Pageant Related thread.
Feature.
5 stars.
Comment: I like the showcasing of the majesty and splendor of the jewels of modern day landscapes, and comparing them with the reigning queens. Only a man with passion for both can create such allusion. Originality and uniqueness elevates the article to high level. It's like reading a glossy Architectural Digest article.
What is common between ARCHITECTURE and PAGEANTS? Simple, AESTHETICS. Architecture is the “art and science of construction”, when we say art, it encompasses aesthetics and beauty. On the other hand, Pageants focuses on the physical, internal and intellectual beauty. The year 2013 brought us a diverse pageant winners, same with the world of Architecture. 2013 was a banner year for explosive and state of the art structures. With this, I came up with the idea of fusing my favorite Buildings in 2013 and our Queens for this year.
Welcome to my AESTHETICA 2013: When Architecture and Pageantry Collide!
Miss World 2013 – Megan Young (Philippines)
One World Center Tower , New York City, USA
One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. One World Trade Center is the newest recognizable icon of New York’s magical skyline. The height of 1,776 feet is a symbolic reference to the year in which the United States' Declaration of Independence was signed. Part memorial, part statement, part billion-dollar office complex, One World Trade Center is one of the more controversial buildings of the new century. It's meant to be functional, as well as beautiful.
Similarities of Megan Young to One World Trade Center:
1. The main purpose of the Building is to be functional as well as beautiful. Same as the main slogan or objective of Miss World: “Beauty with a Purpose”. It is the new icon of New York and the western hemisphere. Megan Young has become the modern Icon too, not only for so many Filipinos but also for the different people across the world.
2. The Skyscraper is a symbol of FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE. For Miss World, the Philippines finally won after decades of struggle. Prior to Megan’s winning, there was an Urban Legend that no Filipina Queen will never win that elusive crown. But Megan did. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat welcomed One World Trade Center to the elite club of the world’s tallest buildings in 2013, same with Megan Young who was welcomed by the Elite Royalties of Miss World Queens this year!
Miss Universe 2013 - Maria Gabriela Isler (Venezuela)
Mercury City Tower, Moscow, Russia
The tallest building in Europe with 40 stories of offices and luxury apartments situated at the top, the Mercury City tower perfectly represents the Russian ambition to keep pace with contemporary European architecture. The new tower is sheathed in a light, warm silver glass that will act as a background for Moscow's new City Hall, which has a rich red glass roofscape. The tower, sheathed in copper-colored glass, distinctly shows the activity of Russian business, it demonstrates that all of Russia is on a level with countries of the Eurozone, continuing its planned development and moving forward.
Similarities between Maria Gabriela Isler and Mercury Tower:
1. Moscow’s Mercury Tower is reclaiming bragging rights for having Europe's tallest building after losing the distinction for a few months to London’s The Shard Tower. Same with this Venezuelan Queen Isler, she won Miss Universe proving that it’s still Venezuela who reigns supremacy in the World Cup of Pageants!
2. The Tower complex is an eye-catching demonstration of Moscow's transformation from drab shabbiness to swaggering prosperity, driven largely by oil and natural gas revenues. Same with Isler, before the Miss Universe Pageant, she was not the clear favorite nor a standout. Pageant Fans may like or dislike her but she transformed, performed and won the final stretch by a pleasant surprise.
Miss Earth 2013 - Alyz Henrich (Venezuela)
Queen Alia International Airport Terminal, Amman, Jordan
This energy-efficient terminal at Queen Alia Airport, is located to the south of Amman, Jordan. The building’s distinctive structure is inspired by local traditions and topography – a series of domes branch out from supporting columns like the leaves of a desert palm; a geometric pattern based on traditional Islamic forms is applied to each exposed soffit – and pays heed to the local climate. As summer temperatures in Amman vary significantly between day and night, the building is constructed mainly from heat-dissipating concrete. Exterior plazas serve environmental, social and aesthetic purposes. The plazas serve the airport’s environmental strategy, helping to purify the air in a facility that inherently plays host a phenomenal quantity of traffic, while also providing a peaceful view to those inside the terminal. The forecourt at the building’s entrance is extended and filled with trees, plants and green spaces making it more environment friendly.
Similarities between Alyz Hendrich to Queen Alia Airport Terminal:
1. The name speaks for itself. "Both have Royalty". The Airport carries the Title "Queen" as tribute to Queen Alia the third wife of the late King Hussein of Jordan. While Alyz is the Queen of Miss Earth 2013.
2. The Building is clean, green, sustainable and energy efficient. Very much fitted to the advocacies of Miss Earth. Eco-friendly structure at it’s finest!
Miss International 2013 - Bea Rose Santiago (Philippines)
CAYAN Tower, Dubai, UAE
Cayan Tower, known as Infinity Tower is a 73-storey skyscraper located in Dubai. The major characteristic of the tower is the way it twists up into the sky, as each floor is rotated 1.2˚ to create a full 90˚ twist from bottom to top. The powerful helix shape created by the rotating floors emphasizes the design philosophy and utilization of cutting-edge techniques. It shows the great power of design through Infinity’s unique spiral shape that reflects the ever-changing shapes of the deserts, winds, and seas that surround it. The tower will serve a variety of purposes including luxury residential units, parking, and retail. The twisting form optimizes low level views to Dubai Marina and high rise views to the gulf and city. Its unique, high-strength structure maximizes its views while maintaining the views of the neighboring buildings. Cayan’s unique form and prime location will make it one of the most recognizable buildings in Dubai.
Similarities between Bea Rose Santiago and Cayan Tower:
1. Uniqueness. Cayan is the tallest twisting tower in the world. Same with Bea. I find her beauty very special and unequalled. Everytime I see photos of Cayan Tower, I always imagine Bea Rose’s body in motion. It’s like dancing, swaying and twirling.
2. Exciting. By looking at the tower alone, you could see the movement in it. It’s very unusual to see a building that has that much kinetics and motion in it, and to me, that is very exciting; same with Bea’s intelligence and personality. She is definitely an exciting lady.
-The End-
Thank You For Reading!
Special Thanks to the Following References:
EMPORIS
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
Forster + Partners
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM)