Aqua Tower: Chicago

 

Image by: R.L. Segal

We’re about to do something we really shouldn’t do on a proprietary blog – talk about another firm’s project. But the world is not made up of Plex projects…although wouldn’t that be something?

From our living room window, one can see the top of the Aqua Tower, which is quickly nearing completion in the River East area of Chicago. Many bloggers, critics, and laypeople have had their say about this building, so I’ll attempt to add my take on the topic quickly, as to get you back to your more thorough investigation of it.  As with many new buildings in Chicago and throughout the world (including the Trump Tower and the Calatrava Spire), one may say what they want about the aesthetic of the building. One may like it or dislike it. One may think it’s too wavy, or from certain angles, the slabs look to thin, or it’s too tall, or its not tall enough, or the facets of certain balconies looks strange, or it doesn’t fit within any context, or the patterns do not align or coexist beautifully enough. There are certain criticisms of Studio Gang’s design which might actually be worth something. But to anyone outside of the architectural sphere – to the people who this building was actually built for – what does it really matter? This is a new building which makes people talk about architecture. From the street merchants, to the investment bankers, every day thousands of Chicagoans are looking up towards the sky and seeing something they’ve never seen before – and boy, is that refreshing.

We must applaud Studio Gang not only for designing a(nother) groundbreaking piece of urban architecture, not only for thinking it up in the first place, but for remaining steadfast in their vision for YEARS, for taking all the punches from the typical Chicago folk who only want to see (ridiculously) simplified Louis Sullivan buildings and Wal-Marts constructed. For convincing their client that, yes, design IS worth extra time, headaches, and maybe even money. (Can you imagine?) That through art, inspiration, and passion, maybe a stupid building CAN create a better, more thoughtful and wonderful life for us who are lucky enough to either live in or within eyeshot from this new beacon of imagination.

While this building is growing on me, as a rival architect, I am contractually bound not to like it 100%. But for anyone to discuss this building and NOT to give it immense credit is certainly either jealous, ill-informed, or naive.  The Aqua Tower represents everything that architecture should be: technologically advanced,  simple, audacious and stimulating.

Filed under: Architecture, General

SoulStice

A while ago, Plex were lucky enough to work with SoulStice on some artwork on a few of his hip-hop albums. For those who don’t know, SoulStice is an up and coming hip hop artist based in the Baltimore/DC area, and a close personal friend.  He’s also a signal processing engineer at Johns Hopkins, so if you’re trying to criticize him on ANY front….good luck. The man’s got pretty much everything pretty much figured out.

Well, as it turns out, Soulstice has a new album out called “Beyond Borders,” and iTunes has decided to highlight it on their hip hop front page. So please check it out – and don’t forget to go through some of his older stuff as well – you might see a bit of Plex out there! Plus, don’t forget to check out his collaboration entitled “Wade Waters” – it’s certainly a keeper.

Plex wishes SoulStice all the best of luck – but really – he doesn’t need luck. He’s got all the skills, intelligence, and integrity to make it on his own.

Filed under: Graphic Design, News

M-House Photos

Plex is proud to announce the completion of the M-House in Tokyo, Japan. Upon our recent visit to Japan we were able to take some photos and present them to you here. The M-House sits on a typical Tokyo lot, on a site which slopes away from the street. Because of this, the best views through Tokyo and Yokohama beyond are out the rear of the site. Therefore, the street facade is mainly solid – maintaining visual privacy to the family as well as keeping out the sometimes harsh sound of traffic.  Upon entering the residence, the user is turned around by entering on the side, and ascending up the main stair parallel to the street, rather than the more typical perpendicular orientation. Once arriving at the second, or main living floor, the user makes a 180-degree turn, completing the disorienting path to the living space. Now, the user is unaware of front/back and only concentrates on the views given to them by the continuous windows along the South and East walls, and the ample space afforded by the Great Room, containing dining, relaxing, and conversing spaces.

Continuing up to the third house are two large bedrooms for the children, who inhabit their own floor complete with private bathroom and exterior terrace. The roof can also be accessed easily by another permanent staircase, and once on the roof, 360-degree views of the Tokyo metropolitan area open up, as the roof level is the highest point in the neighborhood. 

Filed under: Architecture, Photos