Ten years with Calatrava

Each year the entity CTBUH rewards to the best skyscraper in the world, and which it carries a decade proving its usefulness.

(Edición en Español)

Hi, I burn in wishes to arrive to the month of November, in particular, hope fervently to arrive to the day 12, do you know why? If you have thought in the 70th anniversary of the Nobel Prize of medicine Alexander Fleming, you have not success, and it is not that I do not respect or revere properly to the father of the penicillin, without which we would live in a world very different (and worse), that day I will enjoy something more inspiring and enjoyable: has come into my hands the invitation to the ceremony for the 14th awards of the CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat).

I love this ceremony for several reasons, first because it is a place where engage in high-level business, and, in the best of the cases, also are made great friendships, we must not lose sight that the meeting is organized by (nothing more and nothing less than) the Illinois Institute of technology. The second because the meeting with Mies Van der Rohe and his best work is always amazing: The Crown Hall, headquarters of the school of architecture of the Institute and headquarters, also, of the awards ceremony. The third (and no less important) because you receive a commemorative book of the event. The fourth (and last) because among the nominees each year, at the end of the event, will be selected the best tall building in the world (wow).

If you want to know more ... Touch here!

The fire of Azerbaijan

A Hotel, a residential building and other of offices make up a wonderful complex that burns the day and the night.

Hi, do you know feels when lost a good business, and you discover that you was near it? Do you know this tragic moment in which you give with who (or what) had removed your great opportunity that cannot be repeated? I, Rodolfo, don't know, and, in fact, isn't one of my priorities to find out how it is, "au contraire" (I would say my cousin), I will continue avoiding that feeling.

But you do not think that the intolerance to the error is what I have, or the excessive predilection for myself, none of this, what happens is that they taught me well to choose the battle before we start. I will give an example related (clear) with my self-requirement from get an exquisite place where to design and build a vigorous building. A few years ago I was enjoying of Eurovision, in the place where, in a few days, will be held the first European games, but I will not speed up the narrative. The slowing is enjoyed, or as recounts Benito Pérez Galdós that the king Fernando VII said to his personal assistant: "Dress me slowly, I have hurry".

The Caspian Sea

In May of the year 2012, I was advising to a very good international investor about the possibilities of a country that has not stopped growing in the last five years, we were in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. As the coincidences exist, you know it, was celebrated at that time the Eurovision Song Contest in which the Spanish representative, Pastora Soler, had one more than respectable position: the number 10. We was very badly at the beginning, because we could not reside in the Fairmont Hotel of the Flame Towers, all an architectural landmark in the city, since still missing almost a year for its inauguration, in compensation, in 2013, the Hotel Manager gave me the Royal Suite a week (with expenses paid, stuff from my last name).

I'll be honest, I had many problems with the international investor, the best thing that has happened to me in life was discover the complex formed by the three towers where the Hotel is located, and wanted to devote more time to analyze the construction, this clashed with the intention of the employer, of how I resolved the situation I'll talk about another day, the important thing is that I got my goal of course. But we go at the beginning, the developer of the complex was Azinco Development MMC who commissioned the design to the architects HOK team, specifically to Pierre Baillargeon.

In an area of 28,000 square meters the designer developed three towers joined at their base. The three skyscrapers are based on the coat of the city and, therefore, in its history.  The work on the complex began in 2007 and finished in 2012, cost some 320 million euros, and it have become the three tallest skyscrapers of Azerbaijan. Its towers are three large flames, distributed between them as if it will try the three vertices of a triangle, one to the North, one to the South and the last in the West.

The South Tower, the highest with 190 meters of wingspan, is destined to housing with 130 luxury apartments and views over the city of Baku and the Caspian Sea that make extreme sports the Spa and the gym. The North Tower, the Fairmont Hotel, reaches 160 meters in height and is distributed in 36 floorswith 318 rooms and 61 apartments. The hotel entrance has a height of 17 metres and is decorated with a chandelier with crystal drop shape and six metres high (I love it). The West Tower, no less important, is nearly 140 meters tall, is destined to offices with a whopping of 33,000 square metres of flexible space for business offices.

The curvilinear facades of the three buildings are covered in crystals of colours orange and blue, to mimic the colours of the flames. The structure of the building is concrete reinforced, giving rigidity to the set. At the base, the buildings joined by a podium of 78 meters in height, which is distributed in three levels and has various uses for the users of the complex, whose roof is glazed. The complex has been awarded with the international prize MIPIM 2013, the international award in the real estate world.

At the top, with a curious needle peak termination, lies one of the most conflictive areas due to gusts of winds that support in these latitudes. Their last 30 meters are made with a different structure that the rest of the building structural system: steel frames with a form of a watermark that, in addition, creates a spacious place. Dlubal Software GmbH software was used for the calculation of this network. This framework consists of three sides curved that it find on top, the tubes are of 610 mm in diameter and their sections are biaxial curved (in both directions).

The contractor Day Holding Azerbaijan gives us more data from this mega-structure: its final surface is 251,000 square meters, have been used 165,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,500 tons of steel; the facade occupies an area of 64,000 square metres, have been distributed 611 kilometres of low voltage cables and, most importantly, 1,198 vehicles occupy their parking.

But continues reading, comes the best! The Traxon Technologies company has been responsible for the introducing of more than 10,000 lights led (always led) on the facades. It are placed so that not are distinguished from the outside, an intelligent control allows that it interact forming different pictures, the most common, the flames moving, also can be formed individual animations for each building or giving life to three buildings. The main problem he faced was the variety of sizes in crystals, the different lengths of modules of lighting can reduce to 16 (a success).

But we return to the beginning of the article, where I promised you an example of my prudence in the decision-making. Recently I had an idea for my future construction in the BoyukZira Island, opposite the city of Baku, but the confluence of large architectural formats made me fear that the island was predestined to other use, as almost always I was right.They intend to make a Master Plan called Zira Island, in which give shape to eight of the geographical places the most emblematic of Azerbaijan, the architects responsible are the BIG Danish group and the idea is to build a city of one million square meters with energy independence, using the thermal solar panels, photovoltaic cells, the recycling of waste water and rain water harvesting and a wind farm the island will be completely independent and will have a zero carbon expulsion.

As you may understand, I wasn't going to spoil the design of the architects by my plans. Bye bye.

The Pool that removed the hiccup

The spectacular building of Singapore boasts with the cantilever that you can be visited more length in the world

Hi, the life is full of indecipherable and indiscernible riddles, so that the truths give security, that is the conclusion to which I, Rodolfo, I reached after countless interviews in various media, where never knew what questions I would make journalists, in revenge, they never have obtained the same response to similar questions.

One of the Islands where I thought make my future construction is Easter Island (Rapa Nui), I had a shiver of joy just from thinking about eating the Umu Rapa Nui several times a year! I have even come to imagine that the building that will built there would have form of Moai (sculpture of dimension incredible and unique in the world that on the island there are some 900) and this will have some iconic sense, even put a Pukao (stone of reddish color that is supposed to represent a "headdress" on the top of some Moai). Speaking of Pukaos, I've found one that even has a swimming pool without end, in one of the world's most incredible buildings: Marina Bay Sands.

The Hotel

When you see the hotel for the first time, you tell me if the comparison with a Pukao is correct or not, I do not know, of course, if the designer took account of this parallelism (I presume that not), and it's a Pukao on three Moai, a dream for the most advanced of the Rapa Nui. The silhouette spectacular of the Marina Bay Sands dominates the skyline with its spectacular design changing forever, since it was built, the meaning of the word Costa.

When you are place under the complex the first thing you ask is how it can support one building against another, and who thought install a huge cantilever uniting three (or six) buildings. The singular architect is none other than Mr Moshe Safdie, whose head had the idea that materialized in just four years (2007-2010), a record considering the difficulties that they faced.

When you asked for a room in the hotel, you will discover that the smallest (Deluxe Room) have 39 square meter, access to the SkyPark® and the pool's infinity and exclusive entrance to the Fitness Club on the floor 55. Of course I was in a major: Charmaine Suite (the best) 629 square meter, four bedrooms, hydro-massage, two lounges, gym (with massage room, steam bath and sauna), piano, 24 hour of butler, free breakfast (than less) and several more surprises.

When you want to enjoy the views of the SkyPark® only you will have to pay $27,00 (€25,00) but you must request it in advance because they tend to rent for events or parties. The infinity edge pool is for hotel guests (have to pay one of 2,560 rooms available) from 6 in the morning (my preferred time) until 11 o'clock. They have restaurants, shops of leading brands, cultural events and (a forced) visit to the spectacular Museum of art and Science (with its unique flower shape).

The Cantilever

When you search the company that made the complex structural calculations for the execution of the building, its foundations and the cantilever, your friend Rodolfo will guide you: was responsible for the Group Arup, where are very proud of the work done. The longest cantilever with public of the world have almost 200 meters high on the three 55-story towers. The structure covers 340 meters of long and 38 meters of wide and excels in one of its ends almost 65 metres (amazing).

When you claimed facts about this wonder, I'll tell you that the cantilever was made piece by piece from steel trusses that are anchored to the three buildings with reinforced concrete structures, always analyzing the various movements that were to have the three buildings. It took into account the wind, the weight of the entire structure of the swimming pool and the movements of the users of the cantilever.

When you think that it is not possible, I will make clear that the entire structure of the cantilever is supported by three buildings through five plates of union, this ensures that different movements will be absorbed by the plates. For your peace of mind, I say you that the metal beams that connect the structure are post-tensioned (armor which induces a voltage that is opposite to the normal direction of loads acting against it, ensuring a balance of tensions, this tension is induced after the placement of the armor).

Buildings

When you analyse all the data and you discover that the three buildings are subdivided into six, hanging on every vertical element a construction that slides from it, and that depends on the main structural and aesthetically, you cannot do anything else that love this work of art. The main buildings have vertical walls of reinforced concrete which sustain the entire structure and that support the adjacent buildings (anchored by steel trusses).

When I say you that the foundations of the construction are about deep sea clays and that, by the unique structural form and the angles of the feet of inclined buildings, raised serious problems when they were executing, even they practice the introduction of prestressed armor (like the post-tensioned but with the particularity that the tension is induced before starting work) in vertical and inclined walls to reduce the movements and resulting tensions.

When you are enjoying your favourite artist (or a double) in any area of the complex and you calculate the length of stay that you have, surely you never want to leave.  If you have not noticed an unusual rate in this article is that I have done well my description and you've been absorbed, and if you've noticed it, is that you've been very attentive. Bye bye.

The Wings of Calatrava

The efforts of the authorities in Dallas and a substantial donation have made possible the flight of Calatrava in Texas.

Hi, I warned him several times to Calatrava: "You do not do this to me, I have many commitments in Dallas and I cannot devote much time to contemplate the surrounding landscape". Obviously, he has ignored me (again) and has designed two bridges (in fact three) that not only have been around the World: have forever changed the image of the most powerful city of Texas.

If someone thought at some point that the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was going to turn the tide of the city, remained in ostracism, nothing to do with the reality: this city has given an example of fortitude and strength to the rest of the State and, therefore, to the rest of the Nation. Okay, I admit, I speak with passion because for me it is the best city in the United States, and clear, I can't, I want not, (I must not) hide my passion for the Texas City where so many good business has closed my family since time immemorial, I, Rodolfo, owe much to this city, personal and economically.

Margaret Hunt Hill of Trinity river

The two bridges designed by Mr. Calatrava cross the same river, Trinity River, the first, already completed in the year 2012 and that it crosses the Interstate 35, was a revolution aesthetic to the city, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. The opening was delayed a few days by my fault, the Dallas authorities had warned me that without my presence was not going to inaugurate the bridge, in the end, it was a pleasure to be the guest star for this fantastic construction. The bridge cost 120 million of dollars (110 million of euros), consists of a tour of 365 meters, where by their six-lane, cross per day more than 14,000 vehicles (some say that 40,000). The shape of the bridge does not simulate an arc, in my opinion, represents a gateway to the city, the cultural and active part of this (my favorite).

I counted 58 steel strands (a pleasure) that cross over the bridge in both directions, and that pass through the white structure in its upper part, a milestone. The total height is almost 122 meters and its structure is made up of sections of steel white that are introduced into the bed of the River on both sides of the rails. The advantage of this type of structure is that the forces of steel burden are transmitted to the foundations (in the middle of the river) in the form of vectors (representation of the address of the forces) perpendicular to the horizontal plane, this greatly reduced the area of distribution which have to withstand loads. The cables are installed directly on the axis of the bridge, supporting the beams that act in the form of overhang on both sides, in this respect is important to consider the calculation with two possibilities: that a section is fully charged and the other not and that both are charged. I know that it is pretty obvious, but it is worth recalling it.

A very funny question (in my view) are the critical voices that have arisen because this bridge is very similar to the other two located in Reggio Emilia (Italy). It's funny because were also designed by the same engineer and architect, Calatrava; for example, it is as if we criticize to Richard Gere by to do two films of the same genre, is simply ridiculous.

Margaret McDermott of Trinity River

The other two bridges called Margaret McDermott, correspond to the Interstate 30 and are in honour (as the first, already described) to the deceased Margaret Hunt Hill, which was a famous philanthropist of the pass century (1915-2007) in the State of Texas. Yesterday I was "monitoring" as they lifted the white arches of steel that will have a maximum height of 83.5 meters and will include a tour of 343 meters (fantastic). The typology of these bridges is more classic: are arches of which emerge the steel cables that support the beams of the bridge, these wires are distributed evenly to bear the burden by identical sections. This makes the forces to which the steel elements are subject believe tangent vectors to the arch at its junction with the bases of concrete, in other words, appear greater tensions in the foundations.

The American Bridge company is the contractor responsible for the supply and placement of all the elements of the steel bridges, including, of course, the arches and 98 support cables, in total, the outrageous amount of 3.292 tons of this metal (I know Islands who weigh less). In their installations are made pieces so that its realization, transfer and commissioning work is more simple and practical as possible. We must bear in mind that these pieces should be placed in its final position, supported and then soldered with precision, as always, these welds will be made by professional and proven by a equipment thoroughly (the occasion requires it).

Disagreements

As in all the great works of administrative origin, the controversies and the changes of opinion have been present. First was replaced the original project of the Margaret McDermott Bridge, composed of four beautiful white arches of steel, by a new with the two current arcs for the amount of 104 million dollars (95 euros), which was later increased to the 115 (105 euros). However, the Government Group with 10 votes in favour and 2 against approve the new budget, after a magnificent anonymous donation of 5 million dollars, budget cuts and extra contributions of several administrative entities, all for Dallas.

Another clear disagreement, was echoed in the room of the City Hall of Dallas, was given for one of their councillors (Scott Griggs), considering that the maintenance of the bridges (Hunt Hill and the McDermott) would have an annual cost of 600,000 dollars (550,000 euros), a 1 per cent of the budget of the city for all their vials. Luckily for us, they did not take into account this fact.

The wings of Calatrava are ending of deploy, in them, apart from circulation of vehicle engine (which will have rest areas to watch the sailing ships navigating by the river) will also enjoy the walkers, cyclists, persons with reduced mobility, and to parents with prams, all well delimited by a few curbs designed exclusively for this event well as lights for view the magnificence of the set. I repeat: Calatrava has done it again. Bye bye.

The Arches of Laminated Wood

Back of a cover with arches of laminated wood, it hides one of the best and most modern wineries of today.

Hi, I don´t like the velocity, but I'm a fan convinced of the rapidity, if you do not understand, don't worry, you will understand during the course of time between the beginning and the end of this text, for some reason I write articles with shortage of lines, so that you do not fall asleep on the road! (although in the background I know that you would never do it, to my, your friend Rodolfo).

The beauty of the mobile phones of today would not be possible without the famous inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, he patent the phone in 1876, this is an example of quickness and speed, because he arrived a few hours earlier than her compatriot Elisha Gray. The rapidity of Graham could with the speed of Gray, both were in a hurry but only one achieved the prize of going down in history as the person than patented the telephone. In the construction spends something like, run not always is synonymous with reach, and choose the adequate materials will give us quickly and effectively, as in the construction that I am presenting today, with a material that provides a physical and aesthetic qualities unparalleled: the laminated wood.

See from Peñafiel Castle: The Protos winery

Countless members of my family have visited during generations (since it was built in the 10th century) the famous Penafiel Castle. I know stories that you will not believe, but now is not the time nor the place to address these issues, if I mention the castle is because from there you will have the best possible view of the architectural wonder, I've based this article (also) historical in this construction. It would be unforgivable (although justifiable) that you visit "our Penafiel" and you do not enjoy of the Wine Museum. From its characteristic shape of ship, looking from the ramparts you can see, towards the North, a striking triangular structure composed of five half cylinders elongated and recumbents.

The simplicity of the proposal of the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (remember you?) fits perfectly with the style of the area... but... What say I? It doesn't fit with the area! Indeed... I don't think that it fits with none part of the municipality of Penafiel, neither the Castle, on the contrary: they are out of all context, so that they are unique, and are inevitably, intertwined by something that does not understand of years or entities. It is like when the grandfather spends hours with the grandson and they discover that are equal.

This building has been put in the hands of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (which have had the invaluable help of Alonso Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociados) by the responsible for Protos, already know, the good wine (denomination of origin Rivera del Duero). The premises were clear: 10,000 square meters to build 19,450 square meters of winery in which to produce 1,000 tons of grape, store 3.500.000 bottles of wine and some 5,000 barrels. Of course the building complies with these functions and much more, and all for the modest sum of 25 million euros.

Arches of Wood

The most of the construction is hidden in the subsoil, the ideal site for treatment and the rest of the wine, the building is also connected in the subsoil with the old cellars of Protos (more than two kilometres of galleries), this burial is not casual: the temperature is low (about 15 ° Celsius), which favors the ripening and conservation of the wine. Above this are the areas of processing, fermentation and the storage tanks, the plant of bottling, the area of packaging, technical areas and, of course, access areas for vehicles. The areas of marketing, reception of guests, and, the most novel, a small Auditorium and a garden terraced with views to the castle which will delight users of offices located on the ground level.

The structure is formed by arches of laminated wood, which are supported in steel parts with form a "Reverse V" and that underpinned by concrete pillars, help convey the efforts to the foundation of the building. These arches are separated each other 9 meters and the distance between its points of support is 18 meters (how easy is the geometry!). These beautiful semicircumferences holding the boards (also laminated) of the cover by elements of steel (in the form of "V") that communicate the loads to the arches. The arches always work by compression and together with the triangles, are the ways more effective to transmit the efforts, hence its wide use in architecture and engineering.  Finally emphasize the air chamber which, along with the pieces of terracotta on the outside of the cover, provide one protection against solar radiation which does not have price.

Laminated Wood

The beauty and the usefulness of the wood is not in doubt, an organic material that grows and is able to withstand the most adverse conditions, even centuries after that it was split of the life, is a marvel of the physical and the chemical. But until the wood has limits and that's where the human ingenuity comes: the dissection of the wood in small thicknesses in form of sheets and their union by different types of adhesives establishes the laminated wood. The forms that can be taken through this material only are defined by the imagination of the designer, reaching up to thirty meters of light. If we glued the laminates with the same directions of the fibres will result in a correct transmission of efforts, this being the best way of working of the structural elements.

The disappeared Holtza S.A. was the company that made the arches that today bring us here. For our peace of mind we should require (or suggest strongly) that the laminated wood elements have a seal of quality that endorse them as the quality seal AITIM of Spain, the certificate of the Institute Otto Grafof Germany, the certificate Acerbois Glulam of France or the famous AITC certificate of the United States of America. 

The prefabricated elements give us greater rapidity in the assembly of structures but do not provide us with velocity of execution: so is my favorite the first before that the second. Bye bye.