ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601150004
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LEONARD J. CURRIE
IT DOESN'T stop! The incessant protests by the ill-informed regarding a useful, essential and well-designed bridge (Dec 27 letter to the editor, "Costly new bridge should be razed" by Hoskins M. Sclater).
Architecture appears to have a unique place on the Opinion page, in that letter writers are always nonarchitects, unschooled in the subject. This does not temper the vigor of the expressed opinions. Regarding most other fields - medicine, law, banking and agriculture - writers are expected to have at least a modicum of training and practice in the subject area, but not so in architecture.
The new bridge wasn't built as a whim. Two major facilities in the Roanoke cityscape demanded a pedestrian linkage for the convenience of conventioneers and the ultimate economic benefit of the city. This might have been accomplished at an astronomical cost by relocating the railroad right of way. Another alternative, still very costly, would have required a tunnel serving as well as an underground shopping mall. The bridge was the solution dictated by economics and convenience of the users.
The decision in favor of the bridge was sound and rational. The transparency of the bridge responds to its purpose. Architects tend to find it aesthetically pleasing. Roanokers might be surprised that a big-city journalist, writing for Baltimore and Philadelphia newspapers in a recent article extolling Roanoke, noted that "in August, the city opened a glass-enclosed bridge over the tracks." In another reference, he effused, "from a glass-enclosed bridge pedestrians can look down on freight trains."
In light of the vigorous objections to Roanoke's new bridge, we might recall the initial public reaction to the Eiffel Tower, erected by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris exhibition of 1889, which evoked outrage from Paris' leading citizens. An organized protest led to a petition for its removal. Said the petition: "We come in the name of French good taste and of this menace to French history to express deep indignation that there should stand in the heart of our Capitol this unnecessary and monstrous Tour Eiffel."
Although the 1,000-foot-tall steel structure was a technical marvel of engineering skill, the emotional rejection was purely on aesthetic grounds. Yet within the next two decades, French artists began to embrace the tower with a passion. The famous painter, Duchamp-Villon wrote: "This masterpiece of mathematical energy rose from its scientific conception into the unconscious realm of beauty. It is more than a mere cipher, for it contains a vital element; our spirit surrenders to it as when it is emotionally moved by the art of sculpture or architecture."
Oh, that the Virginia public might be moved by architecture! At best, local citizens respond to architecture solely with ennui.
The controversial Sydney Opera House, which very nearly bankrupted the Australian economy, has become the fond symbol of Sydney and the No. 1 tourist bait. Will Roanoke's public ever become enamored of its bridge? It isn't predicted for 1996.
Like many construction projects, The Bridge - as it will soon come to be known - may require some adjustments, which will require a few more dollars. Apparently, more effective ventilation is indicated, and this may be accomplished in various ways. The best and most economical way would be by natural means, such as wind-driven rotary fans sitting like chess bishops along the ridge line, and awning windows with internal protective grills and insect screening, with opening and closing controlled thermostatically.
The worst way to cool the bridge, which would be promptly advocated by many technicians, would be by mechanical air conditioning, pumping in cold air, consuming great quantities of electricity and adding notably to environmental pollution. Those readers who had the good luck to watch the ``Nova'' program about ``sick buildings'' on Blue Ridge Public Television, WBRA, on Dec. 26, will recall that the occupants of buildings with openable windows were shown to be quite happy, while those in sealed buildings with mechanical heating and cooling were experiencing "sick-building syndrome."
Southwest Virginia has the advantage of having a moderate climate and a moderate altitude where skilled and experienced architects can, for the most part, design environments without air conditioning and its accompanying expense and environmental degradation.
A New Year's toast to The Bridge, which could become the symbol of Roanoke!
Leonard J. Currie, of Blacksburg, is an architect.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB