Latest Modern Architects

[usarender]

Santiago Calatrava

For those who enjoy the fusion between architecture & modern structures, or the latest in modern architecture, check out this site above, as a start.

It will be interesting for others to post links/projects as well.

Any thoughts on the work of Santiago Calatrava ?

[designofthings]

I think there's an elegance to his work . . . conventional elegance as far as you can take it . . . someone like gehry seems to react against this (or is incapable of doing it. . . but does it matter which it is?) and go another direction. I find it very easy to like Calatrava's work . . . of course, I admit I do have a weakness for elegance and sexualized lines.

[lekizz]

I had one of my photos of Calatrava's 'Turning Torso' published recently, so I should be more of an expert than I actually am. Interesting that he is an architect trained as an engineer, I thought he came to architecture second. He's hardly a new kid on the block, but certainly with plenty of time left ahead to build on his success.

I find his work far from conventional. Calatrava seems to make complex engineering quite poetic, often by repetitive elements and subtle detail, which often gives his work a biomorphic look.

[innova+e]

I was working in a firm in minneapolis, when santiago was up for nomination for the AIA Gold. my boss at the time was the responsible for representing calatrava as a nomination. anyway, calatrava sent over his original watercolors for some of the structures he has worked on, and let me say that was really a treat. arriving in the morning, coffee in hand, and seeing them laying on my desk! he really is, in my opinion a breed apart from most contemporary work as we see it. probably the phd in engineering for training, and the sensitivity he brings as an architect, plus his ability to translate human, animal, mineral movement over time into an expression of glass, concrete and steel is what make him stand out as unique. I dont think its fair to compare someone like Gehry to Calatrava, although FG does some amazing things with structure, he then covers up the original expression with his typical fashion plates. I like to think of Calatrava as pure. just pure.

[designofthings]

First, what I didn't say before is that Calatrava is my favourite architect.

With that in mind:

Lekizz: congratulations on your published photograph - do you have a small res. version of that to share? I made the exact same mistake after first briefly scanning his bio - I guess a big part of me thought the progression of engineer to architect was more natural and expected. In his official bio, which is all that I'm going on, it kind of skips over any substantial explanation of why he felt compelled to go down the engineering route. Perhaps he didn't have a vision of himself and what he could be until the ingredients of engineering and architecture were both there to be mixed in his head.

I used Gehry as an example for contrast against Calatrava. Personally, I don't like Gehry's work as much but my conclusions for as to why lead me down a path I'm not quite comfortable with. Preference is often bred from familiarity. To me, Calatrava is a master of working with shapes, angles, proportions that somehow fit with what (I at least) expect of great architecture. I look, though, at Gehry's work and he seems to break from familiar ways to win aesthetically. I suppose, I am in a transition point in not trusting what I like because of the mechanism I'm aware of behind my process of liking. Awareness of that points me towards an ideal that would anchor around Calatrava-like design, but self-consciously be broken down and go against the grain of accepted aesthetics. It's still very confusing to me, and I think to put it bluntly this is a continual thought experiment of mine contrasting the art, the design, and the science of architecture. For me, I find the art and philosophy side the most confusing.

Innova+e: Yes, I agree, Calatrava is very pure. . . I would say, too pure, too slick. I would like to see some more grit. (Again, he still is my favourite).

[lekizz]

Photo taken in Malmo in 2003 when the tower was still being built

[designofthings]

Thanks for that, Lekizz. . . nice semi-gloomy atmosphere there with that split of sky and dark cloud. Sets off the brighter building making it make even more of a statement then it already makes.

[usarender]

It would be interesting to show how various architects have embarked on this "turning torso" theme recently. This due perhaps is it to the new conscience with green design or environmentally responsive structures and the energy production capacity of such spinning buildings ?

[usarender]

Some of the latest modern architecture can be seen in some of these latest modern projects taking place, and also in the latest mega projects.

7 Star Dubai Hotel - Luxury Living In A Funnel (GALLERY)

[usarender]

On the subject of twisting sky-scrapers, check out the Chicago Spire !

World's Highest Residence Has Prices to Match - Chicago Spire (VIDEO)

[usarender]

And certainly, many of the world's greatest mega projects and well known architects are doing projects in Dubai --->>

Dubai, the Hot Market & It's Success Stories

The Silver Screen of Architecture

THE NEW SILVER SCREEN OF ARCHITECTURE - Main Link

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