I've always enjoyed the architecture of bridges. Not so much the brute strength of pier-and-beam construction--- that's just a dead tree across a gully done with better materials.
But robust trusses, vast arches, gossamer suspensions, inventive curves and angles, unusual materials... bridges are often as strangely beautiful as they are functional.
Moving bridges--- draws, lifts, turntables--- are a special class. They're rarely delicate, but are often built with a precision that's amazing for structures so large and heavy; especially if you can watch the mating surfaces come together: Megatons of steel positioned with the gentleness of a nun putting down a teacup.
Then there's this small bridge. It's delicate, almost sculptural, and comes closer to moving like a living object than any other bridge I've seen:
http://www.odditycentral.com/videos/heatherwick-rolling-bridge.html
That is beyond amazing, but I can't find a word that fills that bill. Where do you find all these great sites? Spend all day surfing the web?
ReplyDelete>>>Spend all day surfing the web?
ReplyDeleteHarumph. I have a job, you know. Sniff.
I write a computer column and some other stuff, and that requires me to be at my PC most days, doing research on a variety of topics.
Some days I'm hard at it all day, surfing the web.
Oh, wait a minute....
Never mind.
beautiful ... but read the sad comment on the bridge website.
ReplyDeleteAw sigh, *people!* In a comment on October 17 Barbara states: "the rolling bridge has been damaged by vandals and therefore removed.
ReplyDeleteToo bad I went this morning to take a look at it and there’s nothing left"