What does everyone think of this? :)



Walbrook Square
The City of London

Height: 107m
Floors: 22
Architect: Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel
Developer: Legal & General


This tower's unusual shape has earned it the nickname of "Darth Vader's helmet". In addition to the main building, there will be
a publicly accessible exhibition space housing the remains of the Roman Temple of Mithras, which used to stand on this site.
Work is expected to get underway in October 2007.



Scroll to the far right (there are actually 3 pictures. The one on the far right is the new design) ---> ---> --->


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/1.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/2.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/6.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/3.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/5.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/7.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/8.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/9.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/10.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/11.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/walbrook_square/4.jpg

I hate this project. What stands there now is abysmal but this is just as bad. How can you take two of the world's best architects, Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel, and yet still come out with such an piss poor building? :dunno: It has no coherence whatsoever.

There are some really exciting projects in the City but this is not one of them.

I think it looks great from some angles - but rather bulky and awkward from others. The best place to see it will be from outside the Bank of England in my opinion (as shown in the 2nd and 3rd pictures).

Best proposal in the city after the pinnacle & 122LH. great use of a central site & some very interesting architecture.

I think it´s great. The lower more boxy part of the building is a bit ugly though. I don´t like how it´s looming over the street.

The tower component looks like a funky Japanese capsule hotel.

this one is weird. i like it but i dont at the same time? im not sure! interesting at least. too clumpy from certain views for my liking too.

Man those are some piss poor renderings.

I don't think it looks bad.Maybe it will look too fat when you look at it from the other bank of the river.
The facade is strange and the render doesn't give a good idea of how it will look.

horrible

nice

I quite like this scheme, but I'd be interested to see a rendering from Waterloo Bridge to see how much it invades St Pauls' space on the skyline: I suspect it may be a little too close for comfort.

Omg, What terrible pictures, It looks like it was taken in the 80's with that quality.

i wish they proposed a 60's tower block instead of this

terrible

and how is it named Darth Vaders helmet? i don't see any resemblance

If I post this model, from this angle, then surely you notice a resemblance...

http://i15.tinypic.com/4t7l7h2.jpg

Hideous, far to bulky for the skyline

I am going off this project - it's shape, a gradually inclining slope to a wide upper section, has a quality which is the opposite of "soar". Although I really like the design and its audacity, it is yet another example of London going for iconic rather than coherent. The skyline will look a bit of a mess, undoing the excellent job that Bishopsgate, 122LH and Heron are going to do.

IThe skyline will look a bit of a mess, undoing the excellent job that Bishopsgate, 122LH and Heron are going to do.

Not really. In fact, it actually binds the cluster better together when you see it from the west by creating a rather cool 'rippling' element between Swiss Re and 20FC.

I'm really not convinced, but then all that anyone has seen are renders, which as someone else has pointed out, are not of a fantastic quality. But, whilst not taking issue with interesting and challenging architecture, this one does provide support to those who believe that there exists an inconsistency and incoherence in London's architectural development.

I'm really not convinced, but then all that anyone has seen are renders, which as someone else has pointed out, are not of a fantastic quality.

http://i17.tinypic.com/45190lf.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/4ibi3wx.jpg

it actually looks like a skyscraper which has melted and spilt all over the place. worst sky/groundscraper on the planet EVER.
it will totally ruin londons soon to be great skyline.

Just horrible!!! :uh: :no: :puke:

As I said, the renders are quite unimpressive. But the ones that are available do emphasise a lateral sprawl which is most of out of keeping with its environment. But I guess it is great for the ego of the architect, which often appears to be the prime consideration.

I like it.

I like it as well, and dispite the odd blib in their portfolios i have real confidence in the architects involved in the proposal bringing a quality addition to the CoL.

not sure about this yet.

surprised English Heritage hasn't stopped this one.

Yeah, weird design.

The design has been modified from the one that has been posted on here by the way. The bit that sticks out is now thinner and minus the smooth edge and im not sure whether it resembles some evil monster anymore.

I tried my best to like this project, and upon failing that, tried to see its architectural merit - but I can't.

While other developments are going upwards this one is going outwards and it's not a good thing.

just. amazing.:banana::banana:

ah im glad this has got approval. i always liked how sriking it was on the skyline. and its really nice to have a more organic shape amongst the more angular buildings of the city

ugly from my point of view london need something tall for change.

Gorgeous Design

not sure about this yet.

surprised English Heritage hasn't stopped this one.

Why be surprised? It isn't tall so it is accepted.

ugly from my point of view london need something tall for change.

Apart from 122 Leadenhall, The Pinnacle, Heron and LBT right? :crazy:

This site isn't suitable for anything tall: it's on the western fringe of the city closest to St Paul's. We have actively been demolishing buildings at this end of the cluster to make St Paul's more prominent (Draper's Gardens)

lol yeah thats what i thought. because its not like london doesn't have tons of high rise projects on the go.

It looks a bit like a blob of playdough, that's been dumped over the City. It seems to take up so much space, like the bottom of it is eating up the surrounding buildings and streets. I'm not sure what I make of it...

Demolition

Beginning to get covered by the sheet of death. Couple of cranes up and the sound of demolition machinery all around.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/5164527177_a11d6a8777_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1219/5164536319_1d43df5095_b.jpg

="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5164558327_057ba98ae2_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/5165169876_f090423143_b.jpg

Not sure about this one.

Demolition keeps going ahead.

by Cranesetc.

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrooka230211.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrookb230211.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrookc230211.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrookd230211.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrooke230211.jpg

I had not seen this one before. Quite a weird design. :)

Demolition is at a good pace.

by nrm the 2nd

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5564768766_a5ff89f806_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5564174137_270b8605a2_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5564732996_7d798c526f_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5564125879_7f4ee2ebf6_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5564079863_612e16a593_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5564636546_2576fed1ae_b.jpg

Ugly architecture :puke: sorry

Why are you sorry? It's coming down!

:wtf::wtf::wtf:

that's really ugly, poor london

Am i right in thinking this has since had a redesign? or is currently going through one? or am i thinking of some other crystaline London project? it just rings a bell thats all :)

Am i right in thinking this has since had a redesign? or is currently going through one? or am i thinking of some other crystaline London project? it just rings a bell thats all :)

Yep, it's just Foster now.

Don't know when the redesign will be released though.

Good news!

by Cranesetc.

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrooka270411.jpg

by jimbo.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2360/img0773ni.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrookd230211.jpg
destroy this for that ?
http://i15.tinypic.com/4t7l7h2.jpg
SHAME !!

http://homepage.mac.com/cirquefilm/vfxhistory/AWARDS/IMAGES/60/TIME/time_lemmings.jpg

Almost gone now.

by nrm the 2nd.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5874067464_19594669a9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/5874170618_ccd200cc50_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5873717045_811fb7974c_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5873662079_fc1f2e9d38_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5873675635_efb3a62607_b.jpg

by Cranesetc.

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/walbrook010811.jpg

I personally loved the original design... it would have balanced out Fenchurch St tower on the other side of the city cluster.

It's a terrible design, with no finesse, no refinement, no subtlety, no elegance. I am very disappointed to hear that the architects are Foster and Nouvel. My only hope is that the actual building will look totally different from these renders....

I second that.

First time I've seen this and personally, I think it's horrible.

http://i17.tinypic.com/45190lf.jpg



I like it! its special, something different..

especially on this pictures, it looks great!

by chest.

http://web.me.com/benveasey/_MG_5159.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/_MG_5170.JPG

http://web.me.com/benveasey/_MG_5171.jpg

If I post this model, from this angle, then surely you notice a resemblance...

http://i15.tinypic.com/4t7l7h2.jpg

On the basis of that, what should this building be called?

How about 'The stormtrooper' or 'Darth Vader'?

I was in Walbrook this weekend for London Open House, and the removal of the hideous 60s complex around the temple of minerva was a great relief.

Poor old St. Stephen's. It's becoming surrounded by aliens.

Isn't this the old design?

I don't think the design has changed.

by hella good.

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/saturns_stingray/P1470823.jpg

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/saturns_stingray/P1470826.jpg

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/saturns_stingray/P1470900.jpg

I have finally seen the ugliest highrise ever. This is plain depressing trash.

I cannot believe they are actually building it. Its going to ruin everything around it.

I don't think they are actually building it - pretty sure this is being built instead:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/pictures/636x441fitpad[237]/0/4/9/1711049_Bloomberg-Place.JPG

Yes, I think that's the approved design.

Not daring enough, I prefered Dark Vador's scheme...

I don't think they are actually building it - pretty sure this is being built instead:


WHAT!!! They are not building my lair!!!

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/8158/thumbnailca05apa2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/thumbnailca05apa2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)