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High-tech style

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High-tech style embraces an industrial look, in which the decor and the building itself are obviously very influenced by technology. High-tech buildings are often created from such materials as heavy steel girders[25], a metal deck plate[26], metal shelves often seen in hospitals and factories, and a concrete structure. The outside of the building, instead of being opaque[27], is often made entirely of windows or mirrored glass, not stressing the decorative outside of the building but revealing the skeleton of the building itself.

High-tech style can be seen in almost any city in the world.

One of the most well-known examples of high-tech style is the Swiss Re building [28] in London – more commonly known as The Gherkin[29], because of its distinctive, peaked shape. Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the building is the sixth tallest in London, and stands out from the background of centuries-old buildings from miles around. The Gherkin was opened in 2004, and has been featured in a number of television shows and movies, quickly becoming one of London's most recognized modern symbols. Also in London is the Lloyd's Building, which is unique as all of its staircases, elevators, ventilation shafts and piping are on the outside of the building.

Another well-known example is the Bank of China Tower, located in Hong Kong. Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the building was designed to resemble tall, slender shoots of bamboo.

The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France, is the home to a massive library, as well as to IRCAM[30], a centre for music research. Color-coded pipes and ventilation shafts figure predominantly on the outside of the building.

Munich's Olympic Stadium also displays a unique high-tech style, with steel cables and domes of glass that were designed to represent mountains and a newer, more modern Germany.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29