This makes a lot of sense since Calatrava is an architect, structural engineer, sculptor, and painter.
You may be able to find these artistic and technical influences throughout the following structures.
Calatravawas inspired by the work ofLe Corbusier, one of the most influential architects who ever lived.
Left to right: NYC World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus), Athens Olympic Park, Liège-Guillemins Railway Station, Dubai Creek Tower, Twisting Torso, Alamillo Bridge, Milwaukee Art Museum, Museum of Tomorrow
After deciding to become a multidisciplinary designer, Calatrava studied architecture and urbanism before pursuing another degree in engineering.
Calatrava himself claims that he is far more influenced by engineers likeRobert Maillart.
Still, Calatrava proudly believes that no architectural critics can definitively find a style to perfectly describe his work.
Alamillo Bridge in Seville, Spain (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Francisco Javier Alcerreca Gomez/Shutterstock)
We’ll leave the decision up to you!
The design for Alamillo Bridge comes from one of Calatrava’s sculptures calledRunning Torso.
This work includes wires held in tension, as can be seen in the bridge.
Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Checubus/Shutterstock)
It has also has supported marble cubes that are stacked and placed on a sharp incline.
Calatravas addition is known for its dramatic wings that act as a shading system.
The structure has a wingspan of about 217 feet and moves throughout the day.
Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Helioscribe/Shutterstock)
It is capable of folding when needed and before dangerous weather.
Calatravas influence and signature style can be found throughout the complex.
The development was built betweenValenciaand Nazaret in the dried river bed of Turia, Spain.
Athens Olympic Park in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Aerial-motion/Shutterstock)
It is technically in Valencia, making it a great example of Calatravas influence in his own hometown.
Though this structure is more utilitarian than the others, it still features the same futuristic design intent.
Still, all of these structures relate to each other as part of the same design language.
Athens Olympic Park in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Anastasios71/Shutterstock)
All are clearly recognizable as great examples of Calatravas futuristic design style.
The original Turning Torso was based on the form of a human contorting their body.
The building also has an interesting narrative behind the commission.
City of Arts and Sciences in València, Spain (Photo:Stock Photosfrom David Moreno Hernandez/Shutterstock)
He then decided to commission the architect to build HSB Turning Torso.
Each segment of the building is made up of five floors and twisted clockwise from the central core.
The architect explains that the stations character would be solely based on the canopy which covers five platforms.
City of Arts and Sciences in València, Spain (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Tatiana Popova/Shutterstock)
The gesture literally stretches out to connect each side of the city.
The other exterior feature is the roof with sunshade elements.
Like many other Calatrava projects, it is designed to move with the sun.
Turning Torso in Malmö, Sweden (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Tomasz Warszewski/Shutterstock)
This project is a great example of Calatravas interest in architecture that helps to revitalize public space.
The Oculusis equally impressive on the interior.
It is defined by a massive atrium with a thin central skylight that runs the length of the space.
Liège-Guillemins Railway Station in Liège, Belgium (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock)
The atrium is at the perfect center of the two outstretched wings.
The space is almost entirely white and uninterrupted by any major program in the atrium.
Calatrava explains that his monumental design was attempting to add to New Yorks collection of landmark transportation projects.
Liège-Guillemins Railway Station in Liège, Belgium (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Allard One/Shutterstock)
I was just learning from New York to do something extraordinary, he says.
All the city inspired me.
I wanted to enter into this context.
Florida Polytechnic Science, Innovation and Technology Campus in Lakeland, Florida (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Nick Fox/Shutterstock)
Some think that the white hall is too large and simple for such a massive space.
Once it is completed in 2022, it will be the tallest supported tower in the world.
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NYC World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus) (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Alex Cimbal/Shutterstock)
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Dubai Creek Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo:Santiago Calatrava Architects & Engineers)
Dubai Creek Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo:Santiago Calatrava Architects & Engineers)
