bruce_oneal

The round parthanon thingy looks better than the square.

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i have to agree ... that would have been a much better design.

You're kidding. He wimped out ? Did he not think that copying someone else and failing to provide an original Phillip Johnson design, which was the reason for his being chosen for the project in the first place, would bring the ultimate criticism and damage to his reputation?

I would think that U of H would've looked at several proposals before deciding on that one so I'm also surprised that they went with a non-original design. Those architectural students should have something that fills their bellies with the fire of inspiration every time they walk into the classroom.

Or maybe they figured it would make the students feel like "wow, I'll be a great architect because I know I can do better than that."

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i always thought the UoH architecture school of design building was really wimpy too ... i mean, i am no architect, but just about ending his brilliant career with that...?

i also did not realize he did the post oak central. i've often liked the redundancy in design of these towers and four leaf towers in the galleria area.

this is a recent article on the passing of the pioneering architect of some of houston's most famous buildings. complete article can be found and heard here..

some of his most famous designs are the penzoil place complex, the ncnb center houston, and also the williams tower.

The compaq center logo was removed this past weekend.  Some major progress is being made on the project.

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one of the local tv stations did a story on it a few weeks back. they are gonna have a really nice interior. and hopefully more space for their congregation. i am not a minister and generally do not subscribe to mega church concepts (td jakes, osteen, the bakers before their downfall, etc.) but i listened to one of his sermons one morning on television (usa channel i believe), and i was blown away. it seemed like he (his message, the message of the God?) was talking right to me. i would like to visit the church once it is completed just to see what the power of a people can do.

A really good architect should start designing buildings that tie all of these elements together - good, bad, and otherwise.  Houston was known for great architecture in the 70's and early 80's - it needs to become known for that again.

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yeah, i think they are playing it too safe. i really appreciated the republic bank building, etc. that pushed the design limits in downtown. now they are just building these really safe, boring boxes.

Whoah! The property only cost 10mil, but the renovations are at 80mil???

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check out this document: city of houston-lakewood agreementdocument

I think they're just trying to meet the needs of their congregants; i.e. be a one-stop place to meet the community's needs. When they start selling Lakewood Church clothing lines and shoes, maybe Wal-mart might start to worry.

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i beg to differ. they are trying to pay these ENORMOUS mortgages. do you know much the monthly note on an $10M building purchase and an $80M renovation runs? can't be cheap.

Its to be located on Richmond (near) and Wilcrest. My question is why are there two Synagogues near the same area?

Can someone dig up some dirt for me

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i noticed this too ... it is in westchase, near me. speaking of which, how did this neighborhood come to be. it seems to have a very strong business community.

I have always thought that the Manhattan project looked out of place architecturally next to the modern stainless steel arches in uptown.  I suppose that the new Empire project will create a little "New York" style village in uptown.

Is it me or is Houston becoming more like Epcot center will various theme areas/lands.  For example, we have New York land in uptown and we have little Big Easy in midtown.

Where will they put Tomorrowland?

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more like las vegas with a hodgepodge of themes. some places are pretty cool, and some are downright mistakes.

almost looks like the top of the current RELIANT tower, with the open air top.

I was bowsing around, and I ran into this:

What is that tower with the "bowl" on top?  Ive never seen this before!

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