DSGN119 - Design as a Generic Tool

Professor M Neil James - Web page http://www.plym.tech.ac.uk/si

Case Studies of Structural Design

Bridge in Bilbao

Just upstream from the Guggenheim museum is the Campo Volantin footbridge that demonstrates grace and stability, and which utilises misleading structural forms to achieve balance in the composition.  This was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava and built between 1990-1997.  He was born in Valencia, Spain on July 28, 1951 and began his professional practice in 1981 by opening an architectural and engineering office in Zurich. His first realized project was the Jakem Factory in 1983, in Munchwilen, Switzerland.  His second office was opened in Paris in 1989.

In his almost 20 years of practice, he has won countless awards, including the 1992 "Gold Medal of the Institute of Structural Engineers," and the 1987 "Auguste Perret UIA Prize."
 

Information on Calatrava can be found at http://www.calatrava.info/

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Campo_Volantin_Footbridge.html

Side elevation - a simple suspension bridge?

Opposing curves

Deck and stays

Stay details

Underside of bridge structure

End connections