The Visionary Behind The Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava

The Visionary Behind The Spanish Architect Santiago CalatravaIntuitive vision that lures experienced and studied phenomena greatly enriches serviceman endeavor, near as much as structural theory and geometry have the superpower to inspire monumental works of architecture. that down the line, the visionary behind the Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava shall be unveiled, on the basis of the aforesaid statement.The woodcarverCalatravas early interest in art and the aesthetic sense that drew him to a small platter on Le Corbusier, would remain a nonher constant factor in his work, and angiotensin converting enzyme of the things that sets him apart in the world of contemporary architecture. Calatrava evolved his art, and his sculpture into architecture. Time and time again, his work leaves architecture critics perplexed because of his tremendous ability to translate his sculptures into real structures, into architecture. He never fails to generate a great deal of mystery and cr otchet in his works.Calatrava goes so far as to even suggest that his art (sculpture) must be considered as a source of ideas for architecture. Julio Gonzalez explains the Architecture-Sculpture equation. Architecture and sculpture atomic number 18 two rivers in which the same water flows. venture that sculpture is unfettered plasticity, objet dart architecture is plasticity that must submit to function, and to the obvious notion of human scale (through function). Where sculpture ignores function, unbowed by mundane questions of use, it is superior to architecture as pure expression. only when through its rapport with human scale and the environment through its penetrability and interiority architecture dominates sculpture in these specific aras. (Julio Gonzalez Dessiner dans lespace, Skira, Kunstmuseum, Bern, 1997)In 1914, in his book Les Cathdrales de France, sculptor Auguste Rodin wrote, The sculptor attains great expression only when he gives all his attention to the harmon ic play of light and shadow, just as the architect does. The fact that one of the most famous phrases of modern architecture was inspired not by an architect but by a sculptor underlines the signifi coffin nailce of art.The EngineerIt is not enough to be an engineer. We are not allowed to keep down ourselves within our own professions, but must live in full view of the entire crack of life, which is always total. The supreme art of living is a consummation gained by no hotshot label and no single light it is the yield of all occupations and all sciences, and m either things besides.-Jos Ortega y Gasset,Man the TechnicianCalatravas communicative use of technology and inventive constitute would be impossible without an awareness that goes beyond architecture and engineering. Music, moving picture and the natural sciences are as vital to his work as any other calculation. His work becomes and intertwinement of waxy expression and structural revelation, producing results that p ossibly can be best described as a tax write-off of aesthetics and structural physics. (Anthony C. Webster Utility, Technology and Expression, The Architectural Review 191, no.1149, November 1992 71)Calatravas build process reflects his eclectic education. He began as an art student, then went on to earn a degree in architecture, from Escuela Technica Superior de Arquitectura de Valencia, and then lastly a doctorate of Technical Science from the Eidgenosische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zurich, all in his birthplace Valencia.He pass his time making and then developing numerous sketches. His sketches emphasize his preference for resolving a design in section, which for him bursts not only the strength of the building but excessively its structural beauty. Often, his sketches are followed by scale models, or what he generally refers to as toys and games. (Santiago Calatrava, The synthetic Power of Games and Metaphor. In Bridging the Gap Rethinking the race of an Architect and Engineer. New York Van Nostrand Reinhold, Building Arts Forum/New York, 1991, p. 173). Used as experiments and chiefly inspirational tools for resolving technical problems such as self-propelleds or tension, they are also seen as sculptures that borrow the language of Engineering. They are creative statements about structural force.Calatravas comprehension of technical information and science is what grants his work the starting point, that is paralleled to Leonardo Da Vincis own interconnected scientific and artistic connections. Just as Da Vinci made use of his art and science background, translating human and animal operation into mechanical reason and added depth and the third dimension in his paintings similarly, Calatravas fantastic educational knowledge in engineering as well as architecture, enables him to translate his sculptural work (which depicts motion) into crystallized movement in his architectural work. act has always fascinated Calatrava, and for parts of his s tructures, it has been a source of evolution and inspiration. Even in his engineering thesis of foldable space frames, he investigated movement as an inherent part of architecture. His doctoral thesis, On the Foldability of Frames had to do with the fact that a geometric figure can be reduced from three dimensions to two, and ultimately just one. A polyhedron can be collapsed, making it a single planar surface. Another transformation can further reduce it to a single line, a single dimension.He thus concluded that any building is not just a visual image, consisting of different volumes and textured surfaces, but a dynamic objectAlthough, it is very noticeable from his works and he himself has also stated that nature is his structural inspiration, it is also seen that he doesnt imitate any particular organic form. Instead, he closely observes the strong visual movement in natural objects that derives from the fact that their shapes are the traces of the physical forces that created them. His structures have the same dynamic quality evince in Rudolf Arnheims explanation of nature. It is alive to our eyes partly because its shapes are fossils of the events that gave rise to them. (Rudolf Arheim, Art and visual intelligence A Psychology of the Creative Eye, Los Angeles University of California Press, 1969, p.351)The Essence of ArchitectureThe fact that some are ill-fitting with the multiple forms of expression chosen by Santiago Calatrava is probably the best indication that is he onto something important. Joseph Seymour , the precedent executive director of the Port Authority of New York and new Jersey said, We think he is the Da Vinci of our time. He combines light and air and structural elegance with strength.His architecture captivates the imagination, showing the potential of sculptural form and dynamic structure, and what it can accomplish. His vision elevates the human spirit by creating environments in which we live, play and work.He does not seem dis turbed by the coexisting forms of art, architecture and engineering in his mind and thought. With all of his combine interests, he is able to amaze everyone with his phenomenal designs each time. He develops forms that are anonymous, yet universal.Turning Torso, SwedenIn sculpture, I have used spheres, and cubes and simple forms often related to my knowledge of engineering. I must play that I greatly admire the liberty of a Frank Gehry, or Frank Stella as a sculptor. There is a joy and a liberty in Stellas work that is not present in my sculpture, which is always based in the rough business of mathematics. (Interview with Santiago Calatrava, Zurich, February 22, 2006)Ernstings Warehouse, Ger galore(postnominal)It has been made clear through Calatravas Ernstings Warehouse, in Coesfeld Germany (1983-85), that architecture is not static. The warehouse doors continue the aluminium wall surface when closed, but when open, the faade is penetrate and set in motion and the doors are tran sformed into a beautiful scalloped canopy.Bac De Roda Bridge, BarcelonaLike many 20th Century engineers, Calatrava considers concrete to be the most noble construction material. The Spanish discussion for concrete, hormigon, from the word meaning form, describes most directly the unique quality of concrete- Its ability to take any form or shape. Of course, Calatrava has his favorites, but doesnt limit himself to concrete. The marvelous dialogue he establishes between concrete and steel, for example and the detailing of these connections reveal a great deal of his ideas on structural composition. In the Bac De Roda- Felipe II Bridge (1984-1987) in Barcelona, the arches are transformed from steel into concrete, as they majestically bend to meet the earth. Concrete abutments are anchored firmly into the ground, while steel , because of its obvious lightness compared to concrete, soars over the roadway.Stadelhofen Station, ZurichThe three pronged steel columns seem to bite into the sc um canopy and concrete promenade to ensure support and grip. These junctures embody Calatravas fascination with the way load are carried to the ground.ConclusionHis work is an inspiration to numerous architects across the globe not only because it counteracts the thrusts of arches, and domes of massive rock music construction, but because it also conveys structural clarity and rhythmic qualities.Calatravas work can captivate, communicate, and inspire though a visual process. We sense a familiarity with it that is often definable yet not attributable to a single source. At a time when specialization in architecture is increasing, Santiago Calatrava has the ability to combine the slightly contradicting disciplines of architecture and engineering, with his very own creative vision. It is the vision that has the capability to rejuvenate not just the strengthened environment but ultimately the very spirit of building itself.