Top 9 Unique Structures to be built soon!

Construction technologies are advancing extremely quickly. Couple that with multi-billionnaires / deep-pocketed companies trying to outdo each other in the quest for the next standout design and you have a near-future filled with mile-high skyscrapers and buildings that no longer look like buildings.

Below are 9 strange and unique structures which have either been approved or are in the final stages of approval. some have already been partially constructed.

Welcome to the future landscape.

1. aqua, usa (website)

From a distance this skyscraper, to be completed in 2009 in chicago, will seem quite traditional. it’ll only be when you get close and look up that you can appreciate the ripple/jelly effect created by variously sized balconies from top to bottom.

2. residence antilia, india (architects’ website)

Construction has begun on residence antilia despite opposition from those who see it as an ‘excessive’ design in a city where more than 65% of the population live in slums. politics aside and after you recover from the initial shock of seeing a skyscraper that resembles an ikea cd rack, the building actually looks like it may succeed as a stunning, unique, green piece of architecture.

3. chicago spire, usa (website)

The phenomenal chicago spire, when completed in 2010, will be the world’s tallest residential building and the tallest building of any kind in the western world. seemingly modelled on the image of a giant drill poking through the ground, the 609m structure will dominate the chicago skyline.

4. cctv headquarters, china (website)

At a modest 234m the cctv building isn’t going to stand out from a distance. however the design and shape is a crowdstopper to say the least and will be another incredible addition to beijing’s skyline in time for the 2008 olympics. the shape, described as a ‘z criss-cross’ results in a very high, seemingly unsupported corner at the front. let’s hope there’s a glass floor up there.

5. regatta hotel, jakarta (website)

Taking on a nautical theme, the developers say the 10 smaller towers represent sailing boats whilst the larger building is ‘the lighthouse’. it’s the lighthouse that steals the show for me, possibly the most incredible looking structure i’ve seen for a long time. if it ends up looking anything close to these pictures i’ll be impressed.

6. russia tower, russia (architects’ website)

Topped with an observation deck over the city of moscow, russia tower will become the tallest building in europe when completed in 2012 and twice the height of the eiffel tower. construction has already started on this angular beast which was designed by foster & partners, also responsible for the gherkin and spaceport america, currently in development.

7. penang global city centre, malaysia (website)

Following months of speculation and sturdy opposition, this humungous project is in the final stages of approval and apparently construction will start very soon. even so, due to the size of the plan it will take at least 15 years to complete. resembling a sci-fi city, the area will be crowned by 2 x 200m towers and completely transform the small island of penang.

8. gazprom headquarters, russia (architects’ website)

This gigantic, 300m tall glass flame of a building will house the gazprom headquarters in st. petersburg, dwarfing all structures in its vicinity. it will apparently change colour up to 10 times per day depending on the position of the sun.. the building has already been nicknamed ‘corn on the cob’ by unhappy locals.

9. burj dubai, dubai (website)

This is the big one. when completed next year it will be the tallest man-made structure in the world and the tallest building by a long shot with a predicted height of 818m.. note: currently the tallest building on earth, excluding an antenna, is taipei 101 in taiwan which stands at 509m. the photo below is the building’s current state: the skyscrapers below the burj dubai used to look tall.

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Chicago Spire: Still Dead – ArchitectureChicago PLUS

The Chicago Spire, designed by World Famous architect Santiago Calatrava, Can easily be deemed the 8th wonder of the world, or at least the US. This amazing.

Posted 6/25/5009 by Joseph Askins Almost three years ago, Shelbourne Developments struck a deal to build one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Chicago Spire. Construction of the $1.2bn (€950m) tower — expected to reach 610 …

The Chicago Spire site is one big Zen garden. 11:08 AM; Blogger erik said… What can we fill those giant Spire holes with? I suggest we don&t fill them. It&d be kinda hard to the stuff out if construction every resumes. …

The Chicago Spire, designed by World Famous architect Santiago Calatrava, Can easily be deemed the 8th wonder of the world, or at least the US. This amazing.

The Chicago Spire, designed by World Famous architect Santiago Calatrava, Can easily be deemed the 8th wonder of the world, or at least the US. This amazing.

New Life May Be Breathed Into Chicago Spire

Construction Of Soaring Apartment Tower Has Been Delayed

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The ill-fated Chicago Spire could rise from the dust, after being only an enormous hole in the ground for the past several months.

A major union says its pension fund could help pay for construction of the building.

There were big plans for the giant residential tower at 400 N. Lake Shore Dr. It would have surpassed the Sears Tower – soon to be renamed the Willis Tower – as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and was supposed to be one of the tallest buildings in the world.

But the site has been empty for months, except for a broad, round hole that was dug for the foundation. The plan began to unwind after celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava filed a lien on the project, claiming the developer hadn’t paid him $11.34 million he was owed for his work.

Also, the Chicago architectural firm Perkins & Will, hired as a local overseer of the design, filed its own lien, claiming it is owed $4.85 million.

Meanwhile, the spire’s developer, Shelbourne Development Ltd., acknowledged slowing the pace of the work last fall because turmoil in financial markets limited access to credit.

But now, the Chicago Tribune reports on its Web site that the AFL-CIO’s Housing Investment Trusts are meeting with Shelbourne on Tuesday for preliminary discussions. It could be a win-win for both sides, with the developer getting the building, and the union securing jobs. 

Plans for the Spire were first announced in 2005.  The soaring spiral design of the building by the celebrity architect has won fans. Calatrava in published reports has compared the structure to a smoke spiral rising from a campfire along the Chicago River.

But unlike the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower, which would both be dwarfed by the building, the Chicago Spire does not have plans for any public restaurants or observatories. The building would be open only to residents, and that group is a select few.  The condos in the building are priced from $750,000 to $15 million each.

- A big thank you to CBS2 Chicago for the most recent article on reviving the Chicago Spire.  Click here if you want to read the actual article.  Hopefully this raises more confidence to get some sales going.  When last reported, Shelbourne Development stated that over 30% of the Spire’s homes were sold after only four months.  This is no small feat because 30% means over 350 homes.  Now this was reported in April, 2008 so I’m curious to hear how many have sold since then. -

The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that an AFL-CIO pension fund may help pay for construction of the proposed Chicago Spire skyscraper.

More than $11 million worth of liens were filed against the project last October, halting construction on the proposed 2,000-foot-tall, twisting tower designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The recession and down credit markets haven’t helped the situation.

The AFL-CIO obviously is getting involved to make sure the construction project is a 100 percent union job. That’s fine and dandy, but I’m more concerned about not having a giant hole measuring 76 feet deep and 110 feet wide at the Spire site for many years to come.

I’m not necessarily a fan of the Spire’s proposed height, but I think the design would be a nice addition to the Chicago skyline. It reminds me of a drill bit or a screw, which would give the Spire a unique look. Bearing in mind that Chicagoans took it upon themselves to unofficially (and affectionately) rename the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park “The Bean,” I foresee the Spire being referred to as “The Screw.” That nickname sort of has a Chicago-style ring to it, doesn’t it?

Anyway, I was reminded recently how pleasing Calatrava’s architectural work is to the eye. My wife and I spent last weekend in Milwaukee, where the lakefront jewel is Calatrava’s addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Quadracci Pavilion. The architecture is beautiful, evoking lakefront imagery such as boats, birds and a whale’s tail, depending on the viewpoint and the eye of the beholder.

I always make sure to visit the lakefront and see that museum whenever I am in Milwaukee. I hope someday the Spire will have the same effect on out-of-towners visiting Chicago.

Well, with each new news article about The Chicago Spire, I’m always hoping at least one gives us the slightest bit of hope that the Spire will actually come to fruition.  Honestly, at first, I absolutely hated the building but each day that past, I liked the skyscraper more and more.  I still wish the location was different, like in The Loop surrounded by taller buildings, but it is a really cool skyscraper nonetheless.  Check out the article brought to us by Crain’s Chicago Business: 

Halted Spire among world’s ‘Babel’ projects.

I am not an architect (perhaps I should have been), but I am a big fan of architecture. The styles of buildings that I like run the whole gamut of architecture. From Gothic to Modern; Neo-Classical to Federalist; Arts & Crafts to Frank Lloyd Wright. Frankly, there are probably few styles of building that I would say to you that I don’t like (though I am not the biggest fan of the modern style of housing that came around towards the end of the 20th century).

One particular type of building that has always fascinated me is the skyscraper. They are wonders in engineering and I often wonder what keeps them standing – why don’t they fall over? I am often amazed and awed by a beautiful building that reaches up into the sky and I think of the story in the Bible of the Tower of Babel. The people wanted to build a building that would reach the heavens. Of course, the Biblical account ends with them all suddenly speaking different languages and thus being unable to communicate with each other and finish the tower.

Fortunately, that has not been the case in the Modern World.

When I visit a city that has skyscrapers (and I have of course been to many such cities), I like to find out if the tallest of those buildings has an observatory. Many of them do, and going to these observatories usually provides an unparalleled, panoramic view of the city.

As such, I have been on top of 4 of the five tallest buildings in the US (as of the time of the 9/11 attacks):

World Trade Center - NY

• The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center – New York. I went to the observatory at the top every time I was in New York up until the terrorists knocked them down. These towers were always a treat. On a clear day, you would be able to see from lower Manhattan into New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The Towers provided an absolutely gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline from a perspective that is so unlike seeing the same skyline from street level.


Sears Tower - Chicago

• The Sears Tower – Chicago. This is another real treat. Located in the Southern part of the Loop, this tower also gives you a view into a number of states on a clear day, including Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Also, there used to be a wonderful Mexican Restaurant here called Su Casa. I don’t know if it is still there. Their food was really good.


Empire State Building

• The Empire State Building – New York. I never started going there until the Twin Towers were no longer an option. The view is similar to that of the Twin Towers, but in my opinion, it is not quite as nice. Now, though, it is probably the best skyscraper view of New York. (The Top of the Rock recently opened at the Rockefeller Center. I have not yet had the opportunity to go to this observation deck, so I do not yet know how it compares.)


John Hancock Tower - Chicago

• The John Hancock Tower – Chicago. I have seen fireworks go off underneath me from Navy Pier while at the observation deck, and I have eaten at the restaurant on the 95th floor, called, appropriately enough, the 95th. From here, you get an exquisite view of all of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. It is my favorite observation deck in Chicago.

Chicago is a very important city in terms of the development of the skyscraper. The Chicago Architectural Foundation has several very interesting skyscraper tours, which makes sense because Chicago was basically the birthplace of the skyscraper.

The first one I would do is the Historic Skyscrapers Tour. This tour gives you a background on the development of the Skyscraper and the innovations that made them possible (such as elevators).

Then you could try the Modern Skyscrapers Tour, which shows you about later developments and styles in skyscraper construction.

They are both fascinating tours that I would highly recommend!

Of course, the United States is no longer a world leader when it comes to the tallest buildings in the world. There are cities that I want to visit just so that I can go see some of the wonders.

Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur

For example:

• The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
• Taipei 101 in Taipei (currently the world’s tallest, but not for long).

Skyscrapers of the World

To see a list of the currently built tallest buildings, click here.

Chicago Spire

In China, several buildings are being built or are just about finished (such as the Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai and the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong). A mega-tower is being built in Moscow as well (called Federation Tower).

Finally, two immense projects are underway on the Arabian Peninsula. One of them is the Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE. Noone knows for sure how tall this building will be. They want to keep it secret so someone else does not beat them out right away. For now, it is planned to be 818 meters, or over 2650 feet tall. That is just incredible.

Another project being built is in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is called the Abraj Al Bait Towers . It is slated to be finished in 2010 and will be 595 meters tall (around 1950 feet). It will be the biggest building by mass in the world. It is located across the street from the holiest site in Islam. I am amazed that the Saudis built this in that spot. Oh well.

That is a short tour of some of the most spectacular skyscrapers in the US and the rest of the world.

Desi am fi tentati sa spunem China, datorita dezvoltarii ascendente, New York este orasul unde zgaraie norii sunt cei mai numerosi, necomparabili cu alti zgaraie nori din lume.

•  NEW YORK: [#1]

 4 turnuri de peste 300 metri.
35 de turnuri intre 213-300 metri.
Cea mai inalta cladire: Empire State Building, 381 metri.

Cu 35 de turnuri care depasesc inaltimea de doua sute de metri, orasul va fi si mai “inalt” o data cu finalizarea constructiilor la noul complex World Trade Center, in urmatorii ani.

The Freedom Tower( Turnul Libertatii) va fi situat in inima complexului si va deveni cea mai inalta cladire a metropolei, cu o inaltime de 541 metri.

• HONG KONG [#2]

Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 5
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 25
Cea mai inalta cladire: Two International Finance Centre, 415 metri

Zgarie-norii din Hong-Kong au fost construiti ca urmare a combinatiei dintre marimea impresionanta a Chinei si independenta economica a Hong-Kong-ului.
In 2009, Indicele The Heritage Foundation, care clasifica orasele cu cea mai libera economie din lume, a clasat aceasta metropola pe primul loc.
Printre cele mai inalte turnuri ale orasului se numara Two International Finance Centre si celebra cladire a Bancii din China.

• DUBAI, EMIRATELE ARABE [#3]

Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 8
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 17
Cea mai inalta cladire: Burj Dubai, 818 metri

Cea mai vizibila consecinta a interesului americanilor pentru petolul provenit din strainatate este peisajul zgarie-norilor din Dubai. Bogatia adusa de vanzarea petrolului a dus la construirea a numeroase cladiri, inalte de peste 200 de metri.
Acum, Dubai gazduieste cea mai inalta cladire din lume, Burj Dubai, care este cu cel putin 300 de metri mai inalta decat orice cladire din lume si a carei constructie se va finaliza in toamna anului 2009.

• SHANGHAI, CHINA [#4]

 
Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 3
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 18
Cea mai inalta cladire: Shanghai World Financial Center, 491 metri

• CHICAGO, STATELE UNITE [#5]

Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 5
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 12
Cea mai inalta cladire: Sears Tower, 442 metri

New York si Chicago s-au aflat intotdeauna in competitie pentru suprematia in ceea ce priveste conturul cladirilor pe linia de orizont.
In momentul de fata, Sears Tower din Chicago este cea mai inalta cladire a Americii. Acest titlu va fi insa pierdut cat se poate de repede in favoarea Turnului Libertatii din New York, care se afla inca in faza de proiect.
Pentru a nu ramane in urma, Chicago spera sa termine primii proiectul Chicago Spire; se preconizeaza ca acest turn va fi cu aproximativ 68 metri mai inalt decat Turnul Libertatii (Freedom Tower).

• Shenzhen, CHINA [#6]

Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 1
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 12
Cea mai inalta cladire: Shun Hing Square, 384 metri

Orasul Shenzhen, aflat imediat la nord de Hong Kong, a fost primul centru de legatura intre activitatea economica din Hong Kong si partea continentala a Chinei in perioada in care Hong Kong era colonie britanica.
Succesul economic al orasului se datoreaza in mare parte statutului sau de Zona Economica Speciala – prin acest statut beneficiaza de o politica economica cu mai putine constrangeri in comparatie cu restul tarii

• TOKYO, JAPAONIA [#7]

Turnuri de peste 300 metri: 0
Turnuri intre 213 – 300 metri: 11
Cea mai inalta cladire: Mid Town Tower, 83 metri

Mai rezista zgarie-norii dupa criza imobiliara? In Tokyo, raspunsul este da.
Chiar daca nivelul actiunilor de pe piata nu au mai atins niciodata nivelul din 1989, ca urmare a crizei economice din Japonia, numarul de zgarie nori ridicati in Tokyo a continuat sa creasca. Cel mai inalt, Turnul Mid Town, a fost finalizat in anul 2007.

sursa: yourmoney.ro

Another reason why now is the time to buy!

http://rublogg.com/?p=433

Y cuando escribo “principio de siglo” me refiero a este siglo, es curioso, pensar que dentro de 80 años (2090), esta arquitectura que nosotros vemos como lo más avanzado será superado por tecnologias que nisiquiera hoy se han inventado… nanomateriales, pinturas que colecten energía solar, paneles de iluminación que no requieran energías externas, aleaciones mas resistentes al fuego, al peso, a los vientos y mucho mas ligeras y esbeltas, edificios con una inteligencia artificial aun no desarrollada, con controles de iluminación y termo-ambientales, biometricamente adaptados a los usuarios… mientras esa arquitectrura se desarrola, a hoy podemos admirar ejemplos de una arquitectura como jamás en el pasado se había visto, la inventiva y el deseo del hombre por romper esquemas ha llegado a un punto de refinamiento donde, hasta cierto punto, la imaginación es el límite.

En el pasado, para ser más precisos, en la década de los 60’s el movimiento Archigram soñaba con estructuras imposibles: edificios voladores, superestructuras del tamaño de la tierra, ciudades flotantes. pero eso nada tiene que ver con la arquitectura actual (además las utopías del Archigram nunca se construyeron) y he aquí algunos ejemplos de la arquitectura que más podría representar el nuevo milenio:

1. El museo Guggenheim, Bilbao, España.

Y ustedes dirán “pero el Guggenheim es del siglo pasado”, efectivamente , el edificio fue inagurado en 1997, sin embargo marca un hito en la historia de la arquitectura, es el producto de una revolución que comenzó con la construcción de el “Sidney Opera House” de Jorn Utzon en 1957, el proyecto de el museo de Bilbao es muy similar a otro que su arquitecto, Frank O’Gehry  consruiría en el 2003, sin embargo este se volvio especialmente famoso por sus formas, sus dimesiones y sus materiales: la totalidad de el museo esta recubierto de placas de titanio inoxidable [en aquel tiempo las hallaron muy baratas] lo que le da ese color tan caracteristico, una nota curiosa es que cuando le preguntan a Gehry en que se inspiró para el diseño, siempre responde algo distinto, la única constante es que todo lo que responde da la sensaciónde movilidad.

2. Museo Guggenheim, Vinilus, Lituania.

Otro museo Guggenheim, esta vez estamos hablando de un prototipo que aún no se construye, pero la ganadora del concurso previo [si, así se manejan este tipo de proyectos: por concurso], fue la arquitecta Britano-Iraquí [que alguien me corriga si escribí una tonteria] Zaha Hadid, hay muchas cosas que destacar sobre esta arquitecta, en primer lugar, y sin querer sonar machista, el hecho de ser mujer se le reconoce, muy pocas mujeres destacan en esta profesión y ella es hoy por hoy, tal vez, la arquitecta mas reconocida a nivel mundial, desde que se gano el pritzker por el edificio de bomberos de Vitra en Alemania, sobre su curioso diseño explicó: “mystical object, hovering over spindled artificial landscape strip”, una prueba de que la inspiración arquitectonica hoy por hoy es una apreciación artística [aunque a los diseñadores y artistas no les gustemos].

3. Chicago Spire, Chicago, USA.

Más allá de las obvias referencias fálicas, este rascacielos planea convertirse en el más grande… en el hemisferio occidental, el otro edificio es el Burj Dubai <inserte aquí disertación sobre lo fálico que es cualquier rascacielos>, cuando su construccion sea terminada, aun no se sabe cuando pues la desaceleración de la economía americana frenó la construcción de este rascacielos, tendrá una altura de 610 metros y 150 pisos, será el segundo edificio más alto del mundo y la treceava estrucura más alta que el hombre haya hecho, diseñada por el arquitecto (que también es ingeniero) español Santiago Calatrava, quien para diseñarla se baso en “las espirales de humo que encendian los indios en las riveras del río en Chicago”, aunque de hecho, no es el primer edificio en donde se basa en una espiral para diseñarlo, pues también diseñó así el Turning torso en Malmö, Suecia.

4. Memory Foundations, Nueva York, USA.

Otro que participó en el proyecto de el Guggenheim de Vinilus fue el arquiteccto americano, de origen polaco, Daniel Libeskind, este arquitecto empezó a tomar notoriedad en 1999 se ignaguró el museo judío en Alemania [a hoy uno de los mas visitados allá],  las formas irregulares pero que parecen haber nacido de paralelepípedos cuyos vértices han sido dislocados y cuyas ventanas fueron cortadas de la forma. Después de los atentados “terroristas” del 11 de septiembre en donde las torres gemelas del World Trade Center fueron derribadas [si no lo sabías no se que haces en este lugar], Libeskind presentó el proyecto que a la postre se volvió el ganador, el plano maestro se llamó “Memory Foundations“, que es un juego de palabras que puede significar “los cimientos de la memoria”, desafortunadamente Libeskind ya no figura entre los diseñadores de los edificios que el planeó pero hay pesos pesados de la arquitectura tales como Gehry, Calatrava y Snøhetta  [que es un estudio Noruego donde el arquitecto Ole Gustavsen trabaja].

5. CCTV [China Central Television], Beijing, China.

Durante las pasadas olimpiadas en Beijing, China demostró que no solo es un país con mano de obra barata [que si lo es] sino que demostró que es la economía emergente más importante de asia continental [y tal vez de toda asia], volviendose incluso más importante que Japón, las olimpiadas dieron muestra de un despliege grandilocuente de arquitectura como el nido de pájaro o el cubo de agua pero en este caso es el edificio de la Central de Televisión China diseñadas por el arquitecto alemán Rem Koolhaas y su equipo del OMA, el edificio toma formas caprichosas aunque el reto principal fue salvar el volado central, el edificio en general se me asemeja bastante al arco de la defensa en París, pero totalmente quebrado, simbolizando que en la actualidad, con los recursos suficientes, se puede construir prácticamente cualquier cosa.

6. Vítězný návrh na stavbu Národní knihovny, Praga, Rep. Checa.

Con ese indescirnible nombre en polaco, se nombró el proyecto para lo que sería su biblioteca nacional, si se dan cuenta las tendencias de la arquitectura en cuanto a cuales son los edificios de moda son: rascacielos, museos, bibliotecas y centros comerciales. el colado aquí fue el de la CCTV en China, sin embargo este edificio se sale de todo lo presentado aqui, empezado por la forma, que pareciera una especie de mancha: si, los colores que ven en la imagen son los que tendrá el proyecto, en cuyo interior albergará 9 pisos y fue diseñado por el estudio inglés de Future Systems, el diseño, se supone se basó en ideas como: las alas de las aves, los jardínes, la eternidad y el arte, y como puede pensarse causó bastante cotroversia en ese país.

7. Burj Dubai, Dubai, Emiratos Arabes.

El que será el edificio y la estructura mas alta construida por el hombre, con una fecha de conclusión aproximanda [en esto de la construcción todo es aproximado] en Septiembre del 2009, la altura total hasta el momento es aun desconocida, pero hasta septiembre de este año (2008), tenía ya los 707 metros de altura, diseñada por el arquitecto Adrian Smith, quien es poco conocido en el mundo de la arquitectura, pero de hecho ha hecho varios trabajos importantes, como las torres petronas y las torres de la corporacion trump, este uncreíble rascacielos esta ubicado en el desarrollo urbano más caro del mundo: en Dubai, lugar donde las utopías arquitectonicas, cuales quiera que estas sean, tienen un lugar asegurado, probablemente más adelante les hable de la arquitectura que se desarrolla allí, para finalizar con este mini-conteo, les dejo un video de el Burj Dubai para que se den una idea de que altura estamos hablando:

Ahora podemos decir que… la imaginación es el límite.

Well, with all the uncertainty that is out there regarding the real estate market, I had to comment on the most positive thing I’ve heard all week!  The @properties sales and marketing team for the Chicago Spire, has sold the Penthouse unit!  Why is this so extraordinary? Well, it’s only just begun sales and construction and is not set to deliver for still many years (2012), and yes, the most expensive unit in the whole structure has just sold!  The top 2 duplexed floors have been contracted to sell to Beanie Babies, Ty Warner for an astonishing $40 million dollars!

Approx 1/3 of the 1,194 units in the tower have sold, which isn’t too shabby in this “troubled economy.”    For more information on the Chicago Spire, or to understand what other investments are turning investors heads, contact us at kjpremier@atproperties.com.

I’ve been checking out the rockstar Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava. Man this guy is seriously inspiring not to mention productive. There is a good bio on him and some of his work at the Chicago Spire website as well as a Money interview. Also there are an abundant supply of photos from his work that can be found on Flickr . I really like Alessandro Silipo’s Valencia set.

I think I see Captain Nemo. Look harder, you’ll see him.

Noto que día a día salen por todos lados nuevos edificios en construcción con formas o características raras. Por eso decidí hacer un ranking de las 5 construcciones actuales (o recientemente terminadas) mas raras o curiosas que encontré.

1. “edificio que rota”: Me animo a decir que Dubai es la capital de los edificios raros. Este es un gran ejemplo, un edificio (aun sin nombre conocido) que tiene pisos que rotan de forma independiente el uno del otro. Encima todo esto consume energía que extrae del viento y el sol por medio de paneles y turbinas entre cada piso.

2. Freedom Tower: Se estima que se gastaran 2000 millones de dolares para construir este rascacielos de 541mts, que sera el remplazo de las Torres Gemelas derribadas el 11/9/01. La altura del edificio tendrá una característica simbólica muy particular y bien yankee, ya que 541 metros equivalen a 1.776 pies, el año de la independencia de los EEUU. Además, la azotea del edificio estará situada a 417 metros de altitud, la altura exacta de las antiguas Torres Gemelas. Se estima su inauguración en el 2010.
3. Cubo de Agua: Construido para los Recientes Juegos Olímpicos, el Centro Acuático Nacional de Pekín es una curiosa construcción. Cuenta con una par de características interesantes, como por ejemplo su revestimiento de ETFE permite más entrada de luz y mayor calor que el cristal tradicional, causando una disminución del 30% en gastos de energía. En la foto se puede ver de fondo el “nido de pájaro”, otra construcción rara de los JJOO.
4. Chicago Spire: Actualmente en construcción, este edificio en forma de “sacacorchos” alcanzara los 610 metros y 150 pisos. Esta destinado a destronar a la Torre Sears en esa misma ciudad, en 2010. Su costo supera los 2400 millones de dolares.
5. Burj Dubai: Nuevamente en Dubai, y aun en construcción, este edificio ya es el mas alto construido por el hombre. Se estima que al finalizarse ostentara unos 818 metros de altura. El edificio pertenece a un complejo que costo alrededor de 8000 millones de dolares, pero solamente el rascacielos costaría 800 millones. MONSTRUOSO.

BONUS: Comparación de los edificios mas altos del mundo.

Below are renderings of the proposed Chicago Spire residential tower. The images were provided by Shelbourne Development Ltd.

The Chicago Spire Image of kitchen

The Spire Suite

 

The Spire Bathroom

 

Deep foundation work proceeding for world’s tallest residential building.

 The Chicago Spire, the most significant residential development in the world, is emerging on a site near the intersection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Deep foundation work is proceeding on this spectacular 2,000-foot twisting tower that will dramatically change the Windy City’s skyline.

Designed by Spanish architect and engineer

Santiago Calatrava, The Chicago Spire will be the world’s tallest exclusively residential building and the tallest building in the western world upon completion in late 2011/early 2012. In addition, it will be the most slender super-tall building in the world, based on a base-to-height ratio approaching 1-to-10. Rising 150 stories, the twisting tower will house 1,194 unique residences with the finest amenities available anywhere in the world. Each level in the seven-sided structure will rotate an average 2.44 degrees between floor plates, giving the structure its distinctive fluid appearance; the building will turn a total of 360 degrees.

Calatrava is known for his ability to create public landmarks on a grand scale, and he has used his expertise to create a building that showcases cutting-edge architecture, engineering and construction. The Chicago Spire is destined to be an iconic structure.

“Santiago Calatrava’s design is an organic form that was conceived in response to the building’s location and its juxtaposition with the city,” says Niall Collins, project director for Shelbourne Development Group. “The shape of the building is a solution for a number of factors — to maximize the aspect of the units as they are arranged on the floor plates, and equally to address other engineering challenges like wind and deflection.”

Calatrava is serving as lead architect/engineer for the concrete and steel structure, which will sport high-performance glass on its exterior. One of the world’s most influential architects, Calatrava initially made his name building bridges throughout Europe and is known for such highly-creative designs as the Milwaukee Art Museum and the “Turning Torso” in Malmo, Sweden — the tallest building in Scandinavia. He’s also responsible for the Velodrome designed and used during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. In 2005, he was awarded the American Institute of Architect’s Gold Medal — its highest honor.

Chicago Spire

Other principal design team members involved with The Chicago Spire include Perkins+Will, architect of record; Thornton Tomasetti, structural engineer; and Cosentini Associates, mechanical/electrical engineer.

Additional components of the project include a 1-acre landscaped public plaza and newly constructed ramps from lower Lake Shore Drive that will give the building its own Lake Shore Drive access.

Initial work on the foundations began in July 2007 when Case Foundation Co., Roselle, Ill., began drilling the first of the 34 caissons (14 perimeter caissons and 20 rock caissons) that support the building. The caissons are being drilled 120 feet deep into the bedrock.

“The testing that was done on the rock caissons succeeded anything else that has been done in the United States, certainly in Chicago,” Collins says.

Under its foundation contract, Case crews excavated a 104-foot-diameter cofferdam 78 feet deep to create a dry work environment, and began constructing a perimeter wall 3 feet wide and about 80 feet deep. “The perimeter component, the bathtub, is being formed with a combination of slurry walls and secant pile walls, and is obviously designed to keep out the water on three sides of this project,” Collins says.

“Ninety-eight bell caissons are being constructed right now that will support the garage elements,” he adds. The top-down construction of the plaza and garage will begin after this underground phase is completed in July.

Inside The Chicago SpireCalatrava designed each of the homes in The Chicago Spire to be unique, so no two units are alike. The collection of residences includes a Calatrava signature unit called a Gallery. Larger in size than a suite, the Gallery features a custom-designed circular bed enclosure with sliding glass doors to provide a separate sleeping area and wood wall panels to cover sections of ceiling.

With 10-foot ceilings and windows combining vertical and trapezoidal glass panels, residences will provide breathtaking views of the lakefront, skyline, city neighborhoods, and four states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan). Materials for the residences have been carefully chosen from a natural palette and include: wide-plank herringbone hardwood floors, elegant granite, marble and onyx stone, crafted European cabinetry, integrated American and European appliances, and European plumbing fixtures.

Lobby and amenity space will occupy the lower floors of The Chicago Spire. The 53-foot-high transparent lobby will feature Calatrava’s sinusoidal motioned maple ceiling. The lobby’s footprint will measure 15,220 square feet.

The Chicago Spire will also include approximately 55,000 square feet of amenity space on floors four through seven. Amenities include a recreational pool, fitness center with basketball court, climbing wall, golf simulator, cigar room, residents’ library, children and teen games area, private movie screening theater, business center and conference room, and private dining rooms.

Aiming For GoldConceived as an environmentally sensitive project, The Chicago Spire will incorporate world-class sustainable engineering practices to meet the Gold standard of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification. These practices include: recycled rainwater for landscaping maintenance; river water for cooling; special glass to protect migratory birds; bike storage; planting and development of parkland; underground parking to reduce environmental impact and heat gain; incorporating Intelligent Building & Energy Management System to provide efficient use of resources while optimizing comfort; waste storage and recycling management; monitoring outdoor air delivery to maximize occupant comfort; and being 15 percent more efficient than current energy regulations.

“We are aiming for LEED Gold,” says Collins. “Calatrava has done a lot of projects in Europe where it has become an everyday event to have a LEED-type building and to incorporate sustainable components into the design. Some of the components in The Chicago Spire are elements that are disguised behind the facade or within the guts of the building.”

Among its many engineering achievements, The Chicago Spire will have the world’s longest elevator run at 1,864 feet. The building will be serviced by 17 elevators (14 passenger elevators in four banks, and three freight/fire elevators).

Gearing Up For MultiYear ProjectShelbourne Development Group anticipates a large on-site workforce during the multiyear project. “We are anticipating in excess of 2,000 workers at the complete peak of activities between shell and core and the finishes,” says Collins. “So, there will be a small village of people.”

“And that doesn’t event count the people involved in the creative process on the other side,” says Kim Metcalfe, a project spokeswoman. “The intellectual capital that comes into Chicago from all corners of the globe to plan the various portions of the building to the minutia is amazing. So, not only will there be a small village building this building, but you literally have the most amazing brains working on this project from almost every country.”

Approximately 50 lead consulting firms are participating in the construction of The Chicago Spire, and they are joined by hundreds of subconsultants. “It takes a massive team,” Collins says.

Shelbourne Development Group, which has offices in Ireland, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, is overseeing every element of the project. “We are very much a hands-on type developer,” Collins says.

Collins, a 15-year development professional, says Shelbourne and other members of the project team are excited to be involved with the landmark building. “It is a fantastic project,” he says. “For me, it is the top of my career for the moment to be involved in a project like this. It is a dream for anybody in real estate or development to have an association with The Chicago Spire. Everybody is passionate about delivering the project.”

By Tom Hale — Construction Digest, 6/9/2008

Click here to check the availabilty of the Chicago Spire

For more information about The Chicago Spire, please contact Christine Hancock or Tim Duquette at 312-296-9300 or chancock@rubloff.com.

In 2012, Chicago will be home to the world’s tallest all residential building.  The Chicago Spire designed by Santiago Calatrava will be a 2,000 foot tall 150 story building built along the lakefront.  Each of the 150 floors rotates about 2 degrees from the one below.   Even though the building is 150 storys tall, there is no skylobby.  There will be 14 passenger elevators that will run 1,864 feet (longest in the world) that will take people directly to their floor.  Since the tower is being built close to the lake, a process called slurry wall construction will have to be used when they dig what will be an under ground parking structure.

Facts

The development will cost close to $2 billion.

A six story underground parking garage will accomodate 1350 cars. 

The Chicago Spire will have 1,193 condominiums.  So far about 30% have been sold.

34 caissons are being drilled 120 feet into the ground to support the buildng.

The electrical and plumbing work has finished in the excavation of the tower.  The building was supposed to reach ground level by April – May of 2009, but the project was put on hold until the economy gets better.

New Renderings of Chicago Spire

Construction Photos:

Chicago Spire excavation

Nein, er will kein Loch in die Wolken bohren mit diesem Ding, sondern es sollen tatsächlich mal Leute drin wohnen können – und zwar in Chicago (hin und wieder blitzt das mit dem ‘Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten’ halt doch noch durch in den USA ).

(via Inhabitat)

Dieser gigantische Spiralbohrer (genannt: The Chicago Spire) soll lächerliche 600 Meter hoch werden und kann sich leider nicht bei Gefahr in die Erde bohren, weil Calatrava ihn falsch herum entworfen hat. Im Moment wäre es damit dann das 2. größte Gebäude der Welt (“Meiner is aber größer als deiner” rufen die Jungs aus Dubai).

Video gefällig? Einfach weiterlesen…

Schickes Ding, oder? Will aber nicht wissen, was er kostet. Nicht auszuschließen, dass es sinnvollere Möglichkeiten gäbe das Geld einzusetzen… Renewable energies, anyone?

Si te imaginas que en el fondo de la tierra vive una tribu de gigantes que de pronto decide salir a la superficie cavando un taladro enorme sobre el firmamento de Chicago, entonces probablemente tendrías una imagen del Chicago Spire, el Calatrava que está en las revistas.

Excepto que esta obra no alude a un taladro, sino a una concha. La concha del mar es un elemento de la naturaleza realmente fascinante que cumple al pie de la letra con la serie de Fibonacci y por consiguiente con la proporción aurea 1.618. La perfección matemática, dicen muchos artistas y científicos, puede ser encontrada en los objetos más simples de la naturaleza, como una concha.

Los sketches de Calatrava consisten de varios elementos naturales, espirales y flores. Sin embargo, los renders del edificio lo hacen ver como un taladro. ¿Tan incongruente es el arquitecto? Y es que no puede tratarse de imposibilidades técnicas por que conocemos sus puentes y sabemos que Calatrava es también un gran ingeniero. ¿Porqué el Chicago Spire no parece ser parte de la naturaleza y el Turning Torso sí?

La respuesta es, probablemente, que es tan natural que es imposible apreciarlo en renders, en la falsedad de los renders quiero decir. El diseño del Chicago Spire responde perfectamente a su forma, sus 1200 condominios –que según señala su página han sido supervisados, cada uno, por el arquitecto, se benefician de la forma. Y esa es la verdadera magia de la naturaleza, su perfeccion en función. La curva también proporciona mas estabilidad estructural y protege de los vientos fuertes provenientes de la costa. El edificio de Calatrava crece orgánicamente al imitar la integridad de la naturaleza, su indesafiable perfección matemática.

Y cuando las luces de Chicago se prendan cada noche, el Spire iluminará el mar. Y cuando las llamas de Apolo caigan sobre el mar, el Spire destellará sobre la ciudad. Y entonces estará realmente vivo.

Talvez Calatrava finalmente haya comprendido la abstracción a la que se refería Le Corbusier en sus edificios. Muy pocos se atreven a calificar de “bellas” las obras de Le Corbusier. Posiblemente serán muy pocos los que pasen por Chicago y digan “mira eso, ¡qué bonito!”, pero estoy convencido que muchos dirán “wow”.

]]> http://jaredran.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/the-chicago-spire/ Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:42:32 +0000 jaredran http://jaredran.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/the-chicago-spire/

Check out these pictures of the Chicago Spire. The height of this building fills me with fear.  As soon as I looked at it, my stomach dropped.  It’s not so much that I think it will actively harm me as much as it strikes me as a gross display of hubris, and anyone who knows their Greeks knows that hubris usually results in something horrible happening.  Also, just look at it.

Thanks to Kotkke for the link.

The developer behind one of the most ambitious projects in the U.S., the Chicago Spire, is saying that the Santiago Calatrava-designed building is a go. Apparently they have already sold 30% of the building’s condo units, sending a strong signal that there is enough interest in the project despite the fact that the condos are priced higher than others in the city (the studio units start at $750,000) and that the developer has required 15 percent of a unit’s price upfront for each sale.

The Shelbourne Development Group, has been financing construction but that will change later this year and so everyone will be watching to see what new lenders step forward to back the project. The Spire will have 1,194 units total including the still-for-sale $40 million penthouse. If all proceeds as planned, move in is set for 2012.

Via Luxist

THE CHICAGO SPIRE

Located at the mouth of the chicago river, the Chicago Spire is history in the making.  The world’s largest residential project to date!  The Chicago Spire will become the tallest building in North America, the 3rd tallest building in the world, and the tallest residential building in the world.  Get ready for a dramatic addition to the ever famous Chicago skyline.  Now you have the opportunity to be part of history in the making.

If your currently not working with another Realtor and interested in looking to purchase here or would like additional information, please feel free to contact me.  Buyers should always be represented by a Realtor whether it is new construction or a resale ~ and the best thing is, it doesn’t cost you anything!