Dezeen Magazine

Visualisation of the New York skyline in 2020

"New York is all about the excitement of exuberant high rises"

Comments update: New York's luxury construction boom continues to spark debate, as readers react to Elizabeth Diller's warning that supertall towers are damaging the city.


High and mighty: skyscrapers like Rafael Viñoly's 432 Park Avenue came under criticism from Diller Scofidio + Renfro co-founder Elizabeth Diller, who told Dezeen that New York "risks being consumed by financial interests".

A number of readers jumped in to declare their love for the city's tall buildings.

"The thin towers are an expression and testament to our new and advanced world," wrote a user called Blake. "New York is all about the excitement of exuberant high rises," agreed Jonathan Tuffin.

But others were concerned with the social implications of New York's evolving skyline. "What is so exciting about exuberant high-rises when they only benefit a tiny fraction of the 1 per cent?" wrote HintOfBrain.

"The towers being built south of Central Park are being sold to billionaires only," wrote a user called ms_elusive.

"There is a glut of luxury housing on the market as a result, when the city is in dire need of housing for inhabitants at all other income levels," she continued. Read the story and the comments »


Replacement housing revealed for doomed Robin Hood Gardens

Brutal: readers panned the newly-revealed housing designs planned as a replacement for London's famous Alison and Peter Smithson-designed Robin Hood Gardens estate, which is being demolished despite protests.

"Can we not aim just a bit higher than this depressing dullness?" wrote a user calling themselves Greenish.

"We get rid of an architectural masterpiece and replace it with fluff. Welcome to London!" added regular commenter Kay.

But not everyone will be sad to see the back of the historic estate. "Robin Hood Gardens is an outdated, once-relevant and interesting scheme, and just doesn't cut it against the competition of smart robust modern buildings today," Rogan Josh wrote. Read the story and the comments »


London-based Grimshaw is shedding staff after a number of projects were delayed due to the results of the EU Referendum

EU sure? housing architect O'Mahony Pike has revealed it is shutting its London office while Grimshaw is shedding staff, but readers wondered whether uncertainty in the wake of Brexit was the real cause.

An estate agent from London called Trent gave his two cents on why work in the capital might be drying up. "There's been a crash from yet another construction boom that has been going on worldwide," he wrote. "I guess architects just think that cities can just continue to build with no end in site."

"Another bubble bursts and Brexit is a convenient excuse," wrote ExasperatedMe.

But others had no doubt that Brexit really was causing employers to cut back.

"Foreign investment immediately began to stall on in anticipation of the result," said Marcoloco. "Now that it's confirmed, a steady belt-tightening exercise is taking place." Read the story and the comments »


Kanye West Ikea

Yeezy win: Ikea's response to Kayne West's public request to collaborate with the Swedish furniture giant caused a stir this week. Some readers wanted to give the artists a reality check.

"Calm down guy, you made some records. You don't own the creative world," wrote Mike Tyson.

"I don't think Kanye jives with Ikea's corporate identity. He is too high-key for how Ikea postures its designers," said Colter Wehmeier.

But others saw the humorous side. "This is all tongue-in-cheek and probably just great PR for both Mr West and Ikea. YEEZY bed is a great idea!" said Dr Lucien SanchezRead the story and the comments »