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March 30, 2005
Odd-Top: First Edition
Much of the character and charm of large swaths of downtown Manhattan are inseparable from the omnipresent wooden water tower, a varied yet dependable aesthetic cue; it dots the skyline like the blinking red lights that beacon off newer skyscrapers in lower Manhattan. But akin to a fedora or fez; it’s lost some popularity as a signature skyline piece. Most newer – even not so 'new' – buildings encase their water towers and rooftop intake/exhaust fans with dressings of various sorts, with observably wide-ranging results. While some should have encased their utilities in order to meet the program of the building, others would have done better to leave utility alone, and allow the gracefulness of the wooden water tower speak without accoutrement.
Whatever the case, Transfer presents a new Category, Odd Top. I’ll be documenting the sightly, unsightly, and strange ways architects have decided to deal with this nearly universal challenge. Odd Tops begins with 4 examples of varying style, era, and success.
an older example...
a, well, 'newer' example...
cell phone editions make nice with monthly charges...
wow, how ugly could you make the penthouse & utility top - This Ugly.
Posted by jmarston at March 30, 2005 05:02 PM