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Topic: architecture

rasmus
malcontent
Babbler # 621

posted 17 March 2004 02:31 AM

I just walked under this in real life for the first time during tonight's snowstorm. It's beautiful! I love it! In the picture it looks like a big slab, but from down below it seems magically light. The black and white patterning is quite attractive and gives a texture that relieves the slabness, and the coloured windows give off warm, muted light from within, like paper lanterns... the whole effect is of startling lightness. And it's so high up, it's incredible. The stilts! I love it. Genius!

From: Fortune favours the bold | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Kevin
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3645

posted 17 March 2004 02:39 AM

Wow.

It looks like the stilts are so unable to bear the weight I'd be almost afraid to go in it!

From: Simon Fraser University | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged

Performance Anxiety
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3474

posted 17 March 2004 04:03 AM

Where, praytell, is this monstrosity?

From: Outside of the box | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Eric C
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5096

posted 17 March 2004 04:28 AM

That's the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto.

Definitely shocking, but strangely impressive. I've gotta make an effort to pass by and check out the building next time I'm in Toronto.

From: Ottawa | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

aRoused
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1962

posted 17 March 2004 05:41 AM

coughflyingcanopygasstationcough!

No, no, I'm sure it's an award-winning design, and all that that entails.

From: The King's Royal Burgh of Eoforwich | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged

Willowdale Wizard
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3674

posted 17 March 2004 06:30 AM

it's the first north american commission for will alsop.

he also won the stirling prize (best british building) in 2000 for this vaugely-similar library in south london. maybe he was an insect in a past life, and he just likes long thin legs.

From: england (hometown of toronto) | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged

rasmus
malcontent
Babbler # 621

posted 17 March 2004 09:54 AM

It does look like exiting the building during a fire might be a concern. But what the hell, it's art students.

Art is more important than life!

From: Fortune favours the bold | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 17 March 2004 10:03 AM

It looks wonderful to me too, although I've only seen the drawing so far. I didn't realize the building was finished -- I must go to look soon.

The colour-scheme reminds me of licorice all-sorts, actually. On paper, anyway, it looks jolly and young and light-heartedly audacious, which is perfect for the purpose.

From: gone | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Willowdale Wizard
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3674

posted 17 March 2004 10:15 AM

it's a shame that alsop didn't have the courage to follow his design through to its logical conclusion ... i mean, shouldn't it be able to walk through the city? school bus meets art college ... toronto's champion should godzilla attack ... the possibilities are endless.

From: england (hometown of toronto) | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged

Puetski Murder
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3790

posted 17 March 2004 10:23 AM

I was by it about a month ago and took a picture (it lasts longer).

Of course it makes a better impression in person. I had heard that the top box's material was not supposed to be corrugated as it is.

I like it better than I thought I would, but generally I'm not in favour of it.

But I also don't like: The ROM, The AGO, The Trump Tower, and so on. Toronto seems to like building architecture which is almost certain to become dated.

[ 17 March 2004: Message edited by: Puetski Murder ]

From: Toronto | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

Tommy Shanks
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3076

posted 17 March 2004 10:45 AM

Concerning the materials, it was supposed to be at various times clad in tinted translucent panels, copper (used on the Fulham library above), titanium, and matte-black steel. They ended up with the dalmatian-esque painted corregated steel (which at one point was supposed to be sky blue. Look out planes!!!) because it was cheaper.

While interesting, I'm not a big fan because I don't think it will look good or fit into the context of the neighbourhood in 20 years. The underside will be a sunovabitch to clean and the white will be gray in a short while.

What it has achieved though is creating more public discussion about architecture, always a good thing.

From: Toronto | Registered: Sep 2002 | IP: Logged

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