Frank Gehry's Beekman tower is a vertical concrete wonderland. Known as the tallest tower in the western hemisphere, Beekman tower is a 76-story, 870-foot tall behemoth of a building (which is pretty damn sexy, if I do say so myself).
Beekkman tower is made using reinforced concrete, and its stainless steel facade has a wrinkling effect to it. The wrinkled Beekman tower is affected by light that changes throughout the day, which transforms its dynamic exterior. In other words, the building seems to change shape with different sun angles. Due to much controversy regarding its being constructed, the building had a high chance of being only half its size due to critics saying it was too opulent for a struggling economy. The wrinkled Beekman tower's amenities include an elementary school, a space for a downtown New York hospital, luxury apartments and an underground parking garage.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Dynamic Exterior
- The shape-changing exterior of Beekman tower presents opportunities for innovative architectural designs that adapt to changing environments.
- Wrinkling Effect
- Utilizing the concept of wrinkling effects in building facades opens up possibilities for visually striking and unique architectural designs.
- Controversial Architecture
- The controversy surrounding the construction of Beekman tower highlights the potential for disruptive approaches to building and development projects.
Where This Applies
- Architecture and Design
- Architects and designers can explore new techniques and materials to create buildings with dynamic exteriors and visually distinct effects.
- Real Estate
- Developers can leverage controversial designs to create unique properties that generate interest and appeal to a niche market.
- Construction
- Construction companies can innovate by incorporating dynamic exterior elements into their building projects, offering a competitive advantage in the industry.
