Ponte della constituzione - Venice by Calatrava

 

Calatrava considered this his most beautiful bridge on its inauguration in 2008 but it has apparently attracted a lot of criticism for its aesthetic and its accessibility (Independent 12 Jan 2014). A POD has been added to the side of the bridge to make it accessible for wheelchair users - however - once they get over this bridge, how do they get over the other bridges in Venice!!

IAUV Main Gate Tolentini Venice

Carlo Scarpa transformed the entrance to this University in 1985. Its classic materiality, using off-form concrete, steel, glass, and travertine. The detailing impeccable; even the stainless steel grate purpose made. Shadow gaps between elements and the ability to know when to leave things rough - and when to contrast that with a higher quality material.
The small internal garden is also special - using a faux fallen doorway to define a small seating area - again of concrete.

Shard Jan 2012

Status: Context perfect. It's amazing the change in scale between this building and it's context. One of the buildings changing London's skyline.

Tate Expands

The Tate Modern is building a new extension over the oil tanks. The Hdm project uses overscale bricks to match the original turbine hall. The exhibition is worth seeing.

Kursaal Centre, San Sebastian

Images: idiggitt

On the shores next to the city of San Sebastian sits two opposing glass cubes housing a congress center, a theater hall, exposition hall and cinema. This beautiful building by Rafael Moneo is made of planks of solid translucent glass; though the glass you can see into the building and the shadowy figures as they go between the different facilities. The building has 'windows' of clear glass in the opaque glass panels, and these frame views to the ocean.

Cite de l'ocean et du surf, Biarittz, France

Image:idiggitt

Steven Holl's new surf museum in Biarittz occupies a fantastic site, with landscaped connection down a valley to one of the local beaches. Its forms emulate skateboard ramps and flowing waves and it contains exhibits about the coast, the surf and weather of the region.

Does it work - questionable! its external spaces are austere and hot in the summer sun; the glass of the restaurant and cafe are not protected form the sun even with their new tech sandwich panels, and the use of the site and its connection with the landscape is unsuccessful - seeminly wasteful. It is, however, a great credit to the city to commission such a significant piece of architecture in such a prominent site with such an ambitious brief.

Musee de la mer Biarittz, France

Image: idiggitt

Just on the headline near Cote Basque in Biarittz is an old aquarium that has been updated by cutting a new large tank into the rock http://www.museedelamer.com/. You enter at ground level and work your way up through the building until you emerge on top of the headland where a new grass covered glass box contains a shop.