Customer Reviews

Santiago Calatrava: The Poetics of Movement (Universe Architecture Series)

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Santiago Calatrava; quite a magnificent architect, his work is inspirational, musical, walking through any of his works gives great joy, just like listening to good orchestrated music. This book contains a selection from his work, from bridges (for which he is famous), to monuments to many other examples. the text is concise, photos are nice, but the figures are small in most of the times, trying to keep a small size low cost volume. Needs an experienced eye to understand fully what the figures are. apart from that the book is great, the book's subject is even greater.

Calatrava is indeed a new master architec and we should be glad to be alive in this era of his production.

For those of us who are not architects yet long to be in a plane of thought where we can share design insights with the great ones, Calatrvas offeres everything. Organic architecture, bold concrete and steel designs.

I would suggest to read also "Cat's paws & Catapults" to understand organic design (see my reviews).

CONTENTS (1999 edition):
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION: Chrysalis
CHAPTER ONE: Schools without Walls
01 On the Foldability of Space Frames, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland, 1981
02 Roofing for IBA Squash Hall, Berlin, Germany, 1979
CHAPTER TWO: Seminal Projects
03 Jakem Steel Warehouse, Münchwilen, Switzerland, 1983-84
04 Ernsting Warehouse, Coesfeld, Germany, l983-85
05 Stadelhofen Railway Station, Zurich, Switzerland, 1983-90
06 Wohlen High School, Wohlen, Switzerland, 1983-88
07 Bach de Roda Bridge, Barcelona, Spain, 1984-87
CHAPTER THREE: Vessels of Life
08 Lucerne Station Hall, Lucerne, Switzerland, 1983-89
09 Bärenmatte Community Center, Suhr, Switzerland, 1984-88
10 Tabourettli Theater, Basel, Switzerland, 1986-87
11 BCE Place, Toronto, Canada, 1987-92
12 Bauschänzli Restaurant, Zurich, Switzerland, 1988
13 Swissbau Concrete Pavilion, Basel, Switzerland, 1989
14 Shadow Machine, New York City and Venice, Italy, 1992-93
15 Floating Concrete Pavilion, Lucerne, Switzerland, 1989
16 Kuwait Pavilion, Seville, Spain, 1991-92
CHAPTER FOUR: Bridges for Community
17 Alamillo Bridge, Seville, Spain, 1987-92
18 Médoc Swingbridge, Bordeaux, France, 1991
19 Lusitania Bridge, Mérida, Spain, 1988-91
20 Oudry-Mesly Footbridge, Créteil, Paris, France, 1987-88
21 Volantin Footbridge, Bilbao, Spain, 199o-97
22 La Devesa Footbridge, Ripoll, Spain, 1989-91
23 Puerto Bridge, Ondarroa, Spain, 1989-95
24 Alameda Bridge and Underground Station, Valencia, Spain, 1991-95
25 Tenerife Exhibition Hall, Tenerife, Spain, 1992-95
26 Lyons Airport Railway Station, Satolas, Lyons, France, 1989-94
CHAPTER FIVE: Infrastructure and Dream-work Projects
27 Planetarium of the Valencia Science Center, Valencia, Spain, 1991
28 Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, 1991
29 Reichstag, Berlin, Germany, 1992
30 Alcoy Community Hall, Alcoy, Spain, 1992-95
31 Orient Station, Lisbon, Portugal, 1993-98
32 Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1994-2000
CHAPTER SIX: Poetry in Motion
33 Drawings and Sculptures
34 Montjuic Communications Tower, Barcelona, Spain, 1989-92
35 Alicante Tower, Alicante, Spain, 1993
NOTES
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
LIST OF PROJECTS

Before reading this book,I rarely imagine about how elegant can bridges be. Mr. Calatrava brings those imposibilities to people,especially those who never dream. Maybe I should not talk too much,because words can not bring Calatrava's thoughts to the readers precisely. Through this book,let us try to find a path to discover Calatrava's world.