HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Calgary > Projects & Construction Updates


View Poll Results: What do you think of the design?
I love it! 156 44.70%
It's good. 134 38.40%
I don't like it. 28 8.02%
Nuke it from Orbit (waste of taxpayers dollars) 31 8.88%
Voters: 349. You may not vote on this poll

Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #2241  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 7:31 AM
MoXXon's Avatar
MoXXon MoXXon is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 16
[/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?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2242  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 8:39 AM
Blue_Cypress's Avatar
Blue_Cypress Blue_Cypress is offline
Snarkotron
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mount Pleasant, Calgary
Posts: 2,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tropics View Post
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.
__________________
"The ice is near, the solitude is terrible! But how peacefully all things lie in the light..."
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2243  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 8:49 AM
Blue_Cypress's Avatar
Blue_Cypress Blue_Cypress is offline
Snarkotron
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mount Pleasant, Calgary
Posts: 2,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wooster View Post
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
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.
__________________
"The ice is near, the solitude is terrible! But how peacefully all things lie in the light..."
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2244  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 9:49 AM
Tropics Tropics is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,288
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue_Cypress View Post
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.

from whattoseeinvenice.com

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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2245  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 1:37 PM
The Chemist's Avatar
The Chemist The Chemist is offline
恭喜发财!
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: 中国上海/Shanghai
Posts: 8,883
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.
__________________
"Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature." - Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2246  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 2:42 PM
CorporateWhore's Avatar
CorporateWhore CorporateWhore is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Purgatory
Posts: 4,685
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2247  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 2:46 PM
Calgarian's Avatar
Calgarian Calgarian is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 24,072
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.
__________________
Git'er done!
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2248  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 2:47 PM
Bigtime's Avatar
Bigtime Bigtime is offline
Very tall. Such Scrape.
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorporateWhore View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2249  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 2:50 PM
CorporateWhore's Avatar
CorporateWhore CorporateWhore is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Purgatory
Posts: 4,685
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigtime View Post
You're just underwhelmed because you have two degrees.
Haha, what I never told anyone is they are both from Krusty's Clown College.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2250  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 2:55 PM
Surrealplaces's Avatar
Surrealplaces Surrealplaces is offline
Editor
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cowtropolis
Posts: 19,968

_MG_2299 by Steven Coutts, on Flickr
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2251  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 3:10 PM
Surrealplaces's Avatar
Surrealplaces Surrealplaces is offline
Editor
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cowtropolis
Posts: 19,968
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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tropics View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2252  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 3:13 PM
Surferguy's Avatar
Surferguy Surferguy is offline
Westgate Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: C-Town
Posts: 486
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"
__________________
Don't you hate pants?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2253  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 3:40 PM
Blader Blader is offline
Calgary Martindale
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Saskatoon-Toronto-Calgary
Posts: 889
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tropics View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2254  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 4:29 PM
Full Mountain's Avatar
Full Mountain Full Mountain is offline
YIMBY
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,938
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorporateWhore View Post
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
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2255  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 4:48 PM
AUM's Avatar
AUM AUM is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 587
Post Removed.

Last edited by AUM; Mar 26, 2012 at 5:38 PM.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2256  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 5:07 PM
Rusty van Reddick's Avatar
Rusty van Reddick Rusty van Reddick is offline
formerly-furry flâneur
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bankview, Calgary
Posts: 6,912
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?
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2257  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 5:30 PM
RiverRat RiverRat is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wooster View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2258  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 5:34 PM
kw5150's Avatar
kw5150 kw5150 is offline
Here and There
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,807
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!
__________________
Renfrew, Calgary, Alberta.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2259  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 5:37 PM
kw5150's Avatar
kw5150 kw5150 is offline
Here and There
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,807
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!!!





Quote:
Originally Posted by RiverRat View Post
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.
__________________
Renfrew, Calgary, Alberta.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #2260  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2012, 5:46 PM
AUM's Avatar
AUM AUM is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 587
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
     
     
This discussion thread continues

Use the page links to the lower-right to go to the next page for additional posts
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Alberta & British Columbia > Calgary > Projects & Construction Updates
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 9:53 AM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.