My first impression was somewhat disdainful because it is so out of context with the overall design of the building; steel, glass, rectilinear grid patterns, etc. Then, we suddenly see at the bottom this curvy, organic, stone wall section. So, I can understand the bad reaction this wall is getting on the Internet forums.
I now see a lot to like about this design feature. I find this wall to be ‘delightfully peculiar ’ . If one walks by and observes this wall at close range; up close and intimate - a sense of wonder and awe is the reaction. I dare conjecture this will be the same reaction from the general public at street level.
Ultimately, this street level architectural detail will illicit wonder, awe and delight for the general public: what better ‘architectural’ outcome could one want.
Totally agree. Maya Lin’s reputation is rock solid so I have to wonder if it wasn’t her approach to disrupt the design…and the sense of being out of place was in fact intentional.
There is a fine line between playing a dissonant note and a note that is just plain out of tune.
I get the idea, and I actually like it. The problem is with how it’s done. To really show the contrast between a meticulously crafted, man-made structure like this building and the natural, irregular form of a rock wall, flawless execution is crucial. Right now, the rock wall appears artificial and manufactured, which, for me, undermines the intended contrast and makes the whole idea fall apart.
What makes this stone look fake is not just the smoothing but the uniform coloration, which is actually unusual for stone generally and doubly unusual for a ‘natural’ stone feature. It just looks like gray concrete – it doesn’t even pick up on the brown tones of the rest of the tower and you’d find, ironically, in actual Manhattan outcroppings. Check out Tear Drop Park in Battery Park for an example of mimicking schist outcroppings that doesn’t look like a theme park. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc | Teardrop Park
I went back to Nov and Dec posts by 5Bfilms and TKDV looking for some sort of irrigation system behind the stone and not sure there is one. Although you can see some kind of piping snaking around not sure it is for water. There would have to be some kind of water delivery system behind the rock irrigating those spaces. Unless, the plants are plastic. LOL.
