Balconies, V-houseAs told yesterday the neighbor to the Mountain is another building by architects BIG; VM Husene (VM Houses). This one is a bit more typical for the style that is being used in Copenhagen at this time. It's mainly glass and steel, and lots of both. Finished in 2005 the two buildings, called V-house and M-house after their shape, have 221 apartments. All apartments in the V-house has a distinctive balcony shaped like a V, much like a ship's prow.
The Aquarium, M-house.The Mountain as a reflection
Steel and glass, M-houseThis building is one that I could never live in, mainly because of the glass walls. I would feel like I was living in an aquarium and that my whole life was wide open to every by-passer and neighbor. I must confess that I like my privacy too much to become the newest member of a public zoo. I do like the balconies though.
V-house
I wonder what kind of stupid ego or incompetence could create such an horror to live in. This is architecture at its worst, pure exhibitionism without any concern for the real use of buildings.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that is quite pleasant to see does not mitigate its lack of functionality and privacy.
It reminds me of the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand: four glass towers with no place to store books far from sunlight. They had to cover the glass with pieces of cardboard...
Architecturlly and artistically, these are Beautiful buildings to look at, but as you say, not much thought given to an individual's lifestyle...I'm with you...who wants to live in a glass bowl!? Or a zoo!?! The composition and cropping on these shots are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThere lots of ‘fish bowl’ box apartments here in Manchester. I pass them everyday on the way to work via the tram. Hmmmmm… those sorts of homes don’t really appeal to me. Like you, I don’t fancy the ‘aquarium’ quality to these type of modern apartment blocks. In fact, given a choice I’d go for ‘old skool’ architecture as opposed to ‘new builds’ (lol). But I think it’s a matter of preference.
ReplyDeleteThe strange thing is that it's the passer-by that averts his or her eyes from the windows out of modesty, not the residents covering their windows ... or much else. We have a lot of new buildings with these glass walls, but it seems like they are on the return; most of the newest buildings have smaller windows. Maybe this exhibitionist trend of people is on the return too?
ReplyDeleteinteresting.
ReplyDeleteThe balconies definitely lend a sculptural quality to the building.
But...would you really want to use it? I think not. I can see people storing their bikes there, maybe cooking a bbq, wanting to use it but not really using it.
To me, it looks messy. A triangular balcony is jutted out to give it a view. When you have a million of them competing with each other, it negates the purpose.
I guess people are aware of the privacy issue but they do not mind to have some kind of exposure of their private life. The way we look about privacy is rapidly changing nowadays due to new kinds of social behaviour not at least influenced by the so called social networks. this is also a fact even between parents and children. Anyway they could always draw the curtains.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo is like living in a bird cage. They do have a very innovative and modern design, however, from my point of view, they lack connection with their surrounding, the environmnet, like we use to see in a housing complex. Well, I understand they are apartments.
ReplyDelete