Architecture and design

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The Modern Skyscraper in a European Context

(Issue of a magazine 5/2010, page 72)

It is generally thought that the skyscraper is an American invention, which is true when considering that the first steel tall buildings started to arise in the American cityscape during the second half of the 19th century. This building type developed itself into giant skyscrapers such as the Sears (currently: Willis) Tower in Chicago and the former World Trade Center buildings in New York City, embodying not only the city, or the men who create them, but also the American culture as a whole.

In between Neva and Okhta

(Issue of a magazine 5/2010, page 76)

The new Bank Saint Petersburg headquarters is being erected at Neva waterfront, not far from the confluence with Okhta. The centrepiece of the complex of three buildings is 22-storeyed tower of 90 meters flanked along both sides with 10-storeyed blocks of similar stylistics.

Boscolo Hotel Nice

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 28)

The global warming issues is one of those popular bogeyman stories of the period, which seems to be the biggest threat to the planet since the Cold War. The nature’s nasty shocks induced by anthropogenic factors are getting more severe and occurring ever more frequent. The purely human concern is how to organize social and private life in a sustainable way that balances social, environmental and economic concerns.

In Line with Traditional Chinese Style

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 34)

The recent Chinese deployment led to highest population density in cities, which required dramatic revision of urban space organization. Expanded beyond the limits bulging of urban quarters is entailed by longer commuter routes, more sophisticated and lengthy utility networks. Therefore, the majority development initiatives for Chinese cities assumes the tall component, which enables to concentrate maximum operable area within relatively narrow sites.

Bundled Towers

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 40)

The September 11, 2001 is an indelible tragedy imprinted into human memory. The events are reconstructed quite definetely: the kidnapped aircraft impacts the WTC 2 at 08:46 AM . Seventeen minutes later the second aircraft piloted by terrorists crushed into the WTC 1. In the WTC 2 all escape paths over the point of impact were destroyed, and 1344 of people were trapped, 600 more lives were lost outright or jammed amongst the debris of the WTC 1, which collapsed at 9:58 AM. The WTC 2 came down at 10:28 AM.

Saint Petersburg is Opening a New Era

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 54)

Saint Petersburg is a city which always looked into the future. Established by the great Tsar Peter I on May 27, 1703, Saint Petersburg was meant to be the new capital. At that time the Tsar invited the most talented late baroque and neo classic architects from Europe, with a vision was to create most beautiful, dynamic and modern capital rivaling European cities. And he succeeded. Saint Petersburg remained to be the capital for over 200 years and is often described as the most Western city of Russia. Over its history it has also been referenced as “The Venice of the North” and the “Northern Palmyra” for its beauty.

The Cooler Skyscraper

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 58)

Environmental issues are the matter of great importance in terms of recent high-rise practices. Consideration of the impact of a tall building on surroundings and climate fluctuations has become the call of the times. The research data proves that average global temperature increased by 0.7°C in the past 100 years, and the major cause is global warming. On the other hand, the annual average temperature in Tokyo increased by 3.0°C, and the annual average temperature in small and medium-size cities increased by 1°C. The difference is attributed to the heat island phenomenon. As a result, the heat island induces heavy downpours, and the number of persons hospitalized due to heat stroke is increasing dramatically.

Vdara

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 62)

In December 2009, one of the components of the new Las Vegas CityCenter - Vdara Hotel & Spa was opened in schedule. MGM MIRAGE , seeking to build a new resort and lifestyle destination in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, decided to forgo the typical themebased resort development, instead choosing contemporary architecture and high-density, mixed-use urbanism as the unifying characteristic of the development.

Insular Style

(Issue of a magazine 4/2010, page 66)

Another project of Rafael Viñoly Architects, is the Raffles City Bahrain for Manama. Kingdom of Bahrain, is a small island country in the Persian Gulf ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. While Bahrain is an archipelago of thirtythree islands. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, The capital, Manama, is located at the north-east of the Bahrain island. This is not a kind of great megapolis, but it is quite picturesque city renowned by its mosques and other sights, including bazaars and ultramodern architecture.