Seagram Building

This New York landmark was designed by Philip Johnson, developed by Joseph Seagram's & Sons and the main architect was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1958, this was Mies dream come true; in it he has delivered his vision of simplicity and clarity. This was a time when construction jobs were difficult to get. The 38 storey International Style tower was later to become the most copied office building. architecture

Upon completion, Seagram became the world's most expensive skyscraper. The steel structure of the architecture is covered with tinted bronze glass. The construction used the most expensive materials and construction equipment. The use of bronze, travertine- a sedimentary rock and expensive green marble added to the construction cost and resulted in a work later celebrated as a city landmark.

Onsite, you can find the famous Four Seasons Restaurant, also designed by Mies and Johnson. You can still enjoy a meal in the 1959 ambience. The front space of the building is used as a gathering area and in the holiday season you can join the festive mood here. The city adapted and promoted the idea of "privately owned public spaces" from Seagram and advised other builders to come up with such spaces.

Seagram's facade reflects a calm sense of strength. Inside you will find 800,000 square feet of office space, Picasso art and fine dining options. Onsite, you can find the famous Four Seasons Restaurant (212-754-9494), also designed by Mies and Johnson. You can also enter the restaurant from the 52nd street. You can still enjoy a meal in 1959 ambience at the same place where JFK's 46th birthday party was celebrated. You will have to don a jacket and the ladies have to be formally dressed too. While you are at the Seagram Building, go down to the Brasserie Restaurant in the basement. From this 24x7 spot, you can exit onto 53rd street.

Neighboring architectural landmarks include St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Villard Houses at the New York Plaza Hotel and the Trump Tower.

Location: On Park Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Street

Trains: 6 to 51st Street; E or F to Lexington Avenue.

Address:
375 Park Ave,
New York, NY 10022

Empire State Building NY NY

Empire State Building was preceded by Chrysler Building and surpassed by the World Trade Center as the world’s tallest building. Standing on prestigious Fifth Avenue, this is the country’s second tallest building after the destruction of the World Trade Center. With 102 stories the ESB soars more than a quarter mile into the Manhattan skyline.

Designed and built by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon at a cost of $41 million USD, the ESB has a classical facade and serves as home to more than a 1000 offices. The one year build time was outstanding at a speed of approx. 2 stories per week. After completion it had an equally spectacular opening ceremony on May 1, 1931, when US President Herbert Hoover turned on the building's lights all the way from the capital.

While you are there, go over to the observation decks on 86th and 102nd floors. With clearer skies you can see farther than 80 miles from the lower deck while the upper deck is smaller and closed on high traffic days. Get there in the morning when it is less crowded, or take in magical views at night.

The ESB has special lightening at special occasions when the top 30 stories are lit up by colored lights. The lobby serves as a host of colorful events through out the year. Banking, dining and shopping options are available on-site.

After you are done at the ESB, designers will like to walk down to the Bryant Park, see the historic Grand Central Terminal, while food lovers can explore the many dining options and voguish shops of fashionable Times Square.

At Toledo (212-696-5036) on 6 E 36th St, between 5th and Madison Avenues; you can meet with the business types enjoying Spanish and European cuisine. The cozy ambience and a refined setting makes it an outstanding neighborhood spot.


Hours:
Daily 8am-11:15pm

Admission:
Adult $18;
Senior and Student (12-17) $16;
Child (6-11) $12, under 5 Free

Credit Cards accepted:
Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express

Address:
350 Fifth Ave,
New York, NY 10118
Tel: (212) 736-3100

Location: On 5th and 34th St.

Trains:
6 to 33rd St;
B, D, F, N, Q, R to 34th St

Web address: http://www.esbnyc.com

Historic Hotel Architecture

Historic architecture can be admired at one of the historic hotels of New York. If you get a chance to visit New York do take in the moving experience. Most New York historic hotels are spacious and stylish. The sumptuous spaces are filled with art deco design touches that blend with the historical architecture. Most of these properties have an old world charm and elegance that gives them distinction. Some of these historic hotels have also served as home to several celebrities and eminent personalities from around the globe.

Waldorf Astoria is a world famous chain with properties that boast historic landmark buildings for a signature charm. The grand dame of art deco, The Waldorf Astoria soars 47 stories into the Manhattan sky. This 4 star luxury hotel seamlessly blends period charm with modern design touches. The hotel lobby has a distinct style both opulent and traditional. Located on the bustling Park Avenue, Waldorf sets new standards for luxury and privacy.

Those looking for a European charm in a prime location would like the historic
The Helmsley Park Lane. This New York Hotel is also one of the Leading hotels of the World. Their ball room is majestic and the open spaces are grand with polished floors and stylish design touches. The design flavor here is more European.

Another place that will interest deigners here is the Algonquin. This historic boutique hotel was built in 1902 and is a city landmark. At their Oak Room literary writers Dorothy Parker, James Thurber, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber met in 1920s for their vicious circle discussions. The '20s style still echoes through out the lobby décor in the furnishing and the artifacts. Enjoy fresh seafood, roasted lamb and other delicacies at the in-house Round Table Restaurant while you are there.

New York Boutique Hotels

New York has some of the chicest boutique hotels in the world. These properties boast modern artsy interiors aimed towards giving guests a unique experience. Some of the best boutique hotels are located in the heart of the city which is quite touristy due to the attractions, shopping streets, fine dining options and Broadway theater.

Hotel Paramount was designed by the famous interior designer Phillippe Starck. The decor features artsy furniture while a chess board like checkered carpet theme runs through out the hotel. The 597 guestrooms are decked up with the most hip, stylish furnishings apart from bold prints and striking wall art. Soon as you get in, the lobby greets you by vibrant décor. Notice how the mezzanine floors seamlessly combines old architecture with modern design touches.

Amsterdam Court Hotel is a boutique property in the theater district that will interest designers and architects. Fifth Avenue, historical architecture of Rockefeller Center and Times Square are just a few blocks away. Nice thing about this area is that subway stations are located at a walk-able distance and you can walk down to watch a play at the Broadway or go to the Radio City Music Hall. The lounge offers books and newspaper with free coffee for those who like reading.

The Lowell speaks of an English taste. You can find English tradition and hospitality here. This New York hotel has a modern Art Deco facade and European style interiors. Having tea at the English tearoom will prove to be an exquisite experience because of the rich and glamorous interiors. The suites have kitchens and some have terraces.

Hotel Hudson is a very chic hotel that shows off trendy interiors. The sleek rooms reflect a yacht feel and lend great views of the Hudson River and the private park. The hotel has on site restaurant and bar, both decked in a trendy style. This Ian Schrager hotel has great meeting facilities. You can stroll down to nearby museums, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Their private park has out door heaters,and the building has a library apart from a sky terrace on the 15th floor, where people take in the fresh air and city looks.

St. James's Palace

St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest and most historic palaces. It is situated on The Mall in London, just north of St. James's Park. It was built in the late-1530s by Henry VIII, on the site of St James's Hospital, a former leper hospital. The palace was a primary royal residence only briefly, during the reign of Elizabeth I and the late-17th and early-18th centuries.

In 1952, Elizabeth II made her first speech as Queen from St James's Palace. The Tudor palace is still the Court's official headquarters and tradition dictates that foreign ambassadors to the UK are known as 'Ambassador to the Court of St James'.

Although St James's Palace is closed to the public, you can explore Friary Court on Marlborough Road and attend Sunday services at the Chapel Royal. Charles I took holy communion at the Chapel Royal on the morning of his execution, and Victoria and Albert were married here.

Today St. James's Palace remains a busy working palace. The State Apartments are being used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, and for other ceremonial and formal occasions. Most of the charities associated with the Royal Family attend official receptions here.

Clarence House, the former London home of the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, is within the St. James's Palace environs and provides a London home for The Prince of Wales and his two sons.

Lancaster House, another building in the Palace complex, is used for government hospitality.

St James's Palace
The Mall, London SW1

Hampton Court - Journey in Time

Going to Hampton Court Palace is like taking a journey back into time. You will discover the magnificent State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III and would love to discover the costly collection of Royal paintings. You will be given free tours and presentations by costumed guides in the State Apartments. You can explore 60 acres of immaculate riverside gardens and lose yourself in the world-famous maze.

Hampton Court Palace is the oldest Tudor palace in England and was where King Henry VIII courted his queens. It has sumptuous interiors which are brought back to life costumed guides.

This Place has a family room where you can rest if you get tired of walking around. It has play equipment to keep kids busy. There is also ample facility for holding corporate and business events.

In winters at the west front of the palace, you can find an ice rink. It is there Dec 2nd, for six weeks each year and this is a nice place for Christmas. If you begin to freeze don’t forget there is an Ice Rink Café near the ice rink that serves warm drinks and snacks. Book yourself ahead of time for this event.

The ticket price includes a daily program of activities and a multilingual sound guide in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. There are also sound guides for the whole family to enjoy.

You can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides at an extra cost, take the eerie ghost tours or just step into the Tudor kitchen to check out the Tudor cookery. Call the Palace enquiry to find out what all you can do there, when you go there.

Nearest Station: Hampton Court Rail (30 minutes from Waterloo).

Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Telephone: (+44) 0870 752 7777

Design - Stones

Since stone-age man has known the value of stone at home. Ancient man was closer to stone because it was used due to its availability and because it was a robust and readily available material to build homes. Stone ware and stone utensils have also been discovered in excavations in various parts of India and the subcontinent, where life supposedly evolved.

Even today, stone is often used for fireplaces, hearths, and decorative walls in homes. Stone walls and fireplaces are easier to clean and look attractive. To put these stones together in walls in designs and other interior décor they have to be cut to size first. Since the stones are hard, a very hard diamond blade is used to cut these. These blades are used on a wet tile saw. A water pump in the tile saw helps keep the blade cool so the job gets done with speed.

A diamond blade is a circular saw blade used for cutting hard or abrasive materials. Where shape cutting is required band saws are used. These also use diamond blades for cutting hard materials.

For cutting concrete, brick, block, stone and other similar materials designers use diamond blades. A diamond blade consists of a steel core and powder metal combined with diamond crystals which is heated and pressed into a molding to become the diamond segments, which are the actual cutting teeth of the blade. These diamond segments are then welded to the steel core. Another way of making a diamond blade includes electroplating diamond crystal directly to the metal core. Single layer diamond blades are made by a method called brazing (soldering).

The steel core of a diamond blade may be different one from another because of its usage. The spaces called segments are used in a diamond blade to provide cooling to the blade. The continuous rim blades are more used for smooth chip- free cutting. To cut a stone in designs, modern architecture demands use of proper tile saw. People have developed tastes and need more finesse in their living standards.