Wednesday, October 22, 2008

More Towers


More towers, yes, but no more like this! As a matter of fact, the next tower that is going to be built in Paris will have very little to do with that kind of quick and dirty 70ish cheap skyscraper - nor with the Montparnasse style tower! - but with a stunning, ambitious architectural project. It will be called "Le triangle", will be located in the 15th arrondissement and will be more like a "vertical city" (in which you'll find apartments, offices, cafés, gardens...) than anything else. It's just a project for the time being, but I really hope it will be built. Have a look at this little video, I'm sure you will agree ;)

50 comments:

  1. That was somewhat different than most buildings I'm use to seeing. I like the "Le triangle" look. Very different, as I said before. Oh, well, gramma's are known for repeating themselves~~~~ ;)

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  2. Un batiment jolie; une ville verticale. C'est superbe, ca! I like it very much, it's an exciting prospect to have such a building close by, Eric. I too hope it will go ahead. The video was interesting - the architect M. Herzog (I used to have a boss called Herzog!) has a very clear diction so I was able to understand everything. I don't like the tower in your picture!

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  3. Wowee, Eric! Like you said, it's stunning. Almost puts the real pyramids to shame.

    And since it makes an appearance in the video, I can scream

    EIFFEL TOWER!
    EIFFEL TOWER!!
    EIFFEL TOWER!!

    Ahhhh. That felt good.

    Great blue sky in today's photo. Can't say much about the structure!

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  4. Gramma it's just you and me - oh and those gnomes keeping an eye on us from yesterday. Pah! Couldn't resist that. Where is everyone? Ah well I must go to sleep now too as I have an interview in the morning. Wish me luck. Night night everyone, whenever you appear...!

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  5. Lynn~~~You will do just fine at the interview. What's luck have to do with it? You're a great lady and you will do just fine. If not write a poem to Michael!! ;)

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  6. Quite amazing Herzog project. Herzog Meuron (?) designed the addition to the Walker Art Center here. Visually intriguing.

    (Too slow typing with one hand to say more. Back from the undead.)

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  7. So Jeff, tell me, what's the other hand doing?

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  8. They're building an arcology in Paris???
    I've heard of the concept but never someone actually completing that type of project...
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcology

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  9. Now this is a coincidence that simply can't pass unremarked upon....Le Triangle looks remarkably like a huge glass "gnomon"! Yes, a real word meaning the projecting piece on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow. The video even alludes to this comparison in an overhead shot in which its shadow sweeps smoothly over buildings at its base.

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  10. It looks like an interesting project, much more deeply considered than the unfortunately unattractive building in your photo! (Though your photo is well-considered, that's a distinction.)

    As we say in the biz, Lynn, break a leg!

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  11. I will have to agree with the others...ugly building in your photo, but the trangle is stunning! I hope it gets built, I would love to see it in person in a few years!

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  12. Considering the chatter here lately, Eric you probably should have left "quick and dirty" out of this one, but you're the boss! This high rise no tell motel is NOT on my itinerary for my upcoming trip ,but you have certainly shown me many , many sites that are. Meci!

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  13. It is very futuristic in my view, but I like it! I wouldn't have thought it would "fit" in Paris, but times do change and there has to be something of every era of the city, I suppose. It does look like a beautiful and very efficient building though, one that will be a credit to the architect.

    I must say, I don't care for the tower in the photo, Eric. But it is nicely framed..*tries to find something nice to say about ugly building*...:) The new one should be much nicer!!

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  14. Unlike you, kind Christie, I'm not even going to TRY to say something nice about the ugly building. It is moche, moche, moche! But at least it didn't make me cry (really, just sobbed), as I did the first time I saw the hideous Tour Montparnasse.
    However, the triangle is fairly intriguing—just so they don't put it smack dab in the middle of the city!
    Yet more interesting info from you, Eric.

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  15. Towers -- yep, Eric is thinking of NYC.

    Merci for the video of the Pyramid building. I remember when they were presenting the Pyramid building to the San Franciscans. I embraced the plan as did many San Franciscans. Now Paris is planning one designed by a Swiss architect. It is absolutely beautiful. It glows -- too cool.

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  16. I have to admit I was as entertained by the Swedish Fish commercial as I was by seeing the triangle. =)

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  17. Lucio...I was thinking the same thing amigo. Lol! Going with your gnomon for the gnomenclature of this future triangular tower, I believe the Parisians may be swept away by the new shadows of time...but in a good way. There is much triangularity in Paris already...I suppose it is to allow for less blockage of the beautiful sky and sunsets. Eric, merci for the video...it is telling of where modern architecture is heading...thank god it is moving away from the Montparnassian style that obliterates the stars and sun and is rough on the eyes, too. All this said, what do I really gnow? I'm no architect! ;-)

    Gramma...you on the GF throne today? You are becoming a "fast woman" (erph!) and your profile photo looks marvelous too!:-)

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  18. Natalie, That's cute!

    Wow, you said it, "quick and dirty 70ish cheap skyscraper". I was living in (Little Italy) NYC and watched them build the Twin Towers. It went up so fast that I was amazed. I asked New Yorkers in the neighborhood, aren't you afraid to build such a large structure so FAST. What if it collapses?" They said, Oh, no, that will never happen. So, after a few conversations along these lines, I just gave up trying to shed some light on what they were doing.

    But Hey, who is going to listen to a 20 year old blonde artist. NO ONE. LOL

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  19. A la porte de Versailles (où va se situer cette construction), nous avons déjà un "ananas" (c'est le surnom du Palais des sports), nous aurons bientôt le Triangle !

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  20. This triangle looks like a Christmas tree! I don't know if it's a good idea to built such high buildings in Paris...well, at least it's good for the economy!

    About your picture, I was sure that it was in the 13th! I used to live there but not in this kind of "cage à lapin". These windows make me suffer of claustrophobia!

    Suzy, I heard that Jeff had shoulder's surgery. I think he's doing nothing with the other hand!;)

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  21. "Le Triangle", also called "La Tranche de Brie"...;-)

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  22. Guille: I, too, think it looks like a Christmas tree - which might make it quite a focal point at yuletide: but not one in keeping with Parisian (good) taste, I suspect.

    It also occurred to me that it resembles a shark fin, which might lead to it being disparaged in the press, and cartoons, as an accidental homage to "Jaws".

    Finally, doesn't Paris have enough pyramids by now, and wouldn't an entirely new shape be better?

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  23. Speaking of towers, you should all go out and see James Marsh's 'Man on Wire', about the extraordinary French high-wire walker, Philippe Petit.

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  24. Gramma Ann - GF Yay! - and Petrea, thanks so much for your encouragement. I'm back now from the interview but better not comment until I know anything. I don't want to jinx anything. lol!

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  25. Parisians had a fit over the pyramid in the Louvre. How will they react to another one?

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  26. vicky hugop makes a great point...what do the Parisians think? Guille doesn't sound too excited about it.

    natalie - I got caught up in the Swedish Fish ad too!

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  27. Tada! I got the job! Yay! Journalist for a different regional newspaper than I was working for before. Hurrah. Sorry, just had to say. It's a good day. lol.

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  28. Lynn, Congratulations -- another success story on PDP :-) I think it has a lot to do with your optimism. However, you are extremely talented as well.

    I think everyone was freaking out about the pyramid concept at the Louver because they just didn't see the reason for it. They would say things like, our entrance to the museum works. Don't put a tacky pyramid in the courtyard -- it will distract from the building's architecture. Those were the comments I heard the most. And, I somewhat agreed with them. However, I choose the "no comment" stance. Art museums are run by a Board of Directors, who in turn are run by money from large companies and politicians. It is disgraceful, but, it's not about art for them -- it's about money. Did you know that most art thefts are inside jobs?

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  29. Lynn~~~Congrats...I knew you could do it... ;)

    Awwwww!!! Coltrane, you're making me blush~~~ where is my fan?

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  30. Hurray Lynn! Well done.

    Now go out and buy Amelie!

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  31. That is an ambitious project but after seeing how La Defense turned out, I am confident they can make it happen. The only reservation I have when people mention skyscrapers and towers is where are they going to put them. As long as they put them on the border of the City rather than smack in the middle, then I guess it's OK. And you don't have earthquakes over there, so all that glass should be OK (whereas in San Francisco, you always wonder why they approve projects with massive amounts of glass but I digress).

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  32. Placing this at the Porte de Versailles is good. Kind of like La Defense. Its not a centerpiece of central Paris but makes for a cool entrance from the banlieu and would give people a reason to visit this area. Sounded like it would generate some of it's own energy too, which is wonderful.

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  33. Congratulations Lynn! That's wonderful. : )

    I'm one of the people who dislike the pyramid in the Louvre courtyard. But, sited away from the city center I think the triangle is dramatic and a great addition. (But, is it a wasteful shape - even with all the green tech?) It looks gigantic, but, to me it also looks so narrow that it seems like it might fall over at any moment (I think this is a 9/11 effect, actually). The glass makes it look all light and glimmery. So, I like that it looks like a giant thing that may take off and fly away at any moment.

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  34. Oh - Lynn -- must see Amelie!!!!! Silly, true, but sweet.

    And I'll give another plug for Man On Wire, too.

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  35. I'm looking forward to a tv programme this evening, it's on at 9 o'clock UK time, on ITV1 - I doubt many of you can get that, I don't know? - and it's about....PARIS ! 'Griff Rhys Jones explores the small but perfectly formed city of Paris, where he encounters some hidden and sometimes downright bizarre sides of the French capital.' Yay.

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  36. Eric - today's photo subject looks like the Holiday Inn down the street from me. There are way too many of those buildings in San Francisco. The triangle building is fascinating. It sort of compliments the Eiffel Tower at the other end of the city. I don't care for all those low buildings around it though. Thanks for the video.

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  37. Oh Lynn...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! Did they know they were getting a poet on the payroll too? Shall we tell them?

    So, can you say the name of the newspaper so we can write fancy letters to the editor complimenting "that wonderful journalist"???

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  38. Congratulations, Lynn!

    I'd just like to point out that just because the building in the photo is ugly, that doesn't mean it isn't well-photographed. Your graphic composition is excellent, Eric (I say that with a wink to Virginia).

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  39. He he it's the Tewkesbury Observer you flatterer, you, Michael! Shucks. Blush. Casts eyes downwards. he he...giggle.

    Thanks Petrea x

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  40. Félicitations Lynn!!!
    Off to bed. I'm going to die (of tiredness!).

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  41. Lynn -- let me add my congrats to everyone else's. Of course, we all knew you'd get the gig!

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  42. Thanks so much for that Alexa. Merci a toi, Guille x tu veux faire dodo? lol.

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  43. Ooooh je vais faire dodo aussi. I can't wait for the new photo I'm afraid. zzzzzzzz

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  44. A quick hello from Boston where I just arrived (and a special thanks to Lynn - PHX-CDG - who played a large role in this trip ;))

    As for the "other" Lynn (from the UK), well, congratulations from me too. I'm truly happy for you.

    And, as far as "downright bizarre sides of the French capital" is concerned, I hope we can see the program somewhere (a video file you could share on the net?)

    7 PM here, I have to stay awake until 10 PM at least. It'll be hard!

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  45. Thank you Eric! Gosh Eric sent me a message, I love it...swoon...oh I'm so shallow in his presence. LOL !

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  46. The only bad thing about skyscrapers is that they really do block out the sky, especially when a city becomes overrun with them, like in New York.

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  47. looks like an amazing project portes de Versailles.

    The photo you took Eric, to me, brings back memories around the boulevard Massena and avenue d'Ivry... may be ugly to look at... but memories are always sweet, especialy when away from home.

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  48. The photo is one of the tower blocks in Olympiades, Paris 13th.I live in one of them, and admit the architecture is not very exciting !BUT, it is a wonderful place to live,once you are inside. The appartments are sunny,spacious,very secure and quiet. I love it here,and feel very sorry for the rest of you down there as I watch the gorgeous sunset from my window !!!

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