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Old 07-22-2016, 09:51 AM
 
Location: The "original 36" of SA
841 posts, read 1,749,979 times
Reputation: 690

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Remington Steel View Post
That's weird. I would think just the opposite. Developers FROM San Antonio with their own idea of the local architecture, not an out-of-town firm with visions of "the future" an bringing the San Antonio skyline up to par with other major cities.

Kinda weird, isn't it? Nope, look up the architects for the most "modern styled" buildings in San Antonio and you will almost always find a local architect as the lead. In fact, we have some architectural firms in SA that are recognized (and working) around the nation for excellent design... and not for designing beige stucco boxes either. For example, both the new Austin Central Library and UT Austin's Liberal Arts Building are designed by different local firms. If you want a mostly glass example, the new Frost building in Westover Hills was designed by another San Antonio architecture firm. Also, check out the Briscoe Museum - still another local firm involved.


The problem is that good design can cost money, and usually most developers want quick and cheap because it will be put up for sale in 5 years. They will therefore gravitate to firms that specialize in that particular project type (usually based out-of-town). It all starts with the client, so when you get one that wants excellent design... that is usually what you get. Since almost all of the recent "skyline changing" projects have been hotels, we have had to endure beige... with accents of dark beige.


Final thought about local vs. not: A local architect will often go above and beyond and infuse a project with better design than required. I live in SAISD, and I'm specifically thinking of the additions to Hawthorne Academy vs. Jefferson High School. Hawthorne's addition was designed by a local firm (no, I do not work for them) and has a really nice multi-color metal panel design. Jefferson's addition was designed by a well-known and respected national architect... but they delivered boredom, as they simply took an existing building and stretched it. There was the opportunity to deliver something better, but they just played it safe. It was the San Antonio architect that had visions of "the future".
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Old 08-08-2016, 05:04 PM
 
3,247 posts, read 9,062,124 times
Reputation: 1526
The new icon tower is not even 30 stories, what a disappointment.When will downtown get a real iconic tower?
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Old 08-08-2016, 05:10 PM
 
1,042 posts, read 881,543 times
Reputation: 1445
Quote:
Originally Posted by imaterry78259 View Post
The new icon tower is not even 30 stories, what a disappointment.When will downtown get a real iconic tower?
I agree. I'm also sick of hearing the term 'skyscraper' misused on this new project.

Is it something new? Yep. Is it something interesting? Not really.
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