Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (1997) Frank Gehry
Eiffel Tower (1889) Gustave Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower and the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao have both been described as significant
architectural constructions of their time. The Eiffel Tower has been described as;
'a symbol of technological prowess' (www.tour- eiffel.com/)
and the Guggenheim museum has been 'hailed as the most important structure of its time'
( www. guggenheim.org/bilbao )
Research both architectural structures in order to comment on;
-the importance of the design and construction
-significance of the materials
-significance of the designer
-function for which each was built
-function now-has it changed?
Compare the two architectural structures, by noting their similarities and differences.
Eiffel Tower
According to the resource I have researched,
" The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 1889, held in celebration of the French Revolution in 1789." (http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/eiffeltower.htm )
" it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world." "Today, there is no such aversion anymore among the Parisians, and one could not imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, in fact it has become the symbol of the City of Light" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower)
Eiffel tower was the tallest building in the world from 1889 to 1930, but yet, it is still the tallest building in Paris and the most visited paid monument in the world.
This structure had three hundred workers working together with 18,038 pieces of puddled iron , using two and a half million of rivets, in a structural design by Maurice Koechlin to create this beautiful structure which we all recognize today around the world.
" The pig iron structure of the Eiffel Tower weighs 7,300 tonnes while the entire structure, including non-metal components, is approximately 10,000 tonnes. As a demonstration of the economy of design, if the 7,300 tonnes of the metal structure were melted down it would fill the 125 metre square base to a depth of only 6 cm (2.36 in), assuming the density of the metal to be 7.8 tonnes per cubic metre. Depending on the ambient temperature, the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 18 cm (7.1 in) because of thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower)
The French designer of this amazing structure is Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, he was well known after he designed the world famou eiffel tower for the 1889 universal exposition in paris ; and the name eiffel tower was named after him, which made became very well known throughout the globe.
According to (http://www.drloriv.com/lectures/tower.htm) ; When the eiffel tower was first build, it has no practical functions and was simply constructed as an attraction for Pairs; But today, from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower), using the eiffel tower as an antenna, both radio and television stations broadcast their signals from the top of the eiffel tower.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
According to (http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/secciones/el_museo/el_edificio.php?idioma=en)
This structure is a magnificent most groundbreaking architecture to have come out of the 20th century. the creator of this architecture is a American architect Frank O. Gehry, with his design to this museum, it is clearly recognisable for its twisted, curing lines and series of interconnecting volumes, most of it is made out of a more organic volumetry are clad in a metallic titanium skin, and some are made from limestone-coated orthogonal shapes, all of these volumes are linked by glass curtain walls, with this installed, Frank wants to show the remarkable transparency throughout the whole building.
This structure is a magnificent most groundbreaking architecture to have come out of the 20th century. the creator of this architecture is a American architect Frank O. Gehry, with his design to this museum, it is clearly recognisable for its twisted, curing lines and series of interconnecting volumes, most of it is made out of a more organic volumetry are clad in a metallic titanium skin, and some are made from limestone-coated orthogonal shapes, all of these volumes are linked by glass curtain walls, with this installed, Frank wants to show the remarkable transparency throughout the whole building.
With the advance technology that we have today in the 20th century, the construction of this architect can expand a much further of material used compared to other buildings we see in this world; things such as the glass walls, it is mounted on complex metal structures, the making of this successfully was all thanks to the technological advances.
"The glass used in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is treated to protect the interior against heat and radiation while letting light stream into the entire building; The titanium panels hugging large part of the building like "fish scales" are half-a-millimetre thick. The attractive rough finish is an effect sought by the architect for a more tactile, beautiful aspect."
" The true heart of the museum is the atrium, measuring over 50 metres in height, flooded with light thanks to its enormous windows, and serving as a place of arrival, orientation and relaxation for the visitors. "
Frank O.Gehry, is considered to be one of the most important and influential architects from 1970s till today, he is internationally recognised for his unmistakeable architecture based on using new forms and materials, such as copper, stainless steel, zinc or titanium.
His work also includes houses, museums, libraries, shops, auditoriums, and more, all of his projects are spreaded over world such as in Europe, Japan and the USA.
His work also includes houses, museums, libraries, shops, auditoriums, and more, all of his projects are spreaded over world such as in Europe, Japan and the USA.
Now with this well known museum, it became a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors around the globe; it is not just a museum, but it also has an auditorium which can fit approximately 300 people, resturants, cafes, bookshop and stores, this brings to the people the function as an active part of city life within this architecture.
Both of these architecture, the Eiffel tower, and the Guggenheim museum, are very well known throughout the world, something which cannot be miss.
Eiffel towers structure are base on accurate sharp measurement design, but on the other hand, with the Guggenheim museum, it contains random curves, huge see through glass walls which brings curious perspective towards viewers.
Both of these architecture, the Eiffel tower, and the Guggenheim museum, are very well known throughout the world, something which cannot be miss.
Eiffel towers structure are base on accurate sharp measurement design, but on the other hand, with the Guggenheim museum, it contains random curves, huge see through glass walls which brings curious perspective towards viewers.
Today, these two successful architectures popularity still stands firm within the 20th century, and this brings a great influence towards people around the world's economy, and the way how artist nowadays design their artwork.
