Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall is not only a home for the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles, but also the pearl of this city. The building project was created and financed with the participation of wife of the world famous animator Walt Disney. The architect of Walt Disney Concert Hall was Frank Owen Gehry - one of the main ideologists of modern deconstructivism.
It is worth noting that deconstruction is a style, which is characterized by a complete repudiation of the typical geometry of living space. This architectural style denies monotonous lines and boring multistory office buildings. Architects of this style are able to create buildings that can be twisted into a spiral, fall onto each other or even bend over improbable angles.
Walt Disney Concert Hall is a prime example of deconstructivist Architecture. It is difficult to describe this building in words, because it should be seen to be appreciated in full measure. Walt Disney Concert Hall looks like giant steel stormy waves that are raging under the force of hurricane winds. The silhouette and composition of the building are determined by rules of the sculptural composition, although they are not connected with the structure of the interior.
The external appearance of the concert hall is formed by wavy curved surfaces made of stainless steel. Frank Gehry also designed the organ – a heart of the concert hall. It looks more like a bundle of steel beams, left behind by construction workers, than the classic musical instrument. However, sound quality did not deteriorate because of the unusual design of a musical instrument.
Moreover, construction of the organ, which consists of more than 6100 tubes, was so complicated that it took a whole year for its final configuration. Undoubtedly Walt Disney Concert Hall reflects the mood and the greatness of such an amazing city as Los Angeles. This building has become one of the best and most complex acoustic halls in the world, where also situated one of the best operas worldwide. (French)
However, throughout years of the construction of Walt Disney Concert Hall around this architectural masterpiece of modernity numerous disputes did not cease. There were some problems with the change in design and disagreements with residents. Concurrently expenses for construction were growing rapidly. However, additional funding of Disney family has led to the successful completion of the construction. Finally, in October 2003 the long-awaited opening of the Concert Hall was held.
Of course, architecture of the building with huge reflective walls creates the inimitable image. But it should be noted that after the opening of the Concert Hall, metallic surface of the building caused a wave of indignation among residents of Los Angeles, who were lucky to live near a contemporary architectural masterpiece. Near the Walt Disney Concert Hall, there were some places where people could feel the heat.
The fact is that the surface of the building reflected and reinforced the sunlight. Consequently, it became unbearably hot in the surrounding apartments, and even the asphalt started to melt! However, this problem was solved quite quickly. As a result, it was necessary to alter facades and substitute materials of cladding panels - to sandblast the building. The brushed stainless steel panels leaded to much softer reflections.(Geiger)
It also should be noted that there were several options that were created to determine disability glare: physical models, computer simulations and extensive photography. As a result it was decided to apply computer simulations to test several locations at half hour intervals over key dates.("A METHOD OF POST OCCUPANCY GLARE ANALYSIS FOR BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS.")
Walt Disney Concert Hall can already be considered a classic, although it is not strongly resembles the building in the usual sense of the term. This is a unique set of different volumes and sizes, which seem to be monolithic. This masterpiece of the contemporary architecture invariably causes admiration - not only as a venue for musical events, but also as an architectural landmark, which has become a visual and aesthetic pride of the downtown of Los Angeles.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the architecture has played an important role in the lives of people throughout the vast period of human history. It has always been a subject of admiration and pride, grandeur and beauty. Architecture, to large extent, reflects the society and the era, in which it is created. And Walt Disney Concert Hall is a prime example of the contemporary architecture. This interesting monolithic building resembles a ship's sails, or rather steel hovering in the air.
Despite the fact that throughout the building process of this masterpiece of modern architecture appeared some difficulties, they have been resolved. After all, Walt Disney Concert Hall is not an ordinary multistory building! Furthermore, the Hall is a prime example of originality and even hardiness of the contemporary architects.
Works cited
"A METHOD OF POST OCCUPANCY GLARE ANALYSIS FOR BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS." A METHOD OF POST OCCUPANCY GLARE ANALYSIS FOR BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS. Web. 31 May 2016. <http://www.usc.edu/dept-00/dept/architecture/mbs/papers/ecs/95_glare/glare_95.html>.
French, Gil. "Los Angeles: The Walt Disney Concert Hall And New Music". TEM 58.229 (2004): n. pag. Web.
Geiger, Rudolf. The Climate near the Ground. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1965. Print.
