Santiago Calatrava Term Paper

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architect Santiago Calatrava. It has 3 sources.

An analysis of Calatrava's works as an entirety; based on his major ideas, the nature of his works, his clients, culture, origin and development, thematic progression, the values represented and legacy of the architect to modern architecture.

Born in Valencia, 1951, Santiago Calatrava is one of Spain's most celebrated architects. His works and projects can be found throughout Spain, as well as Europe and across the Atlantic in N. America. Some famous works by Calatrava are the BCE Place Mall in Toronto, Bach de Roda Bridge in Barcelona, the Oriente Railway Station in Lisbon, Bridge of Europe in Orleans, France, and the Milwaukee Art Museum, USA. In addition to this, Calatrava has also staged exhibitions of his sculpture in Florence, Texas and Athens.

Analysis:

Calatrava's implemented his innovative and original ideas through his many works. The major concepts of Calatrava's design are found in his bridges and buildings. His importance in the community of European architects can hardly be overstated, yet he rarely designs a fully enclosed building; his works are generally open structures. Calatrava's dual capacity as an engineer and an architect allows him to capture the creative and structural aspects of both disciplines. His engineering skills enable him to apply his ideas to his architecture with greater ease. The sculptural surfaces and unusual spaces that are born of this marriage of disciplines give Calatrava an unmistakable and easily identifiable style. He dismisses the apathy involved in accepted architectural form. In 1979, he received the Auguste Perret award; for his efforts to reintroduce the quality of Perret's work, and stressing the importance of primary structure in form definition.

Calatrava's work is a perfect testament to these ideas and concepts. Two of these works are the Stadelhofen Railway Station in Zurich and the Campo Volantin Footbridge in Valencia. The first was completed in 1984, with steel frames and glass, in modern style and urban context. Its notable feature is the glass-roofed canopy developed with counterpoised steel.

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The structure is built with conflicting features, reflecting the site that it was built in; a factor that is said to have stimulated Calatrava's wit and structural creativity. One can observe the geometric implications involved in the work, another direct result of the layout of the land it was built upon. The lateral curvatures and inclinations, directional changes and site location allowed the architect incredible opportunities to experiment with space and dimension. The natural backdrop, civic milieu, and external environment of the station are all cleverly blended to offer maximum unity. (See App.1 & 2))

The Campo Volantin Footbridge is another example of Calatrava's work that fully implements his unique approach to architecture and engineering. Built as a steel inclined parabolic arch with glass decking, the bridge is a brilliant example of light, modern urban waterside architecture. Another example of disequilibrium and geometric mayhem coupled with stationary perspective and frozen movement, it culminates in an astounding unity of form much like the station at Zurich. (Matthews, 2003 / see App. 3 & 4)

Calatrava knew what changes architecture needed to undergo and the heavy demands involved in implementing such changes. Over the years, he gained excellent repute in the international community of architects, primarily for his integration of aesthetics and technology, and production of dynamic structural forms that directly challenge conventional engineering and architectural practice. His cultural and educational background had profound effects on his intellectual orientation. The name Calatrava itself is a medieval aristocratic one, passed down from a generation of knights. The rich cultural environment of his native Valencia, his partial disillusionment with the direction of his initial formal education, and the clinical mathematic world of Zurich's engineering institutes helped him pioneer a new architectural concept. (Architect Week, 2000)

Calatrava's most recognized genius lies in his ability to blend art and function, and architecture and engineering. The Zurich station, which is one of his earliest works, exemplifies these characteristics. Shortly after, he undertook the design and construction of.....

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