#107 l US Steel Tower l PITTSBURGH l 256m l 64fl

SteelCity32 · October 15th, 2002, 11:13 PM

US Steel Tower
Pittsburgh, USA

HEIGHT: 256m/841 feet
FLOORS: 64 floors
COMPLETION: 1970
ARCHITECT: Harrison, Abramovitz & Abbe

In its initial planning stages, the U.S. Steel Corporation considered building the world's tallest building. Once completed, it was the world's tallest building outside of New York and Chicago.
The exterior load-supporting structure and the skin are separate and mould the character of the facade. The steel columns stand out against the set-back curtain wall and accentuate the verticals, giving the facade a 3-dimensional quality. The materialisation of the external load-bearing structure is quite strriking: for the first time, the steel is exposed. This was made possible with a novel method - after performing fireproof tests - of constructing the columns. The hollow steel columns, which are positioned approximately 90cm in front of the facade, were filled with a water-based solution containing antifreeze and anti-corrosion additives. Apart from its originality, this method saved the client about $1 million.

Last three pics are from http://www.pittsburghskyline.com/

Caledon1981 · October 16th, 2002, 12:52 AM

it is very imposing .. 6.5/10 . . . i keep forgetting it has a triangle shape. . and i heard somewhere that they planned back in the day to make this the world's tallest??

DrumCorpsAlum · October 16th, 2002, 01:07 AM

6.5/10. Nothing special.

SteelCity32 · October 16th, 2002, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by caledon1981
it is very imposing .. 6.5/10 . . . i keep forgetting it has a triangle shape. . and i heard somewhere that they planned back in the day to make this the world's tallest??

yeah. Around 1970 it was planned to be the worlds tallest. I wonder what happened to that?

Jasonhouse · October 16th, 2002, 02:01 AM

I added some pics and info for ya there... Hope you don't mind...

I really can't think of a design that would say "Pittsburgh" more than this. It is powerful, imposing, industrial, almost "dirty" looking. It shape reflects the triagular shape of the delta that DT Pittsburgh is built upon. The exposed structural steel is the perfect aestetic for a city affectionately known as the "Steel City'...

Not my favorite look for a tower, but the concept is very strong, and easy to read.

8.0/10

AG · October 16th, 2002, 09:51 AM

Quite a good triangular building, though it would look more interesting if it had more setbacks.

7/10

Patrick · October 16th, 2002, 01:57 PM

6.0 I don't like the fassade

Steely Dan · October 16th, 2002, 02:39 PM

A BIG GIGANTIC 10/10

i love this tower, one of my top 5 in the world. the steel work is amazing and the overall building is just so beautifully black. amazing, amazing, amazing. my only complaint is that i wish it were in my city, but it suits pittsburgh to a tee and is very much at home in "steel city"

RafflesCity · October 16th, 2002, 04:09 PM

8.5/10

Looks powerful and black suits it too. It has a triangular floorplan, which scores in my book..better than a predictable box.

SteelCity32 · October 16th, 2002, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jasonhouse
I added some pics and info for ya there... Hope you don't mind...
8.0/10

Nah, I don't mind. Glad you added more. I couldn't find many on Google. And It still wont allow me to link images from sc.com

SUNNI · October 19th, 2002, 10:46 AM

i dont like the colour... rest is good
8/10

DamienK · October 19th, 2002, 05:47 PM

Looks good up close. 7/10 Does it have a helipad?

October 19th, 2002, 10:12 PM

Not great. 6.5/10.

AndrewC · October 20th, 2002, 03:19 PM

Its interesting design and sleekness has the potential to appeal to people but I'm not getting anything.

5/10

cgrassham · October 21st, 2002, 01:46 AM

Unusual and I like the windows 8/10

CTroyMathis · October 21st, 2002, 03:15 AM

The steelwork is tremendous, as well as it's dominant Pittsburgh footprint! 7.

October 21st, 2002, 09:21 AM

This tower kicks ass! The material (core-ten steel) is allowed to surface rust, sealing the inside and giving the building it's dark color and matt texture.

The look is not appealing to everyone but I love it. There is a nice plaza and the entrance to the building is big, glassy and transparant so that the bulk appears to "hover" over it. It's very unique and a nice innovation over the typical glass-box. Perfect for Pittsburgh!

9/10

Muse · October 21st, 2002, 10:52 AM

It screams the U.S. steel industry. In context, an apt design and perfect for the P.R. department.

8.5

November 10th, 2002, 06:29 AM

That is just ugly.

4.5/10

November 11th, 2002, 01:54 AM

I would give it credit for the steel exo-frame and triangular shape. Perhaps it overdoes it in terms of trying to evoke industry, but it certainly is more articulated and interesting than most of the boxy skyscrapers of that period. Still, the black color makes it look ominous and ugly. IMO it would really help this building to paint the wall surfaces a lighter color and leave the beams black. That would both better highlight the exterior frame and make the whole thing look less like Darth Vader's earth headquarters. 7/10.

View Poll Results: US Steel Tower/ USX Tower, Pittsburgh
10	38	7.74%
9.5	6	1.22%
9.0	32	6.52%
8.5	25	5.09%
8.0	55	11.20%
7.5	41	8.35%
7.0	67	13.65%
6.5	32	6.52%
6.0	34	6.92%
5.5	19	3.87%
5.0	33	6.72%
4.5	16	3.26%
4.0	20	4.07%
3.5	10	2.04%
3 or less	63	12.83%
Voters: 491. You may not vote on this poll

October 16th, 2002, 12:52 AM	#2
Caledon1981 --------- Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: OKC Posts: 217 Likes (Received): 0	it is very imposing .. 6.5/10 . . . i keep forgetting it has a triangle shape. . and i heard somewhere that they planned back in the day to make this the world's tallest?? __________________ --------

October 16th, 2002, 01:07 AM	#3
DrumCorpsAlum Phoenix, AZ/Camden, SC Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ/Camden, SC Posts: 320 Likes (Received): 0	6.5/10. Nothing special. __________________ http://www.galleychronicles.com http://www.facebook.com/DrumCorpsAlum

October 16th, 2002, 01:57 PM	#7
Patrick DWF Alaaf! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kurtrier / Herzogtum Nassau Posts: 2,734 Likes (Received): 291	6.0 I don't like the fassade __________________ Viquet oisch, Motz d'Öropp!

October 16th, 2002, 02:39 PM	#8
Steely Dan facist lord of the cosmos Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: old style city Posts: 2,598 Likes (Received): 5	A BIG GIGANTIC 10/10 i love this tower, one of my top 5 in the world. the steel work is amazing and the overall building is just so beautifully black. amazing, amazing, amazing. my only complaint is that i wish it were in my city, but it suits pittsburgh to a tee and is very much at home in "steel city" __________________ "I wish they'd hurry up and just destroy humanity already........... it's the waiting that I can't stand" - Philip J. Fry

October 15th, 2002, 11:13 PM	#1
SteelCity32 Don't be that guy! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,098 Likes (Received): 0	#107 l US Steel Tower l PITTSBURGH l 256m l 64fl US Steel Tower Pittsburgh, USA HEIGHT: 256m/841 feet FLOORS: 64 floors COMPLETION: 1970 ARCHITECT: Harrison, Abramovitz & Abbe In its initial planning stages, the U.S. Steel Corporation considered building the world's tallest building. Once completed, it was the world's tallest building outside of New York and Chicago. The exterior load-supporting structure and the skin are separate and mould the character of the facade. The steel columns stand out against the set-back curtain wall and accentuate the verticals, giving the facade a 3-dimensional quality. The materialisation of the external load-bearing structure is quite strriking: for the first time, the steel is exposed. This was made possible with a novel method - after performing fireproof tests - of constructing the columns. The hollow steel columns, which are positioned approximately 90cm in front of the facade, were filled with a water-based solution containing antifreeze and anti-corrosion additives. Apart from its originality, this method saved the client about $1 million. Last three pics are from http://www.pittsburghskyline.com/ __________________ I often dream of huge numb buildings, jet black sinister architecture. Being installed when nobody sees. Their appearence so sudden that few would take notice. Last edited by ZZ-II; June 23rd, 2008 at 08:01 PM.

October 16th, 2002, 02:01 AM	#5
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,270 Likes (Received): 8	I added some pics and info for ya there... Hope you don't mind... I really can't think of a design that would say "Pittsburgh" more than this. It is powerful, imposing, industrial, almost "dirty" looking. It shape reflects the triagular shape of the delta that DT Pittsburgh is built upon. The exposed structural steel is the perfect aestetic for a city affectionately known as the "Steel City'... Not my favorite look for a tower, but the concept is very strong, and easy to read. 8.0/10

October 16th, 2002, 09:51 AM	#6
AG Engineer in training Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gladstone (ex. Adelaide) Posts: 2,022 Likes (Received): 0	Quite a good triangular building, though it would look more interesting if it had more setbacks. 7/10

October 16th, 2002, 04:09 PM	#9
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 2	8.5/10 Looks powerful and black suits it too. It has a triangular floorplan, which scores in my book..better than a predictable box.

October 19th, 2002, 10:46 AM	#11
SUNNI architect by day Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 3,059 Likes (Received): 0	i dont like the colour... rest is good 8/10 __________________ kr.au

October 19th, 2002, 05:47 PM	#12
DamienK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth Posts: 3,258 Likes (Received): 12	Looks good up close. 7/10 Does it have a helipad? __________________ 21st Century Coeds - Some things never change Read the webcomic

October 19th, 2002, 10:12 PM	#13
Sunflower Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	Not great. 6.5/10.

October 20th, 2002, 03:19 PM	#14
AndrewC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sheffield Posts: 11,903 Likes (Received): 1	Its interesting design and sleekness has the potential to appeal to people but I'm not getting anything. 5/10 __________________ Any progress on this?

October 21st, 2002, 01:46 AM	#15
cgrassham Burned Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pontefract, UK Posts: 324 Likes (Received): 0	Unusual and I like the windows 8/10

October 21st, 2002, 03:15 AM	#16
CTroyMathis Sea™ Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dallas.TX Previously:New London.CT/Portsmouth.NH Posts: 290 Likes (Received): 0	The steelwork is tremendous, as well as it's dominant Pittsburgh footprint! 7.

October 21st, 2002, 09:21 AM	#17
enzo Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	This tower kicks ass! The material (core-ten steel) is allowed to surface rust, sealing the inside and giving the building it's dark color and matt texture. The look is not appealing to everyone but I love it. There is a nice plaza and the entrance to the building is big, glassy and transparant so that the bulk appears to "hover" over it. It's very unique and a nice innovation over the typical glass-box. Perfect for Pittsburgh! 9/10

October 21st, 2002, 10:52 AM	#18
Muse Supernature Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 8,630 Likes (Received): 7	It screams the U.S. steel industry. In context, an apt design and perfect for the P.R. department. 8.5

November 10th, 2002, 06:29 AM	#19
Steven Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	That is just ugly. 4.5/10

November 11th, 2002, 01:54 AM	#20
Subdude Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	I would give it credit for the steel exo-frame and triangular shape. Perhaps it overdoes it in terms of trying to evoke industry, but it certainly is more articulated and interesting than most of the boxy skyscrapers of that period. Still, the black color makes it look ominous and ugly. IMO it would really help this building to paint the wall surfaces a lighter color and leave the beams black. That would both better highlight the exterior frame and make the whole thing look less like Darth Vader's earth headquarters. 7/10.

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