CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS - Page 158

andydie · #**3141** Posted **May 19, 2008, 4:52 PM**

Hiya guys,

enjoy my lastest update for this curvy awesome tower. Lean back, relax and have fun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA9Haab0b68

Music: Oxia - Domino (Original Mix)

Jibba · #**3142** Posted **May 19, 2008, 5:02 PM**

^Sweet video, andydie. It was a great recap of the past months, and it's neat to watch as the tower takes shape over the months. Thankfully, all of those icy shots from Winter seem like a distant memory.

ethereal_reality · #**3143** Posted **May 19, 2008, 5:55 PM**

you win

chrslyp · #**3144** Posted **May 19, 2008, 6:54 PM**

^^^ he's got a point.

Jibba · #**3145** Posted **May 19, 2008, 7:20 PM**

^While he does have a point, I think the one difference between the various examples posted and the Aqua tower is the issue of mass production (or even relative mass production). Each railing per individual balcony at Aqua is essentially a unique piece of metalwork, while those examples posted previously have likely been reproduced enough to marginalize their cost. I'm not sure how much of a difference in cost that this would turn out to be, but I'm sure it is of substantial enough importance to induce the method of balcony fabrication we are seeing now.

andydie · #**3146** Posted **May 19, 2008, 8:08 PM**

Hiya guys. Made a special version of my timelapeses using only Earlybuyers Site Overview Pictures. You can see what has been done so far in under a minute. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PMqmMunwPg

Music: Funkerman - Speed Up

Thanx for your nice comments guys. I appriciate them

Better version online now. Have Fun

Lecom · #**3147** Posted **May 19, 2008, 8:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Everyone will say it's cost prohibitive. Well...they're obsviously paying
extra for the morphing balconies....so why not the railings?

Cause it's way easier and cheaper to set up a concrete form and pour concrete in it than make a seamless high-quality custom metal railing.

Cost prohibitive indeed.

AnotherPunter · #**3148** Posted **May 19, 2008, 8:32 PM**

I'm sure this rendering of Aqua in Blair Kamin's blog has been posted previously, but i thought I'd post it just cuz its perdy.

it did make me think about the paint job though... this picture is so dramatic in part because the waves seem to be both blue and under-lit... the building will clearly be amazing at twilight when a lot of the residents will have their lights on; really creating some contrast. But I also wonder if a darker tone to the paint job would enhance the effect...

Chicagoguy · #**3149** Posted **May 20, 2008, 12:40 AM**

I think Aqua is going to be amazing, but I just wish that it was taller or in an area that was going to stand out more. With the expansion of BCBS Tower and all of the other nice sized buildings going up around it, it is almost going to get lost among all of the others!

EarlyBuyer · #**3150** Posted **May 20, 2008, 12:55 AM**

Great update video's andydie, thanks!

James2390 · #**3151** Posted **May 20, 2008, 5:04 AM**

Wow, this is coming along great! Looks amazing.

rascacielos · #**3152** Posted **May 20, 2008, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagoguy

I think Aqua is going to be amazing, but I just wish that it was taller or in an area that was going to stand out more. With the expansion of BCBS Tower and all of the other nice sized buildings going up around it, it is almost going to get lost among all of the others!

I think a lot of people don't realize how visible this tower when viewed from the south. Upper Columbus is a wide street and at many angles the entire tower (or most of it) is visible. I am not worried that it will be hidden.

Chicagoguy · #**3153** Posted **May 20, 2008, 3:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rascacielos

I think a lot of people don't realize how visible this tower when viewed from the south. Upper Columbus is a wide street and at many angles the entire tower (or most of it) is visible. I am not worried that it will be hidden.

Yes from the street level it is able to be seen very well as can almost any other building in the city. I was just saying that in an overall view of the skyline, Aqua is relatively hidden by BCBS Tower, 340 on the Park, Aon Center, and will soon probably have Arquitectonica on the otherside blocking views of it. I love the unique design of it but I wish it was in an area where it would stick out more!

the urban politician · #**3154** Posted **May 20, 2008, 3:53 PM**

^ Except that Aqua isn't really a "skyline shocker" kind of building. Its appeal is up close and personal

Chicagoguy · #**3155** Posted **May 20, 2008, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Except that Aqua isn't really a "skyline shocker" kind of building. Its appeal is up close and personal

I disagree, I think especially at night it is definitely a "skyline skocker" type of building.

ametz · #**3156** Posted **May 20, 2008, 8:11 PM**

I suspect Aqua will develop into something of a hidden gem that people will go out of their way to see. It’ll peek out from certain vantage points and offer a little tease, but I think the sentiment will definitely be one of “you should really check that building out from its base.” Even looking at it from about a block or so away, I’m not convinced its contours would be so visible from a long view of the skyline, unless, maybe, it were completely alone (like OMP), or framed against a larger building. From a half mile in, I think the contours will look subtle but stunning. There will be no better view, however, than from LSE park, and that’s not going anywhere so we can be thankful for that.

Any yes, the forum can get a little petty, especially in threads for beloved building such as “Aqua”, but it can often lead to good, level-headed debate so keep plugging away….

honte · #**3157** Posted **May 20, 2008, 11:40 PM**

There is no doubt in my mind that the railings could be made to match the curvature of the balconies very closely. In fact, the decision to use this style of metal railing over another kind (such as flat glass) is most strongly supported by that very ability.

It is purely a cost issue (or, should we say, cost-saving issue).

Dac150 · #**3158** Posted **May 21, 2008, 12:04 AM**

This building reminds me of a modern day 'Marina City'. Not so much in the direct design, but the innovative balcony aspect. I do think that they could've come up with better railings. Quality wise I'm sure they're fine, but they look a little on the cheap side for a building such as this. I also admire those shots looking directly up at the building. For me it's an innovative building sporting some cheap looking railings. In the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal, but dissapointing.

SNT1 · #**3159** Posted **May 21, 2008, 4:15 AM**

Tell me, when this thing's topped out and you look at it from street level, do you say, "oh wow. Cheap railings."? You won't even see them.

That said, I agree with the posters who's said that 'it could have been better.' But unless I'm going to live here, I really don't mind it.

chrslyp · #**3160** Posted **May 21, 2008, 2:58 PM**

i was in chicago last week and LSE was one of the first places i went. i have to admit, the first time i saw the rendering of aqua, i wasn't sure if i liked it nor was i sure it would fit in with the rest of the buildings in the area, it looked to be something that would fit in more in miami. however, i must say, after seeing it in person, i was completely wrong. i think it will bring a lot to the area, especially LSE, which i really liked.