Architect Donald MacDondald’s “Refined” Cable Stay design, up for review today

Once again, discussion of the Willamette river transit bridge has heated up in anticipation of today’s meeting for the final choice of bridge type. In my opinion it isn’t bridge type that matters… it is the detailing of whatever design chosen that will determine how usable, environmentally sensitive, pride inducing, and ultimately successful the design will be. To bring everyone up to speed… PORT pretty much started the civic discussion over this bridge with our totally unofficial design competition, later we broke the images of the rather nice hybrid design that now seems out of favor with the committees. Frankly, I like pure cable stayed designs, they have generally cleaner lines and can span longer distances which can make for a smaller environmentally footprint… but the details have to be good and the discussion around them needs to be relevant to produce sensitive designs.

The stakes for this project are huge. In many ways Trimet and Portland’s alt-city reputation as a green, civically progressive oasis in America is on the line. It’s understandable but should Trimet really try to come in way under budget on what will likely be their most visible project ever?… Found via portlandart