New London tower
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It would seem to me that we have a good theme for a competition. To design an alternative to Anish Kapoor's tower.
A few design rules/guidelines:
- It should work as a structure, ie. be possible to build
- It should be inspired by the Olympic Games
- It should be inspired by the location (UK, London)
- It should be have a long shelf-life (like the Eiffel tower)
- It should serve the community or tourism after the games have finished
- It should ...
Perhaps someone could think up a few more guidelines.
Personally, I quite like it. To my eye it looks like the Olympic torch threaded through with the the five rings of the Olympic symbol.
Regards,
Bob -
It's definitely not to my taste. It is hardly iconic, and lacks any kind of visual appeal.
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Just the latest variation on the theme of "the kings new clothes" subsidised by public money.
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It perfectly reflects the state of Britain at the moment - a comprehensive clusterf..
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Eiffel tower designed by a committee...
Anssi
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It reminds me of the Jeff Goldblum version of The Fly....when he gets the baboon from the other end of the transporter
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Wonder how much it will cost to ride it.
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once upon a time there were the idea and the sense of beauty that ruled the world,
say, the renaissance times,
This, New London Tower idea, reflects the uglyness of our times, and that should not be claimed as beauty and, even worse, be built.
I just cant believe that we are talking about it.
i think i´ll get under the water for a long while.
be good,
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Well, I like it, except for the colour. It should, of course, be painted Oxford blue.
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What's to like ?
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Gerry Anderson called, he wants that part of the Thunderbirds set back... it's supposed to blow up soon...
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The more I look at it the more I like it, I do not like the palette, I'd prefer it in a raw metal finish.
In time it will be embraced by most, right now it's a little overwhelming I suppose. -
Is this April fools?
How about the setting? The setting for something like the Eiffel Tower respects and elevates people and the surroundings. If this is the intended plan, it is more like a piece from Pottery Barn set out on the porch, where people can wander around its base in the expanse of concrete like ants.
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It will appear in an episode of 'Spooks' (MI5 for folks in the states) where Adam (if he is still alive) meets an ex KGB spy at the base of it and y'all will fall in love with it.... end of controvesy.
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ohh I get it...
it'll appear in an episode of Doctor Who...
I mean the London Eye was in fact a Nestene Transmitter in the episode 'Rose'....
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What's worse is that we have to pay for the feckin thing - i bet if they had to collect the money before it was built they wouldnt get enough to buy the concrete for the foundation!!!
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Dear Solo,
Did you have weathering steel in mind?
The problem with weathering steel is the stains left on concrete after rain has washed down the oxide. Kew Gardens used weathering steel for their treetop walkway and it works really well in a rural setting.
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I agree, the expanse of concrete (?) under the tower is not very inspirational.
Bob
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In response to TIG's comment 'what's to like':
I think the tower offends the architect's 'mind set' because it is asymmetrical. This is not true of recent architecture (e.g. Beijing Olympics, Bird's Nest Stadium), where computing power and modern materials have allowed architects almost unlimited scope for design. Nonetheless, humans tend to find symmetry pleasing, as in faces, and are are unsettled by asymmetry. My background and experience is mainly in the field of mechanical engineering, and so I find the construction intriguing, and perhaps that's why I like it. Personally, I find the steel arcs too 'heavy', but presumably, the design will evolve with the mechanical engineering design effort.
Regards,
Bob -
Personally, I think just because something is structurally possible, doesn't mean it should actually be built...certainly not have £19 million thrown at at...although it will probably make that back in a few years if they charge for access.
In this larger picture here you can see a little clearer what is going on. There seems to be a central shaft...presumably for a lift/elevator, with what seems to be a pedestrian walkway spiraling around it. Is that going to be a restaurant at the top, an observation platform or a first-aid/cpr station for those that had a coronary on the way up. I've no idea what all the arcs are supposed to signify, but added to all the other stuff they give the impression of those tangled pieces of string you occasionally found at the bottom of your pocket when you were a kid. There just seems to be too much going on. Over-designed for my taste, it simply lacks elegance.
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