?

Thats the Wachovia Tower on the Northbank.

[Ocklawaha]

Nothing beats the Krystal Burger out on Atlantic. Hee hee!  

I know my plants, but come on, use something other than a ugly holly. Hell, use date palms

Really guys, does anybody recall the ORIGINAL plans for the BOA tower? I do, and it was to have PALMS on the balconys up near the top. The bank nixed the idea at the last moment as "liberal" or "forward" for Jacksonville, and their image! Play it again Sam, maybe someone could dust off those old drawings. Stunning.  

Ocklawaha

[RiversideGator]

Any way you can post that rendering, Ock?

[Ocklawaha]

Hey Compatriot, I don't know if I still have it. I'm going through boxes of paper over the next month or so and if I run across it, I'll post it. Seems to me the TU or some such local media published the images. I don't remember if the palms were live or if they were stylistic??? I was hoping someone would see this and do the "oh yeah, I've got it..." But guess you the only one that noticed. I wish they could have built it that way because it was really cool. To me it screamed New York Cosmopolitan and Key West Florida Laid Back all in one and did a great job of the marriage. I'll see what I can find. Anyone else?

Ocklawaha

[gatorback]

Thats the Wachovia Tower on the Northbank.

Yes!  That's the building.  I hate Wachovia but I love their building.

[Ocklawaha]

Wachovia, is as pretty at Street level or inside as it is from a distance. The atrium between it and the Omni is stunning inside. If you haven't seen it Jacksonville, take a walk-through...

Ocklawaha

[gatorback]

Maybe the JTA will get a clue and build good looking  bus stops with all that money they are wasting at least.

[raheem942]

i think it looks classie

[reednavy]

Well, they finally did it, the East Palatka Holly trees are in, and its exactly what I expected. They are WAYYYYY to small to compliment a 617ft tall tower, the coloration is a serious clash of light green leaves and red berries, and the charcoal and dark silverish glass of the tower. They'll never get tall enough, or fill out enough to EVER make it look descent, they were better off with the Live Oaks. On the only bright side, at least you can see the whole exterior, which is eye pleasing, bu they should've used bigger trees on either side of the entrances to make a grand statement. I know landscaping, I majored in Agriculture in H.S. and took landscape design class and its almost sickening. I would love to smack the head person who wanted E. Palatka Hollies, I mean, they fail easily in high winds. In 06 when Alberto came through, the winds smashed over some scaffolding downtown, these plants are basically like that. Any takes on this?

[Skot David Wilson]

Using energy when no one needs it is wasteful, and it is in anyone's best interests to shut off lights. To conserve energy buildings can use phosphorescent strips along all four corners and key design lines to collect solar radiation then illuminate their buildings at night.
What is "phosphorescent"? It collects light, then releases it slowly, commonly known as "glow in the dark".
Downtown can be lit up like a christmas tree with 0 energy useage.
I further suggest that all flat roof downtown buildings paint their roofs white and install solar collectors above that now solar reflecting roof.
visit http://whiteroofamerica.blogspot.com
Enlightened businesses can also make "green" roofs, allowing employeed to garden during breaks.
Adding "green" features such as trees along streets must be done with careful consideration of the manner in which trees will grow. Planting trees that will damage infrastructure with their roots is pure stupid.
But people with dollars and no sense seem to abound in Jax.
I'd like to see the Modis building (old Independent Life) have bule phosphorescent on all four corners.
Marquis can also be made in this manner.
If we had forward thinking leadership, just think of what Jacksonville COULD be!

[ELeroyReed]

I absolutely agree that we would do a world of good by incorporate cool roofs or vegetative roofs in Jacksonville.  Not only would that decrease heat island effects in our city, but also optimize energy performance in the individual buildings.

A note on "lighting up Jacksonville" though...  Let's consider light pollution reduction:

"Outdoor lighting is necessary for illuminating connections between buildings and support facilities such as sidewalks, parking lots, roadways, and community gathering places.  However, light trespass from poorly designed outdoor lighting systems can affect the nocturnal ecosystem on the site, and light pollution limits night sky access.  Through thoughtful design and careful maintenance, outdoor lighting can address night sky visibility issues and site illumination requirements, while minimizing the negative impact on the environment.

"Sensitively designed outdoor lighting can extend access and use of many areas into the nighttime hours.  We can gain a unique appreciation for a place at night because of sensitively and creatively designed lighting systems.  But any time lighting is added to an exterior environment, the potential of light pollution exists.  Even with the best full cutoff luminaries and the lowest wattage lamp packages, the added light will be reflected off surafaces and into the atmosphere.  Using the minimum amount of lighting equipment, limiting or eliminating all landscape lighting, and avoiding light pollution through the careful selection of lighting equipment and controls allows noctural life to thrive while still providing for nighttime activity."

-LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation Version 2.2 Reference Guide

A few additional resources:

www.iesna.org :  Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
www.darksky.org :  International Dark-Sky Association
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ps/nelpag.htm :  New England Light Pollution Advisory Group
http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/darksky/default.asp : Sky & Telescope

Ellen Reed
USGBC North Florida Public Advocacy Chair