There are countless buildings throughout the world which have an awful desing yet hide behind an intriguing facade. A lot of times, these buildings with promising facades unveil very ordinary or unpleasant interiors. Massimiliano Fuksas's design does the opposite. He was successful in creating a meshing a modern interior with the existing facade from the more historic feel of the town.
While the majority of the buildings in the town were built in postwar Germany, this building brings a new light to the towns architectural program. While Fuksas's design is not visible from the square (as seen from the facade shown below), he was still inspired by the steep roofs of the surrounding area, so the building became a merging of old and new geometires, which were consistant to an extent with the existing area.
The interior of the buidling is extremely modern, consisting of many open areas and glass which make one feel as though they are outside in certain areas as you can see to the left.
One thing that caught my attention was how controlled this completely modern building was in such an old city. Fuksas said he was "not afraid of context", but he "does not think you can build in the center of a city without paying attention to what is already there."
This is an emerging problem throughout the architecture world as buildings begin to change their form and materiality, especially in places like Eurpoe where the building style is dominatly historical. Although this can be achieved in many different ways, architects must pay attention to what is around them, and create spaces which recognize the events that are already happening.
- "market value" by Josephine Minutillo, Architecural Record
Couldn't agree more. There are certain buildings that definitely stick out like sore thumbs. Its not that the building itself is ugly or over-done but the buildings surrounding it that make it seem out of place. Greenville has started doing this a little bit downtown. Some of the more modern buildings seem to be taking away from the historic downtown that used to be.
ReplyDeleteDesigning buildings to fit in with the existing themes is very important in terms of aesthetic value and continuity. It's such a good idea to provide modern interiors that are only seen from within, that way there is a progressive, new age feel to the building all while it still fits in with the architecture style. Modern buildings look cool but I believe sticking with the feel of a town or city is better.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited London two years ago, I thought the building were absolutely gorgeous! Then I crossed the London bridge to go and see Shakespeare's Globe Theater and the buildings over there weren't so impressive. Now of course I don't have the right tools, or education to judge a building, but I found that some buildings that were definitely old and historical were no longer attractive and maybe they should be rebuilt. The Globe Theater is obviously historical but it has been rebuilt on the inside with room for a cafeteria and gift shop. It's still maintaining it's classic beauty while encompassing a new age of tourism.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely amazing at some of the designs that people can come up with. I believe it is totally worth it to spend the extra money to make certain buildings more appealing to the eye. It gives people a since of pride to have known landmark like one of these in their hometown.
ReplyDeleteWhen my coop sent me to Charleston last year, I was noticed something peculiar about all the old houses in and around downtown. Everybody kept asking me since it was my first time in the area if I thought that the houses were beautiful and such. Not being that impressed because of a certain flaw that I notice in every single one. Each porch was crooked and slanted a downwards and was not square at all. I said a loud in a crowd of people the old construction people couldn't even build a porch right. Needless to say, that is a charleston style because they like to be different from everybody else. Everybody laughed and said that was how is was supposed to be done, but I still think that the people down there just can't build a square house
ReplyDeleteI agree that architects need to consider the surroundings in the community. I am from Myrtle Beach and several years ago the architects and developers got into a race for who could design and build the biggest and best new high rise condominium. What they ended up with was a few large buildings that stood out in the landscape because the intermediate projects were canceled due to the downturn in the economy. I believe that considering all factors involved is important for any development.
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