The Stairs Rotterdam
The Vessel NYC
The Warehouse Dublin
The Stairs Rotterdam
Reminiscent of step pyramids, The Stairs [to Kriterion] was a temporary event structure put together in 2016 to celebrate the rebuilding of Rotterdam from the Second World War. It led from a public square to the roof of a building with a temporary observation deck with a view of the city and a former cinema [named Kriterion] which was reopened to host films, talks and performances. [ MVRDV ]
The Vessel NYC
Vessel is the centrepiece of Hudson Yards, a large real estate project in New York City. It is Chand Baori, the geometric stepped water well of India, raised above ground to form a 16-story climbable structure. According to the designer, Vessel is intended to be an interactive space for people to meet that requires no electronics, no internet but is instead based on physicality, that you have to be there and that you would have to ascend and descend the stairs. [ Heatherwick | exterior | video ]
The Warehouse Dublin
The Warehouse is Airbnb's international HQ located in Dublin. Constructed from a disused warehouse, a wide flight of stairs features prominently in connecting the workspaces at the upper floors to the shared spaces (atrium, meeting rooms, kitchen) at the basement. Not just a conduit, the stairs also act as a conference, event and casual working space. [ Dezeen ]
Trends
It would seem the West has declined to join the ME vs CN skyscraper race. Instead attention is given to civic, green and innovative designs. Perhaps also a case of architects taking back some initiative from developers (and engineers) to rebalance the holistic impact of the buildings, structures and spaces.
