stumpjumper wrote:
OK, 'great design' can be subjective, but there are some things that are more or less quantifiable. Does the building improve street level interaction? Probably not. Is it generally designed to a prestige standard - fine materials, excellent detailing etc, or is it merely designed down to a budget.
Unfortunately, this building doesn't seem to offer the metropolis anything extra, so it should stick to the limits.
There's more to good urban design than building tall buildings, and there's more to good building design than sticking a few bits of coloured metal on them in the hope that people will think your box with fins is 'cutting edge'.
This sums up my reservations about this approved development better than I could do myself. In fact, it helped me clarify my thoughts a bit better.
Personally, I really only want to see old buildings knocked down when the replacement is stellar. Those old buildings have a presence and an obvious care of construction that I just can't seem to see in too many new developments.
I had thought that since the new building at least offered some colour to the city's design palate, it's not too bad. But as you say, does it offer anything extra to the city? To me the bright colours are nice but they don't make up for the loss of yet another irreplaceable old building (and don't get me started on the one at Pultney Grammar!) I guess others might say that what the new development offers the city is another sign that Adelaide is progressing and I can understand that - we have waited a long time to get some spring in our step and this building is at least not entirely clad in green glass, lol.
It's all very complicated, I guess. The fact is, Adelaide does need to show it is progressing as an economic imperative. But on the other hand, our progress needs to be thoughtful so we get maximum benefit. So, I'd just like to say thank you to stumpjumper for his post which certainly is food for thought.