  Shown here is Lord Norman Foster's original proposal for the Hearst Tower completion project (see previous post). While very much in the spirit of Belgium's Atomium museum, which resembles a giant molecule, Lord Foster's design was even more radical, taking into account environmental and social engineering concepts unknown to the earlier Modernist architects from whom he draws obvious inspiration. The left hand picture shows the building in warm weather, in the so-called "erectile" state, taking advantage of solar energy and prevailing breezes in the summer to cool the interior. In the right-hand, or "cocoon" state, shown as a greatly simplified computer model, the building reconfigures itself in the winter months, through an ingenious system of moving floors and flexible outer panels, to a squat, easier-to-heat shape. The entire building is open plan, which means Hearst employees would have a seasonal scramble to claim new work space in the reconfigured structure, thus breaking down rigid social hierarchies and territorial codes not just in two dimensions but three, possibly four.
On viewing the design, Hearst executives were not kind, offering comments ranging from "are you insane?" to "lose the Christmas ornaments." To satisfy corporate higher-ups, the overt molecular reference and shapeshifting design were removed, leaving a futuristic-looking but merely decorative shell. Despite the structure's incongruity with 75 year-old Art Deco "base" that is to support it, the watered-down project sailed easily past the Landmark Commission.
Okay, yes ... I am a sap... but here's how much I loved this post: I took a screen shot! (like...I captured the moment? think I can preserve the date on the pic file for ebay authenticity?)
Here's my plan: when the building goes through one of its seasonal morphs, I will head for the elevator. It'll be kind of like the garbage compactor from the first Star Wars (remember that version that was iconic and fun?) only the underwater snake monster will be my friend (mrrow) and the chaos will resolve very nicely into a corner office.
that (above) was me... new system, new city, same gal.
The garbage chute analogy is good. I also imagined the building changing shape resembling the scenes in Dark City where the city completely rearranges itself--to the sound of much metallic groaning and clanking--while everyone is asleep.
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Shown here is Lord Norman Foster's original proposal for the Hearst Tower completion project (see previous post). While very much in the spirit of Belgium's Atomium museum, which resembles a giant molecule, Lord Foster's design was even more radical, taking into account environmental and social engineering concepts unknown to the earlier Modernist architects from whom he draws obvious inspiration. The left hand picture shows the building in warm weather, in the so-called "erectile" state, taking advantage of solar energy and prevailing breezes in the summer to cool the interior. In the right-hand, or "cocoon" state, shown as a greatly simplified computer model, the building reconfigures itself in the winter months, through an ingenious system of moving floors and flexible outer panels, to a squat, easier-to-heat shape. The entire building is open plan, which means Hearst employees would have a seasonal scramble to claim new work space in the reconfigured structure, thus breaking down rigid social hierarchies and territorial codes not just in two dimensions but three, possibly four.
On viewing the design, Hearst executives were not kind, offering comments ranging from "are you insane?" to "lose the Christmas ornaments." To satisfy corporate higher-ups, the overt molecular reference and shapeshifting design were removed, leaving a futuristic-looking but merely decorative shell. Despite the structure's incongruity with 75 year-old Art Deco "base" that is to support it, the watered-down project sailed easily past the Landmark Commission.
- tom moody 11-14-2003 7:54 am
Okay, yes ... I am a sap... but here's how much I loved this post: I took a screen shot! (like...I captured the moment? think I can preserve the date on the pic file for ebay authenticity?)
Here's my plan: when the building goes through one of its seasonal morphs, I will head for the elevator. It'll be kind of like the garbage compactor from the first Star Wars (remember that version that was iconic and fun?) only the underwater snake monster will be my friend (mrrow) and the chaos will resolve very nicely into a corner office.
- anonymous (guest) 11-16-2003 10:33 am
that (above) was me... new system, new city, same gal.
- sally (guest) 11-16-2003 10:35 am
The garbage chute analogy is good. I also imagined the building changing shape resembling the scenes in Dark City where the city completely rearranges itself--to the sound of much metallic groaning and clanking--while everyone is asleep.
- tom moody 11-17-2003 8:21 am