I do not fully understand what sections of the facade are to be cladded; and why type of cladding will be installed. My only hope is this turns out to be Architecture with a Capital A: iconic, best, serious architecture, a stunner, etc.
IMHO It all rides on how the cladding is handled at this point. If it is all (or mostly) shiny/reflective aluminum panels: this building will rate only be ‘better’ on my personal rating system of the good/better/best in the world of architectural aesthetics.
This building will be one of those works of Architecture that will have mostly a binary response: those who hate it, and those who love it. I will be in the latter category even if the cladding turns out to be less than spectacular.
PS. The sightline to the ESB is a non-issue for me: and am more than a bit confused what all the fuss is about on that mattter.
Plenty of sightline comments following this article -
There are exposed aluminium backings on the spandrels of this curtain wall, my guess is that this is where the extruded aluminium ‘bricks’ will feature on the facade.
My rough interpretation of how the facade pattern might look with the brick design:
Im not sure if this was the video I was referencing in my other post but yes, the larger of the 2 spandrel portions with the aluminum backpan is where the extruded aluminum panels will go . Its just a question now of what will go on the smaller rectangle because this is the operable portion of the window, which doesnt really make sense since its at the top of the window.
I think the one you talked about earlier was this video, it gives a pretty good overview of one unitised panel (I presume):
I thought the smaller spandrel looked too glossy to be another backpan in the weather-testing video – I assumed that was one of the integrated PV glass panels.
They are clearly doing some very nice work on the facade of the building with those faceted extruded aluminum “bricks” as seen in the above photos.
There are some exciting prospects for the Interior Designs as well. Here is a photo of some of the ‘concept renderings’ of interior designs by Kuoo Tamiko Architects. I am liking everything about this project; even the prospect of seeing these elegant modernist interiors.
BTW - That ‘floating desk’ design is brilliant. I think I see how they keep it from swinging back-and-forth?
It looks like theyve put up several other panels (a lot more, like 13) judging from your update. If the whole tower is going to be covered in the undulating aluminum, i think its going to be kind of overkill. From far away it reminds me of crickled foil or static on a TV and from close up as some others have also said, like old weathered siding and/or roof shingles.
Yea, several more have gone up last few days. I thought the more that go up the easier it’d be to visualize, but idk I still think it’s going to be weird. Like popcorn ceiling on the side of a building.
I wonder if you can tell where each piece is since they haven’t fully fastened everything yet…? Also curious to know if this is replacing the metallic look from prior renders (or if that’s what the sides with the holes are supposed to be)
Doing a panelization like this (that has many other small panel-like parts on it) only reveals the panelization more, its not because they arent fully fastened, because they are. Tolerances are always accounted for but they are never on/across a large margin.
This is also more typical of rainscreen installations over unitized curtain panels, rainscreens are not as “precise” as unitized curtain panels.
We do not know what the finished product looks like anymore, it is clear that it does not follow the original renders and even clear that it doesnt follow the parking garage amendment graphic, which also still just followed the initial appearance of the cladding. So we unfortunately do not know if/what the core nor the east wall will be covered in, only that they will be covered in something/rainscreen. So I am agreeing with @barnhillj in their assessment.
We know that the windows slightly wrap the corners and the extruded aluminum spandrels will definitely also wrap the corners to the extent of the windows, this is all we know thus far.
I think it’s low-level criminal to not provide sufficient renderings or to significantly alter facade plans without informing the public. It’s made worse given the building this is obstructing.
I mean nothing we can do about it, but I guess the general lack of interest in fine details except from enthusiasts allows this practice to proliferate.
. Its just a question now of what will go on the smaller rectangle because this is the operable portion of the window, which doesnt really make sense since its at the top of the window.
