Yep, so now it's just a huge, glass box, with no design features at all. This is sad news.
Read my last post.
42
Yep, so now it's just a huge, glass box, with no design features at all. This is sad news.
The design is changing significantly. The diagrid system won't be needed. There's no reason to assume the tower will be banal considering the renowned architects and the high standard of One Bloor East across the street.
And woot to 329.5! I keep forgetting this is a 330m building, it's a very impressive height.
Gee, All the negativity, Id say lets wait for the final product....it may have setbacks, fancy roof, spire, etc., who knows?
Does Foster do that sort of thing? i don't think of his style as having those things.
I never really saw the appeal of the original design, though I'm disappointed by the (temporary?) removal of the diagrid bracing. That was the most integral aspect of the design and really the only thing that gave it personality. The retained Hue's Kitchen facade is definitely satisfying to see, if there's anything positive to take from this change in direction.
As was mentioned above, I can't help but wonder what will happen with the Mirvish/Gehry project. Will we see the removal of the waterfall-like glazing for instance? In that case, I actually prefer the current proposal, but it's hard to have faith that it will go ahead as planned. I guess we shouldn't get too excited over renderings of high profile projects? They seem to overwhelmingly represent visions rarely ever come to fruition. I think all the complaints about the "Toronto cheapening", watering down, what have you, are justified. This sort of thing happens a lot in this city and it is frustrating. Wouldn't the architect and planners have known about any issues associated with the initial design from the get go? It seems strange that the tower was thoroughly designed and presented only to have it rejected, as originally conceived, because of the reasons that were provided.
I really wish Mizrahi would opt for a different architect altogether. I would love to see a taller version of Zaha Hadid's proposal for 425 Park Ave in New York (not sure how it didn't win that particular design competition). It would be major waste for such a gorgeous tower to never be realized. This location could really use something with more supple lines.
Bottom line to me: the structural design and massing have greatly changed from the initial proposal. The height has increased and the Hue's facade will be retained. The diagrids may or may not be on what gets built, but I still expect a very good design. The negativity on this thread is to be expected on UT, but unwarranted (so far) in my opinion.
Why must every new landmark that goes through planning end up retaining ugly heritage facades? Throw them somewhere else on city-owned land. Certain designs simply cannot have what amounts to a barnacle at its base.