The "happy working song"

 

A)   Read the article (it’s the second part of “an architect’s tour…”) and find:

 

-      which building corresponds to this photo:

 

 

-      in which building you can swim

-      which building is quite far from other similar buildings

-      which building changed after the storm

-      which building has a world record

-      which building has been abandoned

-      which building has a restaurant

-      which building was born in the late seventies

-      which building is empty.

 

 

B)   On you own: browse the web to find another interesting building in New Orleans. Take notes to be ready to report to the group and to justify your choice.

 

C)   Focus on the language:

Without a dictionary, guess the meaning of:

-      rooftop (the Ace)

-      gem (Piazza)

-      highrises (Plaza)

-      feat (the dome)

-      damage (the theater)

 

 

ARTICLE (part 2):

 

Other less famous buildings are worth seeing too…

-        The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel brand has been making a name for itself in major cities around the world. Architects and designers will love the Ace’s attention to detail and exceptional styling. A project by New Orleans’ most well known contemporary architects, Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, the main entrance and lobby of the Ace sit in a former multi-storey furniture store. The architects have masterfully connected a number of new and old buildings to construct a high-end hotel, conference center, and restaurants. Don’t miss the seafood eatery that has been built into an (old house) and make sure you take a moment to appreciate the rooftop pool.

 

-        Piazza d’Italia

This post-modern gem saw a full restoration in 2004 but has continually struggled to be the vibrant public space it was designed to be in 1978. The Piazza’s loud colors, mixture of historical references and intentional contextual disagreement embody its designer’s career-long pursuit of innovation in post-modernism.

 

-        Plaza Tower

“What is that?” The city’s third tallest building, an eclectic tower built in the 60s--at a noticeable distance from the eventual location of New Orleans’ other highrises--has been vacant for almost 15 years. No one seems to know how to breathe life back into this problematic building.

 

-        The Super Dome

 Considered among the loudest stadiums in the NFL, the Superdome is also the largest fixed-dome and clear-span structure in the world. The impressive, expansive space is a true feat of engineering.

-        Orpheum Theater

The acoustically-pure Beaux-Arts theater has been fully restored following damage from Hurricane Katrina.