Dynamic towers

Is it just me or do Towers based on diagonal grid system gaining popularity lately? there's the Hearst headqurters in NY by Foster & partners and Lotte tower hotel in Seoul by Skidmore, Owings and Marrill, to name just two.
Diagonal grid is a grid based on geometry with less then 45 degrees angles (in the "vertical" direction, where most of the load comes from).
Diagonal grids have some very interesting qualities: They are far more efficient as a structural system then the orthogonal (90 degrees) grid; and they are flexible and open for development and manipulation, and so are open to bald and interesting designs.
here is a simple 10 - minuets - model I made to get a firm grasp on this idea.
I started with a simple square on the left, standing for a floor plan. Another type of floor is done with the same square, but with trimmed corners. The floors are placed on top of eac hother, and finally, a diagonal grid connects the two types of floors. Voila.

I hope I made the idea of diagonal grid somewhat clearer for you,
and encourage you to visit again,
Yours,
The Virtual Architect

Why is the chrysler building so Beautiful?

I always loved the chrysler building ..or, to be more hunset, I think I noticed it when it was on sex and the city openning. Anyway it's remarkble enogth to be a landmark and a symbol of New York.

So, what can you learn by 10- minuets-scatch of this building? I guess is the strong vertical lines that meet at the top in an arc. This gives the skyscraper an harmonious "ending" at the top, and makes a your eyes move in a circle, up the front, round through the arc and down again.
That's the first sketch here- I promice to get some more soon.

Until then-
Yours - The Virtual Architect