Torre David

***Jan*** · January 20th, 2013, 01:01 PM

Torre David is about some other way of skyscraperliving. The building (or: Centro Financiero Confinanzas) started construction in 1990 but as the tower's investor died in 1993 and because of the Venezuelan banking crisis of 1994 it has been standing some 90% completed ever since. In 2007 the tower became occupied by squatters.

The other day I read this book which is the product of a 2-year research of the tower undertaken by a group of architects.

The book praises the self governing nature of the residents, and tries to establish ideas that could help them improve the conditions even further (mainly based on adding wind turbines and vertical transport)

What the book doesn't do is ask locals what they think of this tower and the way it is being used, so I went over the our Venezuela forum and asked them what they think of. Well, they all loath it, and I think they have good reasons for that.

Anyway, if you're interested in shaping your own opinion, you can read the book and that thread now.

***Kenny*** · January 20th, 2013, 11:35 PM

What an interesting situation..

http://thefunambulist.net/2011/07/28...sms-structure/

It almost seems that it isn't impossible to convert this building to proper low cost housing, especially with a leftist government in Venezuela.

Eric Offereins · January 21st, 2013, 09:52 PM

It is basically a vertical slum, by the looks of it.

***Kenny*** · January 22nd, 2013, 01:29 AM

But as I see it, it doesn't seem to be far off from rescue.

Suburbanist · January 22nd, 2013, 02:25 PM

Converting office buildings to residences is not easy (depending on desing). Residences require much more plumbing, and very different office plans.

Wide office buildings probably wave windowless rooms or at least rooms facing corridors/internal patios, which is an horrible situation for a residential unit (it is like living on a cruise ship cabin).

Hopefully they evict all squatters and rebuild the thing when the Chavez government fades away.

***ikops*** · January 23rd, 2013, 09:42 AM

So what happened between 1994 and 2007? Did nobody ever venture there?

***Jan*** · January 23rd, 2013, 03:49 PM

The books reads the construction site was guarded, but there isn't much 2 security guards can do when a good number of squatters are banging at the door. The political context didn't allow to force these people out once they were in.

***Kenny*** · January 25th, 2013, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suburbanist

Converting office buildings to residences is not easy (depending on desing). Residences require much more plumbing, and very different office plans.

Wide office buildings probably wave windowless rooms or at least rooms facing corridors/internal patios, which is an horrible situation for a residential unit (it is like living on a cruise ship cabin).

Hopefully they evict all squatters and rebuild the thing when the Chavez government fades away.

This LA building was converted from office to residential.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1496932

sabalo · January 26th, 2013, 03:16 AM

It's a shame, IT IS a vertical slum.

***Jan*** · January 26th, 2013, 07:04 AM

Here is a recent blog article on the matter.

Eric Offereins · January 27th, 2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny

This LA building was converted from office to residential.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1496932

With an ugly base.

It may take a lot of work to convert a completed building from office to apartments.
The Torre David is about half way. The best way forward is just to get rid of the squatters and complete the building,
either as office or apartements for middle or higher class occupants.

Kiboko · January 27th, 2013, 04:46 PM

Fascinating developments. It looks like an ultimate example of society in decay. As if the city is starting to be overgrown by jungle.

January 20th, 2013, 01:01 PM	#1
*Jan* High there, what's up! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 14,438 Likes (Received): 499	Torre David Torre David is about some other way of skyscraperliving. The building (or: Centro Financiero Confinanzas) started construction in 1990 but as the tower's investor died in 1993 and because of the Venezuelan banking crisis of 1994 it has been standing some 90% completed ever since. In 2007 the tower became occupied by squatters. The other day I read this book which is the product of a 2-year research of the tower undertaken by a group of architects. The book praises the self governing nature of the residents, and tries to establish ideas that could help them improve the conditions even further (mainly based on adding wind turbines and vertical transport) What the book doesn't do is ask locals what they think of this tower and the way it is being used, so I went over the our Venezuela forum and asked them what they think of. Well, they all loath it, and I think they have good reasons for that. Anyway, if you're interested in shaping your own opinion, you can read the book and that thread now.

January 26th, 2013, 03:16 AM	#9
sabalo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 259 Likes (Received): 6	It's a shame, IT IS a vertical slum. __________________ Si los comunistas gobernaran el Sahara, pronto habría escasez de arena

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January 20th, 2013, 11:35 PM	#2
*Kenny* SSC Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles \| San Salvador Posts: 18,179 Likes (Received): 467	What an interesting situation.. http://thefunambulist.net/2011/07/28...sms-structure/ It almost seems that it isn't impossible to convert this building to proper low cost housing, especially with a leftist government in Venezuela.

January 21st, 2013, 09:52 PM	#3
Eric Offereins The only way is up Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 35,602 Likes (Received): 603	It is basically a vertical slum, by the looks of it.

January 22nd, 2013, 01:29 AM	#4
*Kenny* SSC Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles \| San Salvador Posts: 18,179 Likes (Received): 467	But as I see it, it doesn't seem to be far off from rescue.

January 22nd, 2013, 02:25 PM	#5
Suburbanist SPQR Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 14,809 Likes (Received): 1060	Converting office buildings to residences is not easy (depending on desing). Residences require much more plumbing, and very different office plans. Wide office buildings probably wave windowless rooms or at least rooms facing corridors/internal patios, which is an horrible situation for a residential unit (it is like living on a cruise ship cabin). Hopefully they evict all squatters and rebuild the thing when the Chavez government fades away.

January 23rd, 2013, 09:42 AM	#6
*ikops* Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Den Haag Posts: 5,923 Likes (Received): 130	So what happened between 1994 and 2007? Did nobody ever venture there?

January 23rd, 2013, 03:49 PM	#7
*Jan* High there, what's up! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 14,438 Likes (Received): 499	The books reads the construction site was guarded, but there isn't much 2 security guards can do when a good number of squatters are banging at the door. The political context didn't allow to force these people out once they were in.

January 26th, 2013, 07:04 AM	#10
*Jan* High there, what's up! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 14,438 Likes (Received): 499	Here is a recent blog article on the matter.

January 27th, 2013, 04:46 PM	#12
Kiboko hubba hubba Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,225	Fascinating developments. It looks like an ultimate example of society in decay. As if the city is starting to be overgrown by jungle.