Geometric January: sharp and shiny
I’m joining Becky’s GeometricJanuary Squares Challenge every Friday with a themed gallery. This week I started off thinking about buildings in general, but of course they all have geometry so I have narrowed it down to the sharp and shiny.
Modern buildings often have sharp angles and / or lots of glass. Meadowside Quay (above) in Glasgow is a good example. Formerly the site of huge granaries along the Clyde, it is now occupied by residential apartments. A few more examples:
Elsewhere in Glasgow, looking up steps at Anderston, and one of the buildings in the newest part of the University of Glasgow campus. I always think of it as the Biscuit Tin because of that strange top storey.
Curves rather than sharp angles, but definitely shiny, these two buildings always seem like siblings to me. The first is the Armadillo, originally known as the Clyde Auditorium. However everyone in Glasgow called it the Armadillo because of the shape, and now that’s its official name. The other building is the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, which used to be called The Sage.
Finally, back to sharp and shiny in Manchester and London.
See you next week when my theme will be spirals and circles.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Beautifully captured Anabel
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Thank you Milena!
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what a brilliant selection, Annabel!
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Thanks Sue!
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😊
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A great collection of shiny and sharp architecture!
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Thanks! Some of those pictures that I never quite found a use for finally came in handy.
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Very nice. I love to look skyward when surrounded by tall buildings. You never know what’s up there. 🙂
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Exactly! Even smaller buildings you often miss things if you don’t look up.
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Those are pretty! And I say that as someone who is not usually a fan of glossy buildings!
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I’m not usually either, but I liked some of these especially (whispers) the Manchester ones!
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Enjoyed the shiny and sharp architecture! Something I only see on my rare visits to big cities.
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Thanks Eilene, we are getting more and more of it, it seems. Also too many bland brick boxes.
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Meadowside Quay looks like a picturesque walk.
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That bit is – a bit of an oasis though! Glasgow hasn’t quite got its dots joined up when it comes to the riverside.
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I’m not sure any city council ever gets all it’s dots joined up. What would people moan about if they did 😉
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Quite! 😄
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I love how you have captured sharp and shiny — especially the picture on the viewer’s bottom left. ❤
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Thanks – I like that one too. Cropping it square made it much more dramatic (actually true of all of them).
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Great photos- they inspire one to look around more closely at buildings!
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Thanks! Yes, all sorts of things you can miss if you just glance.
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I love seeing the reflections of other buildings on the shiny glass ones. Your last photo is a beauty.
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Thanks! I like that one too. This is a good way of using things which caught my eye but didn’t seem to fit into any narrative post.
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It’s all a matter of personal taste then. I really like the biscuit tin. One of the better modern buildings in Glasgow. I was also surprised you didn’t like it. Maybe it’s like Marmite. Love or loathe it architecture. Bob. BSS.
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Must be! I find it really jarring.
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I like that first one too. They look a bit hemmed in, some of those, Anabel, but riverside living is very appealing.
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Yes, I would like a balcony over the river. Maybe someday!
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Just do it, Anabel 😉
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Too much I’d have to give up at the moment!
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Fair enough. Though my point was not to put off something that you really want to do.
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It is the sort of thing I dream of doing until I remember all the reasons why I like where I am! But, yes, when we need to downsize a waterside balcony is right up there on the list of priorities.
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This is a brilliant idea, and you have chosen great geometric examples.
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Thank you!
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Fun series. (Suzanne)
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Thanks!
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oh these are wonderfully shiny, and a side of Glasgow I have yet to explore.
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There’s time! We shall do some exploring outside the city centre on your next visit.
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I look forward to it – hope to start planning some UK adventures soon
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I see what you mean about the Biscuit Tin, but I have to say I quite like it 🙂 I also really like the Armadillo and the Sage (I haven’t yet got used to its mouthful of a new name and I suspect most people won’t either!)
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I like the Armadillo and the Sage (I think you’re right about the name) but we shall have to agree to differ on the Biscuit Tin!
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A great range of photos, Anabel. It’s great to see how much of the riverside has been regenerated, on both sides.
A great range of sharp and shiny buildings. Im looking forward to next week’s
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Thanks Brenda. I’ve always felt Glasgow’s riverside lags behind other cities’ but we do seem to be catching up a bit. I read recently that part of the problem is the patchwork of land ownership along the Clyde.
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That makes sense, Anabel.
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My son often mentions the Armadillo, so it is pleasing to see such a lovely clear photograph of it 🙂
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Taken on a nice summer day, not like now! The Armadillo is one of my favourite venues. Big, but not too big, and with comfortable seats.
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I like the view in the first photo, it looks like it might be a nice place to walk along. Love the Armadillo and I agree about the Biscuit Tin, I’m sure my mum had a tin of Fox’s biscuits years ago which was that shape and colour. A small 1-bed apartment on the 27th floor of Deansgate south tower will cost upwards of £400,000 if you fancy it 😀
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I’m sure the view from the tower is great but I’d expect a lot more for £40K! Meadowside Quay is on a circular route we started in lockdown and still do sometimes. As for the Biscuit Tin, one of John’s former colleagues now works in that building and she seemed surprised that we didn’t like it. I think it’s hideous.
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