ZUBIZURI BRIDGE (WHITE BRIDGE) IN BILBAO
(((~~ ELEMENTS OF DESIGN ~~)))
That this audacious bridge is a design of Santiago Calatrava cannot be denied. As most of his works, the main materials used are white concrete and white steel, hence the name. It spans the Nervion River in a delicate curvy equilibrium connecting the Campo VolantÃn Boulevard with the area of Uribitarte, where two sleek skyscrapers have recently been erected (Isozaki Atea) by Arata Isozaki on the ground of a former warehouse.
Like most of the works by the Swiss-based architect, this bridge is extremely controversial. The design is so repetitive and ubiquitous that it does not surprise any more (although this one dates back to 1997, when there were not so many around yet). Plus, the floor is made of glass panels, which in addition of being highly slippery when it rains, are very fragile and costly to replace. But no doubt the effect of walking on a semi-transparent surface is great.
Uploaded on April 04, 2010