Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed?

Willrocks10 · November 30th, 2012, 01:34 PM

Personally I like having them.

EDIT: There has been a lot of confusion over than question, I apologize. The question is Are Spires not needed? A no vote means yes spires are needed (because it is disagreeing with the statement). And Yes means spires are not needed. If there is anymore confusion PM me. Many thanks.

Some examples of spires:

Frankus Maximus · November 30th, 2012, 01:40 PM

Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed?

You might want to re word the question.

Willrocks10 · November 30th, 2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankus Maximus

Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed?

You might want to re word the question.

What I mean is that is that is a spire not needed on a Skyscraper?

hugh · November 30th, 2012, 06:37 PM

FFS.

Ebeneezer_Goode · November 30th, 2012, 07:52 PM

Do skyscrapers need spires?

DarJoLe · November 30th, 2012, 07:56 PM

Depends. I got used to Pan Peninusula without one which with hindsight might have looked odd. Heron's is too small to make any impact from the east and the Shard never got its one.

Core Rising · November 30th, 2012, 08:16 PM

It does depend. They really look great on the Chrysler Building or the Empire State.

However it looks rubbish on the New York Times Building.

ferge · November 30th, 2012, 08:44 PM

For a spire to work means two things (for me, anyway).

1 - The spire is on top of some tiered or tapered roof rather than opting for a stick on a flat roof.
2 - A good lighting scheme to showcase the spire, little point having a feature if you don't make it so (at night anyway).

Although there are always exceptions, one being Aurora Place in Sydney..

The spire isn't even on the highest part of the building but it works (although the presence of the fins would suggest it isn't necessarily needed (aesthetically)).

cnapan · December 1st, 2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Core Rising

It does depend. They really look great on the Chrysler Building or the Empire State.

Agreed

Quote:

However it looks rubbish on the New York Times Building.

Looking east along 42nd street, the spires on a number of buildings (the chrysler being the furthest) really add drama from street level - especially on the approach to Times Square. The NYT building adds (a little) to that, though I thought this building really rather horrible. Quite mean of the architects to spoil the view from almost every window with that shitty mesh.

Take a look at this shot (taken from afar but you get the point (geddit?)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbit75/6177678061/

cnapan · December 1st, 2012, 01:15 PM

Actually, this is a better shot showing the spire on the NYT building:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbit7...in/photostream

It's not a patch on the Chrysler, but without it, the building wouldn't be adding much to the skyline from that angle.

Spires are a great chance for an architect to let go with some design flourishes. Many of the greatest buildings in Europe over a thousand years or more have made a great play of the treatment of the tops of the buildings that can be seen from afar.

Flat roofs are cheaper of course. The Shard could have just ended in a flattish stump. The gherkin could have ended in a round flat roof. Most of the tall buildings in CW do just end in a flat roof, and the cluster suffers as a result.

cnapan · December 1st, 2012, 01:27 PM

Sorry for the machine-gun posting, but during our last trip to NYC we discovered that the Empire State Building's original spire was an airship mooring post!

http://tranquilitybaseblog.blogspot....o-heavens.html

It was a bit of a gimmick but can you imagine arriving in New York like that rather than having to endure the journey from JFK by crazy taxi?

***ill tonkso*** · December 1st, 2012, 05:47 PM

Yeah, its a shame they were already pretty much dead by the time the Empire State was finished. Propeller Aircraft had made their mark by the mid 30's.

Willrocks10 · December 1st, 2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebeneezer_Goode

Do skyscrapers need spires?

Sorry to confuse everyone!

What I mean is that are Spires not needed? Next time I need to not rush making a thread.

***ill tonkso*** · December 1st, 2012, 06:46 PM

From a functional point of view, Spires are usually not needed. Unless they contain communications equipment and the like (I believe the Spinnaker Tower's spire does, not sure about other buildings across the UK). From an aesthetic point of view, unless the skyscraper is something that bases its style around the box format (8 Canada Square, 1 Undershaft) then a spire may actually be detrimental.

Willrocks10 · December 1st, 2012, 06:47 PM

Some more examples:

Ebeneezer_Goode · December 1st, 2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willrocks10

Sorry to confuse everyone!

What I mean is that are Spires not needed?

It's the same question, you're just expressing it in an awkward way.

jdjones · December 1st, 2012, 08:33 PM

Exactly, how do you answer it? if you answer no to 'are spires not needed' that can be seen to be agreeing ('no, spires are not needed') or to disagree with the statement (spires not needed? - No, they are needed).

View Poll Results: Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed?
Yes	4	26.67%
No	5	33.33%
Don't care	6	40.00%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

November 30th, 2012, 01:34 PM	#1
Willrocks10 Waffles Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 672 Likes (Received): 8	Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed? Personally I like having them. EDIT: There has been a lot of confusion over than question, I apologize. The question is Are Spires not needed? A no vote means yes spires are needed (because it is disagreeing with the statement). And Yes means spires are not needed. If there is anymore confusion PM me. Many thanks. Some examples of spires: __________________ Save the United Kingdom: http://bettertogether.net/ and http://www.britishunity.org/ My website: http://willrocks10.webs.com/ My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/westhamwill10?feature=mhee Try this game where you design London's Skyline: http://www.hayesdavidson.com/skyline/ Last edited by Willrocks10; December 3rd, 2012 at 02:57 PM.

November 30th, 2012, 07:56 PM	#6
DarJoLe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 15,667 Likes (Received): 394	Depends. I got used to Pan Peninusula without one which with hindsight might have looked odd. Heron's is too small to make any impact from the east and the Shard never got its one. __________________ "I can quite confidently and with pride say that if everything goes to plan London 2012 will be the best Olympic Games and will surpass Barcelona and Sydney in terms of atmosphere, style and achievement. And not just about the sport. The whole city and its people will come alive and want to be a part of this. It just feels right." DarJoLe, May 19th 2006.

December 1st, 2012, 01:27 PM	#11
cnapan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 846 Likes (Received): 105	Now this is a spire! Sorry for the machine-gun posting, but during our last trip to NYC we discovered that the Empire State Building's original spire was an airship mooring post! http://tranquilitybaseblog.blogspot....o-heavens.html It was a bit of a gimmick but can you imagine arriving in New York like that rather than having to endure the journey from JFK by crazy taxi?

December 1st, 2012, 05:47 PM	#12
*ill tonkso* Portsmouths Finest, Maybe Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 14,115 Likes (Received): 217	Yeah, its a shame they were already pretty much dead by the time the Empire State was finished. Propeller Aircraft had made their mark by the mid 30's. __________________ Official Skyscrapercity 'Support the Shard at London Bridge' Facebook Group! Ill-Tonkso.co.uk - My Portfolio Website

November 30th, 2012, 01:40 PM	#2
Frankus Maximus Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ascot Posts: 630 Likes (Received): 11	Do you think putting a spire on top of a skyscraper is not needed? You might want to re word the question.

November 30th, 2012, 06:37 PM	#4
hugh Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Don't call it Frisco Posts: 1,093 Likes (Received): 68	FFS.

November 30th, 2012, 07:52 PM	#5
Ebeneezer_Goode Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 404 Likes (Received): 66	Do skyscrapers need spires?

November 30th, 2012, 08:16 PM	#7
Core Rising Ampersands & What Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London/ Nottingham Posts: 4,834	It does depend. They really look great on the Chrysler Building or the Empire State. However it looks rubbish on the New York Times Building.

November 30th, 2012, 08:44 PM	#8
ferge Like 'Berg' Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wigan Posts: 5,424 Likes (Received): 85	For a spire to work means two things (for me, anyway). 1 - The spire is on top of some tiered or tapered roof rather than opting for a stick on a flat roof. 2 - A good lighting scheme to showcase the spire, little point having a feature if you don't make it so (at night anyway). Although there are always exceptions, one being Aurora Place in Sydney.. The spire isn't even on the highest part of the building but it works (although the presence of the fins would suggest it isn't necessarily needed (aesthetically)).

December 1st, 2012, 01:15 PM	#10
cnapan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 846 Likes (Received): 105	Actually, this is a better shot showing the spire on the NYT building: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbit7...in/photostream It's not a patch on the Chrysler, but without it, the building wouldn't be adding much to the skyline from that angle. Spires are a great chance for an architect to let go with some design flourishes. Many of the greatest buildings in Europe over a thousand years or more have made a great play of the treatment of the tops of the buildings that can be seen from afar. Flat roofs are cheaper of course. The Shard could have just ended in a flattish stump. The gherkin could have ended in a round flat roof. Most of the tall buildings in CW do just end in a flat roof, and the cluster suffers as a result.

December 1st, 2012, 06:46 PM	#14
*ill tonkso* Portsmouths Finest, Maybe Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 14,115 Likes (Received): 217	From a functional point of view, Spires are usually not needed. Unless they contain communications equipment and the like (I believe the Spinnaker Tower's spire does, not sure about other buildings across the UK). From an aesthetic point of view, unless the skyscraper is something that bases its style around the box format (8 Canada Square, 1 Undershaft) then a spire may actually be detrimental. __________________ Official Skyscrapercity 'Support the Shard at London Bridge' Facebook Group! Ill-Tonkso.co.uk - My Portfolio Website

December 1st, 2012, 06:47 PM	#15
Willrocks10 Waffles Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 672 Likes (Received): 8	Some more examples: __________________ Save the United Kingdom: http://bettertogether.net/ and http://www.britishunity.org/ My website: http://willrocks10.webs.com/ My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/westhamwill10?feature=mhee Try this game where you design London's Skyline: http://www.hayesdavidson.com/skyline/

December 1st, 2012, 08:33 PM	#17
jdjones Citizen Not Subject Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2,378 Likes (Received): 269	Exactly, how do you answer it? if you answer no to 'are spires not needed' that can be seen to be agreeing ('no, spires are not needed') or to disagree with the statement (spires not needed? - No, they are needed). __________________ GIF-Master Extraordinaire "All religion, my friend, is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry" - Edgar Allan Poe

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