Test your Design IQ

MANILA, Philippines - Identify this New York City landmark.

This was the world’s tallest building from 1931, when it surpassed the Chrysler Building, to 1972, when it was surpassed by the World Trade Center. After the 9-11 attacks, it became New York’s tallest structure once again.

Designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, the tower takes its name from the nickname of New York State. It has 102 floors, 6,500 windows, 73 elevators, and 1,860 steps to the top floor. It was built in contemporary Art Deco style with a classic masonry façade. Its distinctive spire was originally designed as a mooring mast and depot for zeppelins, an idea that was later abandoned due to dangerous, powerful updrafts.

While the lower floors occupy an entire block, setbacks in the building’s design — as required by the city’s zoning law of 1916 aimed at reducing shadows cast by tall buildings — lend it its unique tapered silhouette.

The lobby is three stories high and displays an aluminum relief of the skyscraper (without the antenna, which was added to the building in 1952). On most days, tourists line up to get to the 86th observatory, which offers impressive 360-degree views of New York.

On July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber accidentally crashed in a thick fog into the north side between the 79th and 80th floors, where the offices of the National Catholic Welfare Council were located. The fire was extinguished in 40 minutes; 14 people were killed in the accident.

As popular as the movies it is featured in are the building’s floodlights, which illuminate the building in colors to match events such as Christmas and Valentine’s. When Frank Sinatra died, the building was bathed in blue light to represent the singer’s nickname “Ol’ Blue Eyes.” After the death of actress Fay Wray in late 2004, the building stood in complete darkness for 15 minutes.

The floodlights bathed the building in red, white, and blue for several months after the destruction of the World Trade Center.

* * *

Last week’s question: Who is the American restaurant critic and food writer who introduced a generation of Americans to a variety of ethnic cultures — particularly Asian and Mexican at a time when the average American had fairly conservative tastes in food? 

Answer: Craig Claiborne

Winner: Cristina Dimapilis of Project 6, QC

Text your answer to 0926-3508061 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.