10 buildings

Building name: Aqua
Designed by: Jeanne Gang
Type: Skyscraper
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Aqua, was Jeanne Gang's first skyscraper project. Though, still under construction, it is arranged to have 210 hotels rooms (floors 1-18), 476 rental residential units (floors 19-52), and 263 condominium units & Penthouses (floors 53-80). It is the first building in downtown to have all three, hotel rooms, apartments, and condominiums all together in one building. Jeanne Gang did a great job designing this project letting the building really portray the effect of the water, hence the name Aqua. The indents in the building really gives me the feeling of a wave, which I think is pretty neat.

Building name: 1180 Peachtree
Designed by:Kendall/Heaton Associates and Pickard Chilton Architects
Type: Skyscraper
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
1180 Peachtree, also known as Symphony Tower, is the tallest building in the city. This holdsoffice and retail space in the 41-story skyscraper. The two walls that rises higher balance out very well along the building. Furthermore, how the light is arranged between those two walls is very successful. This building is very clean cut and not too overwhelming for the city. I think it balances out in the city of Atlanta extremely well, and it does not look out of place at all.

Building name: Flatiron Building
Designed by: Daniel H. Burnham
Type: Skyscraper
Location: New York City, New York
The Flatiron Building was constructed using the Beaux-Arts style. The triangular-shaped structure is something you do not see everyday. When you are walking in New York City and come across this building, you can't help but to stop and stare. This uniquely designed structure is an office space, and a very popular spot for tourist photographs.

Building name: South Central Bell Building
Designed by: Earl Swensson Associates
Type: Skyscraper
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Also known as the Batman Building, the South Central Bell Building was built in 1994. The 31-story skyscraper is currently the tallest building in Tennessee, and it can hold up to 2000 workers. The bridge on top of the building was designed to resemble a telephone receiver, which I thought was pretty fascinating. South Central Bell requested "a signature piece of architecture" while it was being designed. I think the designers did a very good job proposing a bold, powerful structure creating it a signature piece of architecture. It most definitely looks like it is "the building" of the city. The lighting on the building at night is quite an attraction, which probably attracts many viewers. When I look at this building, I get a very strong vibe, almost as if the company (South Central Bell) is really confident and proud of their business.

Building name: 201 Depot Street Office Building
Designed by:Neumann/Smith & Associate, Inc.
Type: Office
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
The two level building, the 201 Depot Street Office Building is considered one of the more unique buildings in Ann Arbor. The curved shape walls contrasting with the bold sharp walls going into the building, I think works very well. The lights making the office look elegant at night, and letting the office stand out more is also very successful. This beautifully structured modern building has its own personality and it stands out from other modern offices I've seen.

Building name: The Chicago Spire
Designed by: Santiago Calatrava
Type: Skyscraper
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Although The Chicago Spire is still in the process of being built, this unique looking tower caught my attention to the fullest. It is said that the first twenty floors are planned on being occupied by a hotel while the rest of the building will be 1200 luxury condominiums. However, there are several problems caused by this construction for the neighboring townhomes because it is said that they will sink two inches by the time the building is done being built. Despite the fact that the process of building this piece is causing minor chaos, the sight of an enormous spiral rising into the sky is really breath taking. I think this modern-looking tower is very beautifully designed and once it is done being built, it will attract many tourists and let Chicago look even more powerful than it already is.

Building Name: Hearst Tower
Designed by: Norman Foster
Type: Skyscraper
Location: New York City, New York
The Hearst Tower always has been an attraction for me. I even drew this building to get into the IARC Program over the summer because I was inspired by it so much. It is the first green building built in New York City. I think constructing a building that is green is a wonderful idea considering a place like New York City is so populated that the environment is one of the biggest concerns. I have actually seen this building a several times since I live so close to it back home, and I can honestly say that the structure in real life is a lot more spectacular than in pictures. The triangular glass panels that rise up into the sky are so beautifully assembled, and to me, the fact that this building is green makes it seem even more remarkable.

Building name: Empire State Building
Designed by: Gregory Johnson
Type: Skyscraper

Location: New York City, New York
The great Empire State Building in New York City was built in 1929 and completed in 1931. Every time I go into the city and see this wonderful establishment, I wonder how different New York will be viewed with out it. I think it is amazing how a building can hold such a strong symbol. The Empire State building is so powerful that it holds the image of New York City and I think that is a huge accomplishment. When you look at the skyline of New York City, you can tell that the Empire State Building bonds the entire city together. I feel that creating something that is a true success and if I were Gregory Johnson, I will be so proud until the day I die.

Building name: Mikimoto
Designed by: Toyo Ito
Type: Store
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Toyo Ito designed this store, Mikimoto inspired by the "mysteriousness of a jewelry box and imagining bubbles around pearls and floating petals." This elegant ten-story building is and eye catching creation in the city of Tokyo. I love Toyo Ito's inspiration to this project considering Mikimoto is a jewelry store. I think the way he designed the building is very appropriate for the company, and I like how it is not too obvious what he was inspired by.

Building name: The Apple Store
Designed by: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Type: Store
Location: New York City, New York (5th Avenue)
The Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York City is a composition when you look at first, you can't really tell that it is a store. The actual store is located underground led by a spiral staircase. When I first came across this building, I thought it was really interesting how it was designed. I would have never thought to build a structure representing the store and the actual store below that. In todays world, I believe the modern-look is admired very much and I think Bohlin Cywinski Jackson did a great job incorporating that modern look into the Apple Store since "modern" and "high-technology" go hand in hand with the company, Apple.