BCA: Calatrava explains fusion of architecture and engineering as a single art

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Monday, 05, Nov 2007 12:00

“The architect and engineer are both artists and there should be no difference between the professions as both have an impact and a relationship to their immediate landscape”, said Dr Santiago Calatrava addressing the 16th British Cement Association Berthold Lubetkin Memorial Lecture, held in partnership with The Concrete Centre.

The annual lecture commemorates the contribution of Berthold Lubetkin to architecture and celebrates inspirational works by contemporary architects and engineers.

Addressing a filled-to-capacity Kensington Great Hall, Calatrava took the opportunity to explain his main sources of inspiration and how the fluidity and malleability of concrete enables that inspiration to be realised in the sculptured poetry of his designs.

Reviewing a wide range of past and current projects, Calatrava explained the importance of synergy with the surrounding landscape, the need to introduce a sense of movement to architecture and engineering and the importance of flooding his designs with air and natural light.

The reviewed projects included the Turning Torso skyscraper in Malmo, Sweden, the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, the City of Arts And Science in Valencia, Spain, the World Trade Center transportation hub in New York and the proposed Chicago Spire skyscraper – destined to be the tallest building in the United States and the tallest apartment building in the world.

No Calatrava lecture would be complete without an examination of his iconic bridge structures. Here, he presented his inspiration for the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, Redding, California, the three cable-stayed bridges over the Hoofdvaart canal in Haarlemmermeer, Holland and the Chords Bridge currently under construction in Jerusalem.

Calatrava concluded his well-received lecture with a video presentation of his work and creative process. The video highlighted the influence of the human form, the natural landscape and his own sculpture works upon the evolution of his designs.

At the end of the lecture, Berthold Lubetkin’s daughter Sasha presented Calatrava with a concrete sculpture created by artist Carole Vincent.

“Calatrava’s work has long been recognised for its fusion of architecture and engineering”, said Mike Gilbert, chief executive of the British Cement Association. “It was illuminating to hear how Calatrava regards architecture and engineering as similar art forms with similar goals and impacts upon the landscape. Calatrava’s work is iconic and an inspiration to many. We thank him for taking the time from his busy schedule to explain what is the motivation behind his work”.

“Calatrava’s work has always being identified by the influence of the human form and the natural landscape”, said Guy Thompson, head of architecture at The Concrete Centre, “His lecture enable the audience to learn, first hand, why the organic natural form continues to inspire Calatrava”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The Concrete Centre is the central market development organisation for the £5 billion UK concrete sector. The Centre works in the interests of all those involved in concrete design and construction. It focuses on design and construction methods, education and training, research, new product and process development and the performance of concrete in practice. It works closely with other well-established cement and concrete bodies in the UK. For more information see: www.concretecentre.com

2. The British Cement Association (BCA) is the trade and research organisation that represents the interests of the United Kingdom’s cement industry in its relations with Her Majesty’s Government, the European Union and relevant organisations in the United Kingdom. The members of the BCA (Buxton Lime Industries, Castle Cement, Lafarge Cement UK and CEMEX UK Cement) are the major domestic manufacturers of Portland Cement producing over 90% of the cement sold in the UK. For more information see: www.cementindustry.co.uk

For further information contact: Melanie Osler, tel: 01276 6087020, email: mosler@bca.org.uk

3. Issued by Steve Elliott, Constructive Dialogue, tel: 01276 36735, email: condialogue@aol.com

4. For further information on Santiago Calatrava visit: www.calatrava.com