GTAForums Official Architecture Discussion

[I<3GTAV]

It's 5 AM, I can't fall asleep, and I'm bored, so why not?

 

 

Come here to discuss your favorite architecture across the world, talk about buildings currently being built or proposed, or just throw out a picture of your favorite construction. It just has to be about architecture. There's many great things, built or being built, across the world.

 

I'll start with talking about some towers which have begun construction or are starting construction in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Saudi Arabia, and a pretty big proposal in Chicago.

 

In LA, a new supertall is being built in Downtown, the Wilshire Grand Tower. It's been the first major tower under construction since the 1980s in the city, and has a modern design that really sets itself out from a city full of flat roofs and blocky buildings, with a slanted shape, oblong roof, and a tall spire. The entire skin of the tower will feature LED lighting. It's set to top out at 1,099 feet tall, making it the tallest in LA and the Western US. Many people hope that this tower can help boost a revitalization of Downtown LA, and bring life back into the area. It will be a mixed use building, featuring a hotel, nightclub, and offices. The Wilshire Grand is expected to be finished 2017.

The Wilshire Grand Tower is the tall glass building with the spire towards the left side of the pic.

 

In San Francisco, the recently named Salesforce Tower is going to become to tallest in the city at completion. At 1,070 feet, it's just 29 feet shy of being the tallest in the Western US, though it will still become the tallest in San Francisco, surpassing the Transamerica Pyramid (AKA the Really Really Really Pointy Building). Similar the the Wilshire Grand, it will set itself out from the rest of the city with a much more modern design. It's expected to become an iconic structure for San Francisco, similar to the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Sutro Tower. The SF Tower will feature commercial offices for Salesforce.com Inc. This building is estimated to be completed in 2017.

The Salesforce Tower is the tall, bluish white skyscraper in the middle of the picture.

 

The Comcast Innovation and Technology Center in Philadelphia was recently approved for construction. Beginning construction this summer, it will become the tallest building in Philly, and the tallest building outside of New York and Chicago in the US when finished in 2017-2018 with a height of 1,121 feet. In 2007, Comcast also built another skyscraper in the city, the Comcast Center, which is the current tallest in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. The CIaTC will host a hotel, restaurants, retail, and offices, some of which are being occupied by NBC10 and Telemundo. The design is rather blocky, though with modern elements like glass walls and tall spires.

The CIaTC is the tallest building in the city in the middle.

 

When completed, the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will become the tallest tower in the world at 3,281 feet, or exactly 1 kilometer. It will be the centerpiece of a $20 billion (USD) development known as Kingdom City, located on the shores of the peaceful Red Sea. The tower was originally supposed to be one mile high, however the geology of the area forced the developers to down-size. Construction was started April 2013, and is expected to be finished around 2019. The observation deck of the building will be 1,647 ft (502 m) high, making it one of the highest observatories in existence. The tower will be mixed use, hosting offices, hotels, apartments, and observatory, and retail. The Kingdom Tower is expected to become a cultural icon of Saudi Arabia, symbolizing the nation's wealth and power.

DAYYUUUUUUUUUUUUM

 

Last but not least, in Chicago, discussions of a 2,000 foot high tower recently came back to life. The Chicago Spire, which was originally planned to start construction in 2007, was once again proposed by developers to be built on the original site, where the foundation lays dormant. If built in it's present state, it will be 2,000 feet tall and become the tallest tower in the United States and Western Hemisphere. The building will rise out of the city with a spirical shape, similar to that of a vibrator, being visible from miles on end. The Chicago Spire will mainly consist of apartments and condos, though it may also include other qualities. As of April 2014, the fate of the project is unknown, and if this proposal doesn't pull through, it will most likely become a much smaller apartment complex and park.

 

Any thoughts?

Edited April 13, 2014 by I<3GTAV

[KD himan]

Oh my godness. i was also about to post about Kingdom Tower but you already posted it. the second picture of the Tower is so beautiful, i would like to do a gliding from here and without parachute.

 

on Topic : Yea, i dont know if it would be count in it but this is maybe the world's longest bridge - Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge

 

 

I love the sun shine coming cross the clouds and forming shapes in Water ^_^

[universetwisters]

I like split level houses.

[THE GHETTO JEZUS]

Well here are some developments happening in the City I live currently

 

Digging just recently started and within the next several months it should be completed with the tower crane up and running

 

 

Tower that will be built on that lot, 48 floors and 164m tall.

 

 

Another project that is also under construction beside King George Stn

 

Phase 1 of 4

 

 

How the entire lot will look like when its all done, building heights; 10 floors at 43.5m tall, 11 floors at 47.2 m tall, 11 floors at 53.9m tall, 44 floors at 126.8m tall, 46 floors at 132.4m tall, 48 floors at 138m tall, and 50 floors at 143.6m tall.

 

 

 

 

 

Just close by another project is also under construction

 

 

When it's all done it'll look like this 36 storey at 133m tall and 40 storey at 145m tall

 

 

Also near the first tower under construction would be another building well 2 I guess

 

 

Once done both towers are at 28 storeys high at 87m tall

 

 

As for buildings that are proposed we got

 

This project also includes the two residential towers in the background, don't have the heights or # of floors except the small office building that's 4 storey high

 

This, don't have the building heights but its a 30 and 37 storey buildings

 

 

Don't have the heights but its a 46 storey high building and a 20 storey high building

 

 

26 and 32 storeys high at 67m and 87m tall

 

 

Across the road from the King George one forgot the heights but I know the tallest one is 150m+

 

 

 

37 storeys high at 110m tall

 

 

I'll do some more research and find the exact height's for the buildings above.

 

I'll also post some other proposals or buildings under construction in other cities in Metro Vancouver

Edited April 14, 2014 by THE GHETTO JEZUS

[WBaker]

Houston's Beer Can House

 

 

Now, that's class!

[Misbegotten cad]

Man but those high rises are boring!

-Mind you, I heard it said by a doctor once, that men who are interested in skyscrapers, are in fact interested in erect male penises!!!

-that's right!!! So if you are into skyscrapers big time, it means you are gay!!!!!

[gtamann123]

I like split level houses.

I agree.

 

I reallt hope the Chicago Spire goes through. US needs to join the 2000 ft club.

Edited April 14, 2014 by gtamann123

[THE GHETTO JEZUS]

Man but those high rises are boring!

-Mind you, I heard it said by a doctor once, that men who are interested in skyscrapers, are in fact interested in erect male penises!!!

-that's right!!! So if you are into skyscrapers big time, it means you are gay!!!!!

So you're saying that all architects are gay ? Hmm, interesting logic you got there.

 

Anyways about 6 years ago we had a crazy proposal here that would of've been where the King George Stn construction is happening. Like a 70 storey building, a 55 storey hotel, 3 40 - 50 storey residential buidlings, and all built on top of a mall. The 70 storey building was about 220m tall so in ft's it's pretty f*cking tall. The only pic I could find of the project.

 

 

Well moving away from my city we got this proposed in Vancouver. A 52 storey building at 151.5 m tall but I must say the building design looks pretty interesting and I hope this get the green light soon.

 

 

 

This is currently under construction and it'll be a 67 storey building at 188m tall

 

 

How the end product will look like

 

 

 

I'll post some more buildings that are currently under construction or being proposed.

[Moonshield]

Man but those high rises are boring!

-Mind you, I heard it said by a doctor once, that men who are interested in skyscrapers, are in fact interested in erect male penises!!!

-that's right!!! So if you are into skyscrapers big time, it means you are gay!!!!!

 

Yeah, and Zaha Hadid's football stadium in Qatar means football is for pussies!

 

 

I like cantilevers

 

 

 

 

Switching gears - I think a lot of those high rise developments are bland as hell - they look like shotgun designs thrown together with the only thing that makes sense is the retail space below that actively responds to the site.

 

I do like that last building Jezus posted though, the faceted cubes together shifting the total geometry of the mass makes sense. Not sure about the other triangular structures near the ground though.

[Mr Oraange]

Always been a fan of Art Nouveau.

 

 

 

 

Man but those high rises are boring!

-Mind you, I heard it said by a doctor once, that men who are interested in skyscrapers, are in fact interested in erect male penises!!!

-that's right!!! So if you are into skyscrapers big time, it means you are gay!!!!!

Sounds like you're referring to phallic architecture.

By your logic, every lumberjack, construction-worker, and every other manly-man is gay, though that's for another thread.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Mr Oraange

[gtamann123]

I think one of the most intriguing proposals to me right now is the Redevelopment of the Old Chicago main post office.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Chicago_Main_Post_Office_Redevelopment

 

 

 

 

Approved by the city council in July of 2013. Multiple skyscrapers with the anchor being 2,000 ft tall. 12,000 FREE parking spaces as well. I really hope this ends up going through as well as the Spire. Chicago deserves more skyscrapers since they basically invented the modern Skyscraper.

[Mister Pink]

I'm a fan of Art Deco..

 

 

 

 

 

[gtamann123]

 

In San Francisco, the recently named Salesforce Tower is going to become to tallest in the city at completion. At 1,070 feet, it's just 29 feet shy of being the tallest in the Western US, though it will still become the tallest in San Francisco, surpassing the Transamerica Pyramid (AKA the Really Really Really Pointy Building). Similar the the Wilshire Grand, it will set itself out from the rest of the city with a much more modern design. It's expected to become an iconic structure for San Francisco, similar to the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Sutro Tower. The SF Tower will feature commercial offices for Salesforce.com Inc. This building is estimated to be completed in 2017.

The Salesforce Tower is the tall, bluish white skyscraper in the middle of the picture.

 

I can't believe it has taken this long for San Francisco to get a 1,000 ft skyscraper. Considering the density of the city and lack of real estate I would think they would be building more skyscrapers than they are. I know they are seismically active but that hasn't stopped LA from building a 1,000 ft tower.

 

It's a beautiful building but It doesn't really seem to blend with the rest of the skyline

[Special Members]

I´m a fan of classic arhcitecture. Especially Russian. Look at these sex bombs!

 

 

 

 

[Moonshield]

Recently saw this on r/Architecture

 

 

http://www.jayhargravearchitecture.com/glass-house/

 

Love the heaviness of the brick versus the lightness of the glass and steel. It's like it was an old brick partially destroyed prairie house that was retrofitted with new construction.

[K^2]

I´m a fan of classic arhcitecture. Especially Russian. Look at these sex bombs!

You would probably also enjoy Savior on Blood, if you aren't familiar with it already. It's a bit similar to the Saint Basil's, in your first picture, but it's even more interesting architecturally, and its location on the channel make it a more stunning sight.

[Crokey]

Michigan Central Station

It's a damned shame what this place looks like now, back the day it was marvel of grand design of Grecian and Roman proportions.

 

It's also featured in the opening segment of the third of the Qatsi trilogy, Naqoyqatsi

 

 

[Special Members]

 

I´m a fan of classic arhcitecture. Especially Russian. Look at these sex bombs!

You would probably also enjoy Savior on Blood, if you aren't familiar with it already. It's a bit similar to the Saint Basil's, in your first picture, but it's even more interesting architecturally, and its location on the channel make it a more stunning sight.

 

Sorry for the late reply, but damn. That is one lovely building.

[gtamann123]

One of my favorite buildings in the world is the Transamerica pyramid. It certainly seems like a pretty unique skyscraper with it's pointyness and all.

 

 

 

Actually come to think of it I like pretty much anything that has to do with San Francisco architecture.

 

 

 

[Crokey]

Ryugyong Hotel

 

North Korea's White Elephant, it apparently is nearing completion about 25 year too late, and to be fair it looks impressive from a distance even if the fact that if you built a replica this thing with Porridge Oats and Weetabix it would be stronger as the concrete in the construction is said to be shocking. Like a lot of things about North Korea it's a shame about the sociopolitical situation there as some of the design of some of the buildings are admittedly communisticly exuberant and therefore can be tainted by this, but at the same time damned impressive like other former mainly Soviet block architecture was and is.

[gtamann123]

Why exactly do they have such a large hotel when their borders are so tight? Who stays in it? Chinese tourists?

[Wolf of Badenoch]

Wemyss Bay Station

 

 

 

One of Scotland's finest railway stations, along with Glasgow Central, Paisley Gilmour Street & Edinburgh Waverley.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Valenta

[THE GHETTO JEZUS]

Vancouver Art Gallery

 

 

 

And during 4/20

 

 

Vancouver Library

 

 

 

 

The Waterfront Street Station

 

 

 

I'll try finding some more interesting architects over the next few days

[Crokey]

Why exactly do they have such a large hotel when their borders are so tight? Who stays in it? Chinese tourists?

They make it good for all glorious peoples of great country of North Korea to bask in their wisdom and cultural lernings of Kim Il-Sung

 

Jagshemash

[Wolf of Badenoch]

St Peter's Seminary, Cardross

 

 

 

 

From Wikipedia:

 

 

St. Peter's Seminary is a disused Roman Catholic seminary near Cardross, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Designed by the firm of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia, it has been described by the international architecture conservation organisation DOCOMOMO as a modern "building of world significance". It is one of only 42 post-war buildings in Scotland to be listed at Category A, the highest level of protection for a building of "special architectural or historic interest". It has been abandoned since the end of the 1980s, and is currently in a ruinous state. Despite a number of proposals for reuse or renovation of the building, its future remains insecure.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Valenta

[Wolf of Badenoch]

One of Glasgow's most iconic buildings, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building of the Glasgow School of Art has been badly damaged in a fire today.

 

Before the devastating blaze:

 

More images here: http://www.scotcities.com/mackintosh/gsa.htm

Edited May 23, 2014 by Valenta

[Gnocchi Flip Flops]

I'm a major fan of Tudor Revival Architecture.


Sadly San Antonio only has one (AFAIK) building of this particular type of architecture and it can be found in Alamo Heights - which is San Antonio's wealthiest "old-money" neighborhood. I have no pictures of it at the moment.

Forest Hills, though, is one of my favorite neighborhoods with this type of architecture. If I ever won the lotto, I'd probably buy a house in this neighborhood.



There is a load of structures of this unique architectural style within this neighborhood.

Edited May 23, 2014 by StingrayX

[sivispacem]

Always been a fan of the Arts and Crafts style country houses in the UK:

 

[Wolf of Badenoch]

Glasgow Central Station & Hotel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RoadRunner71]

Some of the Art Deco buildings are pretty nice looking but I feel like others are cold or overdone.

 

Penobscot building in Detroit (1928). The stepped shape of the top reminds me to the traditional Pueblo villages.

 

 

 

 

 

The interior is however a clear example of the overdone ornamentation I previously mentioned.

 

Edited May 23, 2014 by RoadRunner71