International overview

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Polish Exercises

(Issue of a magazine 2/2011, page 20)

Poland has always been particularly concerned with the problems of sovereignty and national identity. To enjoy the equal rights with the states of the Old Europe took the Poles centuries. Historically, their claims were neglected not only by their foes, but also by allies. Therefore Poland has persistently been trying to prove its “West European nature”, at the same time emphasizing the “independence”, and it has become the flesh and blood of this arrogant nation.

The New Icon for South Africa

(Issue of a magazine 1/2011, page 20)

The Republic of South Africa is the most developed country all over the continent, the only nation in Africa, which is not referred to the socalled Third World. It is located at the southern tip of Africa, with coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The 2010 FIFA World Cup obviously heightened the interest in the RSA on a global scale.

The Korean Architectural Look-and-feel

(Issue of a magazine 6/2010, page 20)

Korea is a country with rich and dramatic history. But it is less reflected in the national architecture in comparison with neighbouring China and Japan, and it’s quite explicable. Firstly, originally the traditional Korean dwelling was not longeval. Houses with wooden framing and thin partitions in hot and humid climate soon become unfit for use. Secondly, local idiosyncrasy to the periods of colonial dependence made the architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries unwelcome.

The Beacon of Seoul

(Issue of a magazine 6/2010, page 28)

640 m tall Seoul Light DMC Tower is a mixed-use project envisioned as a new model in sustainable super-tall building design. Located north of the Han River at the western edge of Seoul, Seoul Light DMC Tower rises as a gateway to the city. Greeting visitors as they approach from Incheon Airport and points west, the tower will create a first impression of Seoul’s identity as a global city of the future. Together with other future towers, Seoul Light DMC Tower sends a message about Korea’s standing in the world.

The Silver Standard of Living

(Issue of a magazine 6/2010, page 34)

Busan spreading along the Korea Strait is South Korea’s second largest metropolis after Seoul. The most densely built up areas of the city are situated in a number of narrow valleys between the Nakdong River and Suyeong River, with mountains separating some of the districts. Administratively, it is designated as a Metropolitan City, which has a status equivalent to that of a province. Busan is a major regional industrial centre featuring textile, food, metal, electric, chemical, machine and ship building enterprises.

555 Мeters above Grade

(Issue of a magazine 6/2010, page 38)

In recent decades, Asia runs even more zealously for tall records. Surely, it’s rather hard to outdo the famous Burj Khalifa in Dubai, but to enter the Top 3 is the most real prospect. This megastructure for the Republic of Korea should become the second tallest Asian man-made giant. It is assumed that the Lotte Super Tower 123 will eclipse both Jin Mao Building, and Taipei 101, and other Asian high-rises. The design was ordered by Korean Lotte Group to be developed by its construction unit - Lotte Construction. The tower is designed by renowned architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.

Architectural Avant-garde, or Tall Achievements of the Netherlands

(Issue of a magazine 5/2010, page 20)

The Dutch high-rise traditions are deeply rooted. European architectural stylistics are impressively reflected in local buildings of past epochs. Profound Gothic motifs initiated here still in 13th century were prevalent for more than three centuries. The Renaissance erection and especially decoration techniques were acquired by Dutch architecture in 16th century; however, this trend barely affected tall practices. In essence, this artistic methodology is absorbed in the architecture of town halls and residential housing of adjacent plazas.

 

Rotterdam’s New Icons

(Issue of a magazine 5/2010, page 28)

De Rotterdam, a complex of three interconnected mixed-use towers designed by OMA, will go under construction in December 2010, as the developers MAB and OVG have announced. The complex will be constructed at Van’s Kop Zuid (Southern cape), the peninsula on the south bank of Maas directly opposite the city center. Until 70s of past century the area used to be the Rotterdam dockalands and ocean liner terminal, which then was transferred downstream.

Wilhelmina Pier Within

(Issue of a magazine 5/2010, page 32)

Many cities would not be suitable for a high rise residential tower for social fabric and ensuing reasons of urban planning. For the cities that could benefit from residential towers and where they would be applauded, careful planning and marketing is necessary. The success of residential towers has much to do with the city, in which they set to be built. People may not yet be accustomed to the idea of living in a residential tower along with the fact that there remain some negative connotations about them due to the un-human post war buildings geared toward social housing; anonymous concrete structures, placed in undefined public spaces.