GoodToBeMe

It's fake.

Hopefully something really tall.

In many ways, the work of an architect is easy. They risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer to live in their work. Not everyone thrives on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth architects must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when an architect truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the *new*. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends. When these renderings were leaked, we experienced something new: an extraordinary building from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both this tower and its maker have challenged our preconceptions about fine architecture is a gross understatement.

While I like that something is being built in this part of town... I do not like the design. It's too blocky.

If indeed this is the case... how would we know?

Pardon, but if it appears the general sentiment is that this building is nothing spectacular... Then I am forced to ask: Why is this building even posted or mentioned here? Where we are fanatics of the architecture flair that defines the spaces and the visuals we humans love so much are forced to behold such bland and pedestrian "designs"? I do await your thoughts and responses. Thank you.

Pardon, but I did not know Shell is building a new campus in what is called the "energy corridor". Are you certain this is correct?

I do hope it begins very very very soon.

Sounds like a very aesthetic block.

When one steps back and take an analytic perspective on the holistic view, we can see this was coming. I'm sorry to say that this tower will never break ground. Neither will several others - looks at Chevron - because, we already know deep inside that their forecasts and analysts can see and predict what we all know - We are overbuilding in certain submarkets and the population of talent is following a certain trend that may be unique to Houston. While that the last idea may or may not be true, I do believe it will be more than difficult for resident Houstonians to pull themselves from the idea that this cityis more than halfway through its peak and that the entire energy sectror is retreating. That is downsizing. Why? Because we all know - at least us Houstonians - that hydrocarbons are becoming ever cheaper and cheaper the better and better we get at hydraulic fracturing. So. As a recently arrived Houstonian (from the other side of THIS planet)... I plead to you... let us hope that this project will indeed get off the ground. Because if it does not, then the forecasters are right... and Houston is about to enter a very dismal stage. Something I do NOT want to happen as my family and I have just move here... being uprooted from the other hemisphere. Thank you for you reading my thoughts fellow forumers.

Which building of theirs in Louisiana? I was not aware they had personnel there. Is this typical for tall buildings in Houston? I read on another thread here about several other tall structures being placed on hold.

Very neat.

I wonder how many units this would contain.

I reviewed the article... to which "prominent architects and interior designers" are they referring? Bofill? Graves?

I am not sure modeling a Houston tower after one in China would be a good thing. I say this in consideration of the subpar standards of quality they appear to embrace.