sloArch

Author: Tim Alatorre

  • Architectural Disasters

    I had the opportunity of driving across the westbound side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge last week.  The westbound side was completed in 1950 and has been solid as a rock for almost 60 years.  As I traversed this now famous span, I couldn’t help but think of it’s infamous and ill fated predecessor.

    This short drive and the recent building collapse of the residential block in China made me reflect again on the very serious nature of the Architecture and building professions.  As Architects, engineers, contractors, designers, and draftsmen, the decisions and the work that we do have very serious real world consequences.

    Not all problems result in loss of life, but sometimes the costs can be unimaginable.  Over the years I have seen many, many bad designs and construction mistakes, as has anyone who has worked in the profession for any amount of time.  I’ve seen structures sliding down hills, doors that don’t open, and shoddy and dangerous construction in abundance.  In order to protect the innocent I won’t be posting any of those problems here, but I’ll more than gladly share other people’s mistakes.

    Below I have compiled some serious and not so serious building errors for your reflection.

    Tacoma Narrows Bidge June 27, 2009
    Tacoma Narrows Bridge,  June 27, 2009

    The Tacoma  Narrows Bridge collapsed on Nov. 7th, 1940 only four months after completion.  The only casualty was a dog stuck in a car on the bridge when it collapsed.

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  • Photo Essay: Seattle Central Library

    Opened to the public on May 23, 2004, the Seattle Central Library by Rem Koolhaas quickly became a tourist attraction in Seattle, Washington.

    The 362,987 square foot building features an underground public parking lot, hundreds of computers, an auditorium, and “the book spiral” that allows visitors to traverse the entire book collection all on one continuous “floor” that spirals over 5 stories.  I found the entire structure to be amazing in both form and function.  Practical details like having floor air registers and waterless urinals are complimented by having text embossed flooring, and vertical circulation identified with a consistent bright yellow.

    During my visits on June 27th and 28th I overheard an elderly woman comment that being in the building was giving her an anxiety attack.  I would agree that the building as a whole can seem a bit overwhelming, it is very different from the traditional library.  However, I found the building to be exciting and invigorating.  The building draws you to explore it and discover.  I think libraries as a whole can be very compartmentalized, but the spaces in Seattle Central Library were very connected not just horizontally but vertically as well.  I was also surprised by the numerous intimate areas that were created on balconies, and in glazed niches.  There were many places that I could see myself sitting for hours just reading.

    Overall I found the building very impressive.

    (Photo essay after the break)

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  • LEED Study Aids

    usgbc-logo-smallA number of my colleges are cramming for the LEED exam.  Now that LEED v3.0 is here I’m sure there are a number of people trying to sneak in under the old LEED v2.0 test.  I thought I’d post a few of my favorite LEED study resources on the net.  Even if you aren’t studying for the LEED test these sites are a good explanation and summary of the rating system.

    There are a lot of paid resources on the net as well:

    Good luck!

  • In Defence of Green Roofs

    Lloyd Alter, of TreeHugger, posted a great slide show today titled Green Roofs are Changing Architecture and Planning.  In 15 slides he gives a great overview of green roofs yesterday and today.

    His thesis is summarized on the last slide with the words:

    Perhaps to everyone’s surprise, [green roofs] have turned into planning tools to help put buildings where no building has gone before, are radically changing the architectural form of buildings, the way architects present buildings and the respective roles of architects and landscape architects.

    He then gives this dire warning:

    Let’s just be vigilant to ensure that [green roofs] are not misused and brought into disrepute by using them as excuses to put buildings in places they shouldn’t be, just because they are green.

    I don’t see the problem.  When can a green roof be misused?  Maybe if you populate it with killer bees, but in the words of Mr. Molina, “Green is good.”

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  • Modern Spanish Construction: Part III

    To finish out this series on Spanish construction methods I wanted to post a few more images.

    Multi Story Building
    Multi Story Building with Curves! Ciudad Real, Spain

    There are a number of typical things being done in this building.   As is the case with most Spanish multi-story buildings, a series of concrete columns and beams are spanned with concrete joists and brick units to create the structure for concrete floor decks.

    Also typical are the crane on site during the entire construction process as well as the safety netting around the building.

    I like this picture because it shows how flexible this system can be.  Unlike the building I showed earlier the upper floors introduce some curves.

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