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The Pan Am Building was the largest commercial office building in the world when it opened
on March 7, 1963.[1] It is an important part of the Manhattan skyline and one of the fifty tallest buildings in the United States.Pan American World Airways was the building's owner for many years. Its logotype was depicted on a sign
that was placed on the north and south faces and its globe logo was depicted on a sign that was placed on the east and west
faces. The Pan Am building was the last tall tower erected in New York City before laws were enacted that prevented placing
corporate logos and names on the tops of buildings.In 1987, the lifestyle periodical New York revealed in a poll that MetLife—then Pan Am—was the building
that New Yorkers would most like to see demolished. Perhaps contributing to the hatred of the building is the fact that it
is so visible. Situated behind Grand Central Terminal outside of the grid, the building, which would have otherwise been tucked
away into the city, is left totally exposed and contrasted with the other buildings around it, most notably the New York Central
Building.
Re-Skinning the Pan American building was our vision
for implementing a more subtle façade. Cities
are defined but grids, streets, gates and high rise structures and the most suitable buildings are those who take and give
to their respective urban fabrics and therefore, the Pan American building obstructed Park Avenue and divided our visual interaction
with NY in an intrusive manner. Although
mistakes are common in cities, quality architecture should adapt itself and by re – skinning Pan Am with reflective
glazing and allowing the top part to be transformed into an open theater high in the sky, Pan Am could install a user friendly
feeling to the common New Yorker and may allow those who dislike its intrusion to begin enjoying its inner spaces and views
from the inside out.
TIMES SQUARE - NEW YORK
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| Times Square New York 1991 |
SAINT CHARLES CITY CENTER - LEBANON
ELM AND PATERSON - NEW JERSEY
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| Elm and Paterson NB New Jesey |
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