arche_757
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Everything posted by arche_757
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Yet just a few years ago Christus St. Jo in DT was strapped and not doing very well.
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Fair enough. I also typically check to see what is new. I am quite critical of many works in Houston - and other cities. I feel like I've always been that way, and will always be that way. I may call something bad architecture or even ugly, but I don't make a point to make it sound like I have it out for said project. I've agreed on the idea that Dallas wasted some money to build a signature bridge where they did. That is a fact. I still applaud their civic vision for what is little more than (or was little more than) a glorified floodway. I've seen the bridge from afar and didn't find it distateful. Its quite abstract from a distance as you cannot see the roadway, and serves as a curious visual on the horizon. It is possible that they could have built something for less money and achieved the same results - that I have little doubt of. However it would not have been a Santiago Calatrava (I've always loved his bridges and not been too impressed with his buildings). As for architectural lemons, Dallas certainly has its fair share! I never said they didn't. Again, my main concern in my previous posts when people started to really bash this bridge was that Houstonians felt the need to compare and contrast this thing with what's been done here in Houston. I don't understand that? I don't. If this was a Compare Dallas to Houston thread, then that would be different; however, it is not. And we don't just compare and contrast, people start to get their heckles up. I'll never understand it?
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Why do you dislike Dallas architecture? I like quite a few buildings in Dallas, in fact I think that Dallas has some really great architecture. I'm not saying Dallas it the greatest hotbed of architecture in the world, just that it certainly has nice areas and nice buildings. I again applaud their ideas towards revitilizing the Trinity Floodway..er River and working to make that area attractive to the population. Do you simply dislike all architecture in Dallas because its Dallas? If you do, that's fine. Though I would tend to wonder why you would bother reading up on the Dallas section? Please explain.
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I understand your emotional response(s), I do. And while I'd never say the bridge is ugly, it is a bit too large for its location and probably would have been better if built for a roadway that truly needed the added vehicular capacity. The Dallas based posters on here aren't ragging on Houston. This is a sub-forum inside the overal forum dedicated to whats going on in Dallas currently. That's it. Some people may egg others on? I don't know? I prefer the format of discussion over argument, as level heads tend to say things in a more elloquent manner. You don't like the Bridge, I get it. I wouldnt' call it ugly - really I wouldn't. Out of place, sure. Now, the Reunion Tower may be a bit odd, but it sure does represent Dallas. First thing I think of when I think of Dallas is the skyline with the Renuion Tower at the forefront. No one is attacking you personally - I just find it odd that the Dallas posts on this forum tend to migrate towards annimosity for one city or the other.
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It wasn't directed towards anyone in particular on here. If you feel I slighted you, then I apologize. Message me if you want we can debate till we're blue in the face. My only point was this: People here in Houston have a need to belittle and look down upon Dallas. People in Dallas love their flawed city the same way we love our flawed city. No need to attack a project. If you think its too expensive, so be it. Say that, don't say its a waste of money. I've yet to actually see anything that was purely a waste of money. The bridge has a purpose. And frankly I admire the idea that Dallas has an attitude of trying to engineer/build something more than just what it is. That in and of itself is the whole idea behind architecture. Why not explore and push boundaries when at all possible? Why not build something better than just the idea of the needed space, or road, or object? If we simply built what was needed then much of what makes cities spectacular places would be lost. Anyway... can we get back to the actual presentation of the new Dallas developments? Thanks.
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I'm not sure of the need for people in Houston to constantly attack Dallas at any chance? Its time we (as a city) grow up and be proud of what we have. There are now 2 pages of this thread attacking (for the most part) the bridge over the Trinity River that was partly funded through private donations. If something like this happened in Houston over any of the bayous we'd be so proud we would have pages upon pages dedicated to it. And for those who are complaining about Dallasites fussing about Houston on here... its not like we've not come in and been great sports about it, in fact we've come in and bad-mouthed the Bridge to begin with. Criticism is fine -this is an architectural forum- but to say its dumb, or allude to that is ridiculous.
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I was under the impression that Rice/Baylor thing fell through? In fact BCM had some big kiss'n make-up to do with their previous partners. I think UH and Rice could both run a med-school and it wouldn't hurt anything. If anything we need more medical professionals over the coming decades.
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I've long thought UH should by Christus St Joseph and just take that over. Already existing hospital, somewhat cash straped, highly visable, easy access to lots of people and plenty of room around for additional buildings (at least I would think).
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^Its not that this is a terrible building, just rather uninspired in the quality of its design. The worst part about this particular building is that what was first proposed was a really nice building, and this current proposal is not in the same realm as that first one. Which happens. Seems it happens all too often in this city.
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I guess I didn't notice that in my first "once over" of the new proposal. Agreed that is a bad architectural feature. This building - for those who've missed it elsewhere in town - is the typical representation of Houston speculative (and even specific use) architecture. In that we have a featured design which turns out too expensive, or badly timed, or sold to a different developer who has a lesser eye for design, so the original design gets revamped into something similar yet far less architecturally fulfilling. The name is abhorrent! Like Subdude (I think) said above: the name sounds like a residential enclave on a suburban cul-de-sac.
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Whenever I see a Randall Davis project: I'm reminded of that "famous" quote from The Dark Knight about the "hero Gotham deserves...but not the one we need right now" I don't know why, but I just feel like it is appropriate for him? Except he's sort of the inverse. If that makes sense?- 630 replies
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Fred Hartman would probably cost A LOT more today in our current environment. 1998 was 16 years ago. That's quite a length of time. Dallas wanted a neat bridge, it didn't need one, but they wanted one - so they built it. Still interesting sculptural element out on the prairie. I'm sure some from Dallas would have preferred spending that money elsewhere.
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Yes, the Ebola confirmation in Dallas is news - just sit back and watch the crazies come out with pitchforks and freakout. Now, if there end up being confirmed cases all over the country.... then that might warrant some freaking. Although Ebola is similar to AIDS - its transmitted via secretions and body fluids - not airborne. However, it kills much more quickly than AIDS. Also, it has a 21 day period where a carrier may not show symptoms. That is the scary part of it! Other than that I think the affect of a large scale outbreak across the US would be about the same as in Africa - which when you consider we've got 300,000,000+ people that's a drop in the bucket. Perhaps people will finally start washing their hands?! I've long felt the scale of the bridge to be simply too large for this. The odd part of the bridge is Dallas' proximity to...well...nothing really big enough for the scale of this thing. Still a cool sculptural addition to their skyline.
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While I'll agree that the bridge is ...somewhat of an overstatement for the area, Dallas has plans to redevelop that mostly empty industrial warehouse area to the southwest of Downtown. Parkspace that is created out of nothing, or worse still - a former industrial blight/overly engineered flood zone such as this particular area of Dallas - is even better. Props to Dallas for reimagining its more underused neighborhoods. If anything Houston should take note. Dallas' Victory Park is a success, and home to some nice modern architecture. While this particular redevelopment zone may never reach that scale, at least they are thinking big.
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Obviously this goes without saying for a lot of buildings similar to Central Bank, in countless cities nationwide. Personally I have long felt it was an interesting building that was primed for a good re-use. Unfortunately it has just been the subject of property neglect and very prominently located property neglect to boot. Its still unused. And still a dump (in its current condition) even if it is being worked on.
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Central Bank is a dump and unused - anything is better than what it is. Anything! 800 Bell is a fine tower built with a 60s vibe and style. No need to muddle with that, but its going to happen. I guess its better than a tear down
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Sure did. This is their HQ for this area. Do something nice, or just rent a space in a retail strip center and forgo the money needed to build their own building, buy property etc. That would be cheaper than building new. I'm not advocating they spend $300,000 on design + implementation of something, but do a little something. I know the have a tight budget - non-profits always do. There is still the chance to build something meaningful while also staying within a budget.
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I'd rather see something that's not identical - at least if we're going to get twin towers lets get some quality. SkyHouse is ...well....residential towers are seldom worth a darn when it comes to design. I'd rather see the Hines Museum District tower across from SkyHouse and see SkyHouse #3 (or #2?) over in the Museum District for some contrast on the skyline. That's all I'm saying.
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Good to infill that area. The design of this building is...........very non-profit like. Too bad they couldn't have spent a little more money on something architectural.
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^They're identical. That's how the operate. Personally, while this is good for Downtown (at least the onslaught of residential construction) I'd have rather seen this little fella over by the Mosaic or something near Hermann Park. Spread the love. And I really wish the developers had more money to spend at least an additional $10,000 on design and build some buildings that have some slight differences - like more or less floors, slightly different footprint etc.
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I didn't quote the wrong statement from you. I think its a fine location. That's a big no-mans land around Hoff (I went to UH and hated that part of campus) and always felt like it was unfriendly, and a waste of space. Eventually - or so I thought - UH plans to close Cullen to vehicles. When that is done I expect it will feel less cluttered?
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This has been planned for years. Nothing new. The eventual plan is to redo the "Hoff" as its in really bad shape - compared to top tier facilities elsewhere. The cost of upgrading the arena is much more expensive I believe. Besides, the basketball has a working arena, but they don't have a quality practice facility.
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Memorial Park At 6501 Memorial Dr.
arche_757 replied to themidtownguy's topic in Uptown and Galleria Area
Canada has wildlife crossings too - they're either overpasses or underpasses for roadways. Personally I think its a good idea. It'll bring the park together better. Makes sense to me - I've long wondered why this wasn't thought of previously. Besides, it'll give us a few more hills in Houston for our kids to roll down, sit on watching fireworks and concerts and just gaze upon. I'm all for it. -
I'm unimpressed with the developers of this tower. Houston's BOOMING and they could make this project happen, however short sighted vision has limited them to ONLY a 41 floor office building. They're firmly competing against Hines, Skanska and Trammel Crow (?) and those are heavy hitters compared to Stream/Essex. Sad they didn't try to jump into a mixed use tower and convince Hyatt Place or JW Marriot to jump into their building on 15-20 floors and then build only a 20 floor office tower. The economics are much different, but since its unlikely this thing even gets built... quite sad to see them not even attempt it.
