This housing experiment was created to challenge many stereotypes that exist in housing. Using units similar to his other buildings, Hertzberger created a housing plan where the occupants can decide themselves how to divide space and occupy it. Each unit can be partitioned off to create a new room or balcony, and the occupants are encouraged to experiment and create an indefinite amount of designs.

Another office building, the Ministry of Social Welfare at the Hague, is meant for 2,000 people and by using repeating units, avoids long and endless hallways that plague most office buildings. Also, all office spaces have an unobstructed view of the outside due to all the vertical spaces being situated to one side of the building. Yet again, form coincides with function instead of taking the backseat.

Hertzberger designed the Centraal Beheer office building, which was made as an office space for 1,000 people to occupy. It allowed multiple areas for breaks to be had or meetings to be held. Illumination, which was made to be similar to street lighting, was integral to the design. This is another example of Hertzberger illustrating that a building does not have to be function over form.

Designed by Herman Hertzberger, the LinMij Laundry was an extension of a laundry that featured distinct units that served their own purpose while still contributing to the overall design. Hertzberger was known for challenging the idea that the form of the building was to follow it’s function, and that idea is illustrated perfectly in this building. The Laundry has since been demolished.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the worlds tallest arch and the tallest man-made monument in the western hemisphere, and something that means a lot to me. I used to go with my dad on business trips to St. Louis and he would always take me to the arch just to look at it. It always amazed me how tall it was. Those trips are the reason I am a St. Louis Blues fan and any time someone mentions St. Louis I immediately think of the arch. Fun fact, it is officially dedicated to “the American people.”

I really love the US Capitol building. From its architecture to the fact that inside is where decisions that impact the whole world are made, I really love the building. I enjoy politics and to me it represents a place where the idea of America could be made possible, plus I enjoy neoclassical architecture from that period so I think the building is very beautiful. I feel like government buildings from around the world can kind of look intimidating, but the US Capitol looks majestic and inviting, from the large steps out front to the huge dome in the middle.

Definitely the most influential building to me has been Gould Hall. When school is in session, it is where I spend most of my time and do almost all of my learning. I really like the huge arch that separates the library from the classrooms, and I also like the long hallways where the teacher’s offices are. Plus, since it is located right next to the stadium finding parking is easy. I also think the architecture studio that covers almost all of the third floor is impressive and adds good variety to the building. Plus, the exposed components of the building allows for easy hands on examples of building design, and the construction classroom has components color coded. Feels like you are in a BIM model. Not counting the really bad sinks, I think that Gould is a very convenient building that serves its purpose very well. I do find it ironic that Gould, which is the architecture building, is right next to the much more beautiful Gaylord Hall, the journalism building.

Construction of the Devon Tower, a 50 story skyscraper in downtown OKC, was completed in October 2012 and it immediately became the most recognizable building in OKC and a major attraction for the community.

I have mixed feelings about the Devon Tower. I personally do not like primarily glass structures, and I don’t find the tower visually appealing. But, when I had to decide on a building to write about it was the first one that came to mind. I am aware that the Devon Tower is OKC’s most recognizable building and I think the building is beautiful inside, but for me the most important aspect of the building is what it represents. OKC never really had a skyscraper until this building, and we still don’t have another prominent one. When NBA broadcasts show the city skyline before returning to the game, the Devon Tower is the only prominent building in sight. I think that the tower represents OKC attempting to modernize its downtown, and it is an example of a skyscraper in a city that overshadows other buildings without looking menacing or too out of place.