The Great Canadian Skyscraper Thread - Page 14

DrNest · #**261** Posted **Feb 12, 2012, 7:47 PM**

That picture is to me quintessentially what skyscrapers are all about. It is a wonderful shot of some very good looking towers.

dleung · #**262** Posted **Feb 12, 2012, 10:56 PM**

I was gonna make a list of my favortes, then I saw X-condo on page 1, and decided screw it.

Ramako · #**263** Posted **Feb 12, 2012, 11:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleung

I was gonna make a list of my favortes, then I saw X-condo on page 1, and decided screw it.

Cool story.

dleung · #**264** Posted **Feb 12, 2012, 11:35 PM**

guess u din like it =(

caltrane74 · #**265** Posted **Feb 13, 2012, 12:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrewjm3D

From USA Today.

Here is the USA Today article that accompanied the photo.

http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/po...ning-/623023/1

Andrewjm3D · #**266** Posted **Feb 13, 2012, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleung

I was gonna make a list of my favortes, then I saw X-condo on page 1, and decided screw it.

I was going to as well until I saw people views and taste didn't mirror mine. So I thought, why contribute if not everybody agrees with my choices. Screw it!

Andrewjm3D · #**267** Posted **Feb 13, 2012, 4:55 PM**

I don't really have a top 10 but here are a few of favorites.

All google images.

Édifice Price

Purdy's Warf

Scotia Bank Tower

Tour de la Bourse

Commerce Court North

Pigott Building

The Bow

The TD Centre (the cluster together)

Westmont Square

Marine Building

Shangri-La

One St Thomas

Édifice Aldred

Édifice Bell

Canada Permanent Trust Building

The Dominion Building

Marriott Château Champlain (I've always loved this giant cheese grater)

suburb · #**268** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 6:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramako

This complex is considered the masterwork of one of the world's greatest pioneers in modern architecture, so yeah, it belongs in the discussion.

Just seemed a little 'square' to me. Frankly, it is irrespective if the architect is seen in high regard for his career as a whole. I don't know what the term 'modern architecture' means, as every person who ever lived, lived in 'modern times' for them. Perhaps this was good for 1960's modern. All architects have bad days. Not saying that was the case here, but pointing out that even the greatest architects need to sit on the throne once a day.

Ramako · #**269** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 6:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburb

I don't know what the term 'modern architecture' means

You may want to start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture

isaidso · #**270** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 9:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburb

Perhaps this was good for 1960's modern.

Mies buildings like those are revered in the world of architecture and considered timeless and flawless perfection. It's required material for architecture students world wide. Discounting them because they are square is akin to discounting the Mona Lisa because its a small painting.

I guarantee you, those TD Centre buildings will only become more famous over time than they already are. They're a national treasure.

yaletown_fella · #**271** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 4:47 PM**

Modern Architecture is certainly not a style.

kw5150 · #**272** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburb

Just seemed a little 'square' to me. Frankly, it is irrespective if the architect is seen in high regard for his career as a whole. I don't know what the term 'modern architecture' means, as every person who ever lived, lived in 'modern times' for them. Perhaps this was good for 1960's modern. All architects have bad days. Not saying that was the case here, but pointing out that even the greatest architects need to sit on the throne once a day.

You need to take a course on modern architecture to understand. These buildings just looked like black boxes to me as well until I heard the background story behind them. They were masterworks at the time and have stood their ground since built. Beauty in simplicity, and the overall form with function on the space was the precedent.

There is a very similar building in new york by Mies Van Rer Rohe, Philip Johnson and Ezra Stoller

Ramako · #**273** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 5:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaletown_fella

Modern Architecture is certainly not a style.

Indeed. It was an architectural movement encapsulating several different styles.

If we're going to get more specific, the TD Centre complex is in the International Style, (as is First Canadian Place, Commerce Court West and Place Ville Marie).

Ramako · #**274** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 5:31 PM**

Another architectural style within the modernist movement was Brutalism, which was often favoured by universities and governments for its utopian ideology:

Robarts Library

http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca...art-galleries/

Manulife Centre

From wikipedia

Habitat 67

From wikipedia

Barbican Estate

From SkyscraperCity

Find more examples here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1163565

Chang · #**275** Posted **Feb 14, 2012, 5:51 PM**

The Dome tower in Calgary similar to the one in TO and NYC, tall and boxy. I think they look pretty cool IMO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File

ome-Tower-Szmurlo.jpg

suburb · #**276** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 5:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

considered timeless and flawless perfection.

Nothing is flawless perfection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

I guarantee you, those TD Centre buildings will only become more famous over time than they already are.

Thanks. I didn't know what that was. Perhaps they are famous in Toronto.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

They were masterworks at the time ...

Yeah - I don't doubt that. They were fantastic 40-50 years ago (and I've said as much), but if those were proposed today, you'd be on them like the next guy.

caltrane74 · #**277** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 5:45 AM**

Obviously, you had a rough day.

Just pure madness coming out of your little fingers.

Those towers were built by the father of the modern glass and steel skyscraper. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they get Heritage Designation, so as impossible to tear them down.

Ramako · #**278** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 5:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburb

I didn't know what that was. Perhaps they are famous in Toronto.

Yes, clearly the person who admits to not knowing what modern architecture is should be used as the standard in determining what is and what is not famous in the world of architecture.

You not knowing of or understanding the historical and architectural significance of Mies van der Rohe or the TD Centre complex is due only to your own deficiency and not some failing on the part of that landmark complex.

Ramako · #**279** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 6:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburb

They were fantastic 40-50 years ago (and I've said as much), but if those were proposed today, you'd be on them like the next guy.

...only if the next guy was a complete architectural philistine. You'd be hard pressed to find another tower constructed, even in recent times, that could match their attention to detail, function and proportion.

Furthermore, according to your logic, the Model T is unimportant and does not belong in a discussion of great cars because if it were built today, it would be easily out performed by a Ford Focus in virtually every metric.

Ramako · #**280** Posted **Feb 15, 2012, 6:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Those towers were built by the father of the modern glass and steel skyscraper. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they get Heritage Designation, so as impossible to tear them down.

In fact, they've already received heritage designation: http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/News-...-plaque-c.aspx

That's Prince Edward on the left:

From wikipedia