World's Ultimate » buildings

Glass Rainbow Walkway in Denmark

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:15:47 +0000

Have you ever touched or walked on the Rainbow? If not, now is the chance you can do so. In Denmark, a creatively known artist Olafur Eliasson designed a 360 degree (circular) Glass Rooftop called ‘Your Rainbow Panorama’. It is made of glass entirely that is at the top of Aros Art Museum in Aarhus, Denmark. It gives several view of the city while travelling through it; it is a very unique in its structure and nature. Its dimensions are 150 meters long, 3 meters high and 3 meter wide.
“Your rainbow panorama enters into a dialogue with the existing architecture and reinforces what is assured beforehand, that is to say the view of the city. I have created a space which virtually erases the boundaries between inside and outside – where people become a little uncertain as to whether they have stepped into a work or into part of the museum. This uncertainty is important to me, as it encourages people to think and sense beyond the limits within which they are accustomed to moving,” says the artist.

The Historical Church – La Sagrada Familia

Maqsood A. Rahim — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:38:14 +0000

The Church

The expiatory church of La Sagrada Familia has since become a sign of identity of Barcelona, Spain. In fact it is promoted by peoples’ will and inspiring religious beliefs. 125 years have passed and construction is still going on at a slow pace and is expected to complete in early 21st century.

La Sagrada Familia is a private expiatory under construction church, dedicated to Holy Family. It is managed by ecclesiastical foundation that controls budgets and building project in accordance with guide lines of Antoni Gaudi.

The private casual funds generate from donatives admission fee paid by about 3 million visitors every year. They come to appreciate and study the architectural and religious aspects. Gaudi’s works depict symbolic Christianity all over. He displays faith—Jesus and Virgin Mary—The Apostles, Evangelists and Saints in appropriate mode and suggestive symbolizing architecture and carvings around the church interior and in 18 bell towers.

History:

Josep Maria Bocebella Verguer founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph in 1866. They decided to construct an expiatory church dedicated to the Holy Family in 1874. Generous donations were received and a plot measuring 12’800 sq. meter was bought in 1881 in the centre of Barcelona city. The foundation stone was laid on 19th March 1882 (on Saint Joseph Feast) by the Bishop of Barcelona. The building initiated with Neo-Gothic design representing crypt beneath the apse by the architect Francisco de Paula Villar. However, early disagreements made him resign and Antoni Gaudi took charge.

Antoni Gaudi was an outstanding figure of Catalan Culture and known in International Architectural circles for creating very lively works and landscapes that appeal to human senses.

Gaudi received an anonymous large donation in around 1890. He then aspired to scrap the present plan and redesign and built a huge monumental structure incorporating better innovations, high towers and sophisticated detailed sculpture formations to explain the teachings of Gospels. In 1882 he laid foundations of Nativity façade, completed the apse façade in 1894 and the Roser door of Nativity Cloister in 1899.

He also built Temporary schools for children of workers of La Sagrada Familia. Nativity Façade model was displayed in 1910 in Paris at Grand Palais, by Eusebi Guell. The work commenced in 1882 using old means. Gaudi sensed the task difficulties and deviated from traditions. He adopted modern techniques to speed up work and create better quality. He had railway track laid suitable for small wagons for easy transport of materials. Employed cranes and built workshops at site for convenience. He replaced manual tools by electric machines and gadgets for finer workmanship.

2000: The Central Nave Vaults were completed. Work began on Glory Façade foundations. On Millennium occasion, a mass was held inside the church so that the people could view the Grandeur and spread of detailed craftsmanship.

2001: The Passion Façade was completed. Joan Villa Grau installed the stained glass windows, dedicated to the Resurrection. Center of crossing four columns were completed.

2002: International Gaudi year and his 150th birth anniversary were celebrated by Barcelona Council. La Sagrada Familia participated fully by commissioning Temporary schools and holding a show “Night of Light and Fire” on 1st June. Special Illuminations and a memorable Castle of fireworks was the main highlight of this event. The wall of prophets and patriarchs, located in the Passion Façade was completed by Josep Maria.

2005: The Eucharistic symbols of bread and wine sculptured by a Japanese Etsuro Sotoo were placed in Central Nave window. Ascension sculpture was placed between Façade Towers.

2006-8: Glory Façade Choir and apse vaults were completed.

2008-10: The Vaults of apse and crossing are completed so that the Central Lantern Tower could be finished. This Lantern will be crowned by a 170m high cross, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Four more towers, dedicated to evangelists will surround central tower.

Construction of the main Façade will complete the Church La Sagrada Familia.

PETRONAS Twin Towers

Maqsood A. Rahim — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 07:34:03 +0000

Twin Towers

The Malaysian Twin Towers (88 floors) were considered the world’s tallest building when completed in 1998 and remained so till 2004 when Taipei surpassed it with 101 floors. The other comparable towers were the Willis Towers and the World Trade Center Twin-Towers with 110 floors. Quite often tall pinnacles or antennas are erected at the top to increase height rating.

The standard rules differ. However, according to U.S. based CTBUH such antennas are regarded superficial structures to confuse height and do not add to structural use or design. Accordingly when Willis Towers 250 ft. tall antenna was excluded, the PETRONAS Tower was assessed 10 meters higher.

The PETRONAS Towers are designed by architect Cesar Pelli. These Towers have the deepest bedrock or a 120 meter deep concrete foundation. The beautiful design reflects Islamic motif art and its circular structure presents a very picturesque outlook. High strength reinforced concrete is used for stability against strong winds. The Tower’s main strength comes from its 23 x 23 meters in concrete core. The supporting columns spread in outer circle to provide clear office space ranging up to 2000sqm each floor.

The floors below ground level, house Suria KLCC, the biggest shopping mall. It also has KLCC Park spread over 66,000 sqms. jogging paths, fountains, pools and children playgrounds are all provided. Further Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is also there.

PETRONAS Twin Towers Occupants

The PETRONAS and their subsidiary companies and associates occupy Tower One. The Tower two tenants include well reputed companies like Al-Jazera, English Boeing, IBM, Mckinsey & Co., Microsoft, Reuters, Krawler Network and so on.

Twin Towers Sky Bridge

The two storey bridge is build connecting the two towers on 41st and 42nd floors. The world’s highest bridge is 58m long and weighs 750 tons. Visitors are allowed up to the bridge through free passes. The sky bridge is also a safety device for facilitating evacuation in case of any emergency in any tower. The staircases and multiple lift systems are sufficient for total evacuation if needed. A drill trial was conducted successfully.

The lifts

Otis lifts are installed in the centre of each tower. The double Decker lifts service two floors at a time. This sophisticated system consists of dozens of lifts arranged for “short haul” servicing floors up to 20 and “long haul” servicing up to floors 42, the podium. From here people change lifts to reach top floors in pattern, similar to lower floors. Besides these, “shuttle lifts” operate non-stop from G/1 to floor 42. In case of emergency these help vacate people from top floors quickly.

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