Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliNative
Neo Art Deco & Neo Gothic are better than the boxes that characterizes most modern architecture. The Seagrams and Lever House were fine but in the 1950s through the 1970s almost every building was a knockoff of these Mies curtain wall boxes. Functional, but boring repetition. Who doesn't love spires on tall buildings and even some gargoyles in moderation? Architecture can be fun and playful, and an homage to the past as well as a search for new styles. "Post modern", although flawed and eclectic and sometimes a mish mash of styles, at least broke out of the box mentality. The 150 foot height limit L.A. had until the late 1950s deprived it of some tall skyscrapers that would have become classics. Even in the 1920s, L.A. without a 150' limit would probably have had several 25+ story Art Decos and gothics. We thankfully do have 454' City Hall (exempted from the limit) a Mayan pyramid revival and good because it is not a box. Most people around the world could recognize it as an L.A. building. Aliens blasted it in the original "War of the Worlds" film in 1953, and it was Clark Kent's "Daily Planet" in the T.V. series. Capitol Records too--Hollywood. Our boxy skyscrapers? Few could place them in L.A. We do have some stubby examples that somehow evaded the 150' limit a bit, like the Eastern Columbia with a clock tower, a bit over 200' and the old Texaco Building, about the same height. The demolished Richfield tower went even higher, 380' with the "oil derrick" spire. Spires add interest. Boxes are boring. Repeal of the helicopter landing pad law was a permission slip for spires, and that will add interest to the skyline. Like I've said before, a 900-1100' neo Richfield building somewhere in DTLA would be magnificent. Facing a refurbished Pershing Square, perfect.
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I live in Chicago where Meis made his mark. Trust and believe that his philosophy of less is more is needed in this world of tacky gaudy crap. The devil is in the details.
Take the Federal Center for example. 3 buildings. Tall, wide, and flat.
http://benbansal.me/wp-content/uploa...ago_mies01.jpg
Might not look like much to the average eye but when you look closely, you'll see that everything lines up perfectly. It's hard to see but the lines on the floor of the plaza line up perfectly with the lines of the post office.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6157/6...80c8b7a2_b.jpg
Same with the Aon Center (one of my favorite buildings on earth). Might not look like much from far away...
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5...6-02%20263.jpg
...but close up, the details shine.
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