In this week's comments update, readers are analysing Heatherwick Studio's 1,000 Trees development and discussing other top stories.
The first section of the plant-covered 1,000 Trees development, designed by British designer Thomas Heatherwick's studio, has opened in Shanghai, China.
Designed for developer Tian An, the mixed-use development has been described as "Shanghai's Hanging Gardens of Babylon" and features up to 1,000 pillars, each with a tree planted on top.
"Like the trees were retrofitted onto a 1970s hotel"
Commenters are divided. "Sublime," said Don Bronkema.
FMB agreed: "Great building, and unique in its own right. This is one to stay. So much to discover and to wander around and through. I guess all the dissing architects will keep dissing, but average people and visitors to this beautiful site will just love it." "What a conceptually moribund and fundamentally ugly project," disagreed Ralph Kent.
"Intense and clunky," concluded JZ. "Like the trees were retrofitted onto a 1970s hotel to Disneyfy the place."
Are readers being harsh" Join the discussion ?
Mario Cucinella Architects creates "serene and monolithic" church in Italian hill top town
Commenter says "it's unimaginable that somebody can be this creative"
Readers are worshipping the Mario Cucinella Architects-designed Santa Maria Goretti Church in the town of Mormanno in southern Italy. The building features...