Between Silence & Light

I did not go on the trip to Monticello and Falling Water, however, in discussion with the class, it was noted that the craft of the two buildings was great.  I recall someone talking about how the original door hinges were still in place and working just fine on at least one set of doors in Monticello.  Craft was also very important in our last project.  In this project, we had to use ¼” MDF.  We had to be able to cut our design out of this material and put it together while maintaining a level of craft.  Mine I feel was lacking in craft.  Some pieces were too short, the cuts were not all even, and there were glue spots from where I had had problems getting the artifact to stay together.  Craft is important in every design, whether it is only made to last a couple days or hundreds of years.  

Over the semester, we have learned many different ways or techniques of doing things.  In drawing, we learned how to use watercolors, markers, colored pencil, and other types of media.  We are now learning techniques for using MDF such as how to hold it together and what to cut it with.  In my precedent analysis project, I have found that I.M. Pei had to use new techniques in construction and innovation to get the Bank of China Tower to stand and be able to withstand typhoon winds.  

Public and private can be defined through many different means.  At Falling Water (I believe), there was the long, narrow, darker hallway that led to one of the bedrooms.  Public would be more along the lines of the living room/family room, kitchen, and dinning room.  The bedrooms and bathrooms are more private.  In my house, this is separated by the stairs.  Downstairs is all public space, while the upstairs is private. 

I felt that there was a lot this week that I could have related better to the field trip had I gone.  There seemed to be a good deal that related back to the detail or the structure of one or both buildings.  Monticello and Falling Water, both, have something that can be talked about for every word, but I also found myself thinking back to my own home and comparing it to these to buildings.  Craft, public and private, and technique have all changed over the many years.  My house would not be able to last quite as long as these two.  Looking at Monticello and Falling Water and hearing the discussions in class, have really shown how things have changed in the way of architecture, both private and commercial (public). 

PA Essay

Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong

            Construction of the Bank Of China Tower in Hong Kong was begun on April 18, 1985.  It was not until May 17, 1990 that the official opening ceremony was held.  The building’s shape was achieved by “grouping four triangular glass and aluminum towers of varying heights to form the shape of a granite podium” (Bank of China Tower).   The shape of the tower was actually modeled after the structure of bamboo, making it symbolic of strength, vitality, and growth (Bank of China).

            At 369 meters tall (1,210.63 feet), the BOC tower was the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia until 1992.  It rises a total of 70 stories and was the first building outside of the United States to break 1,000 feet.  It is now the fifth tallest building in the world by height.  The tower goes from a square base and changes with use of large triangular pieces (Bank Of China).  The architect, I.M. Pei is responsible for creating other buildings such as the East building of Washington’s National Gallery of Art, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the John F. Kennedy Library, and the expansion and modernization of the Louvre Museum. “It is said that I.M Pei designed the Bank of China Tower to ‘represent the aspirations of the Chinese people yet also symbolize good will toward the British Colony’” (Bank Of China Tower).  The tower used triangular bracing and step-backs to adapt the building to the high winds caused by Hong Kong typhoons. 

            This building has an atrium that stretches 14 stories.  Visitors can take an elevator up to the 42^nd floor to see the view off of the skydeck.  This deck can actually be entered without admission, making it a great spot for tourists.  The building adds parking in its four basement floors.  This is due to the lack of space for parking in the city of Hong Kong.   This building could be compared to a gem, because of the way it shines when the sun hits the four prism-shaped shafts of the tower (Introduction). 

            One thing that I.M. Pei had to grapple with in designing the building was the idea of feng shui.  Feng shui means ‘wind and water.’  In Hong Kong, one cannot get away from the idea, because it is a form used in most, if not all, of the city’s buildings.  He had to look at the placement of the building on the site and it’s shape.  When the idea for this building was first presented, it was looked down upon because many felt that the sharp corners of the structure would bring bad luck to its neighbors.  The next challenge was the size of the site.  It was extremely small, but did not have any height restrictions because it was out of the airport’s flight path.  The final challenge Pei had to consider was making the tower structurally sound.  He, however, managed to overcome these challenges in the design and create on of the most popular and amazing buildings of its time (I.M. Pei).

 

"Bank of China ." Cityscape. Cityscape. 7 Apr 2009.             http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=120582

"Bank of China Tower." A View on Cities. 2009. 7 Apr 2009.             http://www.aviewoncities.com/hongkong/bankofchinatower.htm

"I. M. Pei / Bank of China, Hong Kong." Designboom. 2000-2008. Designboom. 7 Apr 2009. http://www.designboom.com/portrait/pei_bank.html 

"Introduction." Bank of China. 2009. Bank of China. 7 Apr 2009.             http://www.bochk.com/web/common/multi_section.xml?section=about&level_2=boc_tower&fldr_id=326