Topic: Architecture that leaves you Spellbound (Read 3260 times)

Paul · « **on:** March 08, 2011, 11:16:58 AM »

Please list the architecture that has left you speechless.

Today, while doing a bit of backpacking through Asia, I stumbled across and then managed to visit the recently opened Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. The architecture of the building left me spellbound. A 200m high floating garden, restaurant and infinity swimming pool, suspended like the hull of a yacht on three curved skyscrapers - with the capacity of over 2000 rooms. Part of a complex that cost about 6 billion US dollars to build, this is possibly the most breathtaking building I have seen in my life.

CeeGBee · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2011, 12:14:46 PM »

That is truly spectacular, but I get dizzy just looking at the pictures....
(...and no, it's not a problem with your photos...)

absynth aura · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2011, 02:10:19 PM »

I watched a program about the construction of this building, it is truly a work of art.

lentower · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2011, 06:21:24 PM »

as a piece of sculpture, it's interesting.

but architecture is more than exterior aesthetics.

do you know anything about:
- how the building functions for it's users? enough elevators? access for the disabled? emergency egress? etc?
- what the interior aesthetics are?
- how green it is? both construction, and operation?

lentower · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2011, 06:33:54 PM »

My favorite building is the MIT Chapel

My favorite museum building is Wright's Guggenheim in NYC
Including the addition by Gwathmey.

My favorite monument is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis

My favorite gothic cathedral is Chartres

My favorite unfinished cathedral is Gaudi's Sagrada Família

There are others.
I may post pictures, if I find the time

Paul · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:23:38 PM »

Quote from: lentower on March 08, 2011, 06:21:24 PM

as a piece of sculpture, it's interesting.

but architecture is more than exterior aesthetics.

do you know anything about:
- how the building functions for it's users? enough elevators? access for the disabled? emergency egress? etc?
- what the interior aesthetics are?
- how green it is? both construction, and operation?

I've been inside the building and on the top floor, and I did notice many lifts and ramps for disabled access. It also looked awesome from the inside, along with the shopping centre in front (which contains a working canal underneath a suspended open-air restaurant). As for environmental construction, I don't know, but the entire area (like much of the Singapore central business district) is reclaimed land from the sea, which causes terrible environmental damage.

Also, what I'd like to know is, when the rest of the world is in the grip of recession and cutbacks, why Singapore manages to always remain so perpetually rich!

Indja · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:35:28 PM »

I get that the last one isn't so magical, but I fucking, fucking love it

CeeGBee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:40:47 PM »

Quote from: Indja on March 08, 2011, 07:35:28 PM

[IMG]http://blah[/img]

[IMG]http://blah blah[/img]

I get that the last one isn't so magical, but I fucking, fucking love it

Not magical? It's growing....

Pope Totalfrog · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:42:51 PM »

Quote from: Paul on March 08, 2011, 11:16:58 AM

My fear of heights is so bad that just looking at that picture makes me feel a bit sick.

Indja · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:47:08 PM »

Quote from: CeeGBee on March 08, 2011, 07:40:47 PM

Quote from: Indja on March 08, 2011, 07:35:28 PM
[IMG]http://blah[/img]

[IMG]http://blah blah[/img]

I get that the last one isn't so magical, but I fucking, fucking love it
Not magical? It's growing....

It's aliiiiIIIiiiiIIIiiiIIiiIIIiiiIIIiiive!!!!! I am going to live in a moving living breathing house when I'm older. It'll have a voice and a personality and everything

lentower · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2011, 08:06:12 PM »

Quote from: totalfrog on March 08, 2011, 07:42:51 PM

Quote from: Paul on March 08, 2011, 11:16:58 AM

My fear of heights is so bad that just looking at that picture makes me feel a bit sick.

What got me about this design,
is how long the cantilever is,
and that so many people trust the structure
of the cantilever not to collapse.
(As close to walking on air, as most of us will get.)

imaginary friend · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2011, 06:31:14 PM »

^ BASE jump time! or parkour suicide.

#@!

theseeker · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2011, 10:22:06 PM »

http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-Beelitz-Heilstaetten_Sanatorium#galint Look at all of the inside pictures. So pretty <3

Not exactly because of the structure though...

imaginary friend · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2011, 04:54:50 PM »

you have to see this: http://www.treehotel.se/en/rooms/the-mirrorcube

#@!

Tiervexx · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2011, 06:47:02 PM »

Quote from: Paul on March 08, 2011, 11:16:58 AM

Spectacular. My only major reservation about visiting Singapore are their police... I heard about a girl and her mother who went to Singapore as the girl's 21st birthday present (as part of a cruse) and right off the boat military personal took the entire cruse into custody and strip searched them all thoroughly, than released them.

Ruined their whole trip.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2011, 12:32:10 AM »

The Epigrammic Poultry · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2011, 05:00:19 PM »

Quote from: theseeker on May 05, 2011, 10:22:06 PM

http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-Beelitz-Heilstaetten_Sanatorium#galint Look at all of the inside pictures. So pretty <3

Not exactly because of the structure though...

I have a weird urge to wander that building playing sombre songs on ukulele.

Paul · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2011, 10:05:48 AM »

Prasat Bayon, Angkor Thom, near Siem Riep, Cambodia

imaginary friend · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:47:48 AM »

this just opened today: world's longest bridge over water, connecting Qingdao, China to some island offshore.

26.4 miles (about 40 km) offshore.

you could literally run an entire marathon on it.

not the prettiest bridge, but it was completed in just under 4 years.

#@!

N.U. · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2011, 03:59:42 PM »

Prague: the only place in the world with Cubist architecture. All other examples of that style of architecture were lost during WWII for the most point.

and Prague also has the Dancing House

imaginary friend · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2011, 04:26:59 PM »

same bridge as above, further out along the span:

it does get prettier away from shore.

#@!

lentower · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:12:45 PM »

just a proposal for now
http://news.discovery.com/tech/wind-power-without-the-blades.html

N.U. · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2011, 05:22:43 PM »

That's awesome! If only we could plant actual trees and have something organic and living generate the energy.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:59:42 PM »

reminds me of the Lightning Field.

#@!

imaginary friend · « **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2011, 11:02:04 PM »

the Santa Fe Opera House:

#@!

imaginary friend · « **Reply #25 on:** August 10, 2011, 07:04:02 PM »

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/02/kingdom-tower-tallest-building_n_916207.html

#@!

imaginary friend · « **Reply #26 on:** August 10, 2011, 07:11:44 PM »

#@!

lentower · « **Reply #27 on:** August 21, 2011, 09:03:25 PM »

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

CeeGBee · « **Reply #28 on:** August 21, 2011, 09:08:56 PM »

Isn't that Indja's eco-hut?

Indja · « **Reply #29 on:** August 21, 2011, 09:26:22 PM »

Quote from: CeeGBee on August 21, 2011, 09:08:56 PM

Isn't that Indja's eco-hut?

'Tis.

Paul Jon · « **Reply #30 on:** August 22, 2011, 10:00:26 AM »

That's a smial.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #31 on:** August 22, 2011, 11:47:27 AM »

here's one of its bigger siblings:

#@!

lentower · « **Reply #32 on:** September 11, 2011, 07:03:31 AM »

neat places (for those with $$$) to vacation

http://www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/dune-house/overview/
http://www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/dune-house/photos/
(click the other tabs too)

http://www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/balancing-barn/overview/
http://www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/balancing-barn/photos/
(click the other tabs too)

they have a number of others,
but these two stand out

imaginary friend · « **Reply #33 on:** September 12, 2011, 11:41:41 AM »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/G8L4bTxw6ic&feature=player_embedded#t=287s" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/G8L4bTxw6ic&feature=player_embedded#t=287s</a>

#@!

N.U. · « **Reply #34 on:** September 12, 2011, 11:57:22 AM »

This had to be posted here. The Ground Zero memorial. Simple. Tastefully done, yet not in your face.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #35 on:** September 12, 2011, 12:09:03 PM »

^ yeah, stunning job all around with that one. I was expecting a design disaster, to be honest. so glad that didn't happen.

anyway, next contribution on my part:

#@!

lentower · « **Reply #36 on:** September 12, 2011, 12:25:34 PM »

Quote from: N.U. on September 12, 2011, 11:57:22 AM

The Ground Zero memorial. Simple. Tastefully done, yet not in your face.

true too. of the Petagon, Pennsylvania, and Boston Logan International Airport memorials

lentower · « **Reply #37 on:** September 12, 2011, 12:40:24 PM »

Quote from: cletus thurston beauregard on September 12, 2011, 11:41:41 AM

neat to see the architects' design aniamations made into a video

more about the museum
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/14495/mvrdv-china-comic-and-animation-museum.html

Haushinka · « **Reply #38 on:** September 12, 2011, 08:19:28 PM »

Every single time I go over either of the forth bridges, I am humbled by the presence of the rail bridge.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #39 on:** October 16, 2011, 02:17:11 AM »

^ so gorgeous.

absynth aura · « **Reply #40 on:** October 16, 2011, 02:37:27 AM »

Quote from: imaginary friend on September 12, 2011, 12:09:03 PM

^ yeah, stunning job all around with that one. I was expecting a design disaster, to be honest. so glad that didn't happen.

anyway, next contribution on my part:

#@!

I swear that is familiar!

imaginary friend · « **Reply #41 on:** October 20, 2011, 12:34:36 PM »

proposed redesign of the Pontiac Silverdome, which is a few miles east of where I live:

...it's currently an enclosed 81,000-seat stadium with three tiers of seats and an air-supported roof. this redesign would have a 30k capacity soccer setup using what is now the upper tier of seats with a field on what would be the roof of the lower levels, which would be split between a 20k seat sports arena and a 20k seat amphitheater-type venue.

lentower · « **Reply #42 on:** October 21, 2011, 05:20:06 PM »

imaginary friend · « **Reply #43 on:** October 27, 2011, 07:43:18 PM »

an old fave:

imaginary friend · « **Reply #44 on:** November 06, 2011, 02:28:42 PM »

imaginary friend · « **Reply #45 on:** November 13, 2011, 03:11:42 PM »

been obsessing over quonset huts lately; here's one taken to the nth degree.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #46 on:** January 26, 2012, 11:43:11 AM »

Savannah · « **Reply #47 on:** January 26, 2012, 12:35:13 PM »

^

Fuck, yeah!

absynth aura · « **Reply #48 on:** January 26, 2012, 12:42:44 PM »

Yeah, I'm gunna set a bed up under one of those desks and never leave.

lentower · « **Reply #49 on:** January 26, 2012, 12:43:51 PM »

reminds me of J.P.Morgan's Library

imaginary friend · « **Reply #50 on:** January 26, 2012, 05:20:15 PM »

^ looks like a book prison.

lentower · « **Reply #51 on:** January 26, 2012, 08:53:37 PM »

^ JP wanted to see his books, not the guard rails.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #52 on:** March 13, 2012, 12:15:11 PM »

imaginary friend · « **Reply #53 on:** April 21, 2012, 01:18:40 AM »

Aztec Art Deco!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/BrUnD2nQsiw" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/BrUnD2nQsiw</a>

...this place is just about as far east as you can get in Detroit and still remain within the city limits. If I had the $$$, I'd but it tomorrow and have it restored...ah, but I don't.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #54 on:** May 05, 2012, 11:36:50 AM »

bathroom built 15 stories up in an unused elevator shaft in a refurbished apartment/condo building:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/RCTRuuIMebc" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/RCTRuuIMebc</a>

imaginary friend · « **Reply #55 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:09:25 PM »

public restroom (women's-only) in Ichihara City, Japan:

Astica · « **Reply #56 on:** May 16, 2012, 09:56:08 PM »

On the topic of odd public toilets, I'd still feel fascinated yet uncomfortable in one of these:

What if the mirrors suddenly stopped being one way while I was in there?

Also, I'd feel weird walking past one just in case there was someone in there on the toilet staring at me without my knowledge...

imaginary friend · « **Reply #57 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:23:12 AM »

or some dude jacking off.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #58 on:** May 21, 2012, 02:05:12 AM »

there's an incredible video of an awesome architectural concept at this link. watch it: http://io9.com/5911795/a-lotus+shaped-oasis-blooms-over-the-london-skyline

imaginary friend · « **Reply #59 on:** December 04, 2012, 11:18:44 AM »

This is a beachfront sanitarium in some city named Druzhba:

imaginary friend · « **Reply #60 on:** December 20, 2012, 10:49:21 AM »

This is going up in Phoenix:

view of interior:

imaginary friend · « **Reply #61 on:** February 01, 2013, 08:07:19 PM »

This British research station in Antarctica will open this Tuesday.

Since the ice sheets current stations rest on move 1/4 mile every year, this one - every module is mounted on skis - can be towed to new locations by a single bulldozer.

CeeGBee · « **Reply #62 on:** February 02, 2013, 08:06:24 PM »

Quote from: imaginary friend on February 01, 2013, 08:07:19 PM

This British research station in Antarctica will open this Tuesday.

Since the ice sheets current stations rest on move 1/4 mile every year, this one - every module is mounted on skis - can be towed to new locations by a single bulldozer.

It'd be sooooo much cooler if it could walk....

imaginary friend · « **Reply #63 on:** February 03, 2013, 11:16:25 AM »

can't have everything.

imaginary friend · « **Reply #64 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:54:33 PM »

seriously, check this out and then go to the link in the article: http://observationdeck.io9.com/awesome-reading-nooks-453332871

News:

Author Topic: Architecture that leaves you Spellbound (Read 3260 times)