Industrialisation, Modernism & Architecture

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;

Eiffel Tower (1889) Gustave Eiffel

Guggenheim Museum, BiBao(1997) Frank Gehry

-the importance of the design and construction

The Eiffel Tower was well thought-out avant-garde science by taking advantage of advanced knowledge about the behavior of metal arch and metal truss form under loading, including wind forces. The tower was finally completed in the continued against and the tower vindicated itself aesthetically. His results started a revolution in civil engineering and architectural design. For many years, it was the tallest man-made structure on earth and It has been called a technological masterpiece in building-construction history. From the start it was started in the debate “It is in art/ It is in the industry” at least it meant to raise the Iron Age. It is clear.

The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is acclaimed the world’s leading museums of design. Hans Hollein said that it was a synthesis of the architectural aspirations of this century.” The museum is a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking architecture in 20^th century.  The building itself innovatively designed an architectural museum that creates a seductive backdrop for the exhibition of contemporary art. The  Guggenheim Museum was not a normal structural building as it did not focus on the straight walls, the museum showcased interesting techniques such as "the randomness of the curves are designed to catch the light". The museum is approximately 32,500 square meters, the design shows how the reflective titanium panels resemble fish scales, echoing the other organic life   forms. The museum building itself is a symbol of modernism as well as museum collection.

-significance of the materials

The Eiffel Tower is built of almost pure structural iron. Despite the tower's size, it weighs very little. According to engineers, the Eiffel Tower weighs less than the surrounding air. This causes the Eiffel Tower to give in the wind, as much as six inches. However, it is completely safe. The Eiffel Tower is built to withstand wind speeds at more than five times the strongest winds ever known. At the top of the Eiffel Tower, the wind can gust is as high as 100 miles per hour.

The Guggenheim Museum, a spectacular structure made of titanium, glass and limestone. When he designed the museum he thought about the sunlight. It is titanium that can absorb the sunlight and resistance from corrosion. The elegant exterior design catches the eye but more than anything, wrapped in titanium walls of the museum might be elements to be a brilliant museum and Bilbao city.

-significance of the designer

The Eiffel Tower was designed by Alexendre-Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) who was a French engineer, known from his revolutionary bridge building techniques, as employed in the great viaduct at Garabit in 1884. These would form the basic techniques for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. He was also known for the construction of the Statue of Liberty's iron framework. With the completion of the tower, Eiffel earned the nickname, "magician of iron."

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was designed by North American architect Frank O. Gehry. He was an architect and designer of astronomical importance.  His works are not only phenomenally architectural, and not only did they create a revolutional, new way in which buildings could be designed and erected, but they transcend their mere usefulness as functional, aesthetically-pleasing structures, and instantly become icons, structures to which tourists flock like pilgrims.  The first and most famous of these buildings is this, the Guggenheim Bilbao.

-function for which each was built

Originally, the Eiffel Tower did not serve practical function in spite of their massive appearance. The structure was built as the entrance arch for the World’s Fair marking in the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. At the moment, Eiffel had a permit for the tower to stand for 20 years (when ownership of it would revert to the City of Paris, who had originally planned to tear it down; part of the original contest rules for designing a tower was that it could be easily torn down), more than recouping his expenses, but as it later proved valuable for communication purposes, it was allowed to remain after the expiry of the permit.

The Guggenheim museum Bilbao has been built for the exhibition of contemporary art and the opening of the museum provided a boost for tourism. Thousand of visitors come to Bilbao in Spain every year just see the Museum.

-function now-has it changed

The Eiffel tower has been armed with high-tech equipment, whenever a new invention of communication such that radio transmission, set of antenna wires ran for Television, meteorological observation or air navigation, etc. France is getting a large income through touring the tower. It both became a global icon for France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

The Guggenheim museum Bilbao became an icon for the proud city of Bilbao because the city changed an industrial city to an art city. Single-handedly, making Bilbao a tourist destination for the millions who wanted to see this new wonder of the Post-Modernistic world. The building attracted immense crowds and sparked a cultural and economic regeneration in Bilbao, Spain.

The Eiffel Tower and the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao are icons which recognized the value of art for the proud of each city at Paris, France and Bilbao, Spain.

Engineering

http://www.engineering.com/Library/ArticlesPage/tabid/85/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/62/Eiffel-Tower.aspx

a view on cities/Eiffel Tower

www.aviewoncities.com/paris/eiffeltower.htm

Guggenheim

http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao