arche_757

Right.  They still don’t have a harsh parking podium.

4 hours ago, strickn said:

“ arche_757 said: 

I realize this is an early rendering, looks like there is still quite some refinement to be done - which, you’d expect a project of this size and scope to wait and release a more final rendering.”

 

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https://www.dreamvisuals.nl/urby-dallas

 

there are three towers like it being planned beside the Trinity River in Dallas, not by this developer, but with the first tower structurally topped out 6mos. ago

Those don’t have the harsh parking podium.

I realize this is an early rendering, looks like there is still quite some refinement to be done - which, you’d expect a project of this size and scope to wait and release a more final rendering.

A building such as this would look better surrounded by other tall structures in either Downtown or Uptown.

I am not a big fan of this or the X Houston high rise.

I’ve long known about Olivewood Cemetery being an important historical burial site, particularly for African Americans; I was completely unaware it is listed in the UNESCO “Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project.”

Sadly, it is also listed as one of the “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historical Sites” for 2022, by the National Trust for Historic Places.

http://www.descendantsofolivewood.org

Begs the question on whether there should be other UNESCO sites here in the greater Houston area?
 

On 4/21/2022 at 12:50 PM, Paco Jones said:

 

I know this is quite preliminary (still), but hope the sidewalks aren’t the “Houston standard” as depicted in the above plan.

A 600’ tower in that location would be quite dominating for that stretch of the skyline.  This will be nearly as grandiose as Williams in some respects, at least in terms of scale to surroundings.

Agreed that this is certainly an improvement to much of the architecture around the TMC, particularly for the big hospitals.   How is this 28 floors?  I count at most 22/23 - making an assumption the taller level atop the podium is a single floor.

Anyone know the end date for the Toyota brand that adorns the roof (and name)?

I’d be happy with an update, but is it NHL caliber?  Was it built with that intention in mind?

Really?  How are those two firms working together on this project?  One architect of record, the other the designer?  One doing interiors?  I am curious.  KPF a consultant?

I don’t think it’s bad, just out of scale with the other buildings.

Maybe, I think Williams is a bit more elegant.  This is a massive building compared to the neighbors, and it’s in the downtown area.

My opinion.  I still think it’s out of scale.

Still looks out of scale.  It’s not the height, it’s the size of the floor plates.  Perhaps from other angles it will be less oversized?

Wondering if we did end up with a new (relocated) NHL franchise if the Toyota Center’s days would be numbered?  It’s 20 years old next year, and while I am not advocating its replacement I do understand that with 2 major league teams using it that in the next ~5-10 years I couldn’t imagine the team owners not pushing for a brand new facility.

*assuming we land an NHL franchise*

Aaron Seward was the former editor for Texas Architect.  For those who aren’t as familiar with that publication it is heavily Austin-centric.

It’s just so out of scale with most everything else there - and the facade will hopefully look better than the renderings present it.  It will be to Austin what Taipei 101 is to Taipei.

Did HKS really get this gig?  I mean really?  KPF or SOM weren’t interested?  Woulda been a better design from either of those firms.  Gensler too.

@hindesky I was still confused (hence my earlier reply), but think I get it now!

@Luminare OMA is a great architectural firm.  Not every thing they’ve done is a masterwork -which can be said for every architect ever, perhaps except Palladio(!)- but they turn out quality at every stop.

Having not really followed this thread adequately (see above) I’m quite pleased this is the direction things are heading.

Begging your pardon @hindesky, but how would a superintendent of another project know such details?

Is it a renovation of the existing?  The box looks to be obscured a little in the rendering by the “tacked on Seasidey stuff”.

Also, don’t think they’ll be able to easily build closer to Seawall.  That’s a Federal protected engineering easement.  That’s why I think it’s a renovation of the existing.  Of course I could be wrong.

3 hours ago, Luminare said:

… "value-engineering" (or as a friend in my office calls it "quality-abatement"), cheap.

I like that!  Going to use it for sure.

Most that I’ve encountered.  There are exceptions.  Why?  What is your observation of architects?

I’ve honestly grown to dislike him more and more every year.  His designs for Pennzoil, Transco and Republic Bank are iconic, and he certainly added some interesting buildings in other cities, but as a person he seems to be classic bespectacled-cape-wearing smarter/more enlightened-than-thou-architect.

It does seem out of place.  I’m also not sure if most folks (laypersons) would even notice it?

5 hours ago, Ross said:

Cables made of metal are going to be the means to transmit electricity for the foreseeable future. There aren't any real options. Then the choice is are the cables in the air or buried.

Buried cables make a lot more sense, of course it’s a lot more expensive.

^thought that was the new proposed use for this site for a second, and I completely couldn’t place how that area looked like that.

7 hours ago, monarch said:

^^^ MY GOODNESS!  you would think that in such a SWANKY/POSH area of town, that they would do something regarding those awful/horrifying low hanging POWER LINES.  what a strange and completely outdated scene...

I agree.  This isn’t just a Houston thing.  In general, nationally, we’ve just not updated this method of power transmission from source to end user.  It’s archaic, specifically in terms of power transmission; and in need of some critical thinking as to a modern solution.