Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnguys
I’m in the minority and think it’s overblown how it’s an ugly design. Similar comments were made about the justice complex and IOL HQ, yet both those buildings are amongst the best designed and visually appealing in the province. The fact that the design invokes a discussion tells me it will be a nice addition to the skyline. If someone walks by and pauses to think about the design, good or bad, I think that’s a good thing and separates us from other cities like Moncton. I find it odd how people are comforted by concrete core, glass curtain buildings that are soulless. People are even complaining about the look of Fundy Quay building #1, despite not knowing it’s a classic bauhaus waterfront design that will put it in a league of its own in the province. You have to envision it from afar and how it plays off the surrounding area, not just focus on the design up close. Much like the justice complex, it takes its queues from design elements from buildings in the neighborhood. Obviously floors 1-3 pull from the brick facades along King and Charlotte Streets; floors 4-9 pull from the facade of the Admiral Beatty, IOL building and now the viaduct facing side of the justice complex. The remaining top floors are open to interpretation which I love. It could be viewed as a “crown”, being a city with historic ties to Britain. Anyone who’s been in old apartments uptown could recognize it as an old bureau upside down. Or a visible cap to the uptown skyline making it framed and cozy. Perhaps it pairs up with the two story cap on Telegraph Square. The three colours in the building’s palette are the most common colours on uptown’s skyline, making it harmonious with the area, unlike the brutalist feeling of the JDI building as an example. The decorative cornices many dislike I feel will give the building a sense of completion, rather than a lopped off look. It pays homage to craftsmanship which is evident in so many properties in the uptown. Again, if it invokes discussion, that’s a good thing. For me it’s sad people would probably be happy with a similar design like The Maple in Halifax, a glass soulless building celebrated for its “current” modern look that will age quickly. The most celebrated buildings in the world were also the most criticized.
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I admire your optimism, but I don't know. The original design seemed fine, I'm confused why they ever changed the roof design, other than to cut costs.
As for the Fundy Quay building, I agree, it should be a very nice building, but the developer doesn't exactly have a track record building high rises. I hope it ends up looking as nice as the renderings.
As for concrete... concrete can be beautiful. The Pantheon in Rome is made of concrete, and still looks amazing. There's lots of very aesthetically pleasing concrete skyscrapers, even brutalist skyscrapers where the designs are dominated by concrete. The Central Peninsula has lot of room for all kinds of different architecural styles. Not everything new has to ascribe to brick design language of Uptown Saint John to be considered a positive addition to the skyline.
Though, I think it would be great if we saw more buildings go up in Saint John utilizing materials like stone. Concrete can be
almost as beautiful as stone, at least when it's done right.
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