I have noticed a trend in urban architecture of large buildings that look like they should not be able to stand without violating several laws of physics. I understand it makes an impression but can we just not? Like what message are we trying to send with the ‘it’ll all come… pic.twitter.com/InDioq9dkM
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) March 27, 2024
I’m sure these new cantilever skyscrapers are designed by fine engineers who have checked everything over and over and over. But they make a lot of people antsy just looking at them. And they make you think about the distant future.
If the 1250′ Empire State Building fell over sideways, it would wipe out a wide swath from, say, 34th St. to 39th St.
But nobody worries about that, in part because the Empire State Building looks like it was built to last. If, God forbid, it falls down, it will likely fall straight down like the World Trade Centers.
Nor does the Empire State Building make you ponder what troubles we are leaving to future generations. Whereas hanging cantilever skyscrapers get you worried about how big a fund the developers have set aside for maintenance and eventual deconstruction.
They have set aside a vast reserve, haven’t they?
It’s nice to hope that future generations will be richer than us so they will easily be able to afford to maintain our follies so that they don’t fall over sideways. But what if they aren’t? Is it wise to leave them cantilever time-bomb skyscrapers for them to try to scrape up the money to deal with?
