Link Space

Alright so lets get back to a bit of architecture again. This is the bridge that connects the Old Mutual Building to the  parking building across the road.

It is a phenominally detailed piece of architecture. It's significance lies in its awareness of architecture as community rather than just isolated buildings. This can be termed pragmatics or how buildings speak to each other. Each building is now a significant counterpart because of the bridge rather than just becoming part of the surrounding fabric.

I once read that two river banks become important to each other as a 'place' because of a bridge. Where one bank would have been where you walk and the other would have been scenery the bridge makes them relatable and they are then both significant to you because you can access them both. In a sense the bridge creates the banks and the river because now they are all important to you. It also creates a destination to arrive at and to proceed from. This is what this link does too.

If this is too theoretical for your liking enjoy the wonderful pics I've posted of this brilliant piece in Cape Town.

Lovely frameless glass connected to a steel frame with a type of spider clip. And that little kinic in the bridge just adds a bit of interest even though it was done for pragmatic and spatial reasons i.e. you don't want a narrow bridge but the hole it needs to respond to in the Old Mutual building is small.

Light in weight and in atmosphere with lots to keep your eye entertained. 

Spatially this a gold. It opens your eyes to a new space in the city being the negative space between the buildings. Where usually one is focused on the buildings that one is travelling between one now becomes aware of the great space between the buildings a breathing space in the density. The bridge's being high up also helps not to pollute the space beneath it making an unimposing structure that does not create a feeling of dead space beneath (because everyone avoids it because its dark and seemingly menacing).  

Just a look that the city through the structure of the bridge. 

Beautiful context looking from an unfamiliar perspective at the surrounding buildings.

So this post has been quite architectural in the text but I just thought I'd explain the significance of these structures and why they excite me.  There are going to be future blogs about other link-spaces in Cape Town but next will be the Old Mutual building a total surprise so keep an eye out for it. 

Grunge City

This post is about grungy places and the beauty that can be unexpectedly found in them. First up is the BOSS 400 shipwreck at the time the biggest crane-ship in South Africa. Wrecked in Maori Bay it has since deteriorated beyond this point. The reference fo this pic is at the end of the blog.

I was pleasantly surprised to see this in the V & A waterfront. It is very VERY similar  to the BOSS 400 wreck  I wonder if they allow it to go round Maori Bay..

Fly overs we are all to pleased to drive over them but avoid the underside of them like the plague because it's dirty, dark and often unsafe. Take a moment and admire the curves, texture and the amazing structure.

It is my opinion that these fly overs could be used positively and activated after all it is a free roof often designed in  such a way that it encloses interesting spaces.

a concave space (architecturally significant) with a beautiful view of the mountains.

Top picture: 

http://pangaea-yep.com/

http://pangaea-yep.com/blogs/entry/WRECK-DIVER-EXPLORING-SUNKEN-TREASURES-PART-2- 

Author and date unknown

Haha and Peculiar

What you see here is a girl dressed as a column (as in the ones used in buildings this is, after all, an architecturally based blog) being busted by the police after swimming in the pond in the Company Gardens. Michaelis Art School performance art...

A very Ironic slogan it looks like Goodhope FM doesn't know the difference between connecting Cape Town and connecting WITH Cape Town

Moustaches and window stickers definitely two popular things in CT

Rug Nouveau with the same type of curves as those from the Art Nouveau  movement this is a real craft specialty hung in a window of a local rug store.

What a tribute to surfing I really wish there were two boards on the roof. Perfect with half worn white wall tyres.

If people's cars say anything about them these sleepy eyes are a definite reflection of the surfers that we all know so well.

Possibly the only cool minibus taxi I've ever seen. Well done chap.

A great piece of decorative art found outside the entrance of the Westin Grand Hotel.

Poking Nelson's Eye. Not that exciting but the pun was irresistable after noticing that the restaurant's name is Nelson's Eye this crazy dude, Stevan Tseng had but one thing to do: poke it. 

Purple Turtle

This is a fantastic building that is made special by the simple fact that it is  purple. I am looking at it more from a landmark perspective rather than exploring the building.  I also like is the tongue in cheek name being Purple Turtle two words in the English language that have no rhyming words but they sound similar enough to pass as a rhyme.

The canvas structure definitely could add positively if it were done properly but it needs a bit of work.

What an iconic corner holder.

Great window design definitely in exciting building.

And at the base some lovely sandstone dressed stones. What a beauty.

Newlands Forest

Beautiful cloud capped mountain captured from Newlands forest

Wonderful pine trees of Cape Town and yes a real lens flare I hope all those trying to get rid of these wonders in Cape Town get a cramp in the night

On the drive back home a stop was in place to look back towards Lion's Head

Just perfect to see the mountain from behind the lace-like textures of the forest

A delightful apple coloured mushroom I wouldn't eat this one though usually brightly coloured things signal danger as far as toxins go.

Mandela Rhodes Place

So this is the thing that shows that there is something special inside: colourful columns.  With a lot of the buildings in Cape Town there is an amazing surprise when you get inside that you might not have expected.

There is an AMAZING atrium in the middle with bridges spanning across it  so that the users can experience this.

And here is the especially noteworthy part. A truely MASSIVE cantilever in the bottom left with  twelve storeys above it! And the flush glazing that transforms into handrails to make it seem as if the top bit of the building is flowing into the base.

Wonderful old building which forms the base of the installation,

This picture emphasises the contrast between old and new and shows how they compliment each other.

Youtube of the Week

So here is the Youtube vid of the week. Wake boarding one of the best pass times in Cape Town. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEhsizp7cmM&feature=yout.be