St Patrick's Island bridge comp: Which one do you like? - Page 15

O-tacular · #**281** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 7:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hed Kandi

Oh Dear God Nooo!

Calgary is forever condemned to be an architectural wasteland.

At least there was no cowboy hat, or obvious metaphor (I'm looking at you The Reach)

Anyone have that old drawing that was kicking around Calgarypuck on hand?

Wooster · #**282** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 7:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

At least there was no cowboy hat, or obvious metaphor (I'm looking at you The Reach)

Anyone have that old drawing that was kicking around Calgarypuck on hand?

I think the Reach metaphor actually worked quite well though.

O-tacular · #**283** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

I think the Reach metaphor actually worked quite well though.

It wasn't terrible, but it reminded me too much of Allied's over-wrought musical organ metaphor.

Ayreonaut · #**284** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 8:01 PM**

I just went back to the first page to see what could have been...and wept like a little girl.

Innersoul1 · #**285** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 8:05 PM**

WOW! This is just really really sad! I still think that of those three the Buckland Taylor proposal is my first choice. The RFR is just too much of a Homage to the Louise Crossing/Centre Street Bridge for me. It really is a shame given the true quality of some of the proposals. Certainly makes me so much more thankful that Calatrava came first. These finalists are a real let down. UGGH

Innersoul1 · #**286** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayreonaut

I just went back to the first page to see what could have been...and wept like a little girl.

HA! i just did the same thing and reviewed the shortlist selection. DEAR JESUS PLEASE LET BUCKLAND WIN!!! The RFR proposal really has no presence!

outoftheice · #**287** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 8:29 PM**

Seriously?!?!? These are the finalists from a much-hyped international design competition? The most interesting design out of the three of them is the Buckland & Taylor design and it might as well be a carbon copy of the Esplanade Riel in Winnipeg... it's just missing a Salisbury House restaurant in the middle! If the best we can do in Calgary is copy Winnipeg I have to say that City Council gets my full support for going the way they did with the Peace Bridge design. Love it or hate it, the Peace Bridge is at least unique and interesting! At least we get one more chance to do it right with the proposed pedestrian bridge for the West Village development.

Radley77 · #**288** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 8:51 PM**

I think part of this process that could have been improved upon is to have the advisory committee explain more about what they wanted for the site. Calgary MLC selected the advisory committee after releasing the 33 designs. If the advisory committee had stated that they wanted "the bridge should be simple and elegant, and that the scale of the structure, in relation to the site and its surroundings, be complimentary and not be overwhelming." Then it's clear that some of these designs did not meet that criteria from the start.

I remember reading in the initial scope of work that it was important that the bridge "respect the natural setting... of the Bow River."

I agree this is important, but I guess I was suprised to see some designs like the Reach not included that I think met the above mentioned tastes as well.

Wooster · #**289** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 9:21 PM**

So I hear that there were a number of the more popular designs that had pretty substantial structural flaws that would have either meant a redesign would fundamentally change the look, would have cost upwards of $50 million (even though cost wasn't the primary consideration) or had an undue amount of impact to the riverbanks/river/island based on the size of the structural support systems and foundations that would have been necessary. Apparently they purposely stayed away from giving guidance as to what they were looking for as to solicit the broadest set of ideas possible. Sounds like actual buidability was a big factor.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #**290** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 9:42 PM**

shocking, the west side of town gets a porsche and the east gets a pinto. colour me surpised.

Wooster · #**291** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

shocking, the west side of town gets a porsche and the east gets a pinto. colour me surpised.

Oh come on. The East Village in total is getting about $200 million in publicly-funded upgrades - New beautiful Riverwalk, a totally redone St. Patrick's island, the best streetscapes in Calgary...

I'm not seeing the west end of downtown or the Beltline getting much of anything in the way of public realm improvements.

CorporateWhore · #**292** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 9:56 PM**

It's more like the east asked for a Porsche, will pay for a Porsche, but in the end, decided to drive away in Corolla.

frinkprof · #**293** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:11 PM**

You know we're in Calgary (or western NA, or North America in general, whichever generalization you feel comfortable with) when a discussion about pedestrian bridges eventually turns into a discussion about cars.

That said, CW's twist on the analogy seems apt.

Danma · #**294** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:14 PM**

For chrissakes, really? that's the list of finallists?

(checks calendar) nope, not April 1st...

Go Buckland, at least there's something going on there.

Witty Nickname · #**295** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:18 PM**

Well out of those 3, Buckland is my favorite.
Which means it WON'T get built...

Bigtime · #**296** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:30 PM**

You know what this should do to all of us?

Motivate us.

But to do what? To succeed in whatever chosen careers we have, make a shitload of money and pay to have these things built they way they are meant to be.

"Oh hi city of Calgary, I'm going to give you $30 million bucks to build a pedestrian bridge. However I want it done this way and in an ironclad contract that says you can't fuck it up like everything else."

What's the saying? "Make money. Get bitches." Well now it will be "Make money. Get bridges."

MichaelS · #**297** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

Sounds like actual buidability was a big factor.

Shouldn't that be the case, since they are actually planning on building it?

I agree that these weren't the 3 most inspiring designs, but what is the point of choosing a very unique concept, only to have to admit later on that the actual built form will look different from what everyone was expecting?

CorporateWhore · #**298** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

But to do what? To succeed in whatever chosen careers we have, make a shitload of money and pay to have these things built they way they are meant to be.

Hey you're the one with all those building supplies...we can just build our own damn bridge. Parquet Floor Crossing, here we come!

Bigtime · #**299** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Hey you're the one with all those building supplies...we can just build our own damn bridge. Parquet Floor Crossing, here we come!

Ooooh, I like it!

frinkprof · #**300** Posted **Nov 17, 2009, 10:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

What's the saying? "Make money. Get bitches." Well now it will be "Make money. Get bridges."