WATCH: Robert A.M. Stern on glass vs. limestone, the advent of the supertall … & more

Celebrated architect says glassy towers are "aggressive," not modern

More than 50 architects, developers and other real estate professionals descended on the home of The Real Deal publisher Amir Korangy last week to hear Robert A.M. Stern spill the beans on his design philosophy and how it relates to today’s architecture.

“A lot of architects want to make buildings that look deconstructed,” Stern said while sipping on a vodka martini with a twist. “I want to make buildings that look like they were constructed.”

The famed architect, whose designs gave rise to 15 Central Park West, the Chatham and more, spoke specifically about the use of glass, as well as the advent of Supertall Towers Like 432 Park Avenue. He suggested, for example, that even the most contemporary and avant-garde designs are built on ideas from the past.

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“They’re not that modern,” he said. “They’re just aggressive.”

The crowd’s real estate bigwigs included Don Peebles, Adam Rose, Edward Baquero, Dottie Herman, Leonard Steinberg, Shaun Osher, Faith Hope Consolo and Kathy Sloane.

To see highlights from Amir Korangy’s discussion with Robert A.M. Stern, watch the video above.

For more videos, visit The Real Deal’s YouTube page.