tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post2476175482338028466..comments2024-03-11T16:49:27.614+00:00Comments on The Happy Pontist: North Coast Harbor Bridge proposalsThe Happy Pontisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15252272118786667592noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-89345107109833483702009-09-02T17:04:58.272+01:002009-09-02T17:04:58.272+01:00A guide on how to run a bridge design competition ...A guide on how to run a bridge design competition is being prepared by IABSE at present, and once available it's hoped it will be widely publicised by RIBA, ICE and IStructE in the UK, and other bodies elsewhere. I'm not optimistic about how well it will be adopted, as most bridge design competitions are run by clients who have never used the approach before, and they rarely look to see what advice is available.The Happy Pontisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252272118786667592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-25041081083258121782009-09-02T16:48:54.726+01:002009-09-02T16:48:54.726+01:00The issue of bridge 'visualisations' and t...The issue of bridge 'visualisations' and their sometimes tenuous connection to reality is a significant one, but the portland example you linked to really hammers home the point. Great work as always on the blog!<br /><br />On the buildability of 'cynical' schemes, perhaps a one page leaflet on 'How to procure a bridge design' could be compiled by volunteers and mailed to any new bridge client:<br /><br />We, the above, have seen many bridges run over time and budget. To prevent this we strongly and compassionatley recommend:<br /><br />1) Employing a structural engineer on your judging panel.<br />2) Employing a QS on the judging panel<br />3) ...<br />4) ...Paper Projecthttp://paperproject.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-57990097193016640022009-09-02T09:27:46.236+01:002009-09-02T09:27:46.236+01:00I think this is definitely right and was very well...I think this is definitely right and was very well illustrated in Rosales' Portland scheme, where his less-preferred solutions were quite deliberately <a href="http://happypontist.blogspot.com/2009/01/williamette-river-wave-bridge-seeks.html" rel="nofollow">made to look less attractive</a> than his favourite option.The Happy Pontisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252272118786667592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-69397952012090584512009-09-02T09:13:30.082+01:002009-09-02T09:13:30.082+01:00There are certainly plenty of design contests whic...There are certainly plenty of design contests which seem to be won with an unfeasible proposal which is modified later. Also several where the winning design is clearly not buildable within budget and the client later has to find extra funding.<br /><br />I'm not sure the lesson is that you have to be cynical to win. An alternative is to maintain your integrity and just not enter the contests where flash is likely to prevail over value.<br /><br />I've not been greatly impressed with Rosales' design work, I think he has little real sympathy with structural engineering, which makes a focus on the somewhat specialist area of bridge design difficult to understand.The Happy Pontisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252272118786667592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-65246686021247651852009-09-02T09:10:29.697+01:002009-09-02T09:10:29.697+01:00In my experience, whenever people are asked for mu...In my experience, whenever people are asked for multiple designs they'll invariable (subconsciously or not) have a favourite which will attract more of their effort and thought. <br /><br />If six designers each champion one design, those design would seem much more likely to be of equal standard than if one designer champions six.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470543006314152962.post-52504831696139604852009-09-02T01:29:24.068+01:002009-09-02T01:29:24.068+01:00Sorry to drag this back to the Calgary competition...Sorry to drag this back to the Calgary competition but it looks like the vague "Arty" proposal always wins....practical concepts are never as thin, white or sculptural because they have to be built.<br /><br />I think the design choices given highlight the problem engineers (as you clearly layout in your post) have with concepts, the lack of real structural design in the concept. (I have worked with Rosales early in his career and well, I will leave it there.) <br /><br />I will give Rosales credit the designs are interesting.<br /><br />The thing that bugs me the most is I will be accused of "sour grapes" because I question if they can be built as shown. <br /><br />The lesson I continue to learn is to design the most far out thing I can and after I win, modify it back to something that can be built! Then I will be a genius! So simple I should have thought of it sooner.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com