23 East 22nd Street by OMA

Rem Koolhaas's 23 East 22nd Street is finally out into the public spotlight today. Mr. Koolhaas gloried in the challenge, designing the 18 units (from the $7 million studio to the $50 million penthouse) in a form that steps out from behind, in a peek-a-boo shape that recalls his 1978 book, “Delirious New York,” in which skyscrapers do a tango. The new rendering, a shot from 23rd Street/Madison Square Park, gives us a better look at how the building will sidestep the glassy tower to get those prized park views.

I think Koolhaas had finally met his demise with his final attempt to generate interesting form. Perhaps its time he understood that writing well is not enough to bring u good architecture. People need to live in them dude. Apparently, from some New Yorkers, the whole issue about the view does not work, so it seriously does not justify the need to spend huge amounts in creating the cantilever structure just for that. And if being star architect allows him to flunk urban planning guidelines, imagine what would happen if all the neighbours go haywire like his.