As most of you already know, next year the ITC will be having its 12th Annual Convention in Waukesha, WI. Waukesha is just a short distance from Milwaukee, the largest city in the state. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Milwaukee area is the beautiful Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum. The art museum is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee, and is a must see for anyone who comes to the area.
This is the first building architect Santiago Calatrava designed in the United States, and it is a stunner. Here in the land of the most famous architect of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright, is a modern 21st century building with some of Wright’s classic touches. Things like stressing long horizontal lines, imaginative use of materials, and harmonizing with the surrounding landscape.
The building is supposed to depict a bird in flight, according to Calatrava. However, some see it more as a great sailing ship heading straight into Lake Michigan. The exceptional feature of the building is the unique Burke Brise Soleil, a wing-like sun screen. The Brise Soleil’s metal wings are composed of 72 steel fins, which open and close daily. If it gets too windy, the wings will automatically close. They also close during lightning and ice storms in the winter. Weather permitting, every day at noon, the wings go through an open/close “flap” cycle for visitors.
The main entrance to the museum leads you into Windhover Hall, an all white space surrounded by glass. Just above the 90 foot high ceiling, is the Burke Brise Soleil. The floor is made up entirely of beautiful white marble. Below the marble is radiant heating and cooling which keeps the space at a comfortable temperature year round.
The Reiman Bridge, is a 250 foot long pedestrian bridge, which links downtown Milwaukee with the museum and the lakefront. This bridge also supports the huge mast cables of the Burke Brise Soleil. The bridge is the perfect vantage point to take in the museum and Lake Michigan just beyond. Below, and to each side of the pedestrian bridge, is the Cudahy Gardens. Within the gardens are hedges, fountains, and a unique reflecting pool. At night, fiber optics illuminates the fountain and dazzle spectators.
This spectacular building was completed in 2001. Time magazine called the Calatrava addition the “Best Design of 2001”. In 2002, it was named one of the “New Wonders of the World”, by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
This is a scheduled event for the 2005 ITC convention, so please plan to sign up to see it when you fill out your registration form next year!
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