Philadelphia City Tower: an exploration of architectural representation through drawings and photographs of physical models
A. Sykiotis (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Jurjen Zeinstra – Mentor (TU Delft - Situated Architecture)
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Abstract
From 1952 to 1957 Anne Tyng and Louis Kahn collaborated on the proposal of the Philadelphia City Tower, an idea for an innovative high-rise building that would be seen as a landmark for the city of Philadelphia, USA. Even though initially Anne Tyng did not get credit for her work, her contribution to the proposal is apparent; the City Tower design encompasses Anne Tyng’s approach in architecture, heavily based on geometrical and mathematical notions. Yet, the stylistic approach of the sketch, the free hand strokes and the different line weights contrast the concrete science behind geometry and the overall approach Anne Tyng had towards drawings.
Who was really the creator of this drawing?
And, more importantly, how do the representation tools used by the two architects translate their architectural ideas?
Architectural representation is a crucial aspect of the architectural practice; the choice of the medium and the tools plays a catalytic role as to how a project is perceived. Through the analysis and comparison of the drawings, sketches and physical models of the Philadelphia City Tower, this thesis attempts to highlight how the philosophy and interest of each architect is translated through the various architectural tools of representation.