It’s like the gods could tell I was looking for content and sent Pax Corey, prophet that he is, along to proclaim the wonder attrocity that is this planned Dublin development.  Of course it’s not so much phallic as cheese-grater-ish, but regardless represents a huge departure (at least in this rendering) [...]]]> …except, possibly “U2 Tower.”  <Cringe>

It’s like the gods could tell I was looking for content and sent Pax Corey, prophet that he is, along to proclaim the wonder attrocity that is this planned Dublin development.  Of course it’s not so much phallic as cheese-grater-ish, but regardless represents a huge departure (at least in this rendering) from Foster’s normally wonderful work.  I mean, yes, his London Gherkin is also an elongated protrusion:

But it has some neat features: the diagonal grid is the whole structural system (though there may be some interior columns as well) and consists of a single repeating joint and link (with slight variation to give a curved facade), which is pretty elegant.  Atriums intersect every level and follow the diagonal grid up, creating these beautiful sloping green spaces, hundreds of feet in the air.

So, the “U2 Tower” (the name requires quotation marks), will possibly have some redeemable features, but these are not immediately evident.  The apparent triangular grid on one side of the building doesn’t count, as this has become a Foster cliche.  Not that it’s a bad thing; just no longer original.  As for the suspended, egg shaped recording studio: WTF?  I have no idea.

The worst part is, as always, the lack of respect for context — and I don’t mean because the building is ‘modern’ in style.  That’s fine.  I mean that it’s ten times taller than any other building, dominating it’s neighborhood.  Randomly located skyscrapers is part of what I like to call the Los Angeles school of urban planning.  And what is LA most often used for in urban planning circles?  That’s right, a counterexample.  So don’t do it, Dublin.

Sometimes saying no is truly the Sweetest Thing.

The facility is being design by Norman Foster to be built in New Mexico, and according to Good:

Flights would (will?) begin in 2009 and cost somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000. Just to be clear, the ships will take “travelers” [...]]]> I know I see body parts everywhere in buildings, but tell me this doesn’t look like labia:

The facility is being design by Norman Foster to be built in New Mexico, and according to Good:

Flights would (will?) begin in 2009 and cost somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000. Just to be clear, the ships will take “travelers” up beyond the official boundary of space, give them six minutes of weightlessness, and return to the same spot on earth.

I’m all for space travel, but I think this group may be taking the “leaving the womb” thing to far.

I’m a big fan of Norman Foster’s buildings, including the Hearst Tower at left, but it seems it has a few glitches — such as the glass escalators, which allow visitors a view up the skirts of riders. As if women didn’t have their hands full contending with the [...]]]> …and I don’t mean waterproofing.

I’m a big fan of Norman Foster’s buildings, including the Hearst Tower at left, but it seems it has a few glitches — such as the glass escalators, which allow visitors a view up the skirts of riders. As if women didn’t have their hands full contending with the glass ceiling.

The oversight has already inspired a funny NPR segment, and I kind of fear that as word gets out this will become a tourist draw for the tower. Maybe the glass could be tinted?

I don’t suggest this because I’m a prude. Part of life is occasionally seeing more reality than the viewer or viewed intends, whether it be underwear, bulge, crack, or nipple. However, it seems incredibly wrong to force people to display themselves. And I love this line from the New York Magazine feature:

Some editors were concerned enough that they warned members of their staff prone to wearing trendy mini-minidresses or ballooning short skirts to take care to keep their legs closed.

Because you know women, it’s your job to make sure the dude standing beneath the stairs watching you can’t see up your skirt. And besides, if you’re wearing a skirt, you’re obviously a slut who wants men to see anyway. Such Bullshit.

I can’t help but wonder how many women were involved/consulted on this aspect of the project. I suspect very few, though of course these kind of oversights do just happen. But there are fundamental problems with architecture and its habit of marginalizing female users that makes these kinds of oversights likely.

So, previously quoted “editors” you need to warn Foster & Partners (not your employees) that they need to tint, or etch, or sandblast, or paint, or replace the glass escalators or they will face a sexual harassment suit from the thousands of women who have used those stairs.