Quote:
Originally Posted by vandelay
If you look at the mockups the panels were probably not bronze but some kind of colored aluminum. Maybe they had doubts about how the facade would hold up to the elements, especially considering it's lakeside.
Also, there was a recent rendering showing that the lantern wouldn't get any metal paneling, so we better get used to the idea that it's going to be the austere, unadorned facade. Maybe if this project is a success, Related and Stern will have another project in a blue chip location that will get more ornamentation.
The park should be fine at least, Michael Van Valkenburgh one of the foremost landscape architects practicing right now.
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The Hancock, The Sears, and many other mid century towers are clad in Aluminum and show zero signs of wear after 50+ years. Anodized Aluminum is probably the best all around cladding material you can use in terms of long term durability, it simply shouldn't ever wear out. So that's not a concern.
The only concern here is budget and Related has constantly shown a total aversion to doing anything even remotely notable here in Chicago. This will not change in the future, this is their MO. As many of us have repeated from the beginning, this is not a surprise that this design would be half assed in execution which is particularly fatal for any and all historic styles where detailing and materials are so critical.
Let's hope Related doesn't build anything else faux historic in Chicago again, it's the worst possible outcome.