Skyscrapers in context

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the expressive quality of a skyscraper. Because of their size and conspicuousness, skyscrapers are simultaneously exposed to several different levels of"contexts, which are mainly defined by the distance between the viewer and the tall buildings. Awareness of these contexts is important in understanding or evaluating skyscraper design. Since the people are the judge of whether or not a building is "in context," the built form should be reflecting the things that they value, and peoples' value in turn change from time to time and from place to place. Five cities, Chicago, New York, Houston, Boston and San Francisco were chosen for case studies, mainly because of their diversity in different contexts for skyscrapers. By defining the various contexts in which the skyscrapers stand, in different cities and different times, and through examination and evaluation of the design solutions devised by the architects (and planners, entrepreneurs and the public), this study attempts to explain what it means for a skyscraper to be in context.