ODA backs Arup bridges in face of criticism“featureless, lacking in architectural character and visual interest” - ouch. Examples of CABE's critique of the Olympic bridges (see image on the right) are available online.
Bootle bridge underway
Softroom's RIBA contest-winning wooden bridge begins construction
Valencian architect donates damages to charity
Santiago Calatrava gives Zubizuri money (see my previous post for full details) to Bilbao charity
The wooden arch bridge needs urgent protection
Attempt to preserve traditional bridge-building skills in China
Eliasson to build bridge in Copenhagen
Artist wants pedestrians to come as close the the water as possible. Boats and surfboards apparently not an option? See previous bridge-related hi-jinks from the same artist.
The CABE criticism of the Arup and Allies & Morrison bridges is actually concerning their procurement, and the deferral of the key details to some time (and author) after planning permission has been awarded, and not to do with design quality at all. In fact, having seen a lot of the information first-hand, the designs appear to fully answer the original design intent, which was for well mannered but determinedly understated infrastructure, to allow the landscape and the stadia to predominate. LB Newham have frequently been inconsistent in their requirements for design in the Olympic Park and are often in contradiction with the ODA. There is much the ODA can be criticised for, including the apparently preferential treatment of large consultants including Arup, Atkins and Allies & Morrison, but they do seem to be delivering on their promises, and the infrastructure is on the money - neither crude nor iconic. The BD article claiming poor design is lazy journalism and inflamatory, and it is disappointing that Julian Hakes is so swift to put the boot in.
ReplyDeleteJust in case it was unclear, my sympathy was with the recipient of the criticism, not the critic, having been in similar situations myself, where the inconsistent and often cryptic concerns of planners can be a source of frequent frustration.
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