Centro Simón Bolívar Towers

Centro Simón Bolívar Towers
General information
Status Complete
Type Office
Location Caracas, Venezuela
Construction started 1948
Completed 1954
Opening December 6, 1954
Height
Roof 103 m (338 ft)
Technical details
Floor count 32
Design and construction
Architect Cipriano Domínguez
Developer Centro Simón Bolívar

The Centro Simón Bolívar Towers TCSB also known as the Towers of Silence is a building with a pair of 32-story towers, each measuring 103 meters in height, in El Silencio district, Caracas, Venezuela. Built during the time of the presidency of Marcos Pérez Jiménez, the TCSB was opened to the public on December 6, 1954.[1][2]

Towers of Simón Bolívar Center, as seen underneath the arch of the Palace of Justice, Caracas

Features

The TCSB is an example of functionalist architecture that includes the concept of integrating artistic works into the building. When first built it was a symbol of Venezuelan national identity, of a country emerging from its agrarian and petroleum-based economy, at the beginning of its industrialization. The TCSB is thus imposed as a simple aesthetic symbol of modernity and of the long-term development facing the country.[3]

The TCSB is suspended in the air above the ground on stilts, allowing the public to traverse beneath it unhindered. The symmetry of the building is rigorous, with the twin towers arising from two parallel wings, consisting of a system of plazas, walkways, porches, doorways, commercial areas and underground parking; the Bolivar Avenue passes underneath.

The towers occupied the title of the tallest twin towers in Venezuela until the construction of the towers of Parque Central Complex along the same road in the city of Caracas.

On February 7, 1982, the climber Dan Goodwin scaled the outside of the towers using only his hands and feet.

Gallery

References

  1. Hernández Caballero, Serafín (Editor). (1998): Gran Enciclopedia de Venezuela. Editorial Globe, C.A. Caracas. 10 volúmenes. ISBN 980-6427-00-9 ISBN 980-6427-10-6
  2. Entre rayas revista de artquitectura: Campaña para la Restauración del Centro Simón Bolívar
  3. Venezuelaoctavaisla.wordpress.com: Las torres de El Silencio

External links

Coordinates: 10°30′10″N 66°54′58″W / 10.50278°N 66.91611°W / 10.50278; -66.91611

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.