brgnorway 0 Posted December 14, 2004 Yes it's beautyful; taler than the Eiffel Tower and designed by Sir Norman Foster the greatest architect of today! I'm not normaly fascinated by gigantic structures, and how can I be? After all the oilplatforms in the north sea put pretty much everything in the shadow! However, this bridge is not only an architectural and engineering masterpiece, but it's also stunningly beautyfull! Inaugurated by President Jacques Chirac. Evening picture And the last but not the least picture Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CosmicCastaway 0 Posted December 14, 2004 I'm not usually that impressed by much modern architecture/structures I've seen recently, but this definately ranks up there as one of the most attractive bridges I've yet to travel across. Â There's some stuff on it over at the BBC too http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4091813.stm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Postduifje 0 Posted December 14, 2004 I had the same feeling as you guys did when first viewing it. Normally large structures tend to be really ugly in my view, specially when build in recent decades. But this gigantic bridge looks really nice, particularly in some pictures they showed with fog underneath it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpongeBob 0 Posted December 14, 2004 You know, everyone says "oh what a beautiful bridge/building/whatever" but you never hear anyone say "my god, that tunnel is gorgeous". Â Tunnels can be beautiful too you know, sure you cant see their beauty, but its there, on the inside. How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ran 0 Posted December 14, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. It's already planned but ... shhh ;) just kidding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billabong81 0 Posted December 14, 2004 You know, everyone says "oh what a beautiful bridge/building/whatever" but you never hear anyone say "my god, that tunnel is gorgeous". Â Tunnels can be beautiful too you know, sure you cant see their beauty, but its there, on the inside. right....lol It looks cool, same as you all said. Architecture doesn't fascinate me, but this bridge looks pretty cool IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brgnorway 0 Posted December 14, 2004 Quote[/b] ]You know, everyone says "oh what a beautiful bridge/building/whatever" but you never hear anyone say "my god, that tunnel is gorgeous". Tunnels can be beautiful too you know, sure you cant see their beauty, but its there, on the inside. Sure tunnels can be beautiful! This one - "the Lćrdals tunnel" is not only the world's longest tunnel 24,5 km - but also without doubt the most beautyful too! The tunnel has several "open spaces" decorated with special lights to make the motorists brake up from a feeling of monotoni which of course is the most dangerous thing in a tunnel. Here's some pictures: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InqWiper 0 Posted December 14, 2004 Very nice bridge I wonder how much weight those outer wires(?) are holding to make them so straight  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donnervogel 0 Posted December 14, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. Oh somebody already did it during construction: clicky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apollo 0 Posted December 14, 2004 Quote[/b] ]In order to avoid bridge security, the 34-year-old skydiver climbed a 230-meter-high column unsecured in the middle of the night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted December 14, 2004 Quite beautiful architecture. Here are a few other examples of Foster's work: London: Glasgow: And of course, the very much debated addition to the Reichstag in Berlin: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hellfish6 7 Posted December 14, 2004 A very attractive bridge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerosene 0 Posted December 14, 2004 It'd be awesome to ride a bike across that, do they have to close it for high winds? The building in the third picture is the mayor of Londons office, it wasnt that well recieved really. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Architekt 0 Posted December 15, 2004 I wonder if Calatrava could have done a much better job, He must of had a proposal in there somewhere. Then again maybe Foster's design worked better with whatever budget was available. Calatrava's bridges are much sexier though IMHO. eg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milkman 1 Posted December 15, 2004 I watched a documentary on the building of this bridge on Discovery Channel a few weeks ago. Some pretty hi-tech stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hellfish6 7 Posted December 15, 2004 I've recently realized that I enjoy architecture much more than other forms of art. I suppose it has something to do with size, the public nature of a building, and functionality - you use a building. You don't use a painting. You have to go to a museum to see a painting, or a painting can be bought by a private collecter. A building or bridge or other structure is inheirently public. It's very easy to do poorly (look at the architecture of the '50s and 60s, when function prevailed over personality and innovation) but when it's done right, it can take your breath away. It probably helps that I was born and raised in Chicago... one of the architectural capitals of the world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leveler 0 Posted December 15, 2004 Looks very nice from afar. I hope it is not rushed up and collapses like that airport terminal some time ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ralphwiggum 6 Posted December 15, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. I'm worried about someone jumping off WITHOUT a prarchute. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iNeo 0 Posted December 15, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. I'm worried about someone jumping off WITHOUT a prarchute. That would probably be a pretty exciting way to end your life. With enough time to change your mind... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarkLight 0 Posted December 16, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. I'm worried about someone jumping off WITHOUT a prarchute. That would probably be a pretty exciting way to end your life. With enough time to change your mind... Hmmm I once had this excursion for geography, we went to see some mines and stuff like that.  And in one of those mines, some guys had a little accident and they fell down 1km  Now that's scary stuff Ok if you commit suicide then you want to die (if you don't change your mind while falling) but not wanting to fall at all and then going down 1 full km...  autch  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iNeo 0 Posted December 16, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. I'm worried about someone jumping off WITHOUT a prarchute. That would probably be a pretty exciting way to end your life. With enough time to change your mind... Hmmm I once had this excursion for geography, we went to see some mines and stuff like that. And in one of those mines, some guys had a little accident and they fell down 1km Now that's scary stuff Ok if you commit suicide then you want to die (if you don't change your mind while falling) but not wanting to fall at all and then going down 1 full km... autch That's kinda funny, but horrible. Damn that must suck. Very much... Was it dark? Imagine not knowing when you're gonna hit the ground, and it takes quite some time... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tovarish 0 Posted December 16, 2004 Imagine not knowing when you're gonna hit the ground, and it takes quite some time... For a 1km fall, it should be less than 20 seconds for a human body. Of course, that may feel like a damn long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarkLight 0 Posted December 16, 2004 How long before someone jumps off it? I give it a week before some nut jumps off with a parachute. I'm worried about someone jumping off WITHOUT a prarchute. That would probably be a pretty exciting way to end your life. With enough time to change your mind... Hmmm I once had this excursion for geography, we went to see some mines and stuff like that.  And in one of those mines, some guys had a little accident and they fell down 1km  Now that's scary stuff Ok if you commit suicide then you want to die (if you don't change your mind while falling) but not wanting to fall at all and then going down 1 full km...  autch  That's kinda funny, but horrible. Damn that must suck. Very much... Was it dark? Imagine not knowing when you're gonna hit the ground, and it takes quite some time... Yeah they fell down the mines, 1km vertical drop, that was a long time ago so you know there were some lights along the way but not a lot. How long would it take until you'd reach the floor?  Anybody feel like doing some calculating? Must'n be a fun way to die at all  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harnu 0 Posted December 16, 2004 Quote[/b] ]http://cache.aftenposten.no/multimedia/archive/00244/_1085623_jpg_244785g.jpg Is the area below it still accessable to drive? Those would make some great curves for bringing a car down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brgnorway 0 Posted December 17, 2004 Is the area below it still accessable to drive?  Those would make some great curves for bringing a car down. They most probably are because the old road serves as a backup solution in case they have to close the bridge because of accidents etc. Also, in most places the "old road" are usually the only way to access several of the local properties. The curves you see are nice though   but not spectacular compared to similar places all over the mountainous parts of France and Italy - and Norway of course. (You see plenty of them during the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia! They are practically made for Alfa Romeo's, BMW's - in general ; european sportscars  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
