The new Sundial Bridge in Redding California spans the Sacramento river linking the the north and south campuses of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The bridge was created by world renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
"It is, by the way, a functional sundial. There are markers on the ground behind the tower indicating the time when the tower's shadow hits them. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. The bridge's tower is 217 feet high, and the bridge itself is 700 feet long. And every bit of it seems worth appreciating. You can walk across it, under it on both sides and on trails on both sides that give different viewing angles." - CNET
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Functional Architecture
- Exploring the integration of practical functionality in architectural design.
- Interactive Landmarks
- Creating landmarks that engage and interact with visitors for a unique experience.
- Artistic Engineering
- Combining art and engineering to create visually stunning and structurally sound designs.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- Opportunity for architects to push the boundaries of design by incorporating functional elements into structures.
- Tourism
- Designing interactive landmarks can attract tourists seeking unique and engaging experiences.
- Engineering
- Integrating creativity and artistic aspects into engineering projects to enhance aesthetic appeal.
