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Luminare

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Everything posted by Luminare

  1. Luminare
    Did these guys ever do a hi-res render of this? All we have is that one image that has been tossed around forever. The one that was done with pencils and markers. Any other images or renderings besides that one?
  2. Luminare
    For some kids it is intimidating in a way, but also very closed off. A library for hundreds of years was nothing but a book museum guarded at the front by a librarian. Most were stuffy, not very well lit, and didn't really try to engage the urban context in anyway. Those problems then compounded itself with the advent of the internet. So not only was it tiring, dim, and non-engaging, but it wasn't very technologically advanced either. I'm in a firm where we design a lot of schools, and one of the biggest differences in schools towards more "21st century learning environments" starts with changing the idea of the library. The project I'm currently working on, the Library isn't even called a library, but a Learning Hub. The space is grand but in a contemporary fashion, lots of light, lots of areas for different tech gadgets, variety in furniture for different study and reading postures, and the Librarian is tucked into the back of the space. The fronts are lined with lots of glass making it more transparent. This is the new idea of the Library. The problem also wasn't ever that people weren't reading. In fact more people are reading now than ever before, but because people can get their books on the go or through the internet you have to create interesting environments for people to want to inhabit or populate a library. I also like small projects like this. Sometimes just a small intervention can make a great difference.
  3. Luminare
    So where you referring to this?
  4. Luminare
    Chi-Char-Hou-Dal when he graces HAIF with his presence when drunk.....and apparently cold as hell. Just sitting there laughing at all of us...
  5. Luminare
    I like how they are taking the same approach as Renzo Piano in that they are keeping the scale of the building at a managable level so it can essentially blend in with the surrounding landscape (the oaks, the bungalows, etc...). Very nice.
  6. Luminare
    Amazing how we are going from zero theme parks (I don't really count Splashtown as a 'theme park' just a waterpark) to like 3 in 2-3 years. That's kinda crazy lol.
  7. Luminare
    You are coming up to the age old question of can there be quality architecture at low cost and even in the most inconvenient of circumstances? I say yes, and there is plenty of precedent to back up my argument. Sure they won't have granite counter tops, or a luxury pool, but that's because that's not what makes something architecture! I see places like these as a architectural challenge not an inconvenience. This exact kind of thinking is why this thread has gone down this direction from the very beginning The root of the problem is that peoples expectations for a site like this are so astronomically low that anything will do! This induces a mindset where mediocrity is fine because it's miles ahead of where it was before which is not fine. I could also counter that we have skyscrapers next to very busy, unappealing highways. Most architecture of significance in this city is within a 5min walking distance of a highway! I think you might want to reevaluate that statement as it really doesn't hold up at all.
  8. Luminare
    The problem is people are looking at this development with a broad frame that includes other developments in downtown. Combined with everything else it makes this development look better than it is because it's just another building filling up a vacant lot. That's not the goal of the topic though! The topic discusses this development within this particular context and the point I was making before is that it's a disappoint. For something that is in downtown it should be something more unique even if it's next to a freeway. It's lazy, cookie-cutter, and bland compared to other developments going up in downtown. Bottom line is that this isn't something that should be in downtown. Maybe Midtown or neartown, but not Downtown. @avossos I completely understand that people aren't going to have the same opinions as me, but architecture asks for more depth in terms of ones opinion, and 'I'm just pleased it's brick' just doesn't go very far. @Alec I rather have quality options over simply a 'variety' of options.
  9. Luminare
    Rice University owns the Sears site. They currently have no plans to redevelop it as far as I'm certain. Sears currently holds a lease on the space.
  10. Luminare
    I think you meant condo's over townhomes....not retail >.> You want condo's with retail, but just townhomes.
  11. Luminare
    Ah so that was one of the original titles for the new movie: Star Wars Episode VII: Under Construction
  12. Luminare
    Alright cloud you proved your point. Lets leave this thread be until there is an actual update
  13. Luminare
    I thought all the activity right now was related to the tunnel project...
  14. Luminare
    Sounds like someone is in here simply to stir things up -.- I thought it was a genuine update and not someone arguing for the sake of arguing.
  15. Luminare
    Oh the gall, no, the nerve, to question this exquisite design. Blasphemous for me to even criticize a potential development on an architecture forum that....you know discusses architecture! I'm sorry I ask just a little bit more than standard or even in most cases sub-par. I'm not even asking everything to be a "work of art" or "work of masterpiece" that would be absurd, but what I do like to see is genuine design effort. Even if it comes out looking like complete crap at least you know that they took everything into consideration from site, to street level, to it's environment, to it's proximity to everything else, etc... because sometimes in architecture things just don't work out, but that's ok....it has to be from a good effort though. This isn't any of that and the fact that it's praised is hilarious when there are many just like this. The idea that this building can be built in downtown when there are others like it outside of town gives that area a distinction that it isn't unique, it isn't an area worth doing something different, and it means that anything can be built in downtown. That anything could apply for this residential incentive and it will pass. That's quite troubling and actually quite revealing. It means a lack of a standard for what downtown should be, and what should be in downtown. Some here like to criticize finances that of which we have no possible investment in (unless it's a gov. project). Some here like to criticize the political aspects of such projects which we can only ever know maybe a small percentage of to the point it shouldn't be worth our time. I like to be critical of architecture. It's the one thing that we as bystanders have the opportunity to invest in because architecture is a shared experience and it's something that is looked upon by everyone and therefore can be properly analysed/critique because its right in front of us. It's something that we can effect and in some cases control. It's something we can focus and influence. Is this building awful...no. Is it lazy...YES! Just because something is being built downtown doesn't mean it should automatically in peoples brains register as something of distinction or good design.
  16. Luminare
  17. Luminare
    Yep, you are right Urbannizer. It's two floors lower, The blackish element and the open air element have essentially flipped. So now the blackish element is now next to the garage while the balcony has been thrown onto the roof.
  18. Luminare
    Urbannizer, Do you know if this one is also going to try to push for Super Bowl in 2017 or it's going on it's own timeline?
  19. Luminare
    It's literally a copy of the Dolce Apartments that are going up on Gray St. That shouldn't be something that is in Downtown. It might be affordable yes, but that's only because of it's proximity to the highway.
  20. Luminare
    You might be able to get a high res, but to be honest this is clearly VERY early in the process. That's literally a Sketchup model thrown onto a google maps plane. I will admit. For a Randall Davis project it's certainly an improvement.....so far. This one has a long way to go, but it's going in the right direction.
  21. Luminare
    definitely the most disappointing one of the bunch and I think it only got approval because this is right next to the highway....what a bummer.
  22. Luminare
    Hmmm. This is actually something interesting to pick up. We are actually starting to develop a sort of materiality and feel in different parts of downtown. While the design is once again historicist in nature at least it is playing off of the foundation or palette of materials established by Minute Maid Park. It would be nice if some of these developers were a little more daring with the brick and mortal they are using (there are plenty of examples where you do crazy cool stuff with brick) instead of reverting to past styles. Of course the other argument is that there isn't a precedent period so why not infuse some of the old styles to build up a diverse palette of architectural styles before everyone moves into contemporary and that might be the case. It's certainly safer for these developers who have never done mid-rises to go to proven styles. On the flip side you have the sleek glass exteriors and more contemporary approaches (still pretty safe for what they could do) near discovery green.
  23. Luminare
    No @bobruss 30 is Camden. @Avossos But Catalyst is a Ziegler Cooper project, not a Camden one. Sky House for instance has been repeated a bunch of times (which is silly) but they are the ones with the development so they can repeat it if they want. What Camden is doing is essentially copying Ziegler Cooper and adjusting a few elements. Architecturally, it looks good. The floor plans look great. I see lots of retail etc, but the fact of the matter is that of ALL the possible designs you could think up it happens to look eerily similar to one that is literally a few blocks away. That's insane!
  24. Luminare
    I don't know folks judge for yourself! I mean this is dipping into the uncanny valley... They straight up took this design and retooled it. I'm not going to judge right at this moment, but this may end very badly. They didn't even try to make it look different.
  25. Luminare
    Sexy!
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