Flight of imagination: an air traffic control tower is elevated into a city landmark through the use of light and images.Generally dictated by function and with an invariable in·var·i·a·ble adj. Not changing or subject to change; constant. in·var  i·a·bil physical
prominence, air traffic control towers tend not to be the most lyrical
of structures. This new tower at Vienna's main Schwechat airport is
an admirable exception, and its efforts at recasting re·cast tr.v. re·cast, re·cast·ing, re·casts 1. To mold again: recast a bell. 2. a fundamentally dreary building type impressed the jurors. Around five years ago, as the airport authorities An airport authority is an independent entity charged with the operation and oversight of an airport (or group of airports). These authorities are often governed by a group of airport commissioners, who are appointed to lead the authority by a government official. put forward plans for expansion, it became clear that a new control tower would be required to cope with increased air traffic. Local partnership Zechner & Zechner won an EU-wide competition for the new building. At 109m high, the new 23-storey tower soars over the airport complex, and its prominent location near the main entrance provided an opportunity to nudge nudge 1 tr.v. nudged, nudg·ing, nudg·es 1. To push against gently, especially in order to gain attention or give a signal. 2. the building into more dynamic, urban landmark territory rather than just being a baldly functional stump. The tower is divided into three parts, each with a different architectural character, so the overall outcome is a bit like the Surrealist game of Exquisite Corpses Exquisite corpse (also known as "exquisite cadaver" or "rotating corpse") is a method by which a collection of words or images are collectively assembled, the result being known as the exquisite corpse or cadavre exquis in French. (where individual artists envisage en·vis·age tr.v. en·vis·aged, en·vis·ag·ing, en·vis·ag·es 1. To conceive an image or a picture of, especially as a future possibility: envisaged a world at peace. 2. a different part of a composite body, oblivious of other efforts). The lower six storeys house staff offices in a sleek glass cube, together with facilities for controllers supervising airspace movements who do not require direct visual contact with planes. Those who do, occupy a faceted turret which has commanding views over the runways and sharply angular facades to reduce glare. The intermediate shaft is unoccupied (security restrictions prevent the space from being used commercially), but the concrete structure is wrapped in a taut membrane supported by a steel frame. The membrane shifts and twists as it rises between base and turret, giving the entire composition a sculptural quality. The membrane adds more than just visual variety, however. It also acts as a backdrop for the display of superscale images filtered through three high definition digital projectors See data projector. . Backlighting back·light n. A type of spotlight, used in photography, that illuminates a subject from behind. tr.v. back·light·ed or back·lit , back·light·ing, back·lights is provided by lamps attached to the tower shaft and images (mainly soothing visions of skies and the natural world) can be varied through a computer-controlled system. The tower thus becomes a canvas for flights of imagination, and this unconventional take on how a large vertical surface can be creatively appropriated eventually convinced the judges, despite some reservations about the elegance of the overall form. C. S. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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