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marc

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Everything posted by marc

  1. marc
    It can be done, IF, it is done cautiously and carefully. By that, i mean don't sell out and make it look like a dozen other Houston skyscrapers. It is no secret that Houston has her own style. Just look at Sim City 4. One of the architectural choices is Houston 1990s. Which means......many of Houston's scrapers have a similar look to them with a few that stand out as unique. Like all of us here, i pray to the architectural gods....now that Houston has a market for skyscrapers in DT and UT, that the developers take the opportunity to comission some really outstanding designs. i pray. m. PS- QUESTION- Many very popular architects (Calatrava, Rogers, Gehry, Meir, Piano, etc.) have their own unique style, but then seem to market their style where it becomes more of a type. (i don't know if my thought is coherent here) ANYWAY, my question is ....Is it safe to assume that when lesser known architects are hired we can look to their other projects to get a gist of what Houston could get OR are their projects different depending on the purpose of the building?? So, in other words, could i look up the chosen architects' portfolios and get a gist of what Houston could get OR are all bets off until we get official renderings? Does my question make sense?
  2. marc
    I think it is cool when developers incorporate older existing facades with newer concepts. This is a very common practice in London and Paris. They have done this in NY as well. Perhaps, preserving some of our DT Houston architectural treasures this way would happen. By the way Ricco67....... "Debauchary" as an interest? Interesting. >
  3. marc
    I always am in a quandary regarding building newer, most times taller, structures to replace outdated, nonfunctional ones. I enjoy seeing progress and architectural wonders built. BUT, on the other hand, understand the need to preserve the styles of the past. I do not envy those who make the decisions on what to keep and what to plow under and build on top of. m.
  4. marc
  5. marc
    Renderings!!! Yes. We need them. Once that happens, maybe someone can put together a compilation (like a Chicago or London 2010) of what DT will look like in a few years. (REAL projects only...not fantasy ones Dominex) All three of the newest towers seem to be relatively the same height. Explanations? m.
  6. marc
    As many of you may know from past posts, i lived in Houston and Austin most of my life. I had to move to LA for career reasons, BUT am planning on moving back to Houston in about a year or so. Anyway, in response to comments regarding LA's skyline verses Houston's. Maybe i am biased, but i think Houston beats LA's skyline hands down. AND Houston's skyline has been given more accolades; which i feel is rightfully given. When i came to LA, one of the first things i did was go DT to see what was what. Until recently, i must say, it didn't offer much. LA's DT is finally getting some additions which i think will make its skyline more attractive, but i think Houston's is much more appealing. I like DT Houston's variety. Many LA skyscrapers look similar- with one or two exceptions. I do like the Library Tower, but that's where it sort of ends with me. I must say, i prefer the Wilshire District (which is similar to our Galleria Area) skyscrapers, even though they are not nearly as tall. LA definately impresses with its sprawl and variety of topography (hills, beaches, and the flatness of the Valley) but i think it is lacking in remarkable skyscrapers. Too bad a Trump-like developer who has tons of money and a huge ego to match, wouldn't vow to put the "tallest" scraper in the top 10-20 US cities. Oh well, until then, we can only hope that we get a "supertall" or even a "tall" sometime in the near future. m.
  7. marc
    Johnson was very good for Houston. He gave Houston its easily recognizable skyline. Did he work alone or have partners? His designs are unique to say the least. m.
  8. marc
    Thanks for the pix. Montrose. Most certainly one of my favorite Houston skyscrapers and landmarks. Like the Chrystler Building, although this design represents an era, i think it timeless. 200 years from now, unless there is a RADICAL change in architectural styles, it will still fit nicely into UT's look. I wonder how long it will remain the tallest in UT until surpassed? Any thoughts? m.
  9. marc
    Yes, i can hardly wait to see DT Austin transformed! In fact i am already planning an extended 2 month stay in Austin during summer of 2008; partly to see all the construction....and of course, partly, because Austin is a TX jewel.
  10. marc
    In terms of the Discovery Tower design. Like most of us, i certainly hope it becomes iconic because of its avante garde design. Considering that Houston will not get a supertall for some time now, the towers she does erect should really be cutting edge. I suppose we will see just how daring the powers that be are going to choose. On the one hand, especially when it comes to highrise residential, i know most people in Houston want something stately looking. But one or two bold designs would be nice.
  11. marc
    Many of you may already know this, BUT unless something internationally major comes into play, Chevron is posed to expand to gargantuan levels. First off, they have exclusive rights to the billions of barrels of oil found in the TX Gulf Coast; which of course, means $$$$$$$$$$$$ for Houston. Considering our country's patience, which is running out on depending on foreign oil, this seems to be pointing in a direction where we will become more self sufficient in the energy sector. In fact projections for 5-10 years from now, say the oil drilled in the Gulf will supply the country with 25% of our need. Again, this means MAJOR dollars for not only our country, but specifically for TX and locally, for Houston. ALSO- Chevron is a major partner in the TX Green/ Wind Energy Project which is planning to build, in time, 100 ten story windmills about 5 miles of off the TX Gulf Coast. I think the writing is on the wall... that type of business coupled with the explosion of energy companies and research facilities moving into the Houston area, dare i whisper....................."boom." Whatever the case, it seems Houston's construction pace is building even more momentum. m.
  12. marc
    I wish they would have let it do so naturally. It would give the building a since of history as it is happening; not instant history. I guess "they" want us to view it as being there for ages. Oh well. m.
  13. marc
    Check out Google Alerts..........there are two news video clips from Channel 13 and Channel 2 regarding Houston Pavilions. m.
  14. marc
    i hope, i hope, i hope it will have some color other than white and tan. I also hope, with the new technologies and materials, it could have a more translucent appearance. Whatever the case, i am glad UT is becoming more dense looking with mid-rises. Does anyone have any idea how hot the market is for urban residences in UT? I mean, i hear a lot about DT and MT, but am not for sure about the numbers when it comes to potential buyers for those UT highrises.
  15. marc
    Ummm, i think i was referring to Post #165, although i just saw the renderings for the Galleria project this morning. Disapointing. ^^^ And by disapointing, i mean i wish it did not look so much like many of the other highrises that have been erected UT in the past few years. I understand continuity- but it is beginning to look cookie-cutter like. Hmmm. Maybe there will be some revisions. We can hope. Also- in my reference to Turnberry's glass and steel- i was specifically referring to their Miami project. m. Exactly. (sigh)
  16. marc
    Thanks for the update. In terms of height relative to the surrounding towers in UT, with the Williams Tower as an exception, will this tower, at 38 stories, stick out? I am sure the design is going to be mostly steel and glass, like similar Turnberry projects. But, i am not familiar with the heights of the surrounding towers. Is this one to be significantly taller? Any comparisons are appreciated. m.
  17. marc
    TMC looks a great deal like Austin. Full of midrises..............now, if in a couple of years, a 500+ residential tower with a slender design is built, that would look REALLY sweet. m.
  18. marc
    *&%$???!!!!! RATS scaled back!! i hate that crap! (sorry had to vent) i mean come on- 34 stories is nice and all, but 42............ we need something like that in UT. Was Enron 2 the last 40+ storey to be built in Houston? i was hoping for another and soon. BTW thanks for the info. i think.
  19. marc
    Several cathedrals use this type of floorplan. Yes, it is intentional to represent a cross shape. Some very elaborate ones actually use a more Celtic cross type design as well. Thanks very much. Very helpful. Now i am even more intrigued.
  20. marc
    I am surprised too. Something this BIG happening in UT- i am surprised there is not a billboard with at least a hint of a concept of what it may look like. AND does anyone know of any projected construction dates, beginning and ending? I wonder if it will be glass and steel or a more stone-like structure resembling several already built over the past few years in that area. Anyone have even a remote clue? Give us some hope here.
  21. marc
    YEP and YEP!
  22. marc
    ^^^ Well, then that definately makes sense as to its toned-down low key look. Understated, yet sends a message. i like that. Maybe in its understatement, THAT becomes the "beacon". Regardless, i will be visiting the cathedral, taking pix. inside and out no matter how much i may delicate flower about it. And i would like to attend a service or two to see all the nooks and crannies. Does anyone happen to know the general layout of the inside? What i mean is, several cathedrals i have visited are built in a way that us modern day tourists can quietly and reverantly mill around inside without disturbing the congregants or service. Is this cathedral going to be built to allow that? m.
  23. marc
    In doing a bit of research i found that Las Vegas and Miami have a couple of these high-end sales centers similar to what seems to be on the property in Houston. They usually have some mock-ups inside showing what one could get in a studio/one/two or more condo. I am betting this is what's happening in UT. If not, like you, i guess i will have to eat my share of crow.
  24. marc
    You know- i guess i never really thought of that. i am glad the catholic community had some say in it. i am also glad it got the official nod from the Pope. time will tell, yes. Here is my biggest concern. We all are aware of the plans the Houston 2025 Vision Team has for DT in the next few years. My concern is that this cathedral will get lost- not stand as a beacon. m.
  25. marc
    i agree in part- i am not too jazzed about the outside of the LA cathedral- as i indicated in an earlier post, i think the inside redeems a bit of the outside. 20-50 years from now............ OK, but isn't that one of the purposes of architecture? to define not only a culture, but also an era? sort of paradoxical, but can't a structure represent a time period- but also be "timeless". think of Gothic cathedrals- they represent a time period, but seem timeless. think of the Chrystler building- again, indicative of the age, but standing the test of time. i do understand that having too many structures which are faddish creates a hodge-podge without symmetry and cohesiveness- i just think this cathedral is so droll, that it will not stand out- but become lost. m.
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