When the Empire State building was opened in 1931, it had a world of its own in it. The building had 102 stories and 1250 feet of height. There are various other towers which have grown much more than that. However, Empire State is still an iconic piece of the New York Skyline. The building has a steel frame with Indiana limestone in it. It stood as a beacon of Art Deco design for nearly 90 years. The designers from NeoMam envisioned some alternatives of the design of the building in a post for HomeAdvisor. All these designs show how the building would have looked with different design approaches:
Ancient Roman
If the Empire State were built in the ancient Roman style, it would have the most classic design. Roman architecture was the most progressive of all the classic styles. They were the first to use arches as supports to structure. These columns gave Roman architecture its iconic flavor.
Renaissance
This design was popular in the early 15th century. Renaissance style pointed towards the classic Roman style where the rounded arches and domes were used. The architects would visit Rome to study architectural history, so the tower had arches and domes in an abundant amount.
Gothic
The French were the pioneer of the Gothic architecture around 1140. They gave rise to a highly engineered style. The pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses in various buildings in Europe were given this design. The design can be easily pointed out by the students in architecture as well.
Art Nouveau
In the late 1800s, the use of glass and wrought iron took new forms all over Europe and the United States. They allow elaborate curved lines and shapes inspired by natural ways. Antoni Gaudi made Art Nouveau famous across Barcelona where there are many examples of the style available. These buildings didn’t last very long due to the materials used, but proper maintenance would have made it continue for a long time.
Traditional Japanese
Crafting a Japanese style 1930s building would have been impossible back then and even today. The wood was the principal material used in the construction and architects would have needed to use a steel interior and then fix wood in it.
Postmodern
The postmodern era of designs arrived in the 1960s. It was past the timeframe of the Empire State building, but if Empire State building were built at that time, it would have been a mix of different surface materials and unusual window sizing.
Brutalism
All the concrete that you can find can be used in Brutalism style. It is most famous for large spaces like stadiums and public gatherings and fortress-like concrete structures.
Deconstructivism
It would have been hard to take a 102 story building and deconstruct it. The deconstructive style of architecture took the concept of a consistent and organized structure and turned it upside down. It was mostly used in museums.
Sustainable
Natural and recycled materials mix with renewable resources to create a fresh approach and build spaces. The reimagined New York city icon includes a frame attached to the middle of the building for a green wall.
