Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Phila's Comcast Building, question

[just curious]

I stumbled across this site as I was trying to answer a question, and figure you would all know best.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Comcast Building that's going up in Philadelphia right now, but I was wondering what the purpose of the large squares on the North and South sides of the building are for. Of course, general consensus is--"it's architecture"--but I've seen in another city--Tokyo I believe--where those types of cutouts are stuffed with satellite dishes (not that I think it's what they're planning now).

Here's a link to a page focused on the Philly Skyline w/ the Comcast Center's pics, but I haven't found what I'm looking for...

http://phillyskyline.com/bldgs/comcast/i2.htm

Are these square cutouts simply aesthetic or is there more to it than that?

The north side one is smaller than the south facing one, fwiw. They just look like they have a purpose to me, I guess.

[editor]

I think you're on the right track with the satellite dish theory. I've seen that a lot in buildings lately. Here's a recent picture of the fairly new Time Warner Center in New York which illustrates what you're talking about:


Also, don't just think satellite dishes. As I recall the Comcast building is going to be the tallest in Philadelphia. That means that communications companies will pay through the nose for any horizontal (and even some vertical) space they can plant their antennae on.

I'm looking at the roof of the Aon Center in Chicago right now, and even though it's only a small space it must have 100 or more antennae on it. With the world going wireless with everything these days, space is in high demand. Even the shoulders of the Sears Tower are festooned with antennae these days.