Bridging Form and Function

Thu, 12/16/2004 - 12:42
Tagged:
David Sucher argues that France's spectacular new bridge is not just a feat of engineering -- it's architecture.

"...I'd suggest that it qualifies as architecture, maybe even top-notch architecture..."


Brian Micklethwait wonders about the reason for building the bridge:

"Economically it looks crazy to me. A few more curves on the road and they could surely have saved themselves billions."


Most of the photosgraphs I have seen of the bridge showcase its elegant structural beauty against a dramatic landscape. The photos of the bridge's slender towers soaring up from a fog-shrouded valley are indeed spectacular. As opposed to photos that focus on the bridge's form, Brian also linked to a photograph that shows the function of the bridge. It is a photograph of the bridge from the air during construction and it shows the terrain over which the bridge spans.

Here are both photos together, each illustrating a different aspect of the bridge.

France's new bridge (Times Online)

Source: Times Online



France's new bridge
Source: France from the Air

Abhijeet Chavan is co-founder and co-editor-in-chief of Planetizen.
The views expressed are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of any group or organization that he or she is affiliated with unless clearly stated, nor the views of Planetizen.
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