Carole Critchlow

CEE33X, Kunz

2 de junio, 2005

Query 7

Proyecto Final

Torre Telefónica, Plaza Baquedano

 

1.        Photos

External view

 

Detail view

Interior view

 

  2.   Formal symbolic model

Functions

 

·      Office building for Telefónica (external, interior)

·      Symbolize modernization (external, interior)

·      Symbolize capitalism and making money (external, interior)

·      Recall a cell phone (external)

·      Be a city landmark (external)

·      Welcome visitors and employees into the building (interior, detail)

·      Provide an enjoyable space for visitors (interior, detail)

·      A space to host public events (detail)

·      Celebrate and promote culture (detail)

·      Advertise events to passersby (detail)

Forms

 

·      Very tall (external)

·      Shiny, glass (external, interior)

·      Looks like a giant cell phone (external)

·      “Postmodern” architectural style – not ornate, smooth exterior, but slightly funky shape (external, interior)

·      Gray color (external, interior, detail)

·      Very thin width (external)

·      Spacious lobby (interior)

·      Free sculpture exhibit on ground floor (detail)

·      Front desk for information (interior)

·      Several event promotion signs hanging outside (detail)

·      Signs large enough to be seen by passersby (detail)

·      Smooth, metallic-looking skin (external, detail)

Behaviors

 

·      Attracts tourists’ attention (external)

·      Used as a landmark enabling one to locate oneself from different places in the city (external)

·      Visible from the majority of the city (external)

·     Used by employees for offices for work (external, interior)

·     Visited by various city residents and tourists (interior, detail)

·     People who otherwise would have just walked by stopped in to look at the sculptures (detail)

·     Exterior is somewhat intimidating (external)

·     Common space is open to the street and welcoming (interior, detail)

·     Exhibit enjoyed by visitors (detail)

·     Lobby felt a bit empty because it was so large (interior)

·     Information desk constantly had visitors (interior)

 

Relationships among forms, functions, and behaviors:

As can be seen from the location of the lines, the relationships tend to follow a pattern in that exterior functions will be manisfested in exterior forms and exterior behavoirs, etc. So we will look at each view more or less individually. First, the building’s modern and capitalist symbolism come forth in its height, glass and shiny metallic-looking skin, and postmodern architectural style (green lines). Further, its height enables it to fulfill its function as a city landmark (pink lines). Its functions as a building for Telefónica and looking a cell pone are both manifested in its cell phone shape (blue lines). Finally for the exterior, the height, interesting exterior and shape, and architecture all elicit the behavior of calling the attention of tourists (red lines), but when walking right underneath it, the height as well as the metallic gray skin can also be rather intimidating (yellow lines).

For the interior, once you are actually at the front door, the interior is actually quite welcoming with the open lobby, information desk for visitors, and public display room (orange lines). The well-advertised sculpture exhibit that currently occupies the ground floor demonstrates the building/company’s dedication to promoting culture and hosting public events to positively contribute to the community, and also further welcomes non-employee passersby to enter and enjoy the site (purple lines).

 

  3.  Briefly comment about

a.       Face(s) of the patrimonio construido de Santiago
     The building stylistically breaks away from the historic built environment of Santiago, but in the process it is creating and developing the next stage in Santiago’s patrimonio construido: the modern, commercial, and ultra-metropolitan.

b.      Identity of the Chilean designers and the project users that the views show
     The designers clearly intended for the building to give off a cutting-edge, modern image, and with its height and downtown location is definitely an office building, and so one must assume that the designers identify with the business/corporation identity. Further, these characteristics and the external and internal photos themselves show the users of the building as likely corporation employees and/or big-city residents. The detailed view, showing the ground floor’s sculpture exhibition, also suggests that a portion of the users are random pedestrians walking by, tourists, and/or art fans.

 

  4.  Comment  on cultural, economic, global issues, political science, psychology and sociology issues that the views suggest to you, ideally with references to theoretical literature.
     One cultural/sociological note is that the building (its presence, corporate affiliation, shape) demonstrates how embedded cellular technology has become in modern society, which could be positive or negative, depending on your value judgments. On another cultural note, its being so open to the public and hosting an art exhibit show a positive contribution to and investment in the surrounding community. Also, Alexander claims that high buildings ‘make people crazy,’ and since the tower is one of the highest in the city, it could have some psychological impacts if that is indeed true. A final note, an economic and cultural one, is the modernization that the building brings and encourages – how much does it preserve and/or advance the culture of Santiago and Chile? How much does it advance the economy?

  5.  Sketch

Santiago’s Torre Telefónica, shown here on a sunny autumn day, houses the Chilean branch of Spanish cellular phone company Telefónica. One of the tallest buildings in the city, it stands at 143 meters high with 34 floors. A giant among its surroundings, and with an interesting, curiously cell-phone-like shape, it has become a distinctive landmark visible from many parts of the city. It sits in Plaza Baquedano (known as Plaza Italia), a popular gathering place near the center of the city, where many protests and national celebrations are held. With its glass and metallic-looking exterior, it is at the forefront of the city’s development and modernization.

 

 

6.        Summarize things you liked and did not like (Plus/Delta) about behaviors you see in your three views. Comment explicitly on relationships to functions, forms and behaviors.

·    Attracts tourists’ attention +/D

o       Its structure and size (forms 1-6) certainly make it an intriguing building, and if tourists enjoy learning about it, then this behavior can be good. But, if they dislike the building and feel like it intrudes on the rest of the city, it’s not good if it overwhelms their experience of the city, since its height and odd appearance (forms 1-6) can be intimidating as well (behavior 7).

·    Used as a landmark enabling one to locate oneself from different places in the city +

o       It’s always good to be able to know where one is and to locate places or things that can help one find their way somewhere. Torre Telefónica is an easy landmark because of its central location, height, and unique appearance (forms 1-6).

·    Visible from the majority of the city +/D

o         Certainly because of its height (form 1). Good if you like the building, bad if not.

·   Used by employees for offices for work +

o       Clearly this is the building’s primary intention (function 1), and it enables the workers to do their jobs and the company to make money.

·   Visited by various city residents and tourists +

o       As a result of the company’s promotion of public events and providing a welcoming cultural space (functions 6-10, forms 8, 10, 11), it is enjoyed by more than just its employees.

·   People who otherwise would have just walked by stopped in to look at the sculptures +

o       Large posters outside (forms 10, 11) invited a variety of pedestrians in to view the exhibition and enjoy the art.

·   Exterior is somewhat intimidating D

o       Due to its arguably harsh appearance  - both materials and structure (forms 1, 2, 4-6) – it can be intimidating to people passing through the city and seeing it loom above them, though it’s not so harsh that it would keep people away from it.

·   Common space is open to the street and welcoming +

o       The spacious lobby and public art exhibit (forms 7-8, 10-11) invite the public into the building.

·   Exhibit enjoyed by visitors +

o       All the visitors to the exhibit that I observed, including myself, really seemed to appreciate and enjoy the sculptures. I would definitely say it was a successful use of the public space on the building’s ground floor.

·   Lobby felt a bit empty because it was so large D

o       Due to its spaciousness (form 7), low traffic, and metallic, monochrome colors (form 5), the lobby felt a little bit cold and empty. The large windows letting in natural light, the friendly information desk, and the potted plants helped to alleviate that, however.

·   Information desk constantly had visitors +

o       It helped to make visitors feel more welcome (function 6) and made those who had questions’ experiences all the better.

·   ONE MORE DETAIL

 

 

  7.  Personal vignette
     I first saw the building during my first week in Santiago, walking towards downtown with a small group of other students. Upon sight it surprised and intrigued us – it’s much taller than any of its surroundings, and very modern-looking with a funky shape and a glass skin. It looked like there was a helicopter landing pad on top, and so seemed very important. Since then I’ve wanted to know more about the building, such as what it’s used for and why it’s built the way it is.

 

8.      Architectural critic review
“Torre Telefónica demonstrates the modern face of Santiago”

 

Recently built, Torre Telefónica in downtown Santiago still has a feeling of novelty in the city, as its distinctiveness continues calling attention. Pushing the envelope on modernization and development in Santiago when it was built, it now successfully demonstrates the modern face of the city.

The building itself is just an office building, housing the Chilean branch of the Spanish cellular phone company Telefónica, and it also includes an exhibition hall on the ground floor to host public cultural events. It takes advantage of a prominent location, as it stands in Plaza Baquedano (commonly known as Plaza Italia), a popular and important gathering place near the center of the city, where many protests and national celebrations are held. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city at 143 meters, and has 34 floors.

But its height and location are just the most basic features that make this building stand out. It is not just that it is tall – after all, Santiago has plenty of tall buildings – but the fact that it is so much taller than its surroundings that is the first thing one notices. It’s visible from almost anywhere near downtown. Secondly, with its interesting, curiously cell-phone-like shape, and with what a novice would think is surely a helicopter landing pad on top, it’s no wonder that it has become a distinctive landmark for Santiaguinos and tourists alike – it’s certainly unlike any other building in the city. On that note, it is impossible not to take note of its skin: lots of glass, a diamond pattern across the windows, some turquoise material up the side and comprising the “antenna” on top, and a silver, metallic-looking material filling in the rest. Though most laymen may not know the term, the building fits perfectly into the postmodern style – streamlined and smooth rather than ornate and intricate, but a distinct shape rather than just a nondescript box.

Torre Telefónica is at the forefront of the city’s development and modernization. It’s interesting, it’s fresh, it’s unique, and it generates intrigue and discussion. Though it stuck out a bit when it first appeared, it’s now managed to integrate itself into Santiago’s skyline, and it provides a glimpse of where Santiago is headed.

 

9.      Summarize changes you can identify in the amended list of Brand Ss for your project, i.e., Surroundings, Site, Setting, Structure, Services, Skin, Space plan and Stuff.

§         Surroundings: As Santiago continues to develop, many new buildings have been constructed throughout the city. Torre Telefónica is one of the newer ones, and was probably one of the biggest changes to the site when it was built. But since it was built a few years ago, its surroundings have stayed relatively constant – Avenida Providencia bustling at its base, the modern buildings lining the streets near it, Plaza Baquedano marking a prominent city gathering spot.

§         Site: The site has developed and changed dramatically in the last 50 years. This photo shows Plaza Baquedano in the mid-1950s – buildings are relatively uniform height at less than five stories, there are much fewer cars and micros, it has an old rather than a modern look, and the lack of smog allows one to see the mountains in the background. The plaza itself remains in the same spot, however, and the layout (roads, etc) of the site is essentially the same today.

§         Setting: The setting of the site has evolved from a more green and gentle city feel to a much more modern and bustling one, one which the Telefónica tower helped greatly to create.

§         Structure: The building itself is fairly new, and its structure has been the same since it was built.

§         Services: Again, the building is new (and was built and equipped with up-to-the-minute technology), so its services have also stayed the same.

§         Skin: Again, the skin is still original due to the newness of the building.

§         Space plan: The building was built in its current form, with the main lobby, public exhibiton hall on the ground floor, and offices filling the remaining floors.

§         Stuff: Individual items are changing and moving daily in all of the employees’ offices, and the exhibit in the public ground floor space rotates every few weeks or months.

 

10.  Theoretical Interpretation of the site for your project based on your interpretations of the perspective of Rybczynski in the Home or City readings.

              Though Torre Telefónica borrows its style from the modern American skyscraper, its role in Santiago is much more European, as Santiago has developed much more along the lines of European cities than American cities. First, the “hallmark,” “symbolic civil places” of European cities are located in plazas and “large public spaces” rather than street corners (27), and though Plaza de Armas is certainly the main, historic symbolic site of Santiago, the popular and central Plaza Italia – a primary site of national celebrations and protests – would come in a close second, and the Telefónica tower is located right in this prominent spot. It is definitely within what one would consider ‘downtown,’ and while it is within blocks of the city’s commercial centers and other tall buildings, its immediate surroundings are much smaller buildings and it is also very close to residencial buildings and streets, fitting what Rybczynski calls the “postindustrial city,” where “the physical distinction between the city and its surrounding territory – that is, between central cities and suburbs – is blurred” (49). Santiago is a definite example of this kind of city. Finally, it is interesting to note that while the historic area of Santiago exemplifies the grid pattern of the Spanish colonial town that Rybczynski references, this pattern tends to fall away farther out into the city, and at Plaza Italia, there is no grid to be found – the primary features are the traffic roundabout around the plaza, the parks in the median of the main avenue, and the small streets extending out from the plaza at a variety of angles.

 

11.  Theoretical interpretation from the perspective of Flessig: how well does the project support Smart Growth?

In defining ‘smart growth,’ Flessig cites a “list of policy and planning tools” created by “transportation planners, urban designers, environmentalists, developers, and local officials” (4) that one can apply to metroplitan areas as they inevitably grow. The item most relevant to Torre Telefónica is number 9, which advises, “Recognize traditional downtowns and urban neighborhoods as being a critical anchor for the economic and community vitality of a region” (4). The Telefónica tower fits into this general pattern by creating an economic force in the downtown region of Santiago. Further, it passes many of the more detailed checklists that Flessig provides (the relevant ones are discussed here):

·         Proximity to existing/future development and infrastructure

o       Located in one of the most prominent areas of Santiago, the Telefónica tower is adjacent to basic services such as roads, water and sewer systems, is within one minute walking of a major Metro station (Baquedano), and being on Avenida Providencia, is within a block of housing, restaurant, and entertainment facilities.

·        Mix and balance of uses

o       Though its primary use is as an office building for the Telefónica company, the building’s large hall on the main floor is also used for conventions, exhibitions, etc. and is open to the public.

·        Site optimization and compactness

o       With 34 floors and a structure much higher than it is wide, Torre Telefónica seems to be doing its part with respect to maximizing the use of its site and creating density. Further, with the bustling downtown region of Santiago surrounding it, it is not a density that is out of proportion with the community, which Flessig cautions against.

·        Accessibility and mobility choices

o       The building is on a pedestrian-friendly site: Large sidewalks line the road at its base, it is directly and easily accessible from the street, one block away is a large park/open space (Parque Forrestal), and it is highly accessible by Metro (estación Baquedano) and bus.

·        Community context and site design

o       Torre Telefónica gets mixed reviews in this category. The design neither reflects local historic materials or design nor demonstrates use of existing styles. As a skyscraper, however, it is not the first in Santiago and does fit into the city skyline in that sense. Also, the tower is located in the prominent Plaza Italia, and one of the items on the list is whether the site “create[s] or enhance[s] community spaces such as plazas, squares, parks, etc” (15). This is up to Santiaguinos to decide – the plaza was certainly different many years ago, but many people like the new flavor that the building brings to the area.

·        Re-use and redevelopment options

o       The building is still new, but in several years when needs and demands change, it could be adapted for other commercial or even residential uses, with an interior overhaul.

 

 

12.  Theoretical Interpretation based on Alexander’s pattern language

 

 

13.  Grounded Theory field notes (transcript, coding and memos) that summarize interviews of 4 Chileans with whom you discussed your photos and comments on your project.

 

Questions for the interviews:

1.      What do you think of the Torre Telefónica?

2.      Do you like the modernization that it brings/shows, or do you think it interrupts the skyline and/or the view of the city?

·        Interview 1 (22 year old female)

1.      As a building, especially to an architect, it’s very interesting.

2.      At first when it was built it kind of stuck out, but now it’s just a normal part of the city, also it’s helpful because you can see it from all over and tell where you are

·        Interview 2 (27 year old female)

1.      I find it pretty, modern, impeccable; I like it

2.      I don’t think it interrupts anything; I like it where it is; it’s the most modern place

·        Interview 3 (30 year old female)

1.      I like the building

2.      I can see it from my house, which is well outside the city, when there’s no smog. I really like the modernization that it shows. However I don’t know it from the inside, only out.

·        Interview 4 (35 year old male)

1.      The truth is that I don’t like it very much. It’s too tall because it’s situated in an area that is otherwise pretty flat, so it overwhelms the area, especially in such a central location as Plaza Italia. It just wanted to be taller and more powerful than the Torre Entel, because they’re competitors.

2.      While I don’t like how big it is, I do actually like the modernization. It’s probably the most modern place in the country – it has the newest and best technology for all of its systems and services, like heating, security, energy, etc. I went inside once for work and I had to have a special access card that only let me into the area I needed, I wasn’t able to access any other part of the building. So it’s very secure.

 

Coding

·        Modern

·        Height

·        Mostly positive feelings about it

 

Memos

·        The interviews were fairly short, no one volunteered a wealth of information or opinions; they were happy to answer but it didn’t seem to be something very important to them where the responses were flowing out or strong emotions were being elicited.

·        I also noticed afterward that most of my interviews were with females and all were with people of similar ages; I’m not sure if that influenced the responses at all.