There is no community here- but an assemblage of diverse
strangers, a la train platform, airport terminal, shopping ,all. Perchance one may
meet a gnostic, a "known;" better yet the digital beings of today
will be better served by riding grinding wheels rustically syncopated,
reminding us again that transport of the mind is still as important as
transport of the body.
SITE
“The
bridge goes up in a dream. It will link the east end with the centre of the city. It will carry traffic, water, and
electricity across the Don
Valley. It will carry trains that have not even been
invented yet.” (emphasis mine.)
-Michael Ondaatje,
"In the Skin of a Lion," 1987
Toronto, 1918The visionary infrastructure upon which the Omega Tower
is grafted was built for the foretold 1960's subway train. The Age of Aquarius
had a premonition come true 'ere 40 years.
This unique site, neighbour-free and view-rich, will celebrate
the iconic, serving as landmark, transport hub, postcard model.
FERRIS
Ferris was a structural engineer tasking on bridges before
attempting the fun wheels. This fun wheel is the phenomenological extension of
that arch that lends support to many bridges renown since the Romans.
A nice touch will be a landing station for blimps. A silent,
greener way to travel. Sophisticated even.PROGRAM
transport hub: a place to meet, a place to hang out.
subway
traffic
people
electricity
dirigible station, once they return
conduit: water, electric, steam, sewage
wildlife: migratory birds, dogwalkers, raccoons
SIZE174 m, 44 stories. Big.
HISTORICALOld, new. Renew.
CONTEXTUALVisually appropriate, its got that steam punk look where
compression is celebrated, joints as riveted attachments are pronounced, easy
to read, serviced by next wave of migrants.
What are the SOCIAL URBAN, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES of these
mega-structures? No one knows-
yet...
~