Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[chalms04]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

So, theoretically speaking of course, what sort of security would be employed to keep me off this bridge before it's officially opened?

[CrusaderPi]

So, as long as I'm not scared by bright lights I'm good?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

So, as long as I'm not scared by bright lights I'm good?

That's correct, Gizmo.

[CrusaderPi]

Ok.... So where can I park?

[OffsideSpecialist]

I think the bridge and the Bow are both awesome! Calgary has always seemed like a rather square city to me and I think the bridge just looks really...neat. Although the party sounds really stupid.

Also, in my Steels class first semester, the Bow was used by our guest lecturer as an example or world-class architecture involving the use of steel. I don't think that is anything to stick your nose at, that on the other side of the county (one that often likes to pretend Western Canada doesn't exist) this particular building is viewed as being very special.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I'm sorry but the Bow f'ing rocks!
Here's a pic of it from yesterday.

The Big Blue Bow by Witty nickname, on Flickr

I will admit that it looks good from the top or the bottom, just not from the side.

[Sr. Mints]

Its not really my style to raise a cloud over the celebration, but since someone specifically asked . . .

My issue isn't how the architect was chosen--that's more of an aside that I couldn't care less about. What irks to this day me is how the city took sustainable transportation dollars to build a piece of art that connects two parks. The bridge does little to move traffic in and out of downtown, and I'll probably only use if if I go way out of my way to use it, just like the majority of cyclists coming from the north.

It's a clusterfata that epitomizes how ineffiecient the city plans and executes projects, and how they gloss over that deficit with ill conceived ideas like the bike share program and 10th street bike lanes. Then they package it all as one big master plan and sell it to Calgarians.

Regarding the design, I don't hate it and I think the city could use a splash of 'different.' But I won't be there on the 24th to pop a cork and listen to poetry.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Actual buildings I guess.

The bridge is pretty good bang for your buck when it comes to standing out. Also the city is doing a decent job with a lot of it's new buildings, the stand out being the Calgary Water Centre which was at least 10 million more to build than this bridge. I also think the new transit stations are pretty good looking.

[Ozy_Flame]

The Calgary Water Centre was also designed to collect and retain rainwater for re-use; it is a gold standard LEED building if I recall correctly, which is what most buildings now should be striving towards.

As for the Bow, lets also not forget that Sir Norman Foster designed that one - probably right up there with Calatrava's name in terms of international reputation. To have two architects such as this lending their talents to our city on the cusp of international greatness is a thing to embrace.

Leave the blocky, low-quality, low-budget Soviet-style architecture to our neighbours to the north. That mentality is such a bygone era.

[Bigtime]

The Water Centre is a real gem, pity most people don't even know it exists.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The Water Centre is a real gem, pity most people don't even know it exists.

Who ever drives around Highfield? I go by it maybe once every two months and I live kind of close to it.

[MrMastodonFarm]

MMF had no idea it existed.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The Water Centre is a real gem, pity most people don't even know it exists.

My 10 year old saw it recently on the way to Stampede Park, and asked why that building was only "half a building".

Does look cool though.

[Ozy_Flame]

The Water Centre is also design for maximum sunlight usage due to its south facing multi-colored glass exterior, reducing the need for electricity to light the place, saving money in the process. It's thin design and glass arrangements also helps heat the building in the winter. Additionally, the roof is made out of a rubber layer and soil membrane to cool the building from direct heat. Even the landscaping is designed to capture moisture and protect against wind.

It is the epitome of what facilities in Calgary should move towards in terms of environmental sustainment.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Does look cool though.

I'll actually say this... I think it's kind of an ugly building, I don't really enjoy the look of it.. but I much prefer it to just a concrete block.

I'd much rather Calgary continue to try with projects like this that at least make you stop and go "That's ugly" then just keep driving.

edit - And it's also a moot point since it probably isn't supposed to look amazing either.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Who ever drives around Highfield? I go by it maybe once every two months and I live kind of close to it.

It's pretty noticeable if you are in the condos around the Stampede area and have a view south-southeast. From my old place at arriVa:


Water Centre by BigtimeAa, on Flickr

[MrMastodonFarm]

Is that Blofeld's hide out?

[Rhettzky]

I'm not a fan of the Water Centre. You want to talk about waste of tax dollars? This place has it in spades. I would even bet that it's not a LEED gold anymore. They had to re-do all the internal plumbing in the place shortly after opening because all the low flush systems they had weren't doing the job and the place smelt of feces.

The landscaping in the rear has been redone four times now because the mixture of native grasses they chose died several times. The latest configuration saw portions of the landscaping replaced with sod.

The front parking lot was paved with a porous asphalt and has since failed. The system filled up with silts and road gravel and doesn't operate as designed anymore.

They had major issues with birds nesting in the upper portion of the roof design and had to install some kind of baffle system and some predatory bird noises when the doors open. The pigeons liked nesting in the baffles more.

I would love to see a report of all the costs incurred in that building since it's grand opening. You could probably build another peace bridge or even two.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I'm not a fan of the Water Centre

The Water Centre should have been Red... like the Flames!

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Water Centre should have been Red... like the Flames!

And poetry!