We dissect why you might want to rethink being an architect, the world’s largest chimney, and would you want to live over a freeway?
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To finish out this series on Spanish construction methods I wanted to post a few more images.
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.
Yesterday we looked at the demolition and foundation of this building and the pouring of the foundation. Today we will take the building to it’s completion.
As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve had a long time obsession with Architecture and construction dating back to a very young age. The first plans I remember drawing were for an elaborate underground clubhouse that my sister and I were going to dig in my parents back yard. I’m thinking I was about 10 or 11 at the time. I had an opportunity to live in Spain for almost two years ending in July of 2001 and although I was there to do service with I never lost an occasion to enjoy the exposure to some very different Architecture and construction methods.
I lived for 9 months in Guadalajara, the capitol city of the province of Guadalajara, located about 37 miles ENE of Madrid. Although some of the structures in the city date back to the 8th century most the city is relatively new, constructed in the last 60 years. With the addition of the AVE (high speed train) stop in 2003 the city has seen an explosion of growth.
I lived in Guadalajara in the pre-AVE days on the 7th floor of the 10 story building in center of the photo below. 6 months after arriving I awoke on May 27th, 2000 to see that the small house directly across the street was being demolished. I whipped out my camera and shot construction progress photos for the next 3 months. The building is located on the North East corner of Avenida de Castilla and Calle Alvargomez de Ciudad Real, one block West of Calle de Toledo.
The following photos chronicle the construction of the structural shell of the building. I have added my thoughts on the methods of construction that were the norm for my time in Spain. I pulled these pictures from my photo album and the notes I made 9 years ago are unfortunately glued to the pictures.
The AFP ran a story yesterday about Prince Charles and his latest clash with architects over his traditionalist views on architecture. (Prince Charles faces new architecture row) This isn’t the first time the prince has angered British Architects. 25 years ago he described the proposed National Gallery Extension as “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend”, much to the outrage of the British architectural establishment.
Yesterday’s British press was rife with stories about the Prince and his architecture views, it was as if he had committed a great sin against humanity just by threatening to again express his views on architecture. Yet, for Architects, the Prince really has committed an unforgivable crime. In 1984, he was invited to present the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture to the Indian architect Charles Correa, instead of giving a simple toast and presenting Correa with his medal he lambasted the state of current British architecture. All of this occurred at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). So, now with the news that the prince was again to speak at the RIBA, and the release to the media of portions of his speech, he has reignited the flames. What the prince doesn’t realize is that Architects more than anything hate to be critiqued, especially by those not in the profession. In Architecture “everyone is an expert”, and that’s one thing Architects can’t stand.
Is Prince Charles really a living Ellsworth Toohey? (more…)