by Paul Gibson
Home >> Santiago Calatrava: Building Bridges Among Cultures
Most of us are familiar with Isabel Pantoja, Enrique Iglesias, David Bisbal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi and other famous Spanish performers. But it seems that we have overlooked one of Spain’s most prized possessions- Santi Calatrava.
In the US, Calatrava is triumphing with innovative designs, building bridges anywhere from San Francisco, California to Dallas Texas, passing through Milwaukee, on his way to New York City.
Europe is already familiar with many of his works, such as the signature railway station in Liège, Belgium. His legacy spans from the Turning Torso of Sweden (2005) to the Chords Bridge of Jerusalem – Calatrava’s first and only bridge designed for both train and pedestrian traffic.
Neither is Spain a stranger to some of his most popular works, such as the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia or the Auditorium of Tenerife. And let’s not forget his most recent feat, Oviedo’s coveted Convention Center (Palacio de Congresos), completed just days ago.
But the truth of the matter is that the buildings of our city do represent who we are and where we want to go.
Watch the Charlie Rose interview with Santiago Calatrava and think about the questions that follow:
Questions:
1. Santiago speaks English quite well, but he makes a number of mistakes in English while answering the questions of Charlie Rose. Can you identify a few of his mistakes?
2. If you had to speak about some of your favourite monuments in your town or village, which ones would you choose to talk about? Why?
3.. What is your favourite architectural structure? Why?
4. Have you ever participated in the construction of a building? Any contracting experience?
5. What is so special about the designs of Calatrava? What do you think is his formula for success?
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Posted on http://www.weeklyletter.com at 2011-04-28 00:00:00 +0200
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