Two International Place Building vs 400 West Market

Comparing the Two International Place Building and the 400 West Market is an interesting exercise, because even though they are located in different cities (Boston, MA and Louisville, KY), both were designed by Johnson/Burgee Architects and finished within just one year apart. This gives us the chance to see how the same architect's ideas were expressed in different urban contexts almost simultaneously.

Both the Two International Place Building and the 400 West Market were designed in line with the aesthetic conventions of the Postmodernism style.

Both buildings were completed when the Postmodernism style was already past its peak. This makes them feel like late echoes of the movement, more reflective of continuity or nostalgia than of cutting-edge design at the time.

Both the Two International Place Building and the 400 West Market were designed to serve as commercial towers, and that has remained their main use since their completion, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

The 400 West Market also provides 789 parking spaces.

The two towers rely on different structural systems, reflecting distinct engineering strategies.

The Two International Place Building uses a Framed Tube In Tube structural system, which combines a strong central core with a perimeter tube of columns, while the 400 West Market uses a Frame system, that relies on a regular grid of columns and beams to sustain its weight.

Yet, when it comes to their facade, they both employed the same solution, a Modular facade.

A modular facade is made of prefabricated panels, sometimes resembling stone or masonry, combined with smaller windows. It provides variety while maintaining efficiency in installation.