Engineers: with a concrete building like that would the building be structurally sound enough in a totally high level opinion if they chopped off the back end, either at the back of the core, or half way through the core?
The front side is very well executed for what it is. After all it was a show piece of the original effort to revitalize the east end of down town through urban renewal.
I'm not an Engineer, but, aren't those buildings built with pre-cast concrete panels?
I agree a couple examples should be saved, but crenelations? On a School Board? WTH?
I had never heard the term Brutalist before.
When I read your post I thought you had coined the term to describe those buildings, and thought "that's clever, those buildings are brutal, haha" Little did I know that it's an actual style.
/Mind Blown
It could be that I was always in shit during my school years, but even today, the CBE building irks me every time I pass by it.
I had my education in Brutalism my first year at ACAD> the most alienating structure on Earth. It also is eventually at risk of demolition once a new campus is built and SAIT annexes it. Anyone interested in Brutalism NEEDS to wander the labyrinthine halls of ACAD. It's like entering the world of QUAKE. YOu literally feel like a monster will round the corner at any moment.
I had my education in Brutalism my first year at ACAD> the most alienating structure on Earth. It also is eventually at risk of demolition once a new campus is built and SAIT annexes it. Anyone interested in Brutalism NEEDS to wander the labyrinthine halls of ACAD. It's like entering the world of QUAKE. YOu literally feel like a monster will round the corner at any moment.
Brutalism is one of those aesthetic styles that will go down in infamy, but somehow fondly be remembered because of its sheer arrogance and fugliness. Kinda like powder blue tuxedos, fire red shag carpeting (complete with yellow "flame" highlights!) and a whole host of drug-induced visual vomit from the 1960s/70s.
I'm fine with tearing it down. I see nothing worth saving, it's just another ugly government building. Maybe I would save it if it was the last building of this style in Canada, maybe. You never see those other ugly things anymore why should we keep this.
O-Tac, have you ever wandered the migraine-inducing halls at OCAD? The fact that a building's brutalist (or not) has nothing to do with the quality of its hallways.
I'm not an Engineer, but, aren't those buildings built with pre-cast concrete panels?
I agree a couple examples should be saved, but crenelations? On a School Board? WTH?
That's the best part!
I much prefer the old catholic board building to the old CBE, I find it some weird concrete castle motif vs in your face year 2300 starship landed on earth.
__________________
Concerned about protecting Calgary's built heritage? www.CalgaryHeritage.org
News - Heritage Watch - Forums
I'm fine with tearing it down. I see nothing worth saving, it's just another ugly government building. Maybe I would save it if it was the last building of this style in Canada, maybe. You never see those other ugly things anymore why should we keep this.
We should keep them around so that people can look at them and say.... "Never again"
__________________
Concerned about protecting Calgary's built heritage? www.CalgaryHeritage.org
News - Heritage Watch - Forums
Also, a while back there was some talk about how the old Herald building used to be a very fancy turn of the century building, and that the current facade from the 60's covered all that up.
Well I have found another example, behold:
1910 (note the two buildings to the right)
glenbow.org
1957
glenbow.org
1958, gets a white paint job
glenbow.org
And today!
maps.google.com
__________________
Concerned about protecting Calgary's built heritage? www.CalgaryHeritage.org
News - Heritage Watch - Forums
What would be the process to designate the main CBE building up to a heritage level enough that the new owners would be at least compelled to keep part of the main building?
The building is currently on the heritage inventory, but to be protected it would have to be legally designated as a municipal, provincial, or federal historic resource.
Normally the city does not designate over the owner's wishes and I can't see that happening here either.
The fact that the owner is a creation of the province makes it interesting I'm sure.
__________________
Concerned about protecting Calgary's built heritage? www.CalgaryHeritage.org
News - Heritage Watch - Forums
Why did past eras tear down already-tall buildings, when there were and still are many low buildings, which I would think would usually be easier to demo, in the DT core?
Why did past eras tear down already-tall buildings, when there were and still are many low buildings, which I would think would usually be easier to demo, in the DT core?
Structural issues with the Herald Building?
We do this in the current era. London recently tore down a 26 storey building (from the 70s) to make way for the Shard, and there's plenty of lower buildings in central London.
Does anyone know if there are any plans for the Bank of Montreal "parthenon" style building on the northeast corner of 1 St SW and 8 Ave SW? This building looks to be vacant and shuttered.
On the other corner lots directly across on Stephen Avenue are the vibrant Murrietta's, Fashion Central and the Bay. Are there plans to rehabilitate\renovate this building? It seem like there is so much potential for this location!
Does anyone know if there are any plans for the Bank of Montreal "parthenon" style building on the northeast corner of 1 St SW and 8 Ave SW? This building looks to be vacant and shuttered.
On the other corner lots directly across on Stephen Avenue are the vibrant Murrietta's, Fashion Central and the Bay. Are there plans to rehabilitate\renovate this building? It seem like there is so much potential for this location!
Between 1988 and 1993 A&B Sound spent $2 million renovating it, so realy it just needs a tenant. I think the problem is a) bad street presence... well great architectural street presence, but bad as far as showing what's inside b) the layout is a open ground floor, and a wrap around platform/balcony on the second floor. So for office use you could set up cubicles I guess, but so much open unused space.
It should probably be used as some sort of museum/art gallery.
__________________
Concerned about protecting Calgary's built heritage? www.CalgaryHeritage.org
News - Heritage Watch - Forums
Does anyone know if there are any plans for the Bank of Montreal "parthenon" style building on the northeast corner of 1 St SW and 8 Ave SW? This building looks to be vacant and shuttered.
On the other corner lots directly across on Stephen Avenue are the vibrant Murrietta's, Fashion Central and the Bay. Are there plans to rehabilitate\renovate this building? It seem like there is so much potential for this location!
O-Tac, have you ever wandered the migraine-inducing halls at OCAD? The fact that a building's brutalist (or not) has nothing to do with the quality of its hallways.
Prev
That'd be a great building for a nightclub.
Linear Mode
