Showing posts with label Architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Architecture. Show all posts

Monday, September 9, 2013

World's 18 Strangest Bridges


Here's two of them.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/architecture/4335705#slide-1

The World's 18 Strangest Bridges
The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which China claims to be the world’s longest, is now open. But it takes more than length to make a great bridge: Advances in design software and construction materials have given bridge architects opportunities to focus on original, striking and sometimes whimsical designs that impress, while keeping function in mind. Here are some of our favorite unusual bridges and why they're architecturally striking.
By Chris Sweeney

3: Henderson Waves
Background: The 118-foot tall Henderson Waves is Singapore's tallest pedestrian bridge, linking Mount Faber Park with Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Why It's Innovative: Pedestrian bridges allow for a certain amount of creativity that's not possible with structures that need to support heavy-duty use. The undulating outer shell of the Henderson Waves is striking, and the inside is shaped into benches where tourists can sit and gaze at nature or the nearby skyline of Singapore City. The bridge, which is about 900 feet long, is illuminated by an array of LED lights each night to bolster its snake-like presence in the midst of two national parks.

* * *

13: Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Background: This award-winning tilt-bridge is the brainchild of Wilkinson Eyre, a London-based architecture firm. It crosses the River Tyne, connecting Gateshead and New Castle.

Why It's Innovative: A system of six hydraulic rams can pivot the bridge's walkway at a 40-degree angle in order to let boats pass. Wilkinson Eyre describes the bridge's movement as looking like a "slowly opening eyelid" when it raises, a process that takes fewer than 5 minutes. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the bridge was fully constructed before being installed as a single piece by Europe's largest floating crane, Asian Hercules II.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, August 27, 2013

On Tuesday August 27, 2013 The Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation held a tour of One Channel Center, a building in progress on A Street in South Boston.
Cheryl Tougias MSAAD ’88, Spalding Tougias Architects, contributed designs for this building. The tour and reception was co-sponsored with the Columbia University Alumni Association of Boston. Suffolk Construction the largest construction company in New England described some of the special procedures employed to meet the challenges of the land. The reception was held at upscale Legal Harborside in South Boston. Here are some images captured at the event.


One Channel Center north side view


Listening to the Suffolk Construction presentation

















Some were disappointed that this event was one day later.








Rear view


Rear view


Rear view


Rear view


This is the rear of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which can be seen from One Channel Center.


This image shows the elaborate electrical wires connecting the thingy.


Moving materials on the construction site can be seen in this image.


This is inside the building first floor, where the cafeteria for feeding the troops will be.


This expensive sand is imported from the eastern shores of Florida.


Materials on the roof.


This structure was not described as a roof-top jail like the one Cambridge has on Thorndike Street.


Elevator shaft on the roof. The elevator operator revealed he has his ups and downs.


Looking southeast from the roof.


Looking south from the roof.


The south side of the building.


Sea gull dumpster diving for sustenance.


Colorful south side of the building.


Reception venue, Legal Harborside


View from the pier of the reception venue.


One of the water vehicles parked at the pier.


View of the Bank of America Pavillion.


Spy boat leaving the reception before it's cover was blown.


Drinking and talking


The President of the Columbia University Alumni Association of Boston (holding the wine).


The food was good.


Were they holding up or onto the table?


A pause in the conversation.


Refill time.


It was down there!


Are you sure it will not fall down?


One, two, three.


Are you sure?


You don't look 21.


Why are you looking at me like that?


Apologize or else!


That's better.


I was going to punch his lights out.


He means business.


It's true. I saw it myself.


I feel better now.


Feeling good.