Archive by Category 'Peter Eisenman'

Il Giardino dei Passi Perduti

Translated to English, it means “The Garden of Lost Footsteps”, another architecture work by Peter Eisenman. Located on the garden of the Museo di Castelvecchio, on the lawn in front of the castle’s inner facade, it is a medieval military fortification known for its historically authentic early ‘60s renovation by Carlo Scarpa. The Castelvecchio installation came out of the Eisenman’s interest in the working processes of some of the greatest 20th century architects, of particular importance is his interpretation of Giuseppe Terragni’s work, and his concern to sites that are rich with history, where events from various periods are layered and intertwined.

Il Giardino dei Passi Perduti2.JPGThe museum was rebuilt after WWII, and Eisenman’s installation attracts inspiration from, and reacts to, Scarpa’s design. He also quoted from many of his own past works. Typical of Eisenman’s work, Il Giardino dei Passi Perduti is laid out on a shifted grid and expands in many directions as well as reaching into the museum building. Since the 1970s and ‘80s, the museum site has encouraged a creative dialogue between works of contemporary art and the monument itself.

(more…)

Phoenix Cardinals Stadium

Look for something like a giant space ship amid the farmland at the western end of suburban Phoenix? Here you are. Designed by world-renowned architect Peter Eisenman in association with HOK Sport (a leader in sports architecture), the $450 million new home of the Arizona Cardinals is at your eyes. The site is chosen at a parched desert landscape near the Loop 101 freeway. Eisenman says the new stadium takes its basic form from resemble of a magnificent Barrel Cactus that spread across the Arizona desert.

Arizona Cardinals Stadium2.jpgThe 75,000 seat capacity facility is an indoor stadium with 1.7 million square feet laid and its vital function will be the home ground of the Phoenix Cardinals Grid Iron team. BDS were retained by Schuff Steel Company in Phoenix to detail the 6,500 Tons of steelwork in the roof of the stadium. Due to the complexity of the dome shaped roof, Schuff Steel considers maintaining integrity between primary and secondary steel structure and hence BDS detailed the 1000 Tons of Joists and Joist Girders for the project. The most interesting feature, indeed, is the field itself. Made of natural grass, it will sit outside under the desert sun 340 days a year. For games, it will slide into the stadium like a kitchen cutting board. While leaving it outside the stadium will eliminate humidity problems inside and save $50 million in costs associated with maintaining the grass indoors.

(more…)