Skyscrapers II: The Hungarian Connection(s)

Abstract

In a previous paper (Justification for ’Scrapping the Sky’, Ybl Journal of Built Environment, Vol. 7/1,) I set an overall framework for reviewing the elusive topic from its history to the state-of-theart, with a particular focus on urban design perspectives. While conducting the research, the subject offered many interesting (sometimes even surprising) findings. One of them is the so-called Hungarian connection: two epic protagonists who played a significant role in shaping the early skyline of Manhattan (Emery Roth and his sons) and Shanghai (Laszlo Hudec), respectively. Although their heritage is still striking on the ground, they seem to be not well known, particularly Roth, even among professional architects. Hence the rationale and the title of this paper.