Fortunately, I think this building is far away enough from the EMP so that the two won't combine for an architectural blob gang-bang on the rest of south lake union. Let's all pray for the envelope and its 1 million glazing seams during a good wet February. Shame that a respectable firm couldn't come up with something other than the Jekyll and Hyde - business in the front party in the rear - design scheme (which btw, I think will be a welcome addition by the public). I'm guessing the development of the box is what allowed for the development of the ball. Personally, I'd prefer a more cohesive approach to the site as a whole. ONE building to do all of the things these two are trying to do - because look what happens: you get a less than sleek open steel tube canopy that inches its way from one entry to the next. In plan it's the uncut umbilical cord of your baby the alien. Imagine that canopy, but 10 feet taller, spanning the entire liminal space. Unprogrammed and flexible. Something that isn't just about retail. Markets, seniors bingo, tai-chi, fall salsa dancing, you name it. Anything to get out of the rain and not be instantly sold something.
I'm glad you saw and commented on this. I intended to tag you in it but my phone rang and that was the end of that. I don't know much about architecture but I had a feeling most people who do know about architecture would react in the same way you did. It seems like the entire concept is cool and funky and a bit sci-fi and that's about it. I am torn whether this or another skyscraper would be better though - the same building we see with minor differences all across the globe. Do you think a mediocre funky design like this one, even if the implementation isn't perfect or could be vastly improved, is better or worse than your standard building? PS: I adore your superb use of "architectural blob gang-bang"
Tough question to answer. Without the dimension of time, it's difficult to know if this or that building is ultimately 'better' for a city. What I'm getting at, though, is that the decision doesn't have to be so polarized, IMO. It needn't be either let's do another boring tower, or buckle up eer'body!Do you think a mediocre funky design like this one, even if the implementation isn't perfect or could be vastly improved, is better or worse than your standard building?