Friday, January 24, 2014

Moses Bridge

No, your eyes are not deceiving you - the waters have indeed parted! This incredible “sunken” bridge located in the Netherlands is giving visitors a unique way to access a beautiful 17th Century Dutch fort. Designed by RO & AD Architects, the Moses Bridge literally parts the waters that surround the fort, allowing pedestrians to pass through. The bridge is made from sustainable Accsys Technologies Accoya wood, which is both FSC and PEFC certified.
A series of moats and fortresses were built over the West Brabant Water Line region of the Netherlands during the 17th century in order to provide protection from invasion by France and Spain. Fort de Roovere was surrounded with a shallow moat that was too deep to march across, and too shallow for boats. In turn the earthen fort had remained protected –until now.
From afar, the Moses Bridge is invisible to the eye. The flow of the moat appears continuous, as the water level remains at the same level, reflecting the surrounding foliage. As visitors approach the fort, the bridge appears as a break in the water with its sloping walls containing it.
First lying flush with the earth, the bridge then descends deeper into the ground. Lined with wood sheet piling for walls, the deck and stairs sit between. The bridge and its components have been made from sustainable hardwood that is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified. The Accoya wood is also treated with a nontoxic coating, protecting it from fungal decay and increasing its durability — an ideal material for a sunken bridge. Like a dam, the walls of the bridge hold the waters of the moat back, and like Moses, the bridge parts the waters so that pedestrians may pass.
The Moses Bridge gives visitors a unique opportunity to pass through parted waters, to eventually meet a historic fortress of defense.








15 Memorials of 9/11 Across America

Los Angeles
Memorial Name: LAX “Recovering Equilibrium”
“Recovering Equilibrium” was funded by Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees airports in the city, at a cost $75,000. LAX was the destination for three of the four planes involved in the tragedy.
The 15–foot-diameter, rotating mirror floats above a concrete basin filled with water, where virtues such as forgiveness are inscribed in different languages, representing collective American citizenry. On the lower ring, there are American concepts, such as “Sea to Shining Sea” and “American Dream.” The plate is made reflective because designers BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux want visitors to be able to identify with the victims and their characters. 


Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Memorial Name: Boston College 9/11 Memorial Labyrinth 
The Memorial Labyrinth on the lawn of Burns Library is the brainchild of Father William P. Leahy, S.J., president of Boston College. Fully financed by the university, the 300-yard long, 28-loop labyrinth is an exact replica of the one in the France’s Chartres Cathedral, where for centuries pilgrims walk the pathway to pray, meditate and reflect.


Villanova, Pa.
Memorial: 9/11 Memorial Stained Glass Window at Corr Chapel, Villanova University.
The bright-colored memorial window at Corr Chapel is to commemorate the 15 Villanova alumni perished in 9/11. Installed in 2006, the glass took 10 months to complete and cost about $25,000 to make, excluding shipping and installing. The window depicts the sites that marked the 9/11 attacks, the Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon, and the field near Shanksville, Penn., as well as four planes hovering over the sky. The window next to it shows the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer position.
Easton, Conn.
Memorial Name: Christine’s Tree at the Old Academy Nursery School.
The Seven Sons Flower Tree was planted by the Old Academy Nursery School kids to honor Christine Hanson, the youngest victim of 9/11. Christine was en route to a California vacation with her parents Sue and Peter, when the tragedy happened. She was then only two and a half years old.
Lower Makefield, Penn.
Memorial: The Garden of Reflection.
The Garden and the 64-acre Memorial Park in Lower Makefield, Penn., were built in 2005. Nine people from the town died in the tragedy. Starting as a grassroots effort by family members and volunteers, the “Remembrance Fund” raised more than $1.8 million for design, construction, and maintenance. The site includes a fragment of the World Trade Center, a Wall of Remembrance with all the victims names etched on glass panels, and twin fountains that represent the rising spirits of those lost in the event.
                                                Athens, Ga.
Memorial: 9/11 Memorial Garden And Trail.
After a trip to post-9/11 New York City, Bob Hart, a retired teacher from University of Georgia, came up with the idea to build a memorial on his 18-acre wooded property. The trail is open to public and features 99 poles with all the victims’ names. The names are deliberately arranged in random order, emphasizing the individuality of each person. However, an index box at the beginning of the trail allows visitors to locate any name. The Harts spent $5,000 to $7,000 on the memorial. About 250 and 400 people attended the memorial service in 2002 and 2006. And Bob is planning another one for the 10th anniversary.
Greenport, N.Y.
Memorial: Osprey Memorial “Morning Call” 
By the quiet harbor of Greenport, N.Y., an osprey perches atop a 20-foot tall beam made up of three World Trade Center steel remains. With its wings stretching and its beak open, the osprey is landing to build a nest and crying out for dignity. The sculpture, titled “Morning Call,” is symbolic of rebirth and renewal, while its see-through design is meant to create something quiet but strong. “My idea is to create in the spirit of rebirth and renewal after the tragedy,” said Roberto Bessin the sculptor, “the site is where the first sunrise hit the State of New York, on the north fork of East Long Island.” The statue cost $80,000 in total and was financed by the Osprey Memorial Fund.

Brooklyn, N.Y.
Memorial Name: Brooklyn Remembers Memorial “The Beacon” 
The 25-foot-tall bronze statue titled “The Beacon” is in the shape of an 18th century speaking trumpet used by firefighters to alert the public of fire. The memorial took three years to complete and is located at Veteran’s Pier at 69th Street in Bay Ridge.Through public fundraising, Brooklyn Remembers managed to raise $150,000 to build the memorial and another $40,000 to maintain it.

Arlington, Va.
Memorial: Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon Memorial, located right where the plane crashed, is dedicated to the 184 people at the location who lost their lives on 9/11. Completed in 2008, the construction is estimated to have cost $22 million, with another $10 million in line for future maintenance.

Emmitsburg, Md.
Memorial Name: To Lift a Nation.
The memorial named “To Lift a Nation” features three 40-feet high firefighter statues, each weighs more than 5,000 pounds, raising the American flag. It is a recreation of the famous photo by Thomas E. Franklin taken at Ground Zero on 9/11 and is dedicated to all the firefighters that died in the tragedy. The memorial was established in 2007 and is donated by the sculptor Stan Watts at a cost of millions.
Bayonne, N.J.
Memorial Name: To Struggle Against World Terrorism
Located at the eastern tip of Bayonne, N.J., harbor peninsula, the gigantic statue weighs 175 tons and consists of a 40-foot stainless-steel teardrop positioned in the crack of a 100-foot bronze block. The slit with rough edges and the hanging teardrop represents the twin towers that once together had been ruptured in between. The memorial, named “To Struggle Against World Terrorism,” was dedicated in 2006 as a gift from the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli and people of Russia to America. Fifteen Bayonne residents died in the attacks.
                                         Avon, Conn.
Memorial: Amy Toyen Sculpture
Dedicated in 2002, the piece commemorates the 9/11 victim Amy Toyen, who grew up in Avon, Conn. The project was initiated by Avon High School. Situated outside the Avon Free Public Library, the life-size bronze sculpture depicts Amy as a 5-year-old young girl, in her favorite dress, sitting on a garden bench, with a book in her hands and a Teddy Bear in her arm (two other of her favorite things).
Staten Island, N.Y.
Memorial: 9/11 Memorial “Postcards”.
Built in 2004, “Postcards” features two soaring 40-foot high, white wing-like walls that symbolize notes sent to loved ones. The memorial is dedicated to all the Staten Island, N.Y., residents who died on 9/11, each of them honored with a granite plaque with their facial silhouette, name, birth date, and place of work. Ground Zero can be seen between the “Postcards” wings. The memorial took a year to complete at a cost of more than $2 million.

West Springfield, Mass.
Memorial Name: Eternal Flame.
The Eternal Flame burns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in memory of Melissa Harrington-Hughes, a native of West Springfield, Mass., as well as 92 other Massachusetts residents who died on 9/11. Dedicated in 2003, it represents life and provides the victims’ families and the community a peaceful place to contemplate. Powered by natural gas, the Eternal Flame cost $75,000 to build and $300 a month to maintain.
Dunseith, N.D.
Memorial: The International Peace Garden 9/11 Memorial.
Located within the 2,400-acre International Peace Garden on the border of the U.S. and Canada, the memorial consists of 10 World Trade Center girders surrounded by a Stroll and Contemplative Garden, built in 2002 and 2010, respectively. The overall memorial covers 20,000 square feet.

Kuwait new International Airport

The Kuwait International Airport is a very bold project since it has a paramount importance for the Gulf region. The new airport will have an innovative design-a modern approach and a practical one, too since the climate in Kuwait is one of the hottest in the entire world. Foster+ Partners are handling the design of the airport, being inspired by local forms and using local materials, too.

The plan is to increase the airport’s capacity of receiving more passengers; initially it will welcome around 13 million passengers per year. The architects from Foster + Partners made the project in such a way to allow future expansion-so that in time the terminal and airport could welcome 25 million passengers. If things work out, the main goal is that at the end of the project the Kuwait International Airport will be capable of accommodating 50 million passengers.
Symmetry and simplicity have been applied here. The terminal has the shape of a shamrock-the typical trefoil architectural design. Each wing of each departure gate is equal to the other. It’s quite impressive when you come to think that its façade spans 1.2 kilometers.
This is the first airport in the world that aims to win the LEED prize(the environmental accreditation).The eco friendly structure deflects the direct solar radiation because the huge single roof that encapsulates the entire airport is punctuated by glazed openings that filter the sun beams. The columns are made of concrete and they bear the resemblance of Kuwait’s sailing boats, the traditional dhow. The entrance plaza is gigantic and is shaded by the roof thus offering the passengers the comfort they need.
Solar energy is captured by the photovoltaic panels that are incorporated in the roof. The thermal mass is provided by the concrete structure.









Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Most Incredible Rock Formations of Our Planet

A rock-balancer, Colorado.

The most incredible rock formations of our planet.

12 Apostles, Australia.

Koh Tapu, Thailand.

Rock of Beastie, New Mexico.

Brice Canyon, Utah.

Caves Reed Flute, China.

Arch, Utah.

Torgatten, Norway.

El de Antequera Torquay, Spain.

Stone Forest, China.

Meteora, Greece.

Mushroom and Chicken Rocks, Egypt.

Tassili N'Ajjer, Algeria.

Giant's Causeway, Ireland.

Mono Lake, California.

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