It’s so predictable: we see a tower standing and we want to go up to enjoy the view. As a child, I loved clambering up the steps of the Belfry during the school trip to Bruges, curious to see what I would discover – once at the top. Each choice is personal; I have limited myself here to three striking examples of watchtowers. I gladly invite you to reply with your own (steel) favorites.
Photo: Left: © Michael Hsu / Miró RIvera Architects Right: © Paul Finkel / Piston Design
Observation Tower Circuit of the America’s – Miró Rivera Architects. It’s just an amazing thing, it evokes landmarks, it evokes steeples. It somehow manages to capture the essence of speed and horizontality, and translates and transforms it into a remarkable vertical structure.
Photo: © Rasmus Hjortshoj & BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
Marsk Tower – BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group. A bird’s eye view of Wadden Sea National Park. In seven turns, two steel stairways form a double helix that winds around its own axis as it climbs upwards. Contrary to all expectations in terms of statics, the radius of each coil in the staircase made of offset steel elements, becomes greater from bottom to top, while the diameter of the tower increases from 6.2m at its base to 12.7 m on the platform.
Photo: Cafezinho
Der Indemann – Maurer United Architects. This giant of glass and steel stands on the edge of the former lignite mine in Inden, Germany. With the end of lignite mining finally in sight, plans have been developed to metamorphose the ravaged landscape. By mid-century, the quarry will have turned into a lake, the Indesche See. At its edge, the ‘Indemann’ will stand, like a sentry keeping an eye on the landscape.
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
