Assessment of an Architectural Masterpiece in the World: Case Study of Hearst Tower, New York City

Abstract

Architecture is believed to communicate to its audience by revealing its underlying meanings and gestures legible enough to be easily read. Many buildings around the world especially tall buildings bring attention to themselves by showing how they were built, engineering, structural stability, and physical forms among other things. However, Hearst Tower located in New York and designed by a British and award-winning architect Norman Foster can be considered an architectural masterpiece in the world, not just because of its height but because of the stone façade preserved in the design of the tower which was built over 80 years before its construction and a designated landmark site. This research methodology in this case is a case study of an architectural masterpiece of the Hearst Tower. It provides information on its background history, design, and construction team, its architectural design and sustainable design consideration, and a brief history of Norman Foster, the architect of this building.