It is undeniable that Town Hal Hilversum is one of the masterpieces of Willem Marinus Dudok. The building that was outlined in 1924 shows the identity of Dudok as anti-Avant guard artist. Built in a quite large area and applied brick, this building and all areas around become popularly as Hilversum city garden.
According to some critics, Town Hall Hilversum provides a great experience, especially because of the combination of big elements and hollow spaces that come together in a good blended harmony. At the same time, the building offers romantic and highly personal monument. Town Hall Hilversum also becomes one of just few buildings built during on that period that can provide and has symbolic contents. Some people also said that Town Hall Hilversum really shows fact that human loves beauty through sense and harmony. This building shows something more than material but also many things through spiritual sense.
As one of the landmarks in Hilversum, Netherland, Town Hall has admitted by many architecture analysts as one of the best building in the world. Some even said that it gives a monumental accent through its small area. Up to today, Town Hall Hilversum is still famous and known as one of the greatest masterpieces from Willem Marinus Dudok.
Fagus Works is the first large building designed by Walter Gropius. Fagus Works located in Alfeld an der Leine, Germany. To complete the whole structure, this building took almost two years to complete, which was 1911 until 1913. When designing and building the building, Gropius was still young but he could realized it with some existing supports, such as the ground plan, existing site plan and plans of construction from architect Eduard Werner that have been laid.
To realize the Fagus Works, loan from the American United Shoe Machinery Corporation was applied. It made the construction process was possible to continue in 1911. It was continuously running step by step under the new Walter Gropius’s concepts until 1912. At that time, what applied by Walter Gropius on this building was including new. The owner of this project asked for a unique facade; it was solved by Walter Gropius with a very different solution.
Today, Fagus Works is a very famous building in the world. It still used as factory. The different style of application of brick, steel masonry and glass makes it unique and interesting. Walter Gropius as architect and builder seemed understand well how to make a great unique building.
On 1931 or in the pre-war period, Rockefeller Center began its operation to be the largest complex of amusement and privately owned business in America. With total 12 acre sites, there are 10 units that were constructed. The last unit was completed in 1940 and used for the National Cash Register Company offices. The Rockefeller Center was built on a busy block in New York, which is between 5th - 6th Avenues and 48th - 51st Streets.
The building process and development showed the popularity of skyscraper design during the pre-war period. It is fact that Rockefeller Center gives big contribution to the urban life because it can give access to both private and public activities; they all together are brought in the same scheme. The first building that was completed is the theatre of RKO motion pictures. It was designed by main architects Harrison Corbett, Hood McMurray and Fouilhoux. It was opened for the first time in 1932. It is a huge building with 3.500 seats and a big stage.
Up to today, the name of Rockefeller is still famous. However, not all businesses can survive because some of them also faced failure, including Sunken Plaza. But it could survive by giving new excitement to visitors with skating rink.
The Chrysler Building is one of the historical buildings here in New York and America. It has selected to be one of the greatest and highest skyscrapers of the twentieth century. Actually, the design of Chrysler Building was made for William H. Reynolds, who was a building contractor in the country. But, it was sold to Walter P. Chrysler. He was a man who dreamed about a unique building that can become a trademark because of its height.
Chrysler Building has 77 floors making it as the highest building in the world at that time before the project of Empire State Building was finished. We cannot deny that Chrysler Building gave color to New York skyline. Van Alen seemed understand what had to be done to make the building more meaningful and historical for next generations. In just one and a half hours, the whole seven-storey pinnacle covered with special steel; firstly, it was installed inside the skyscraper and then craned into particular position passes the opening of the roof and then anchored in the top.
No one denied that Chrysler Building is truly a masterpiece. It not only became one of the highest building in the world but more than that, the building also becomes a popular landmark that makes people from all over the world amaze.
When we heard about Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center, our opinion would be directly guided to an amazing simple and elegant building in Berkeley, California. This is a great building that has been renovated few times. Historical renovations given to the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center makes it better along the time. Some common accessories such as ceiling fans, thermal mass and natural ventilation belong to the building give so many advantages to the operation of the building and the maintenance.
The renovation done by ELS Architecture and Urban Design looks special because what they have given to the MLK Civic Center makes it looks and feels better. The decision to replace existing perimeter steam radiators with hot water radiators means better efficiency. It can be felt also from the concrete structure in the open corridors. This building also applies green building strategies, includes installing high efficiency fluorescent lighting, photometric control, central ceiling fans, programmable thermostat and motion sensors.
With additional public space on the penthouse level, this MLK Civic Center provides a magnificent view directly to the bay. Because of the renovation, Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center has given some awards, including from Saving by Design Honor, California Historic Preservation and Special Recommendation Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Read the rest of this entry »
