[WIGS]

I was blown away by just how large it is when you are on it.

I agree! and Bigtime it was nice seeing and chatting with you again.

[WIGS]

oh and I can't forget it was also fun meeting a few other SSP'ers! :cheers:

[Witty Nickname]

I was blown away by just how large it is when you are on it.

http://www.cediacrosspoint.com/system/files/TheOffice-ThatsWhatSheSaid-Michael.jpg

[fusili]

I went with my gf. I was most struck by how wide it is. The way it sits over the river with no footings is pretty awesome as well.

[Elbownian]

Wow, far bigger turnout than I was expecting, and a much more involved ceremony. Pretty good experience, all told, though the poetry reading didn't do much for me. Saw a lone protester, and she wasn't trying too hard.

The size of the crowd and the dull light didn't make for a lot of good photo ops (at least for me - not a big fan of crowds), but a few snaps:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/6866223148_c2a88aa1ac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/6866223148/)
Bridge Opening Crowd (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/6866223148/) by Lidless Eye (http://www.flickr.com/people/lidlesseye/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/6866231600_8f381e386b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/6866231600/)
Helix (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/6866231600/) by Lidless Eye (http://www.flickr.com/people/lidlesseye/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7012348247_bb9e643d88.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/7012348247/)
Traffic Jam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidlesseye/7012348247/) by Lidless Eye (http://www.flickr.com/people/lidlesseye/), on Flickr

[Ayreonaut]

Thanks for posting some pics guys. My mom called me just before 2pm, and she couldn't believe the crowd that was there.

Jealous of everyone that got to attend. Can't wait to cross it myself in about a month.

[ZeDgE]

Some pics I took with my phone. Surprised how many people were there. Tried a Happy Meal at Happy Bus too, pretty good.

Think I walked past Wigs too with his Sabres Hat. :D

http://members.shaw.ca/zedge/Bridge/20120324_140001.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/zedge/Bridge/20120324_141926.jpg

Nenshi walking by with Chief.

http://members.shaw.ca/zedge/Bridge/20120324_141951.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/zedge/Bridge/20120324_144203.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/zedge/Bridge/20120324_145055.jpg


Here are a few pictures I took:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150755255800289.452496.737015288&type=1&l=8a18a4c6b3

Please excuse my pretty basic camera and the limited angles. I had a 2.5yr old in tow, and she was getting a pinch cranky as it was nap time.

Think I saw two protesters who were looking a little sheepish, having been outnumbered by several thousand! People were really very excited. Was very impressed with the turnout (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150755257065289&set=a.10150755255800289.452496.737015288&type=3&l=8a18a4c6b3&theater).

The ultra-low helicopter flyover (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150755257720289&set=a.10150755255800289.452496.737015288&type=3&l=8a18a4c6b3&theater) was very cool! I think the view out of the 'eye' (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150755257935289&set=a.10150755255800289.452496.737015288&type=3&l=8a18a4c6b3&theater) of the bridge heading South is soon to become iconic. Eau Claire Tower will look pretty hot from that vantage.

Was a little annoyed by the religious extremists, but they became noise in the grand scheme of things.


Can see my son in one of your pics, hes so tall lol. And yeah whats with the jesus is king stuff? Israeli flag and all.. seemed a bit out of place.

[Ramsayfarian]

Thought the Jesus freaks were a bit too much. I wish my Christian friends would get their religion back. I don't think wheeling a cross around on a hand cart is doing your cause any favours. Don't Put Your Faith in Crazy!

Here's a few of my favs from today:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6120/6866384148_3588ef1cd7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384148/)
Actual Peace Keeper (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384148/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6866384268_512612d768_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384268/)
Stupid Flag (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384268/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/6866384568_642e33ff46_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384568/)
Pipers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866384568/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/6866385892_181488de21_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385892/)
Druh (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385892/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6037/6866385312_3a7b12b91d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385312/)
Awesome (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385312/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6866385076_c4406d2622_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385076/)
Caregiver (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866385076/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6238/7012496311_c703afd976_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/7012496311/)
Hawcs2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/7012496311/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/7012495775_f190210270_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/7012495775/)
One is the Loneliest Number (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/7012495775/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

[Ramsayfarian]

One More.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6227/6866471796_a083535dd6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866471796/)
Don't Put Your Faith in Crazy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coomber/6866471796/) by D-2-C (http://www.flickr.com/people/coomber/), on Flickr

[Bigtime]

Excellent shots Ramsay!

[Policy Wonk]

Was a little annoyed by the religious extremists, but they became noise in the grand scheme of things.

What? Did the Westboro Baptist Church make an appearance?

[RicoLance21]

What? Did the Westboro Baptist Church make an appearance?

The WBC would have used a much less 'loving' sign.

[Ferreth]

Great shots people! I'll have to try for some beauty shots once the rest of the landscaping is in - hopefully it's done quick.

[Bigtime]

I'm going back tomorrow for photos, forecast looks pretty good.

[srperrycgy]

What? Did the Westboro Baptist Church make an appearance?

Thankfully no, but it was the "Street Church" that Artur Pawlowski created. I saw his truck in a parking lot on my way over and thought the day might be more interesting. Other publicity whores attending included Paul Hughes, the urban chicken guy and probable Ward 7 candidate for 2013, Mike Blanchard from the Redneck Protest Party and through a tweet I read from Jason Markusoff of the Herald, Oscar Fech. I saw Rick Bell from The Sun and I was amazed that he showed up.

[Govertical]

I was totally astounded by the crowd as well, did anyone hear what the estimate was?? Overall the finished product looks great!!

[Ayreonaut]

Great shots Ramsay. I love the second one in particular; looks like the carapace of a giant beetle.

[srperrycgy]

I was totally astounded by the crowd as well, did anyone hear what the estimate was??

2000 would be my guess.

[Aegis]

Who would win the award for best flag?

[RicoLance21]

Great shots everyone!

[RicoLance21]

My pics from today:
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2876/dsc00226gn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/dsc00226gn.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Notice some were standing on ice.
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/3672/dsc00231dn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/31/dsc00231dn.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/6241/dsc00243w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/dsc00243w.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4447/dsc00246hd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/dsc00246hd.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7320/dsc00250ho.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/dsc00250ho.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4589/dsc00256b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/dsc00256b.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[JoelS1]

Hee are a few of my photos from the ceremony yesterday:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/6866418582_269b5c31e3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866418582/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866418582/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/6866420024_b826ee59b8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866420024/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866420024/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6866424244_51bff5b910_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866424244/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866424244/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6866425132_fa079aa781_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866425132/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866425132/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6866425562_e5e1c61f9e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866425562/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866425562/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/6866426056_4d5a4b9dcd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866426056/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866426056/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7012533953_1e56f9e42b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/7012533953/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/7012533953/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/6866421470_438068b171_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866421470/)
Calgary Peace Bridge Opening (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_s/6866421470/) by Joel_S1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/joel_s/), on Flickr

[Witty Nickname]

Welcome to SSP Joel!

[Full Mountain]

A few shots from this morning in the fog

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6868283082_3874465556_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868283082/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868283082/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6044/7014393303_87efb9e775.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014393303/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014393303/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr

The deck lighting was a nice touch I thought
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6031/6868283752_037612ed81.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868283752/)
Peace Bridge Deck Lighting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868283752/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/7014394679_39f65d909a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014394679/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014394679/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6098/6868285950_ebe895b6ca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868285950/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/6868285950/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr

[kap384]

A few shots from this morning in the fog



The deck lighting was a nice touch I thought


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/7014394679_39f65d909a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014394679/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/incrementalphoto/7014394679/) by Incremental Photo (http://www.flickr.com/people/incrementalphoto/), on Flickr



Thanks for the photos everyone. That lighting sure looks sweet! Makes one almost forget that we cheaped out on the granite.

[stophs]

I noticed this video on youtube which shows the opening from an interesting angle -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZu41DQIdPE. Looks impressive. If you watch long enough you'll see the race to be the first to cross the bridge.

There's a few other videos of dancers on the bridge. It makes me think they should have made the bridge even bigger for a dancing lane :)

I went to walk on it last night (probably at 11:30) and there was a farit number of people on the bridge taking pictures and even a few having some drinks on the bridge. No graffiti yet though expect for one sticker on the bridge which I saw that said "Jon Smith likes this" (in the facebook style).

[Bigtime]

A few from a little later on as the fog was starting to lift:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/6868670248_a4f39332ed_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/6868670248/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/6868670248/) by BigtimeYYC (http://www.flickr.com/people/bigtimeaa/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6116/7014784827_602f0e0c8f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/7014784827/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/7014784827/) by BigtimeYYC (http://www.flickr.com/people/bigtimeaa/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/7014788267_9b9b87c8f9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/7014788267/)
Peace Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimeaa/7014788267/) by BigtimeYYC (http://www.flickr.com/people/bigtimeaa/), on Flickr

[JBinCalgary]

do any of the lights change colours on a cycle? can't wait to see a night shot

[Tropics]

Still hate the look of this thing. We got kinda screwed on this bridge because some of Caltrava's designs are awesome, especially his suspension cabled designs.

Calatrava's Redding Bridge
http://violinduett.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/sundial-bridge-redding_california.jpg?w=645 from a2d-architecture.com

http://www.floornature.com/media/photos/30/4705/mag528_01_popup.jpg from floornature.com

Seville, Spain
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/spain/alamillo_bridge_g110411_gn2.jpg from e-architect.co.uk

http://smu.edu/newsinfo/releases/images/m0011l.jpg from smu.edu

Bilbao
http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-00ad-960e-5366/bridge-by-calatrava-bilbao-spain+12879562060-tpfil02aw-10595.jpg from tripwow.tripadvisor.com

http://www.concierge.com/images/destinations/destinationguide/europe/spain/bilbao/bilbao_001p.jpg from concierge.com

All of these look awesome and a style similar to those, similar to actual classic Caltrava bridge design would have looked awesome in the location of the Peace Bridge. Ours look terrible compared to those.

[nick.flood]

Still hate the look of this thing. We got kinda screwed on this bridge because some of Caltrava's designs are awesome, especially his suspension cabled designs.


Let me know what design you come up with that can span 131m without cables.

[Bigtime]

Those examples are all impressive, but we got something totally unique from him. That is awesome!

[Tropics]

Let me know what design you come up with that can span 131m without cables.

Why does it have to be without cables? The bridges I displayed there have cables and they all look alot better then the Peace Bridge.

I could not care less about a bridge that is an engineering marvel but architectually looks like crap.

[monocle]

I wonder what helicopter pilots think of beautiful suspension cables in their landing approach.

[Bigtime]

I wonder what helicopter pilots think of beautiful suspension cables in their landing approach.

Challenge accepted?

[Rusty van Reddick]

Tropics, ya basta with all your posts with pics from every city except Calgary. We get it.

The bridge is magnificent.

[jeffwhit]

This really happened:

http://i.imgur.com/Au7KF.png

[Ayreonaut]

Haha, awesome.

BTW, I noticed one advantage our bridge has over all those ones, Tropics: It looks nothing like them! It seems every other city has a cable-stayed pedestrian bridge, why be one of many when you can be unique?

[Oil Baron]

I am really trying to love this thing and but I can't get around the fact that it is way too close to the other pedestrian crossing and it really needed to have a pedestrian crossing over Memorial on the north side. The location of this thing is just wrong.

[Wooster]

People say it's too close to other bridges, but think about this - it's 400m from the nearest bridge (LRT) - at walking speed (5km/h), compared to driving speed (60km/h), that's the equivilant of a bridge for a car being 4.8km from the next one. I don't think anyone would say that is too close.

[AB Born]

I’ve already seen people jaywalking across Memorial close to the north side of the bridge, I wonder if this will be a big problem…

[MoXXon]

[/QUOTE]All of these look awesome and a style similar to those, similar to actual classic Caltrava bridge design would have looked awesome in the location of the Peace Bridge. Ours look terrible compared to those.[/QUOTE]
I like the fact it's a unique Calatrava design. Anyways it fits beautifully with the surrounding area and it's not over done, couldn't ask for more. Isn't the new East Village bridge that was designed by a Calgary firm going to look allot like a conventional Calatrava design?

[Blue_Cypress]

Still hate the look of this thing. We got kinda screwed on this bridge because some of Caltrava's[sic] designs are awesome, especially his suspension cabled designs.


The design criteria allowed for no piers in the river, and the proximity to the heliport negated the possibility of a tower or suspended configuration, and placed an almost unrealistic height restriction on the project. The budget was also fixed at a price I consider low for achieving those lofty goals.

Given those constraints, I would like to have seen you, or anyone in Alberta come up with a better plan. The c-train bridge just to the west is about as innovative as Albertan engineering gets. What would you have done different?
It's not a trivial little problem to solve.

It's a shame the fabrication in Spain went awry, particularly for Graham, but deficiency correction and rework does average about 10% of every construction projects' ultimate cost, and this is little different. It's actually a better outcome for the taxpayer--the contract is a fixed-price, so Graham will have to absorb the cost of poor procurement.

I'm sure you don't hear about oilfield or roadways projects where the welding supervision was lacking or the scraper operator missed his grade and millions had to be spent correcting the quality control issues, but it happens all too often, and you actually pay for it, whether it be new taxes, higher usage fees, or a little more out of pocket at the pump.

Try thinking, and stop believing everything you see in the sun. At least you could save us the hassle of reading the same old rehashed propaganda.

It's a nice bridge and we're not going to tear it down. Leave it be.

[Blue_Cypress]

People say it's too close to other bridges, but think about this - it's 400m from the nearest bridge (LRT) - at walking speed (5km/h), compared to driving speed (60km/h), that's the equivilant of a bridge for a car being 4.8km from the next one. I don't think anyone would say that is too close.


Took the words out of my mouth :tup:
Additionally, pedestrian/cyclist traffic in the area is congested, and separation of pathway uses is desirable from a safety perspective, particularly in this high-traffic area.

[Tropics]

Given those constraints, I would like to have seen you, or anyone in Alberta come up with a better plan.

Well lets pretend we have a wee bit of common sense and logic. IF you are going to spend 25 million dollars on a showpiece architecturally significant showpiece is it wise to limit the project by putting it into a location where the architect is handcuffed to that extent? Maybe the Calatrava bridge should have been going to St Patricks Island and into the East Village where Calatrava has the freedom to build something without any restrictions on him?

That said, I actually like this bridge better then ours, it is certainly reserved for a Calatrava bridge but it has nice lines to it. It also looks awesome when lit up at night.

http://www.only-apartments.com/images/only-apartments/3481/calatrava-bridge-venice.jpg from whattoseeinvenice.com

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/venice/grand_canal_bridge_c020310_p2.jpg from e-architect.co.uk

I love this city and I love alot of the architecture we have. I have mentioned on the Construction thread how I think Brookfield buildings such as Fifth Avenue Place, Bankers Hall, and the Suncor building all have interesting style. I love Jamieson Place, I think the proposed Eau Claire building is awesome, I love the Arthur Erikson design for Eau Claire and hope it gets built. I am also excited to see what Brookfield has in store for Herald Square now that they have the whole block and got rid of the pretty gastly last rendering.

But as much as I will tell people when I really like the stuff I like in this city I also don't mince my words when something looks bad to me, and the Peace Bridge is seriously verging on outright ugly to me, nevermind what it cost. We have it now and we are stuck with it, but I don't have to like it. I was one of the few people in the city that thought a 25 million dollar bridge might be awesome, long before the renderings and plans were out there, when most people were flipping out about the price. Cities need their showpieces, they need their landmarks, but cripe I am choked what "our" landmark Calatrava bridge ended up looking like. 25 million dollars could not even get us the proper Calatrava style walkway with underdeck lighting that illuminates the path? Bleh, sorry I cannot sit here and pretend it is just swell.

Let me clarify for you, since you seem to think I care about the price, I don't. I just think what we GOT for 25 million is ugly. I was REALLY looking forward to a showpiece bridge for that money and what we got to me really and honestly looks bad and stands out like a sore thumb.

[The Chemist]

I don't know how anyone could look at those amazing pictures from opening day and honestly say the Peace Bridge looks bad. It's an amazing piece of architecture/engineering that will certainly become as much of a landmark for Calgary as the Bow or the Tower. I just wish I didn't have to wait another 2 years or so to see it in person, but I'm unlikely to be back in Calgary before then so the pictures will have to do for me.

[CorporateWhore]

Personally, I don't mind that the Peace Bridge is a bit different than the rest, even though I do admit the cabled bridges are more dramatic. From an engineering perspective it's quite the feat. Where I think it falls short is in the details.

- The burgundy to me still feels wrong. I'd much rather it were Calatrava white...or atleast a stronger, brighter, red.

- The finishing of the red steel elements looks really rough and bumpy. I'd assume that's how it is with steel and all those curves needing welding, it just doesn't present well when you're up close. From far away, it's not an issue.

- I was most disappointed though with the inside pathways....it felt really generic and bland compared to every other Calatrava bridge out there. Most of the others have that great bouncy see-through material that can be lit up. We have bare-ass concrete. I know it was a budget issue why we switched from granite to concrete, but still, as Charles Eames said...the details make the product.

I do think overall it will come together better in the summer time when the landscaping is finished. But I admit, I was slightly underwhelmed yesterday. I'm still 100% on board with it being built and think it's a fantastic addition to Calgary, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting to be wowed a bit more.

[Calgarian]

Went and checked out the bridge yesterday and was pretty impressed. The bridge is huge! you could almost put a 2 lane road on it. The bridge looks great, the width is great and the separated lanes are awesome!

I just wonder how long it will take some idiot to climb on the top of it and fall into the river.

[Bigtime]

Personally, I don't mind that the Peace Bridge is a bit different than the rest, even though I do admit the cabled bridges are more dramatic. From an engineering perspective it's quite the feat. Where I think it falls short is in the details.

- The burgundy to me still feels wrong. I'd much rather it were Calatrava white...or atleast a stronger, brighter, red.

- The finishing of the red steel elements looks really rough and bumpy. I'd assume that's how it is with steel and all those curves needing welding, it just doesn't present well when you're up close. From far away, it's not an issue.

- I was most disappointed though with the inside pathways....it felt really generic and bland compared to every other Calatrava bridge out there. Most of the others have that great bouncy see-through material that can be lit up. We have bare-ass concrete. I know it was a budget issue why we switched from granite to concrete, but still, as Charles Eames said...the details make the product.

I do think overall it will come together a better in the summer time when the landscaping is finished. But I admit, I was slightly underwhelmed yesterday. I'm still 100% on board with it being built and think it's a fantastic addition to Calgary, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting to be wowed a bit more.

You're just underwhelmed because you have two degrees. ;)

[CorporateWhore]

You're just underwhelmed because you have two degrees. ;)

Haha, what I never told anyone is they are both from Krusty's Clown College.

[Surrealplaces]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/6870725176_761fccc6b4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevencoutts/6870725176/)
_MG_2299 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevencoutts/6870725176/) by Steven Coutts (http://www.flickr.com/people/stevencoutts/), on Flickr

[Surrealplaces]

Frankly, I find those cable style bridges to be uninspired cliches. There are millions of those Calatrava type bridges like the ones you've shown all over the place......so many it's hard to tell which one is from which city anymore, and which ones are designed by Calatrava.

Whereas No city in the world has a bridge like the Peace Bridge. It's truly unique.

Still hate the look of this thing. We got kinda screwed on this bridge because some of Caltrava's designs are awesome, especially his suspension cabled designs.


All of these look awesome and a style similar to those, similar to actual classic Caltrava bridge design would have looked awesome in the location of the Peace Bridge. Ours look terrible compared to those.

[Surferguy]

I am positive if we wait another 20 years our bridge wont be so unique anymore once the copy cats set in. Then we will just have to settle for "ground breaking"

[Blader]

Well lets pretend we have a wee bit of common sense and logic. IF you are going to spend 25 million dollars on a showpiece architecturally significant showpiece is it wise to limit the project by putting it into a location where the architect is handcuffed to that extent?

One places the bridge where it is believed to be needed - then bring in the engineers/architects.

The 2 photos you posted of a beautiful Calatrava bridge, without cable stays, in Calgary, is questionable. It's form over function. Even if changed from steps, to steps on the sides, and sloped in the middle it would still be a disaster. Besides pedestrians, we have cyclists, inline skaters, skate boarders, mothers with carriages, and motorized wheelchairs. A bridge, with that sized camber would be a physical burden for some, and dangerous on the down-slope. Only highly skilled inline skaters would be able to handle the down-slope and brake suddenly - I'm thinking Gold medal Olympians.

[Full Mountain]

Personally, I don't mind that the Peace Bridge is a bit different than the rest, even though I do admit the cabled bridges are more dramatic. From an engineering perspective it's quite the feat. Where I think it falls short is in the details.

- The burgundy to me still feels wrong. I'd much rather it were Calatrava white...or atleast a stronger, brighter, red.

- The finishing of the red steel elements looks really rough and bumpy. I'd assume that's how it is with steel and all those curves needing welding, it just doesn't present well when you're up close. From far away, it's not an issue.

- I was most disappointed though with the inside pathways....it felt really generic and bland compared to every other Calatrava bridge out there. Most of the others have that great bouncy see-through material that can be lit up. We have bare-ass concrete. I know it was a budget issue why we switched from granite to concrete, but still, as Charles Eames said...the details make the product.

I do think overall it will come together better in the summer time when the landscaping is finished. But I admit, I was slightly underwhelmed yesterday. I'm still 100% on board with it being built and think it's a fantastic addition to Calgary, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting to be wowed a bit more.

It's unfortunate that original white interior got scraped; it would have made it pop more I think

[AUM]

Post Removed.

[Rusty van Reddick]

AUM, "pubilc dialogue" would have killed this project.

Your post, like pretty much everything you've ever contributed to this forum, is nothing but pretentious buzzwords- self-adulating ones at that. You're part of not only a "design community" but an "architectural community" to boot! And a "STRONG" one! Because of "DIALOGUE"! Good for you. You're fitting right in in Vancouver.

You can't be suggesting that this bridge isn't magnificent- can you?

[RiverRat]

People say it's too close to other bridges, but think about this - it's 400m from the nearest bridge (LRT) - at walking speed (5km/h), compared to driving speed (60km/h), that's the equivilant of a bridge for a car being 4.8km from the next one. I don't think anyone would say that is too close.

To walk from one end of the Peace Bridge to the other side, not using the Peace Bridge itself, but instead using the 9a Street C-Train Bridge and the pathway is almost a 1 km walk. (960m according to MapPoint).

Compare this to the entire width of the Calgary Downtown area (about 2km).

If it is a waste to build infrastructure to save people from walking 1 km, then we could have saved much more money by only building one C-train station at the center of downtown.

[kw5150]

One thing I did notice about the peace bridge is that it feels OK to pause and ponder without thinking that you are in someone's way. We need more spaces like this to pause and just enjoy the city and people watch. The river front is quickly becoming a more of a destination. Only a couple years ago, the river was just a pathway and eau claire was really the only place to people watch. Our river is such a gem starting to reveal itself. With the completion of the poppy plaza and other infrastructure, we are finally going to start feeling like a river city.

I have a feeling the Bow and the Peace Bridge will help inform a whole new style of vibrant urban architecture. Good design sometimes just needs a spark to get it burning. I'm optimistic about the future of design in Calgary.

This summer is going to be beautiful and sunny as always. I cant wait to get out there and enjoy the city in the warmth again.

Good summer coming!

[kw5150]

Yes, now if you want to go from downtown to Kensington, you shave off a few minutes and also a bit of stress. I cant wait for the hoards of people crossing this thing during a nice warm day as they head from downtown to Kensington to grab lunch. What the city really needs down in that area is a few more cafes with patios!!!





To walk from one end of the Peace Bridge to the other side, not using the Peace Bridge itself, but instead using the 9a Street C-Train Bridge and the pathway is almost a 1 km walk. (960m according to MapPoint).

Compare this to the entire width of the Calgary Downtown area (about 2km).

If it is a waste to build infrastructure to save people from walking 1 km, then we could have saved much more money by only building one C-train station at the center of downtown.

[AUM]

AUM, "pubilc dialogue" would have killed this project.

Your post, like pretty much everything you've ever contributed to this forum, is nothing but pretentious buzzwords- self-adulating ones at that. You're part of not only a "design community" but an "architectural community" to boot! And a "STRONG" one! Because of "DIALOGUE"! Good for you. You're fitting right in in Vancouver.

You can't be suggesting that this bridge isn't magnificent- can you?


To Rusty and anyone who shares his opinion,


I had never intended to be pretentious. I have always been and advocate for Calgary and will continue to be even though I live in Vancouver at the present time. If my wanting Calgary to be even better than it is makes what I contribute of no value then I will stop contributing. It was never my intent to offend anyone or appear to act elitist. I have always respected other members of the forum and their opinions but it appears that is not something I can expect in return. Therefore I have removed my previous post.

As a final post I personally like that Calgary has a Calatrava project and do appreciate the design of the Peace Bridge.

[Bigtime]

AUM, you keep your ass on this forum.

I took your post about Calgary architects not doing enough to engage the public in a very positive light.

A lot of us on here are just enthusiasts, it is having people like you in the industries and professions that make these buildings/bridges/roads/etc. that take this forum to the next level for information.

[shreddog]

Regarding the distance between this and extant pedestrian bridges, does anyone know if a great stink happened back in the early 80's when the Louise C-Train bridge - with pedestrian underpass - was built a mere 20 meters from the two existing "pedestrian paths" on the 10th ST bridge?? Seems to me that that underpass was even more redundant since it was so much closer!!

Personally, I like this bridge more everytime I see/use it. So far I have crossed it about 6 times due to routes I was running this weekend (okay, we tailored them!) and I must admit that the experience crossing it is significantly better than any other crowded bridge I have been on.

Funny thing is tonight I have a "date" with a friend from Vancouver who is coming here on business today. She said we could go anywhere as long "as we walked across that new bridge!". Now she certainly didn't book a trip here just to see the bridge, but in all her previous trips here she has never once asked to see any other bridge!

[O-tacular]

Some interesting facts from the Herald:

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2012/03/23/peace-bridge-just-the-facts/

Most interesting:


Elements changed to control costs:
-Public art component cancelled
-Eau Claire landscaping delayed
-Concrete deck instead of granite
-Tube lighting instead of discreet LEDs in centre steel chord
-Less smooth finish on steel

The bottom 3 address questions from the last 3 pages. I'm excited to see it in person.

[Bigtime]

I wonder if eventually a little switcheroo could take place and we get the LED lights put in?

Probably have to wait 100 years, just like the Centre street bridge!

[DizzyEdge]

I wonder if eventually a little switcheroo could take place and we get the LED lights put in?

Probably have to wait 100 years, just like the Centre street bridge!

Other than the less smooth finish on the steel I could all all of the rest being put in within the next decade or so.

[AUM]

AUM, you keep your ass on this forum.

I took your post about Calgary architects not doing enough to engage the public in a very positive light.

A lot of us on here are just enthusiasts, it is having people like you in the industries and professions that make these buildings/bridges/roads/etc. that take this forum to the next level for information.

Bigtime,

Much appreciated. I will continue to post but may be more careful of my wording. I think I get so engaged in the discussions on here I don't realize how what I am sharing may come across. It is good to know that there are members of this forum who can show respect to others. Thank you for that.

I am a strong advocate for having the public engaged in discussion regarding design because I feel it is the only way to demand better from the Building and Design industry. That does require the profession getting more involved in promoting better design to the public and allowing them to share their ideas.

[Bokimon]

The Peace Bridge is awesome! Great aesthetics and a wondrous experience!
I also love how all of a sudden there is a spike in flickr photo galleries of this from all sorts of photographers trying to get the new money shot. It is clear the influence of Calatrava's undoing is spreading like wildfire to the generations of Calgarians who now will promote this to the world over thru the internet.

I agree some aspects of it sucked such as the poor welds which essentially forced Graham to redo this all over and really contributed to the long delays and i think that really got alot of people pissed. Probably the single greatest contributor to the 1 year delay.

Finishes too, the original intention of granite would of been awesome! But I'll do with concrete, at least there are lights embedded within like runway lights.
Overall, Calgary is better now than it was before the addition of this.

Downtown and inner city will be the focus of continued growth well into the years so we will need greater access in and out of the core, this just adds one extra avenue even if there is another one a few hundred meters away. Look at cities in europe, they have bridges practically at every block. Thumbs up for me bigtime!

[Bigtime]

Other than the less smooth finish on the steel I could all all of the rest being put in within the next decade or so.

I'm not so sure, I really doubt current council (or even 10 years away council) will want to touch this with a ten foot pole. Unless the bridge by that time is wildly popular (locally and with the tourist set) and they can tout the changes being made to "make the bridge in its intended likeness".

[road_runner]

I love this city and I love alot of the architecture...

Sorry to threadbomb, but I have been holding back on posting this ever since I started reading this board and just can't hold it in anymore!

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.ca/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

(Credit: Allie Brosh based on work at hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com)
Please don't take it as an insult or me being pretentious (especially as a newbie here). I just find the article hilarious and thought this would be a good excuse to post it.

As for the bridge, you can put me in the "I love it" category!

[O-tacular]

That said, I actually like this bridge better then ours, it is certainly reserved for a Calatrava bridge but it has nice lines to it. It also looks awesome when lit up at night.

http://www.only-apartments.com/images/only-apartments/3481/calatrava-bridge-venice.jpg from whattoseeinvenice.com

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/venice/grand_canal_bridge_c020310_p2.jpg from e-architect.co.uk



1) Venetians HATED this bridge when it came out

2) Have you ever walked accross it? I have. And it has got to be one of the most awkward sets of stairs I have ever ascended, with the exception of the Musee des Beaux Arts in Montreal.

[DizzyEdge]

I'm not so sure, I really doubt current council (or even 10 years away council) will want to touch this with a ten foot pole. Unless the bridge by that time is wildly popular (locally and with the tourist set) and they can tout the changes being made to "make the bridge in its intended likeness".

I'm thinking:
- new LEDs to save on power costs
- new pavement as part of regular maintenance
- the landscaping as part of riverwalk or something
etc

I could totally see the LEDs and the landscaping be a project where this particular spot is just one of many being replaced, so it's not a peace bridge specific project.

[Surrealplaces]

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6870408522_be75baed28_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevlo86/6870408522/)
IMG_3356 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevlo86/6870408522/) by kevlo86 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kevlo86/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/6870416180_7c1d0ebf8a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevlo86/6870416180/)
IMG_3368 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevlo86/6870416180/) by kevlo86 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kevlo86/), on Flickr


More in this set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevlo86/sets/72157629304932496/with/6870408522/

[AUM]

Great photos Surreal,

Looking forward to seeing it on our next trip back. Quite like how it looks at night, despite all the politics and negative media, this is a great addition to Calgary.

[Blue_Cypress]

AUM, "pubilc dialogue" would have killed this project.

Your post, like pretty much everything you've ever contributed to this forum, is nothing but pretentious buzzwords- self-adulating ones at that. You're part of not only a "design community" but an "architectural community" to boot! And a "STRONG" one! Because of "DIALOGUE"! Good for you. You're fitting right in in Vancouver.

You can't be suggesting that this bridge isn't magnificent- can you?

...a touch heavy-handed, Rusty?

[RiverRat]

I’ve already seen people jaywalking across Memorial close to the north side of the bridge, I wonder if this will be a big problem…

Yes. Especially during rush hours and weekends.

You can save 7-8 minutes of time by cutting across Memorial. Most people won't try to cut in front of traffic, but cars will eventually stop to let people cross when they are queued up (I saw this several times during the bridge opening). This leads to a safety issue greater than if cars just had the right of way, and pedestrians crossed during traffic breaks.

Unfortunately, there's really not much the City can do about it. Handing out tickets won't accomplish anything. A) because the fine is only $25, and b) because, as long as you cross the street somewhere between 9 street and 8 street, it probably is not even legally considered Jaywalking (at least according to the City Bylaw).

Here's the all the Bylaw says about Jaywalking:

6. (1) A pedestrian shall not cross a street within one block in any direction of a traffic control signal or pedestrian corridor other than in a crosswalk.

The nearest pedestrian crossings are on 7th street and 9a street. Crossing anywhere in the 8th-9th block would probably not be against the law, because you will be > 1 block away from the nearest crossing.

[Full Mountain]

I'm not so sure, I really doubt current council (or even 10 years away council) will want to touch this with a ten foot pole. Unless the bridge by that time is wildly popular (locally and with the tourist set) and they can tout the changes being made to "make the bridge in its intended likeness".

The ballasts in the lighting will reach the end of their life span in 3-5 years (optimistic) and it will likely be more economical to replace them with LED's than fluorescents as the prices of LED's are continually coming down

The granite decking will be a life span issue (10-15 years optimistic uneducated estimate), though I doubt that if the public got a hold of the information that granite was being put installed it would fly. I suspect that at the same time as the deck requires replacement, the bridge would get a fresh coat of paint, allowing the original white interior to come about. Though I can only imagine the chaos that closing it down for any length of time would cause in that time frame, the calf robe bridge closures come to mind!

[You Need A Thneed]

The ballasts in the lighting will reach the end of their life span in 3-5 years (optimistic) and it will likely be more economical to replace them with LED's than fluorescents as the prices of LED's are continually coming down

The granite decking will be a life span issue (10-15 years optimistic uneducated estimate), though I doubt that if the public got a hold of the information that granite was being put installed it would fly. I suspect that at the same time as the deck requires replacement, the bridge would get a fresh coat of paint, allowing the original white interior to come about. Though I can only imagine the chaos that closing it down for any length of time would cause in that time frame, the calf robe bridge closures come to mind!

All that work could be done without closing the bridge.

[Elbownian]

6. (1) A pedestrian shall not cross a street within one block in any direction of a traffic control signal or pedestrian corridor other than in a crosswalk.

Actually, I'm fairly certain any intersection is considered a "pedestrian corridor" - so after crossing the bridge, you can legally cross Memorial at 8th or 9th, though I wouldn't recommend it! What this bylaw is stating is that you can't legally cross anywhere mid-block without a marked crosswalk.

Optimally, northbound traffic would just split either left or right and proceed to the next safe crossing, but people here really do like to beeline and always seem to gravitate to the most direct path, regardless of safety. With that in mind, I think the best solution may be to mark a crossing right at the end of bridge and add a pedestrian light. Of course then you run into the problem that the sidewalk on the north side of Memorial is nowhere near wide enough to safely serve as a cycling corridor. Turning the parking there into a two-way cycling path (at least for the span of that block) might be a solution though.

[mrcccondor]

Yes. Especially during rush hours and weekends.

You can save 7-8 minutes of time by cutting across Memorial. Most people won't try to cut in front of traffic, but cars will eventually stop to let people cross when they are queued up (I saw this several times during the bridge opening). This leads to a safety issue greater than if cars just had the right of way, and pedestrians crossed during traffic breaks.

Unfortunately, there's really not much the City can do about it. Handing out tickets won't accomplish anything. A) because the fine is only $25, and b) because, as long as you cross the street somewhere between 9 street and 8 street, it probably is not even legally considered Jaywalking (at least according to the City Bylaw).

Here's the all the Bylaw says about Jaywalking:

6. (1) A pedestrian shall not cross a street within one block in any direction of a traffic control signal or pedestrian corridor other than in a crosswalk.

The nearest pedestrian crossings are on 7th street and 9a street. Crossing anywhere in the 8th-9th block would probably not be against the law, because you will be > 1 block away from the nearest crossing.

I'd heard rumours that the original development plans included a flashing pedestrian crossing for Memorial, but that was shelved when the project became a lightning rod.

I think they'll have to do a flashing crossing at street for the sake of safety. It'll cost $400,000 and even though it's an entirely logical and economical thing to do, it will really piss people off and slow down traffic.

[Ramsayfarian]

Bigtime,

Much appreciated. I will continue to post but may be more careful of my wording. I think I get so engaged in the discussions on here I don't realize how what I am sharing may come across. It is good to know that there are members of this forum who can show respect to others. Thank you for that.

I am a strong advocate for having the public engaged in discussion regarding design because I feel it is the only way to demand better from the Building and Design industry. That does require the profession getting more involved in promoting better design to the public and allowing them to share their ideas.

Keep posting Aum and pay no heed to Rusty. He's off his meds again.

[Chinook Arch]

I love this bridge. The fact that we are even comparing it to bridges in London and Venice etc... tells the story of it.

[Bigtime]

I'd heard rumours that the original development plans included a flashing pedestrian crossing for Memorial, but that was shelved when the project became a lightning rod.

I think they'll have to do a flashing crossing at street for the sake of safety. It'll cost $400,000 and even though it's an entirely logical and economical thing to do, it will really piss people off and slow down traffic.

I think the original plan was to get rid of the controlled crossing further east and replace it with one at the bridge. Then we heard that they couldn't do the crossing next to the bridge because of the grade difference between the landing of the bridge and the street level.

[CorporateWhore]

You can save 7-8 minutes of time by cutting across Memorial. Most people won't try to cut in front of traffic, but cars will eventually stop to let people cross when they are queued up (I saw this several times during the bridge opening). This leads to a safety issue greater than if cars just had the right of way, and pedestrians crossed during traffic breaks.

Cars should just keep going and don't stop. A seasoned jaywalker will be able to time it without impeding traffic. I know I always prefer it if cars just keep on doing their thing...I'm the one cross the road, so it's up to me to figure it out without screwing up others.

[Full Mountain]

All that work could be done without closing the bridge.

a full deck replacement without closing? seems you'd end up with over half the width closed at a time, might end up faster to just close it down and get it done faster no?

[You Need A Thneed]

I'd heard rumours that the original development plans included a flashing pedestrian crossing for Memorial, but that was shelved when the project became a lightning rod.

I think they'll have to do a flashing crossing at street for the sake of safety. It'll cost $400,000 and even though it's an entirely logical and economical thing to do, it will really piss people off and slow down traffic.

They have the signalized (Red/Amber/Green) crosswalk a block away. Right at the bridge really wouldn't have worked, because of the grade difference from the dyke. It would have required stairs, or a cumbersome ramp. A block away allows the path to make the grade gradually.

[You Need A Thneed]

a full deck replacement without closing? seems you'd end up with over half the width closed at a time, might end up faster to just close it down and get it done faster no?

The granite was in tiles, like the Concrete is. Each tile could just be lifted, and replaced. You wouldn't even need to block off anything, really. Some cones around the area would be all you need.

[RiverRat]

They have the signalized (Red/Amber/Green) crosswalk a block away. Right at the bridge really wouldn't have worked, because of the grade difference from the dyke. It would have required stairs, or a cumbersome ramp. A block away allows the path to make the grade gradually.

They were prepared to put the crossing in at 8th, but put it to a vote (see attached pdf):

http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Documents/peace-bridge/memorial-dr-ped-crossing-info.pdf

60% of 330 people decided to keep it where it was. Reading the comments at the end: most people who voted against were car commuters. I also believe most people misunderstood the options and thought that the move to 8th street would involve removing the left turning ability of cars during rush-hour from Memorial onto 8th. This was not the case as the survey was only refering that the current restriction on right hand turns would be maintained after the crosswalk move. 8th is the only street that connects to every Ave in Sunnyside, and is also favourite throroughfare for people who take the "back way" out of the neighbourhood to get to Hillhurst/Kensington via 4th/5th Ave NW.

[Bigtime]

Any ideas on what the original spec deck would have cost? How about the LED lighting?

[You Need A Thneed]

Any ideas on what the original spec deck would have cost? How about the LED lighting?

The Granite deck would have been about 2 million extra, I think. It was for white granite. The lighting switch involved switching the positioning of the lighting, not just the fixtures (check the original renderings), It would have been more complicated to install, I think. (Note the LED spot lights at the centre of each X on the sides in the original rendering).

[Wooster]

1) Venetians HATED this bridge when it came out

2) Have you ever walked accross it? I have. And it has got to be one of the most awkward sets of stairs I have ever ascended, with the exception of the Musee des Beaux Arts in Montreal.

Haven't walked across it, but I can see what you mean. Tiny little step heights is weird to walk on. Plus, not much of a fun bridge if you have a wheelchair for instance. Then again, Venice in general would be pretty inaccessible.

[Tropics]

Where I think it falls short is in the details.

- The burgundy to me still feels wrong. I'd much rather it were Calatrava white...or atleast a stronger, brighter, red.

- The finishing of the red steel elements looks really rough and bumpy. I'd assume that's how it is with steel and all those curves needing welding, it just doesn't present well when you're up close. From far away, it's not an issue.

- I was most disappointed though with the inside pathways....it felt really generic and bland compared to every other Calatrava bridge out there. Most of the others have that great bouncy see-through material that can be lit up. We have bare-ass concrete. I know it was a budget issue why we switched from granite to concrete, but still, as Charles Eames said...the details make the product.

I agree with alot of that, the color is definately one thing that turns me off bigtime about the bridge, it is way too gaudy. The other thing I think looks simply terrible are the plexi-glass looking diamonds that make up the roof, they look like cheap plexi-glass.

Design-wise I am not sure they could not have changed some stuff up and actually made the bridge alot more striking to my eyes. What I think might have looked awesome is this:

1) Change the color, Calatrava White would work, slate grey would be OK, stainless steel/silver could work.

2) Instead of those cheap looking plexi-glass roof windows make those sections out of the blue tinted glass that Calatrava has used on so many of his bridges walkways and design the lighting of the bridge such that at night the blue diamonds light up in that aquamarine color that alot of his bridges show and the whole bridge glows blue over the river in the dark.

3) Make the pathway of the bridge out of the see through glass panels as well and use under bridge lighting that not only reflects off the water at night but also immuminates the path as almost all of Calatrava's bridges do.

Keep the chinese finger puzzle shape, keep the engineering marvel that it is. If they simple changed the color, used that blue tinted glass and dynamic lighting that made it glow at night, if they built the pathway in the way that Calatrava is known for with a glowing blue pathway and under bridge lighting thatalso lights up the water below. I think that alone would have made the bridge look WAY better. I am not totally stoked on the actual design, but had they chosen the right color and used the blue tinted glass and awesome lighting design I think it would look WAY better and I might actually like it.

[kw5150]

Let this thread die. The bridge is no longer under construction. :)

[Tropics]

I had never intended to be pretentious. I have always been and advocate for Calgary and will continue to be even though I live in Vancouver at the present time. If my wanting Calgary to be even better than it is makes what I contribute of no value then I will stop contributing. It was never my intent to offend anyone or appear to act elitist. I have always respected other members of the forum and their opinions but it appears that is not something I can expect in return. Therefore I have removed my previous post.

I would have liked to read that post.

Message boards where everyone has the exact same opinion are boring. Getting various viewpoints, seeing how one person loves something while others do not is part of what makes the participation in a place like this interesting and enlightening. I am definately in the minority viewpoint on this bridge, but the dialogue made me think about what I hate the most about it and I figured out that a simple change of the color of the bridge, the roof panels, and the lighting system could go a LONG way to making me like it alot (yep I said it!) more.

I on the other hand love the Erikson design for the Eau Claire condo proposal but comments today I read showed that some people dislike it and think it looks too much like it belongs in Cancun. Just goes to show, everyone has different tastes and styles, they all have different opinions. If all we ever had were people spewing the exact same opinions the board would become boring real fast.

[kw5150]

I would have liked to read that post.

Message boards where everyone has the exact same opinion are boring. Getting various viewpoints, seeing how one person loves something while others do not is part of what makes the participation in a place like this interesting and enlightening. I am definately in the minority viewpoint on this bridge, but the dialogue made me think about what I hate the most about it and I figured out that a simple change of the color of the bridge, the roof panels, and the lighting system could go a LONG way to making me like it alot (yep I said it!) more.

I on the other hand love the Erikson design for the Eau Claire condo proposal but comments today I read showed that some people dislike it and think it looks too much like it belongs in Cancun. Just goes to show, everyone has different tastes and styles, they all have different opinions. If all we ever had were people spewing the exact same opinions the board would become boring real fast.

I think maybe the other forum members have already been through the colour selection debate LOOOOONG ago in the thread. It was stated that "the white colour would have been nice" and probably "it should have LEDs" and so on and so on............ Look how many pages this thread is.

Whats done is done. Is the the bridge going to be perfect for everyone? No. Most people on this forum ARE striving for better designs, we are just done talking about this bridge I think.

Lets now focus on the next bridge they are designing and other new infrastructure being announced.

I agree that your colours, glass and lighting would have looked better. I would have also added some nice wood top rails to the guard rails, and I would not have made the lighting covers (at ground level) white. They are already covered in mud.

[DizzyEdge]

I agree with alot of that, the color is definately one thing that turns me off bigtime about the bridge, it is way too gaudy. The other thing I think looks simply terrible are the plexi-glass looking diamonds that make up the roof, they look like cheap plexi-glass.

Design-wise I am not sure they could not have changed some stuff up and actually made the bridge alot more striking to my eyes. What I think might have looked awesome is this:

1) Change the color, Calatrava White would work, slate grey would be OK, stainless steel/silver could work.

2) Instead of those cheap looking plexi-glass roof windows make those sections out of the blue tinted glass that Calatrava has used on so many of his bridges walkways and design the lighting of the bridge such that at night the blue diamonds light up in that aquamarine color that alot of his bridges show and the whole bridge glows blue over the river in the dark.

3) Make the pathway of the bridge out of the see through glass panels as well and use under bridge lighting that not only reflects off the water at night but also immuminates the path as almost all of Calatrava's bridges do.

Keep the chinese finger puzzle shape, keep the engineering marvel that it is. If they simple changed the color, used that blue tinted glass and dynamic lighting that made it glow at night, if they built the pathway in the way that Calatrava is known for with a glowing blue pathway and under bridge lighting thatalso lights up the water below. I think that alone would have made the bridge look WAY better. I am not totally stoked on the actual design, but had they chosen the right color and used the blue tinted glass and awesome lighting design I think it would look WAY better and I might actually like it.

I'm not familiar with these from other Calatrava bridges, but would they not be slippery when it rains?

I think one thing which could have made it more interesting would have been if it curved a bit to the left or right, or if it undulated or something. That said I'm withholding judgement until I see it in person.

[Ramsayfarian]

Let this thread die. The bridge is no longer under construction. :)

Yes the bridge is done, but now that it's finished, I think it should be ok to critique the final product. Feel free to stop visiting this thread.

[Full Mountain]

I agree with alot of that, the color is definately one thing that turns me off bigtime about the bridge, it is way too gaudy. The other thing I think looks simply terrible are the plexi-glass looking diamonds that make up the roof, they look like cheap plexi-glass.

Design-wise I am not sure they could not have changed some stuff up and actually made the bridge alot more striking to my eyes. What I think might have looked awesome is this:

1) Change the color, Calatrava White would work, slate grey would be OK, stainless steel/silver could work..

IMO the other colors that you mention wouldn't contrast the snow and the river and make it pop like it does

Blue, grey, etc. would have blended in with the rest of the river, making it a non-sight, the way it is it stands out


2) Instead of those cheap looking plexi-glass roof windows make those sections out of the blue tinted glass that Calatrava has used on so many of his bridges walkways and design the lighting of the bridge such that at night the blue diamonds light up in that aquamarine color that alot of his bridges show and the whole bridge glows blue over the river in the dark..

I can agree with you on the lighting, I would have liked more striking lighting, but we don't need anymore aquamarine in this city we have far to much of it as it is


3) Make the pathway of the bridge out of the see through glass panels as well and use under bridge lighting that not only reflects off the water at night but also immuminates the path as almost all of Calatrava's bridges do.

Keep the chinese finger puzzle shape, keep the engineering marvel that it is. If they simple changed the color, used that blue tinted glass and dynamic lighting that made it glow at night, if they built the pathway in the way that Calatrava is known for with a glowing blue pathway and under bridge lighting thatalso lights up the water below. I think that alone would have made the bridge look WAY better. I am not totally stoked on the actual design, but had they chosen the right color and used the blue tinted glass and awesome lighting design I think it would look WAY better and I might actually like it.

Glass panels would make for a skating rink 8 months of the year and would look dirty the other 4 months, not really a good surface for a winter climate, I agree lighting the deck would look great, but the practicality of glass panels doesn't exist in out climate.

[AUM]

Tropics,

My original post was discussing the importance of engaging the public to ensure that Calgary continues to see better architecture. I found that while in Calgary, outside of this forum, there was little discussion on design by the professional community that involved the public. To ensure better design I feel you need public support. In order for this to happen the public needs to feel part of the process or that they have a voice. The industry (architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, etc.) should be that voice. From the architecture side that I was familiar with there was and is still a lack of this as only a few in the industry are true advocates; like Marc Boutin, Jeremy Sturgess and small handful of others. What is needed is for the all members of the industry who are shaping this city to also show their support and begin participating in these discussions that engage the public; ie. public lectures, debates, etc.

Living in Vancouver now I have been observing the processes here and participating in the design community and public discussions to see what does and doesn't work.

I think the ideas and input shared in our forums need to extend to the public and design community so that Calgary can continue to raise the bar with every new project. Europe is a good example of the public demanding better from the building and design industry. I think Calgary can reach a similar level but it requires the building and design community to engage the public more in the debate.

If you could imagine Calagary's citizens being as passionate about design as many of us in these forums then there is no way developers, builders, designers and the city could avoid doing nothing but great projects.

That is what I was trying to share before, but one member chose to accuse me of being an elitist and contributing nothing of value in my posts. I'm an advocate for great design and also for seeing Calgary succeed in this area. Even though I no longer live there at the present moment I still feel a vested interested and excited at what as been accomplished to date.

[ZeDgE]

This really happened:

[IMGhttp://i.imgur.com/Au7KF.png[/IMG]

:haha:

Love it.

[Tropics]

Tropics,

My original post was discussing the importance of engaging the public to ensure that Calgary continues to see better architecture. I found that while in Calgary, outside of this forum, there was little discussion on design by the professional community that involved the public. To ensure better design I feel you need public support. In order for this to happen the public needs to feel part of the process or that they have a voice. The industry (architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, etc.) should be that voice. From the architecture side that I was familiar with there was and is still a lack of this as only a few in the industry are true advocates; like Marc Boutin, Jeremy Sturgess and small handful of others. What is needed is for the all members of the industry who are shaping this city to also show their support and begin participating in these discussions that engage the public; ie. public lectures, debates, etc.

Living in Vancouver now I have been observing the processes here and participating in the design community and public discussions to see what does and doesn't work.

I think the ideas and input shared in our forums need to extend to the public and design community so that Calgary can continue to raise the bar with every new project. Europe is a good example of the public demanding better from the building and design industry. I think Calgary can reach a similar level but it requires the building and design community to engage the public more in the debate.

If you could imagine Calagary's citizens being as passionate about design as many of us in these forums then there is no way developers, builders, designers and the city could avoid doing nothing but great projects.

That is what I was trying to share before, but one member chose to accuse me of being an elitist and contributing nothing of value in my posts. I'm an advocate for great design and also for seeing Calgary succeed in this area. Even though I no longer live there at the present moment I still feel a vested interested and excited at what as been accomplished to date.

I cannot imagine how anyone would disagree with any of that. So many of us jumped all over the Herald Square design because it was boring and uninspired, and that got scrapped and now we have a design competition for the whole block. Most people on this forum were quite happy to see the chance at something better and some of us wondered if some people from industry might not have caught word of the discussions about the previous design.

If the public had more input into things they would be more open to large projects like the Peace Bridge because they feel like part of the process instead of simply the "tax payer" that is paying for the city council to build a bridge. The public in general want, and should have more input into major projects then a single vote for a mayor every few years. I contacted my Alderman about some development in my ward of the city and its direction and he acted as if future development was not the concern of the public and was really none of their business. That is an absurd attitude and it is very wrong.

Communities should have open meetings in their community hall every year that include both their alderman and the mayor. Issues about future development within the ward, concerns the citizens of that community have about infrastructure and social issues, the direction they want to see development take and the way they want to see their community grow should be listened to and those viewpoints should weigh VERY strongly in the decisions that city council then makes. The city council in Calgary can at times seem to be far too much like a private club where a small group of aldermen act on their own wishes and don't concern themselves much with the wishes of the other 1,200,000 people in the city.