[CAN] Spire Living | 107m | 37lvls | Residential

[monotonehell]

That does sound a tad disappointing Will. Especially considering that one of their big selling points was the style and visual interest of the building.

[Omicron]

This:


is what ought to be there. When did this become a public housing project? Did I miss something?

[Will]

More pictures:

North façade:




And whilst I understand that facades abutting property boundaries cannot have windows due to fire issues, there must be something better than 107m of exposed concrete!:

East 'façade':




South 'façade':

[SRW]

This is really becoming just all too much. I'm close to excising that entire block of the city (bar the GPO) from my mind, with the disappointment that CC is turning out to be and now this.

If these sorts of designs, with entirely blank and imposing façades and generally poor aesthetics, can expect approval without quarrel, then the laws need to be changed.

[Omicron]

How pleasant - both Spire and CC8 employing the very best of core-masking techniques. The architects in both instances should be commended for their wonderful attention to detail and clever cost-saving solutions; I feel compelled to reward them for such inventiveness. Hot acid injected into the eyes, perhaps?

[frank1]

I wonder if this new design will have any impact on the investors of spire apartments? Why did they even change the original design? This new one is visually a disgrace

[Wayno]

such a huge shame. The spire website (http://www.spireliving.com.au/) still has the previous sexy design - obviously helps with sales...

I suppose a few people might choose to send complimentary comments to the Architect (http://www.rothelowman.com.au/Flash/#/default.html) and the Developer (Oracon P/L) about the popularity of their decision.

[Howie]

I believe economics of building a tower this tall in Adelaide probably had something to do with the new design. Do note that there is a lightbox on top now. Try to go easy on them for trying, one of the guys who runs Oracon is a mate of mine so i'll try to ask him for a better render.

[Cirocz]

Do note that there is a lightbox on top now.

Do you mean a lightbox like what World Tower in Sydney has?? or something else?

The new design does seem a bit bland compared to the old one, but I will reserve further judgement until better renders come out.

[Düsseldorfer]

Ok lets make it a bit more boring, and now lets cut the wave thing off the new Currie st tower (sarcasm)

This city needs all the unique architecture it can get, let the building remain as it was first proposed with the only changes allowed that make it bigger and better.

[Mants]

i just choked on my dinner.

what a disappointment.

[Omicron]

I believe economics of building a tower this tall in Adelaide probably had something to do with the new design. Do note that there is a lightbox on top now. Try to go easy on them for trying, one of the guys who runs Oracon is a mate of mine so i'll try to ask him for a better render.

Go easy on them for trying? Gawd, I hope that mindset doesn't make its way to the surgeons I'll be needing later in life.

In all seriousness, though, good design doesn't have to be expensive or needlessly complex to look good. Take the Glaspaleis or Lever House shown in another thread, for example (Seagram was fabulously expensive for its time, but that was due to the use of expensive materials and fittings for the interior rather than fundamental design expenses) - skill and eye for detail turn basic, easy-to-construct shapes into timeless, glamorous design statements. A blank wall from top to bottom is neither clever nor skilful.

Obviously, the renders we have available are of the style that makes any building look bland (look at 22 Currie St's plans, for example, and I'm sure Seagram looks boring when drawn in the same way), but it's not promising at all.

[Pistol]

Elevations are always a hard way to judge a building of any form. Just wait til a nice computer generated render hits this site before we make too many (harsh) judgements. I reserve my decision...

But you would be a little pissed if you had bought into this building under the pretenses it was to look like the previous renders.

[SRW]

Unfortunately, I'm well past the benefit of the doubt with this building. I've overlooked the years that it's taken to amount to anything, the back and forth of designs and the dodgy marketing (including the use of my intellectual property without attribution). This project is a dud.

Of course, I'll readily eat humble pie if it turns out decent. I doubt it, though.

[Omicron]

Unfortunately, I'm well past the benefit of the doubt with this building. I've overlooked the years that it's taken to amount to anything, the back and forth of designs and the dodgy marketing (including the use of my intellectual property without attribution). This project is a dud.

Of course, I'll readily eat humble pie if it turns out decent. I doubt it, though.

Oh?