The Crystal Palace: A Contest Part I

The Crystal Palace was an engineering wonder when it was conceived for the 1851 World Fair. It was the embodiment of new industrial processes that have made such an structure possible. Before, it was inconceivable for a structure to be made almost entirely out of glass. The Crystal Palace thus earned the distinction. It wasn't merely just for show, however, because the Crystal Palace was also massive too; easily fielding enough space for the World Fair. The design of the building inspired the design of many modern buildings today; from office buildings to malls. The emphasis on balance was central to it's design specifications as it stands on the forefront of the new industrial age. It was also important because it showcased the latest technologies, many which would become influential drivers of industrial powers in the coming decades. From an aesthetic standpoint, the opulence of the Crystal Palace also contrasted sharply with the drab, brown and dark architecture in the industrial age. Therefore I believe that the name Crystal Palace is appropriate for it's time even though it was made mostly out of glass panels. What's striking about the Crystal Palace is that it's materials and purpose wasn't permanent; it was designated as a temporary housing for the Great Exhibition. These facts only accentuate how impressive the Crystal Palace was for it's time.

Fast forward 163 years and we have a modern day contest to rebuild the Crystal Palace from an modern architectural standpoint. The reasons for this project can be attributed to the need for nostalgia as well as to restore the historic tradition of the Hyde Park area. The designs for each submission much pay homage to the original structure, so they will all be glass structures. The contest is undoing and there have been many submissions. There were two notable inclusions in the requirements for the competition. One of them is that instead of the original Crystal Palace, the new modern one will be conceived as a permanent structure and will include environmentally friendly materials as a signal for the new environmentalism. Submissions haven't been officially publicized yet, but I will update when those submissions come rolling in!