Santiago Calatrava is a Spanish architect whose international work has become increasingly popular worldwide.

Born July 28th 1951 in Valencia, Spain, Calatrava enrolled in undergraduate studies at the Architecture School and Arts and Crafts School in Valencia. Following graduation in 1975 he moved to Zurich, Switzerland, and enrolled in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) to pursue post graduate work and a PhD in Engineering. Calatrava was inspired by the famous french architect, Le Corbusier, whose chapel Ronchamp, inspired Calatrava to examine how complex form could be understood, and generated in architecture. In 1981 after completing his doctoral thesis, "On the Foldability of Space Frames", he started his architecture and engineering practice.

Calatrava's unique, creative, and highly influential style combines a striking visual architectural style that interacts harmoniously with the rigid principles of engineering. His work often draws on form and structure found in the natural world, and can be described as anthropomorphic. His works have elevated the design of some civil engineering projects such as bridges to new heights. He has designed numerous train stations, heralded for their bright, open, and easily-traveled spaces.

His newest project is a residential skyscraper composed of 12 townhouses in the shapes of cubes. The 12 cubes move up a main beam and follow a ladder-like pattern, providing each townhouse its own roof. The "townhouse in the sky" design has attracted a high profile clientele, willing to pay the hefty 30 million for each cube. It will be built on 80 South Street, New York, New York, down in the financial district facing the East River.

Notable works

Completed

• Jakem Steel Warehouse, Munchwilen, Switzerland, 1983-1984
• Ernsting Warehouse, Coesfeld, Germany, 1983-1985
• Stadelhofen Railway Station , Zürich, Switzerland, 1983-1990
• Wohlen High School, Wohlen, Switzerland, 1983-1988
• Bach de Roda Felipe II Bridge , Barcelona, Spain, 1984-1987

• Lucerne Station Hall, Lucerne, Switzerland, 1983-1989
• Barenmatte Community Center, Suhr, Switzerland, 1984-1988
• Tabourettli Theater, Basel, Switzerland, 1986-1987
• BCE Place, Toronto, [Canada]], 1987-1992
• City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain
• Telecommunications tower at the Montjuïc Olympic Plaza, Barcelona, Spain, 1992
• Kuwaiti Pavilion at the 1992 World's Fair , Seville, Spain
• Alamillo bridge, Seville, Spain
• Trinity Bridge, footbridge over River Irwell, Salford, England
• TGV Station, Lyon, France, 1989-1994
• Oberbaumbrucke , Berlin, Germany
• Alameda Bridge , Valencia, Spain
• Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 2001
• Sundial Bridge, Redding, California
• Puente de la Mujer, in the Puerto Madero barrio of Buenos Aires Argentina, 1998

• Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Athens, Greece

Under construction

• World Trade Center Transportation Hub , New York City, USA
• Atlanta Symphony Center , Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• TGV Station, Liège, Belgium
• Turning Torso, Malmö, Sweden

Calatrava has also submitted designs for a number of notable projects which were eventually awarded to other designers, including the Reichstag in Berlin and the East London River Crossing. The East London River Crossing, in particular, was a very elegant and bold design which was considered by most to be a far more worthy design to the one actually built.

Awards

• 2005 AIA Gold Medal

External links

• Official Website
• Great Buildings Directory
• Unofficial website
• Turning Torso Building under construction in Malmö, Sweden.

References

Santiago Calatrava - The Poetics of Movement - By Alexander Tzonis