Battle of the skyscrapers
A building frenzy is raging in Asia, Russia and the Persian Gulf. And cities like New York don't have the money to compete. Will the West soon look outdated?
By Ulrike Knöfel, Frank Hornig and Bernhard Zand
For an entire century, New York was the city of skyscrapers, the epitome of the vertical city. It just kept growing into the sky, faster and faster. It was an exhilarating adventure in stone, steel and glass -- and seemingly unsurpassable.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/06/09/skyscraper/index.html?sourc...
Transparent blocks are even made 2yrs ago.
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Supposedly the owner of the patent for this new technology is from San Diego, CA, USA.
Pretty freakin' amazing!
They mix fiber and insulation layers in the precast concrete to make it lighter and more durable to cracks.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
I am not sure about Burj, but I know that many new types of concrete have been developed. Many are more strogerand durable whilt usng less cement. They are less prone to cracking and can even be moulded into curves etc.
Burj Dubai concrete requirements
I am under the impression that the Burj Dubai is being constructed with some new form of concrete that is both lighter and stronger (apparently the building could not have the stature that it has/will have without it). Anyone else heard about this?
I knew that glass that repels water. I think I saw that material in Japan that the glass was made of paper. Yes, PAPER! It does not absorb water amidst the material! Recyclable and light! Can withstand wind pressure without the usual glass break!
Now I wonder IF the skyscrapers in here are really using new technology. By the way I see the 'exposure' to information by the locals here, it doesn't matter to them...
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
Maybe not in the Middle East, but in Europe , archirtecture and style does come into it.. As for technology - There is now new glass which repels water, so that it doesn't get as dirty..
To save time and money. Employee salary is based on the number of days an employee works for the building. More time means more salary distribution. Less time, less spending.
Money was the power for the corporate, I tell you...
They do not care about art anymore other than some painting on the wall...
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
I think that with the advance of technology, we have become blase about architecture. We don't look at them as works of art anymore.. Look at the "egg" building in London or the Petronas Tower in KL. Both magificent works of art, enginnering and design, but do they stick out like the Taj Mahal, the White House, Kremlin ?
I think not!
Imagine that, as if we are 'sliding backwards' as time and technology move forward.
britexpat - I'm not even a 'student' of architecture but I hope you are right about the 'eco-friendliness' of these new 'we are powerful' statements going up around the world. It will be interesting to see if they last as long as the 'ancient' architectural ruins and are held in as high a regard.
Modern buildings are more eco friendly and usually the architecture is influenced by some theme or architectural theme.
I do worry though about the rush for skyscrapers..
Qatar has ample land space to experiment with other types of architectures.
The old days still rocked when old school Frank was the boss!!! where architecture is for people!
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...people in Dubai who made those skyscrapers just...build.
No sense in including good art or ecological quality in their own architecture.
The reason why people build skyscrapers nowadays was the commodity of multiple earning lease in a small amount of land. Nobody cares about architecture anymore in the money-powered world.
I'm an architect and I felt pity to the diminishing sense and meaning of architecture and art these days.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
i am somali kid who came qadar recently iam degree holder(commerce in accounting) still i am searching for a job, but nothing come possible, and every thing needs personal influence (wasta)so kindly if u can help me i appreciate that and allah will help
So you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright then?
Skyscrapers are simply cold, unaccommodating, and unfriendly in any way possible. With all the steel and glass surrounding you?!forget it.
Psychologically, tall structures impress and arouse human curiousity. But even that shouldn't be abused.
Architecture is suppose to be human friendly.
Moreover, Middle East has a vast area to develop. Why skyscrapers?! It's all fad i think.
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Hey, we agree on something, cool ;)
good earning for the construction companies
Mega structures are also becomin pieces of art, whilst technology allows them to be more practical.
There also has to be an aesthetic aspect though and personaly I find Dubai's skyscrapers to be lifeless pieces o artwork without soul. I hope that Qatar does not go the way.