Kumutoto Option C
Option C consists of one continuous structure, the one that in earlier posts became known as "the conniptions building". This rendering should make the reason clear: if Waterfront Watchers lament four-storey "high rises" elsewhere on the waterfront, what will they make of this 18-storey "A Tower"?
Instead of leaving the Whitmore St viewshaft completely open, it sets out to create a frame for it. Instead of building on all three sites, it leaves site 8 as a lawn and creates continuous, elongated buildings on sites 9 and 10 that rear up and join together like amorous serpents. The result is a megastructure, complete with elevated viewing deck, conference centre and galleria, that sets out to break down the distinctions between public and private; landscape and building.
The chances of this being selected are vanishingly small: it departs from the framework and brief so radically that even if it were appropriate for the site (and even I have my doubts), opponents of waterfront development would be right to question the process. I think it's an exciting concept, but it would be so structurally and politically difficult that it would be hard to see anyone fighting for it. It's also not a completely resolved design: the swoops from ground into tower are grand and graceful, but the tower terminates so abruptly that the soaring momentum is lost. A better expression of the upwards sweep could conceivably have created a much more compelling design, one that might have justified breaking all the rules in order to get built. As it is, I don't think it's worth it.Nevertheless, this is one of the most thoroughly thought-through entries of the lot. It's hard to tell from the posters, but a lot of analysis has gone into the design: city grid, sea wall, tacking lines, view lines and all sorts of considerations of city-wide planning have fed into the concepts behind this scheme. It explicitly addresses the problem of the specified plots being too small to generate a sense of urban continuity, and encourages further connections to the capital precinct. More of this sort of thoughtfulness and daring would be most welcome in other parts of the city (Harbour Quays, for example), and while I don't think it will work here, I admire it for its provocation.
posted by Tom @ 7:06 pm
19 Comments:
So far it seems like none of these designs could realistally be built. One of the problems with these competitions is that so often the vast majority of the entries have no hope of actually being realised due to costs or politics. As much as i like seeing innovative architecture i wish some of these designers would show some restraint so the public can choose from multiple realistic proposals rather than just two or three. Surely the designers of this giant A building must have known full well it would never get built but they let egos get in the way.
I like this one. It has the potential to be a recognisable "landmark" building. At the moment, the Beehive sort of defines Wellington. And it would be nice to replace it with something a bit cool, rather than a bit of 1970s East Germany full of cabinet ministers.
What a great design! It looks just like the new logo for Auckland City. refer to: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=10472657
If you think it is a great design, you may want to thank the Danish designers that came up with the concept. http://www.big.dk/ (click on the red square with the familiar looking symbol and the word "REN" beneath it.)
Not only would this entry be challenged by WW, it brings up contentious intellectual property issues. I do not think the Danes would be so appreciative of this particular form of "flattery", especially when the interesting details have been replaced with poor design.
Anon 1: I think option A is fairly achievable, and some of the ones to come are quite practical as well. Remember that this is a concept competition, and that one of the more outlandish ones might end up informing some aspects of the final designs, even if it's not chosen per se.
Anon2: yes, that is very similar. Nevertheless it's a very broad design concept, and if architects could be sued for copying others' ideas, then the estate of Mies van der Rohe would be very rich by now!
I like this A shaped building. It would be a real landmark. Great.
Architects design to the brief. If the brief was: be Mild and Realistic, then you would have mild and tame schemes.
But, as far as i understand, the Brief was more like: Go for it!
dsa
This retrospective on Kumutoto Option C is a fascinating snapshot of bold urban design thinking for Wellington’s waterfront. The proposal’s ambition to knit together city, landscape, and harbor reflects the kind of creative vision that often sparks strong debate in Land Development Wellington circles. While an 18-story megastructure may well have been too radical for its time, it’s great to see such weight being given to how architecture frames public spaces and viewshafts issues that remain central in Wellington’s ongoing development.
It evaluates how the proposed architectural forms, building heights, and open public spaces balance commercial viability with civic accessibility. Click for more details about the quality Fencing services Cedar city
The blog post provides a critical analysis of "Option C," an urban design proposal for the redevelopment of the Kumutoto precinct on Wellington's waterfront. It evaluates how the proposed architectural forms, building heights, and open public spaces balance commercial viability with civic accessibility. See more info here about Jefferson GA concrete company
It evaluates how the proposed architectural forms, building heights, and open public spaces balance commercial viability with civic accessibility. Get more details here with concrete contractor in Jefferson GA
It evaluates how the proposed architectural forms, building heights, and open public spaces balance commercial viability with civic accessibility. Get in touch here
This post analyzes how the proposed building heights, open spaces, and architectural forms impact public access, harbor views, and the overall pedestrian experience. Cedar City Decorative Block Wall
It analyzes how the proposed building heights, open spaces, and architectural forms impact public access, harbor views, and the overall pedestrian experience. See more details here with Concrete Company Clearwater
It examines how the proposed modern office buildings and public plazas balance the need for commercial space with the preservation of open maritime views and pedestrian accessibility. Check out Concrete Patio Augusta
It discusses how the design handles public space, building heights, and the integration of the historic waterfront with the modern city center. Get more details here
The author evaluates the design's potential architectural and political impact, calling it cheeky and potentially iconic but noting its derivative nature and the political minefield it presented. Find out more details about the Metal Fence Augusta.
The critique describes the proposal as cheeky and potentially iconic, though it notes that the building designs are somewhat derivative and present a major political challenge for the city's planners. Find out here and know more about Privacy Fence Johnson City
Post a Comment
<< Home