Today is the day, when all students are late to class, for a reason, haven’t complete the final model that needs to be submitted today. Some have just finished their models on time, some have not completed yet, and some were missing in action.
Pictures of some of the models (almost all) submitted today :
The Malacca Site Visit for AS 102 year 2009 just ended. It was an enjoyable trip and a tiring trip. We travelled all around the large Old Town area of Malacca, covering Jonker Street, Red Stadhuys, St. Xavier Church, St. Paul Church, A Famosa, etc. Some of us have also visited Maritime Museum, Menara Taming Sari, Dataran Sungai Melaka, Dataran Quayside and Eye on Malaysia.
Malacca, together with Georgetown in Penang were listed as World Heritage Cities by UNESCO. Both cities are along the historical Strait of Malacca, once a famous maritime route for many colonial powers.
The focus of this site visit is on Design 102. We have to select a site that suits the respective client for the Project “…for the…”. Experience the different conditions on the site from day to night, and record findings. Besides that, for Design Communication 102, we have to sketch perspective sketches of 2 colonial buildings and 3 interior spaces of the hotel we stayed, Hotel Puri.
Hotel Puri, is a three-star hotel located along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a strategic area as it is just besides the happening street of Jonker Walk.
Some of the pictures taken during the 3 days 2 nights site visit:
The very long shophouses in the Old Town area of Malacca.
Malacca River, many tourist areas along the Malacca, known as Malacca Waterfront.
Eye on Malaysia’s ferris wheel as seen from far.
The famous Red Stadhuys area, full of tourists here…on a very strategic location
The St. Paul Church on top of the hill with his tomb in there.
The main landmark of Malacca, A Famosa, which is so small and so ’sad’…
St. Xavier Church, nice-looking and great topping.
Taming Sari Tower at night…looks tall but only 80m high…
The Maritime Museum, built to resemble a Portuguese ship, looks interesting.
The lobby for Hotel Puri…
The stage at junction of Jonker Street with performances going on…
Jonker Street crowded with people and stalls…Night market will be held along Jonker Street every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
Notes:
1. Part of this post is obtained directly from my own site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/malacca-site-visit/
as architecture students; we loved to show buildings in exploded view. but do you ever imagine to show architecture elements similar to exploded view in a different manner? behold, architecture reassembled.
Everyone must have remember what happened yesterday, exactly eight years ago…the horrible 911 attack that brought the 415m and 417m World Trade Center towers to rubbles.
The project of rebuilding the World Trade Center in New York City after the disastrous 911 attacks is called as ‘ Project Rebirth’. This project is very much related to the former twin towers of World Trade Center, and it reflects on the memorial dedication to the 911 disaster.
The site plan of the project:
Currently, constructions are in progress on the large site. A memorial park is built, dedicated for the victims of 911 attack. Four buildings are under construction;
One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower)
Two World Trade Center (200 Greenwich Street)
Three World Trade Center (175 Greenwich Street)
Four World Trade Center (150 Greenwich Street)
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The Seven World Trade Center is built in year 2006.
Future of the area:
From this:
To this by 2013 0r 2014:
Notes:
1. The information and pictures from this post are not of my own and obtained from the internet.
2. This post is obtained directly from my own site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/the-under-construction-skyscrapers-on-new-yorks-ground-zero/
Here is the list from DiSerio ranking through observations and statistics:
1. Hong Kong, China – marvelous skyline on the Hong Kong island, clustered with buildings especially skyscrapers (Two International Finance Centre, Central Plaza, Bank of China Tower, The Center, Cheung Kong Center,etc), mountainous backdrop with sea in front, perfect lighting at night, dense with buildings.
2. Chicago, USA – best skyline in America, dense with buildings usually of traditional style of architecture, a lot of modern buildings rising up, skyscrapers (Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Aon Center,etc), strategic location on the shore, shows the beginning of modern skyline.
3. New York, USA – supposingly the earliest skyline city in the world, fully dense with building with Central Park in the middle, skyscrapers (Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Bank of America Plaza, New York Times Building, etc), marks the beginning of skyscrapers and even skyline.famous landmark: Statue of Liberty.
4. Shanghai, China – a modern looking and futuristic city, boom in economic and prosperity, large development and construction of skyscrapers, famous skyscrapers (Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, Shimao International Plaza, etc), famous landmark: Oriental Pearl Tower, strategic location in the Pudong district along the river.
5. Singapore – a small island but with rapid development, quite dense with buildings, clustered along the river too, can be known as the model garden city, buildings not so tall due to air traffic restriction, famous skyscrapers (UOB Plaza, OUB Plaza, Republic Plaza – three tallest buildings with the height of 280m).
6. Tokyo, Japan – the largest city in the world, among the biggest power in Asia, leading city in technology, fully dense with buildings, famous skyscrapers (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, etc), famous landmark (Tokyo Tower), lighting of buildings at night with neon is fantastic.
7. Toronto, Canada – located at strategic location along the shore, skyscrapers (First Canadian Place, Scotia Plaza, etc), famous landmark (CN Tower), quite dense with buildings, combination of traditional and modern buildings.
8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – not too dense city, organization of buildings is awesome, famous skyscrapers (Petronas Twin Towers, Telekom Tower, Maybank Tower, Empire Tower, etc), famous landmark (Kuala Lumpur Tower), quite rapid development, steady growth.
9. Shenzhen, China – allignment of buildings along a straight road is perfect, lighting at night is beautiful, quite dense with buildings, famous skyscrapers (Shun Hing Square, SEG Plaza, Golden Business Center, Shenzhen Development Bank Tower, etc), rapid development.
10. Seattle, USA – located on a strategic location along the shore too, skyscrapers (Columbia Center, Washington Mutual Tower, Two Union Square, etc), famous landmark (Space Needle), a modern looking city too.
Anybody knows the famous Swiss architecture firm called as Herzog and de Meuron? The two principal architects are Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.
In 2001, they were awarded with Pritzker Prize, the highest of honors in architecture.
They are very excellent especially in designing stadiums, notably the Beijing National Stadium, the stadium which organized the opening and closing ceremonies of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games successfully….the stadium is now a landmark, a symbol of Chinese modernism, and a masterpiece of architecture…
With the seating of 80 000, this remarkable stadium is nicknamed as Bird Nest due to its distinctive design.
Besides than the stadium which was built in 2008, here is another stadium built in 2005 not to be forgotten. This stadium is called as Allianz Arena which is located at Munich, Germany.
With the seatings of 66 000, it is the first stadium in the world that has a full changing colours outside.
Spectacular, isn’t it?
Notes:
1. The information and pictures from this post are not of my own and are obtained from internet sources.
2. This post is directly obtained from my personal site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/fantastic-stadiums-from-herzog-de-meuron/
3. For more information regarding the two stadiums and the architects, feel free to check my own site (under architecture category) or any other sources.
What is the most important thing for an architect?
It is the idea, the thinking of the architects, and the brains play significant role here…an architect can’t have his or her brain empty with no idea for even a single day…no matter the same idea for a specific design or a different ones, which is way better.
Other skills might be important, like craftmanship, drawing, rendering, software usage, etc…but there are actually specialized professions for them; model makers, draftsmans, IT expert, etc…. but the most important, the key for an architect is still the idea and the creativity behind the idea…
As we are learning to become professional architect in the future, get our approach to famous buildings around the world and learn about the idea behind the design that turned from drawings to reality buildings.
Some examples below are of big and tall buildings which I loved the most, but currently I am reading a book entitled (Small Building, Extreme Idea) which is quite a good book on idea behind the designs too…no matter small or big structures, there must be an idea lies behind it that only architects will know, it is hardly to be understand by ordinary people, this is how special architects are!
Idea from surrounding:
- related to the city, skyline and its architecture that defines the city.
- related to the background, landscape, surrounding built environment or nature.
Example: Petronas Twin Towers.
- located in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
- the main religion in the country is Islam, hence the design would be based on Islamic principles.
- KL has a variety of different types of architecture, but in putting KL forward, Cesar Pelli, the architect is designing the buildings based on modernism.
- he designed the buildings to be striking(of glass and steel) to put it as the contrast and main landmark of not only the city but as well as the country, giving great impact towards the surrounding built environment.
- he designed the buildings that suit perfectly with the surrounding cityscape, skyline and the natural background.
Information:
- 452m in height, 88 floors, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, connected by the world tallest skybridge 170m above ground, designed by Cesar Pelli, current world tallest twin buildings, first Asia’s world tallest buildings.
Idea in collaboration with other profession:
- cooperation with artists, engineers, urban planners, or others.
- works together to solve several related issues.
Example: Beijing National Stadium.
- foreign architects (Jacquez Herzog and Pierre de Meuron) came from Swiss to China for the design with new experience.
- they went for research on cultures, traditions, beliefs and history of Chinese people.
- they met with a famous Chinese artist, Ai WeiWei.
- the artist helped them to find a suitable form for the design of the stadium.
- the stadium is to be of complex structure as Chinese people love complex thing.
- then, they thought of bird nest, a suitable form for their design.
- Bird nests are found a lot on trees and can be seen easily especially during winter season when all the trees had no leaves at all!
- they got the idea as soon as they observe the bird nest, a very potential structure for their stadium, even birds can build it, why not people?
Information:
- main stadium for Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games, located in Olympic Green, Beijing, China, capacity of 80 000 seatings, architects: Jacquez Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, world largest steel construction.
Idea with traditional elements:
- basically related to the origins of place; culture, religion, tradition, history, or even ways of life.
- can be incorporated in traditional as well as modern designs.
Example: Taipei 101
- design of the body based on bamboo plants ( bamboo is seen as a plant that is harmonious with the wind based on Chinese beliefs)
- there are 8 boxes in the body, each with 8 floors (8 is a prosperous number based on Chinese beliefs too)
- there are structures of dragon head (Chinese legendary belief that it will helps protect the building) on each corner of the top of boxes that produces a sawtooth corner to ease the wind pressure on the building.
- there are structures of ancient Chinese coin on the center of the four side at the top of the base of the building.
- there are structures of wind figure based on Chinese tradition on the center of each facade on the top of each boxes.
- as you viewed the building from above, it is seen as a combination of square and circle (In Chinese belief, these two shapes stay harmonious and balanced together; circle represents the sky while square represents the earth).
- the great thing is that so many traditional elements are incorporated into the modern-looking building of Taipei 101..great..
Information:
- 509m in height, 101 floors, located in Taipei, Taiwan, designed by C.Y.Lee and Partners, current world tallest completed building to top of spire (architectural detail).
Idea with the form:
- Main point in design of specific structure is within its form.
- Playing of form through transformation or even a simple form projected from plan to create an elegant design.
Example: Shanghai World Financial Center
- the plan is a square shape area.
- basic form is a square prism.
- it is then intersected by two swiping arch to form a vertically evolving six-sided shape in plan.
- then, it tapers off into a single diagonal line on the apex of the building.
- a trapezoidal aperture is added to allow wind to pass through, to enhance the design of the building and to give an exciting feeling to visitors at the world highest observation deck (474m) to enjoy the view with a feeling of floating on air.
Information:
- 492m in height, 101 floors, located in Shanghai, China, designed by Kohn Pederson Fox, world tallest completed building to top of roof and highest occupied floor, world highest observation deck (474m).
Idea with extreme actions:
- with the aid of technology and modern engineering, any extreme actions can be done on a design of specific structure.
- give people a “OMG” feeling when looking at the specific structure.
- actions on design like rotating, twisting or even hanging are now made possible.
Example: CCTV Headquarters Tower.
- two separate towers sliding towards the central point but did not met together directly.
- The new CCTV building is not a traditional structure, but in the form of a three-dimensional continuous cranked loop formed by a 9-storey podium joining two 50-storey high leaning towers, which are linked at the top via a 13-storey cantilevered “overhang” structure at 36 storeys above the ground. The irregular grid on the building’s facades is an expression of the forces travelling throughout its structure.
Information:
- 234m, 50 floors, designed by Rem Koolhaas, located in Beijing, China, great structural challenge especially on its location at the seismic zone.
There are many other prominent examples and many other ideas, there you have to check it out yourself, you may share your brilliant ideas or thoughts with me as well, or you may want to ask some questions, i would be very grateful to hear your response too..very simple, just leave a comment, and I wil lbe surely replying to ur questions…
Notes:
1. All pictures and some of the information above are not of my own.
2. This post is obtained directly from my personal site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/idea-behind-the-architecture/
The upcoming supertall skyscraper, the current second world tallest building that is under construction (just behind the 818m Burj Dubai), is going to stand proud at the famous Lujiazui District, Pudong of Shanghai, China.
Shanghai is seen as the most futuristic city in whole China, with superb economic growth and boom, not to mention the country of China that is one of the super nation in the Earth, with great economic development, especially in cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, etc.
The Shanghai Tower or called as the Shanghai Center will be located right beside the famous Shanghai World Financial Center (current second world tallest completed building, 492m) and Jin Mao Tower (421m), in the area straight axis to the Oriental Pearl Tower (468m).
The tower will be 632m (2073 feet) high with 128 floors. The design is to be based on modernism, sustainability and appropriateness of the form to the built environment of the city.
Construction is now on-going, not affected by recent global economic downturn, and foundation work is started earlier, right after the Shanghai World Financial Center is opened to public, showing;
“One skyscraper completed, another one is going up, in a continuous way, in a city like this, Shanghai.”
The final design of the building will be this: by Marshall Strabala from Gensler. (architecture firm)
Famous architecture companies all around the world and even from local submitted numerous designs for the client and government to approve…
and finally, final design is out and construction began…there are so many different and awesome designs from famous architects, and so, the competition is really great!
To view other designs submitted for the competition, please refer to my own site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/the-process-to-final-design-of-shanghai-tower/
What the architect, Marshall Strabala said about the sustainability of the building:
The top of the office building will have a wind farm of 54 vertical-axis wind turbines generating 540,000 kwh of electricity per year—enough to power up to 400 homes. There will also be systems to collect rainwater and condensation. These and other sustainability elements will be computer-controlled and linked through a variety of enterprise and application software that will be controlled by the building’s owner, Shanghai Tower & Construction.
The winning design is chosen in June 2008. The groundbreaking was held on 29th November 2008 and the construction is to be completed in year 2014. (Long way to go, so just wait!)
Design
The design is to be like a coiled dragon, based on the designer.
The tower will be organized as nine cylindrical buildings stacked atop each other, enclosed by the glass façade’s inner layer. Between that and the outer layer, which twists as it rises, nine indoor gardens at different levels will provide public space for Shanghai residents. Both layers of the façade will be transparent, and retail and event spaces will be provided at the tower’s base. The tower will feature the world’s highest non-enclosed observation deck.
Director of Design Marshall Strabala of Gensler told E-Architect.co.uk architectural news website that Shanghai Tower will represent “China’s dynamic future.” “It will be an impressive building where China looks ahead to both the future of this bustling and ever-changing metropolis, but also to the future of the dynamic Chinese spirit. There will be no other such unique and well-conceived tower in the world,” said Strabala.
Sustainability
The design of the glass façade is described to be able to reduce wind loads on the building by 24%, meaning less construction materials are needed, and the twisting feature will collect rainwater to be used for the tower’s air conditioning and heating systems. Wind turbines will generate power for the building. According to E-Architect.co.uk, it will be the first super-tall (300 meters or taller) double-skin building in the world, acting much like a “thermos bottle,” says Strabala, to insulate it and save energy.
The owners of the future Shanghai Tower hope to be awarded certifications from the China Green Building Committee and the U.S. Green Building Council for the building’s sustainable design.
Site
Location: Luijiazui Finance and Trade Zone, Pudong district, Shanghai, China
Area: 30,370 square meters
Tower
Height: 632 meters
Stories: 128 occupied floors
Area: 380,000 square meters above grade 170,000 square meters below grade
Program: Office, luxury hotel, entertainment, retail and cultural venues
Podium
Height: 38 meters
Stories: 5 stories high
Area: 44,000 square meters
Program: Luxury retail, office, hotel lobbies, bank, restaurant, conference, meeting and banquet functions. Lower levels will house retail, parking, service and MEP functions.
Site and Context
• Shanghai Tower is sited in the Luijiazui Finance and Trade Zone of Pudong, a major financial and commercial hub of China. Eighteen years ago, Luijiazui was predominantly farmland. Today, it is set to become a premiere global financial center.
• Shanghai Tower completes a trio of buildings that form China’s first super-tall district. While the Jin Mao Tower pays homage to China’s past and the Shanghai World Financial Center signifies China’s recent economic success, Shanghai Tower signifies the boundless possibilities of China’s future.
• The tower is situated in a public park with an open civic plaza.
Tower Composition
• As a new Shanghai skyline icon, Shanghai Tower presents a constantly changing façade from all directions.
• The building’s form is a metaphor for the spirit and philosophy of China. Referencing the spiral as a symbol of the cosmos in Chinese culture, the tower’s form symbolizes China’s connection with the world, space and time. Additionally, the tower’s triangular plan relates to the site’s harmonious trio of buildings.
• Shanghai Tower is organized internally as a series of nine cylindrical buildings stacked one atop the other, with nine atria encircling them. The inner layer of the tower’s doubleskin façade encloses the vertically arranged interior buildings, while a triangular exterior layer creates the second skin or building envelope. The spaces between the building’s external façade and its internal façade create the atria.
• With sky gardens lining the building’s perimeter, Shanghai Tower is literally wrapped in public spaces. Both interior and exterior skins are transparent, establishing a visual connection between the tower’s interior spaces and Shanghai’s urban fabric. At night the building’s glowing translucent form further joins city and tower.
• As plazas and civic squares create gathering spaces in traditional cities, the nine atria offer gathering spaces within Shanghai Tower.
• On the ground level, retail and event spaces in tandem with abundant entrances on the site further the physical and visual connections between the tower and city.
Sustainable Highlights
• The twisting, asymmetrical shape of the tower reduces wind loads on the building by 24 percent, reducing the structural load on the building.
• Innovative skin technology is one of many sustainable design and renewable energy systems in the tower. The circular inner glass skin uses 14 percent less glass than a square building of the same area, and minimizes energy consumption.
• The double–skin façade’s vertical atria create thermal buffer zones. It also improves indoor air quality while creating desirable places for people to linger. These public amenity floors also reduce the number of vertical trips each building occupant mustmake.
• The building’s spiraling parapet collects rainwater, which is used for the tower’s heating and air conditioning systems. The spiral shape facilitates vortex shedding and creates an asymmetrical surface to reduce wind loads on the building. Wind turbines located directly beneath the parapet generate on-site power.
• Shanghai Tower’s owners aim to register for a high level of building certification from the China Green Building Committee and the US Green Building Council.
Retail Podium
• The retail podium is a multi-story, luxury retail experience that incorporates an ambitious mix of premium luxury brand fl agships, one-of-a-kind specialty retailers, and high-concept dining.
• The dynamic metropolitan feel of the retail podium is designed to enhance the experiential quality for a mix of visitors, tourists and tower inhabitants. Upscale retail facilities, restaurants, cafés and bars combine to provide the ultimate urban leisure destination in Shanghai.
• Acting as a weather barrier, the curved podium façade is glazed to merge inside with outside, allowing daylight to penetrate the space and to form a connection between the approaching visitor to the Shanghai Tower and the stores and restaurants within it.
• A series of multi-level branded retail stores located on the ground level offer uninterrupted visibility from the exterior to their storefronts. Lower-level retail provides direct access from the street level and the mass transit promenade.
Tower Pinnacle
• The tower’s pinnacle features the world’s highest non-enclosed observation deck.
The construction site: (all three supertalls next to each other, great idea)
The plan of the three supertalls:
Design development:
The detail interior and exterior:
Finally,
Notes:
1. All the pictures and information here are not of my own and are obtained from the internet.
2. To know more regarding the Shanghai Center, you may search it from books, internet, etc.
Here, another post on architectural masterpieces around the world, this time, this under-construction structure is located in Guangzhou, a developing city of China. China is now in a fast-pace mode in development and economic growth. Cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and others are developing fast. Many great structures are built.
Now, we are mentioning on the Guangzhou Opera House, designed by the famous architect, Zaha Hadid.
The building, which is project directed by architect Woody Yao , consists of two “boulder” formations and reflects Hadid’s increasing interest in dune-like formations.
PROGRAM: 1,800 seats Grand theatre, entrance lobby & lounge
Multifunction hall, other auxiliary facilities & support premises
CLIENT: Guangzhou Municipal Government
ARCHITECT: Design Zaha Hadid Architects [London, UK]
Project Director: Woody K.T.Yao, Patrik Schumacher
Project Architect: Simon Yu
Design Team Jason Guo, Yi-Ching Liu, Ta-Kang Hsu, Yang Jingwen, Christine Chow, Zhi Wang, Long Jiang, Cyril Shing, YanSong Ma, Yosuke Hayano, Filippo Innocenti, Lourdes Sanchez, Adriano De Gioannis, Barbara Pfenningstorff, Matias Musacchio, Jenny Huang, Hon Kong Chee, Markus Planteu
SIZE/AREA: 70,000 m2
Conceptual Interpretation
Located down stream of Pearl River, the Guangzhou Opera House with it tantalising contours will resonate the high notes of Chinese Opera, in harmony with the tenor of its western brother.
It will stand alongside its global family as a testament to state of the art architecture and as a lasting monument to the New Millennium.
Its unique twin boulder design will enhance urban function with open access to the riverside and dock areas and at the same time will create a new dialogue with the emerging new town. It is from here we hope to see the story of the Guangzhou city continue in its evolutionary journey.
Urban Strategy/Landscape
Undulating structures rise and fall at the foot of Zhujiang Boulevard. New structures, a built rock-like imprint, bring together the two adjacent Opera House and future Museum Sites and Metropolitan Activities. As an adjunct to the Haixinsha Tourist Park Island, the dual sites present a contoured profile to form a larger riverside focus to Opera House visitors.
When viewed from the park at the centre of the Zhujiang Boulevard, the Opera House buildings create a visual prelude to the Tourist Park Island beyond.
Standing on the new landscape at the foot of the central boulevard with the Opera House behind and alongside, there is a unified vision of civic and cultural buildings in a riverside setting with the skyscrapers and tall buildings of Zhujiang New Town to provide a dramatic back-drop to the Opera House.
An internal street is cut into the sand/land-forms from the direction of the proposed future Museum at the opposite side of the landscape central boulevard.
Cafe, bar, restaurant and retail facilities which are embedded shell-like into these landforms are located to one side of this Opera House approach promenade.
Visitors arriving by car or bus are deposited at a “drop-off” on the north side of the site on Huajiu Road. Service vehicles access the Opera House and Theatre Buildings at either end of the Huajiu Road. VIP visitors access the Opera House form the western boundary facing Huaxia Road.
The location of the Guangzhou Opera House in the new Guangzhou Central Business District city center urban planning:
Impressive? Fantastic? For your information, the Guangzhou New Central Business District development involves a giant area of new development, like
(a) Guangzhou Twin Tower (currently one building has topped out and almost completed, will be opened by end of year 2009, the building is officially known as Guangzhou International Finance Center, 438m height, 103 floors, another building is being in proposal)
(b) Guangzhou Sightseeing and TV Tower - over 600m tall telecommunication tower.
(c) Guangdong Museum - designed by Rokko Yim.
Notes:
1. All the pictures and information shown here are not of my own, These are found from the internet.
2. This post is almost obtained directly from my own personal site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/guangzhou-opera-house-by-zaha-hadid/
3. For more information regarding this topic, you may search from sources like books, internet, etc.
The field of architecture has been developing in a certain manner over period of times. What I know is that as soon as people develop, the world develops and the field of architecture develops as well too…
Honestly, there is no such thing as architect thousand years back, this field has not been introduced yet even after the construction of settlements and buildings.
Few thousand years ago, people gathered and form civilizations, those famous like in Egypt, China, etc…they created settlements, and it is the job of the head of villager or settlements to plan the area. Design? No…whatever…this is their response. Design is no important by that time…
Civilizations developed too, they build large and magnificent structures, particularly temples, sacred places, tombs, palaces, etc…Even the construction of these structures are supervised by intellectual people, those knowledgable, like philosopher, priest, warrior, and engineer..Do you know that the profession of engineer came earlier to this world than architect?
Those famous structures are like:
Great Pyramid of Giza (over 5000 years ago) - former world tallest structure.
Parthenon (over 2000 years ago)
Great Wall of China (over 2000 years ago) - world greatest construction.
Tomb of First Emperor (not excavated yet) and Terracotta Warriors (over 2000 years ago)
Colosseum (over 1900 years ago)
Time develops…more and more new materials are produced, more and more new constructing systems are found, more and more people are equipped with knowledge, settlements became giant urban areas, became an area with city , city center, commercial area, trading and port area, etc…Of course, no highrise will be seen yet…however, the profession of architect started to be introduced…
Famous structures are like:
Hagia Sophia (over 1400 years ago)
Borobudur (over 1100 years ago)
Angkor Wat (over 700 years ago) - world largest temple.
Forbidden City (over 600 years ago) - world largest palace.
Taj Mahal (over 300 years ago)
Industrial Revolution arrived…more and more commercial structures are erected…new technology invented day by day, the revolution began fromn Europe and spread to the whole world…
Crystal Palace (over 150 years ago) - destroyed by fire.
Eiffel Tower (over 110 years) - former world tallest structure.
After that, era of skyscrapers began…people started to build highrises, meeting the demand for more working space on a small area in dense city like Chicago and New York City. Taller and taller, reaching for the sky, and so the term of skyscraper is created. Technology did not limit the height of structures.
Chryler Building - former world tallest building, first structure exceeds 300m height.
Empire State Building - former world tallest building for over 40 years, 381m.
Sears Tower - former world tallest building, 442m.
Now comes the era of modernization, which I think began around twenty years back…everything starts to get modern, striking look, and globalized outcome.
Petronas Twin Towers - world tallest twin buildings, 452m height.
Taipei 101 - current world tallest completed building, 509m height.
And now as well as the upcoming near future, maybe between now till 2030, those impossible designs will come to reality, drawings will come to built forms. There will be no more limit to world of architecture that beautifies the world…
Beijing National Stadium - ‘Bird Nest’ Stadium
Burj Dubai - world tallest man made structure, 818m height.
Palm Islands, World Islands,Universe Islands - world largest group of man-made islands.
Hydropolis - world first underwater luxury hotel, planned.
And many more, especially at Dubai, Shanghai, etc…
Notes:
1. All the pictures and information shown are not of my own and are obtained from the internet.
2. This post is directly available from my own site: http://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/architectural-revolution/
3. For more information regarding this topic, you may search it from any sources.