An Ugly Building ... Or Two!

Most Architects would give their fanciest filter pen to be nominated for "Architect of the Year" or "The designer and mastermind behind the most Beautiful Building in the world"... but what do you say or do when the nominate your design or building as The Ugliest Building in the World?

According to the Telegraph Newspaper there are a few building around the world that does not comply with the judge's aesthetic eye!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertypicturegalleries/9126031/Are-these-the-ugliest-buildings-in-the-world.html?frame=2159733

From a bubble diagram to a sketch and to the real deal. Describing every detail to the finest and making sure that what they are busy constructing reveals not only the master's idea, but the thought after every line that was drawn on a microfilm paper sheet with an ink filled filter pen that could last for an amount only the designer would know.

I have no idea how I would feel if I would be in the shoes of those designers. Maybe if the theme was the worst building or even the cheapest, then I could understand. See the buildings below and judge for yourself!

 The ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture and observation tower at the London 2012 Olympic Park

Aldar headquarters building in Abu Dhabi. Designed by MZ Architects and opened in 2010. This coin-shaped building is the world's first circular skyscrape

Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia. Designed by Lab Architecture Studio and Bates Smart. Opened in 2002

The Tours Aillaud (also known as Tours Nuages) in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, France. Designed by Emile Aillaud and built in 1977

The National Library in Pristina, Kosovo. Designed by Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjakovic and opened in 1982

The 105-storey Ryugyong hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea. Designed by Baikdoosan Architects & Engineers. Construction began in 1987 and stopped between 1992 and 2008. Exterior work is now complete, but it is not known if it will ever open.

So all these building above was rated as ugly. It what sense do you rate a building as ugly. Is it the wrong angle, the external material and finishes or is it simply just the design. 

Each and everyone to me is unique with a sense of style and personality. If I should describe the Ryugong Hotel above I would simply give it the characterization of:

• strength
• rigidness
• diagonal lines
• stability
• movement in a sense that it leads the eye to an upward angle
• smooth - finishes of metal and smooth surface
• color is conservative and cold
• a sense of uniqueness and standing on its own above the rest

All these points adds to the buildings character and to me they are everything but ugly. More like standing on their own, with their own personality and look. a Reason for living - a statement that should be made by their existence.

Simply Amazing...!

What makes your building unique?...

Ultimate Tree House

The first time I was aware of people living in the trees other than monkeys it was way too early for me to live in the trees. Living in a tree house has neither been a dream nor a reality but if I look at the top 10 tree houses in the world or even the ultimate adult tree house I will discussing I seem to miss the joy and adventure everyone experiences among the wind and our tall friends… the trees.

Since I’ve seen the twilight movie and those vampires swinging from the trees and jumping from branch to branch I wondered more than once how it would be to live in a forest. To be surrounded by the whisper of the wind, be blinded by the early morning fog among the mountain tops or simply to just experience living in a home, built among the trees. Am I just dreaming or is there a person out there really doing this…

Then I found these articles. They seem so free, that is the people among the trees! 

This was a touching story as I read through the article. The fact that the tree meant so much to this couple that they actually designed a loving home around and through it.

The interior was inspired by friends and the DIY shops. They made up interior parts out of flour bags. Everyday things we discard they used to make up a home with character and personality.

 For a dad to hang a rope swing on a tree that he thought best would be the strength of a family became the strength of a loving home and a tree house of dreams. a Really amazing home indeed! http://twistedsifter.com/2013/05/adult-tree-house-camp-wandawega-lake-resort-wisconsin/                         

An evening view of this amazing family home that came true not only for a media magazine but for a family that could treasure the dream of a father that is looking down on them. 

The Walkie Talkie Building

From the start a real amazing looking building but what no one knew is when the sun would rise on the day of completion, what would really be the biggest challenge of all?

If I look at a building like this I would think wind loads might be a challenge, even glazing as a whole! Now we come across a building acting as a sundial. So when does too much sun become a problem..?

“The developers of the “Walkie Talkie” tower in the City today said had been aware of the risk of the curved glass building acting as “a giant magnifying glass” - but had concluded there would not be a problem.”

Now it is completed and 2 hours during the day acts as a danger not just to human but to cars and all other surrounding elements.

When analyzing such an amazing looking structure there are so many components to take in consideration that it is almost unnatural to say that something so small could have such a huge effect. 

During Summer we are all aware of the sun, its UV rays and that we should wear SPF + sunscreens but what happens when the sunlight that gives us vitamin D3 gets reflected onto a mirror glazed area and creates a magnifying area that cannot be used.

Read more about The Walkie Scorchie Building or Fryscraper as it is called now by the public and media.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2410972/Walkie-Talkie-building-Walkie-Scorchie-skyscraper-firm-scaffolding-protect-nearby-shops.html

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-09-05/london-s-walkie-talkie-fryscraper-draws-crowds-on-hottest-day

Want to know what the outcome was and what the developers came up with to fix a problem no one expected... "Walkie Talkie developers build screen to stop 'death ray" - http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/04/walkie-talkie-screen-death-ray

a gallery of pictures are also available at: 
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2013/sep/04/london-walkie-talkie-building-pictures#/?picture=416525494&index=0