Have we lost interest in architecture in the USA?

You have to travel now to see some really original modern architecture. Are we going to return to new forms, or are we continually going to be eclipsed by Asia and the Middle East?

Vegas? ;)

Quote: Nareed

Vegas? ;)

I agree with Nareed - Vegas seems to be the only place pushing any sorts of limits in the USA re: architecture
That is a sad state of affairs as Vegas is seen as kitsch and not pushing the envelopes - it seems most new office buildings I see are four-sided rectangles

Quote: Nareed

Vegas? ;)

Linq?


SLS Las Vegas?


Genting Resorts World Las Vegas (former Echelon)?


Possibly, but not necessarily on the same scale.

Have you been to the Museo Soumaya?

Quote: aceofspades

I agree with Nareed - Vegas seems to be the only place pushing any sorts of limits in the USA re: architecture
That is a sad state of affairs as Vegas is seen as kitsch and not pushing the envelopes - it seems most new office buildings I see are four-sided rectangles

All the latest hotels, say from Bellagio onwards, are more of a decadent elegance design than kitschy, campy or themed like the casinos of old.

Now, the building in Paco's photo would be a nightmare to get around in the hole area. You'd ahve to go up or down several stories in order to go across. You may not need to, but the flow is impeded just the same (and custodial staff, security and maintenance do get around the whole building). And I don't even want to think about what happens in a fire.

Quote: Pacomartin

Have you been to the Museo Soumaya?

No. It's maybe less than a mile from my office, but parking there is a nightmare. I know becasue I've been to the shopping mall/office complex combo not shown in the photo. BTW the building right behind the musuem, you can just see a partial beige rectangle, is a Costco. There are also a few small shops, a movie theater and a Chedraui supermarket. Parking's not easy there, either.

Oh, and I've no idea what kind of a museum it is. I think it's an art msueum, but I'm not sure.

Quote: Nareed

Oh, and I've no idea what kind of a museum it is. I think it's an art msueum, but I'm not sure.

It's a collection of personal art belonging to Carlos Slim's deceased wife. Most of it is European, with a large collection of Rodin statues. The most valuable piece is the one in the middle below. The one on the left is in Paris, and the one on the right is in London.



How about Puerta Alameda?

Quote: Pacomartin

It's a collection of personal art belonging to Carlos Slim's deceased wife. Most of it is European, with a large collection of Rodin statues.

It might be worth a look, then.

Quote: Pacomartin

You have to travel now to see some really original modern architecture. Are we going to return to new forms, or are we continually going to be eclipsed by Asia and the Middle East?

We are going to keep being eclipsed. The USA had its architecture period peaking once in the 1920s and again in the 1960s with races to be the tallest building. That is over and now functionality rules here. We are not as bland as Japan, but cost per foot is what counts most.

Societally we are in decline in the USA. If a mogul does build a fancy building, 47% of the folks will think he is some greedy egomaniac building a monument to himself. And we just don't need big, tall buildings here. The boom companies put in a "campus" for employees to park with low buildings, green space, and loads of parking. In densely populated Asia this is not an option.

Quote: AZDuffman

The USA had its architecture period peaking once in the 1920s and again in the 1960s with races to be the tallest building.

Skyscrapers have always come and gone in waves. Two waves ago was when the cities outside of Chicago and NYC attempted to build iconic buildings.

Year Building City | Feet | Stories
1987 One Liberty Place Philadelphia (US) | 945 | 61
1990 U.S. Bank Tower Los Angeles (US) | 1018 | 73
1991 Key Tower Cleveland (US) | 947 | 57
1993 Bank of America Plaza Atlanta (US) | 1040 | 55

After BOA in Atlanta it was 14 years until someone built a building over 1000'. In that interim period the corporate campus reigned supreme.

But construction techniques are so much more efficient in the last 15 years. Every mid size city in China wants an iconic tall building today. They are even talking about building the world's tallest building in only 3 months of onsite construction.