21 replies to this topic

[lobster]

a few shots








fine art...


floors 20+ on the left, 6-19 on the right


bookshelves for the "waiting area"


dome makes for a huge echo





LOb

[Sam Stone]

Wow.

[Shocker]

Everything looks incredible from the beautiful floor to the woodwork to the dome in the atrium. First class.

[SurplusPopulation]

Now I'm really excited to see what they will build next door.

[Urbndwlr]

I like the travertine and how they apparently hid all of the reminders of the old, awkward bank lobby and bridge to the elevator lobby.

I don't like the overly-busy design on the floor, the black accents between the wood panels (should have made it cleaner, very subtle seams) or the brass door handles. Those elements sort of dumb-down an otherwise sophisticated, clean design. In general, though, I like the Tower.

Whenever designers or developers fear turning off those with more naive taste, they tack on some gaudy garbage that, IMO, compromise the integrity of the design. For example, Schaumburg's designs are just dripping with imagery that connote wealth and sophistication to those who are themselves unsophisticated (at least in their taste in architectural design). The taste is like that of your typical 20-year old NBA player.

[lobster]

For example, Schaumburg's designs are just dripping with imagery that connote wealth and sophistication to those who are themselves unsophisticated (at least in their taste in architectural design).  The taste is like that of your typical 20-year old NBA player.

What elements in particular have you noticed of Sch umburg's works that showcase this? Bathtub spouts rigged to pour out of a golden lion's mouth?

[courtnie]

Just beautiful..Im so glad to see the worlds biggest birds nest come alive again..Bravo!!

For example, Schaumburg's designs are just dripping with imagery that connote wealth and sophistication to those who are themselves unsophisticated (at least in their taste in architectural design).  The taste is like that of your typical 20-year old NBA player.

What elements in particular have you noticed of Sch umburg's works that showcase this? Bathtub spouts rigged to pour out of a golden lion's mouth?

[apearson28]

ah whatever, i think its sweet

[mosteijn]

Golly, looks like it's straight from a real city.

[Urbndwlr]

For example, Schaumburg's designs are just dripping with imagery that connote wealth and sophistication to those who are themselves unsophisticated (at least in their taste in architectural design).  The taste is like that of your typical 20-year old NBA player.

What elements in particular have you noticed of Sch B) umburg's works that showcase this? Bathtub spouts rigged to pour out of a golden lion's mouth?

(My mistake about the brass - it doesn't look as though the doors have brass on them after all.)

Examples of Schaumburg's buildings that demonstrate what I said above?
We can start with the projects' ridiculous names.
- Le Bijou (The Jewel). Appears from the rendering to be one of his better ones, however is dripping with affectation. It is overly packed with ornament that is intended to make it look more luxurious and more Eurpean I suppose. It is nothing more than an interpretation of French architecture - not that similar to the real deal. We'll see what facade material he uses. In France, it would be stone.
- The Versailles. come on - what about the cheapo yellow stucco building w/ single-hung windows even vaguely resembles French architecture, let alone Versailles?
- Summit Ruins. This is the most ridiculous. It is intended to look like an ancient ruin crumbling around a modernist black glass box. It would be more appropriate in Vegas than Fort Worth.

I can't easily articulate the difference between serious architects and pretenders on the forum. I would assume most of you know the difference. There are those who are more progressive and those who are revivalists (e.g. Schwarz), each of which has its critics. Schaumburg appears to be neither - rather using architecture merely as a part of a marketing theme used to sell buildings - cheap interpretations of other parts of the world in exceedingly naive packages - as if designed to target those who have never seen those other places or who lack the design sensibility to know the difference between the real thing and the interpretation of it.

[safly]

I agre with you Urbn for the most part. HOWEVER, Schambourg is doing it and there aren't too many willing to take a risk in this town with his vision. It's OK to poke fun at him and his portfolio, but let's see what kind of acceptance he can acheive in broadening the horizons of this now city of 618K.

Lobs, nice pic, love the stuffed dog too. Looks like a cute harmless Eewok on all fours. DOHH, Dee Deee Deeeh Deeeh! Does everyone get to pet it as they walk out to work. Sort of like that rock on Clemson's football field. J/K ol Chum! Nice place , now I see what you payed for.
When at the front desk , do I ask for Lobs, MR. Lobs? Esquire?
Nah, nice pic's though, I am turning green. Could have been the bad English Muffins.

[John T Roberts]

I think I will have to actually go into the space to make my evaluation. Although Lobster's pictures are good, it is just really too hard to tell from them what style it would be. David, a mix of styles might put it into the Post Modern period.

[safly]

What is that VELVET?

Actually, it looks (judging by pic's) to be a bit Neo-Classical Asian inspired. Is that goldleaf all about the echo room? TLC sure gave the Hearst Castle a lil run for their money.

[Sam Stone]

The arts and crafts (and mission style) lamp material is actually mica, a mineral.

I think it looks vaguely art deco, vaguely arts and crafts, and a little Asian maybe. It's hard to overtly do one style or another without being kitschy. I think they went for modern with hints of those other styles and achieved something very classy. Can't wait to see it up close.

[safly]

I think it is parchment like, or mica as pointed out earlier. Very nice lighting with the background, enhances the height. Accent lighting is the way to go on that one. I wonder if the lights change colors from time to time, would be kinda neat and mood setting. I love the Amber effects though. I think they should furnish the area with glass cobalt here and there, not tooo overdone. With our luck they will probably find room for a stuffed head of a longhorn.

[safly]

If Sam is right. And if that very nice website you displayed is for real on those prices. Then that Mica Room must have cost a F-O-R-T-U-N-E. The site has a very nice looking Mica sconce lighting going for $300 a pop. Love the amber glow, but come on. I wanna know who their dealers where at the Tower.