Bridge Aesthetics

Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

May 2008

Presented by Michael J. Cuddy, P.E., Principal

and

Mary E. McCahon, Historian

For more information about our services, please contact: 1.800.505.9221 * Reference: MS-20

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Are design choices really limited to just imitating the past?

History now has standing. Is it guiding decisions well?

Answer: No Is Compatible With Historic Now Applied Decoration? Is Compatible With Historic Now Applied Decoration?

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Reasons Why Decoration Instead of Compatible Design? Reasons Why Decoration Instead of Compatible Design?

Regulations require it Only imitation of past will fit Community wants to be considered special Engineers do it to appease preservation and public It's just easier to make standard bridge look old, sort of Preservation hates; it creates false history There are no winners

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Simple and quiet lets history make the statement, not decoration.

Take Away Point — Contemporary Is Often Better Choice Take Away Point — Contemporary Is Often Better Choice

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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3. All buildings, structures, and sites shall be recognized as products of their own time. Alterations that have no historical basis and which seek to create an earlier appearance shall be discouraged. (1983)

Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historic development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken. (2011)

9. Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such design is compatible with the size, scale, color, material, and character of a property, neighborhood or environment (1983).

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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1914 modern Steel and Concrete Bridge

This is decoration, not preservation. False history.

History Not Understood: Old Was Once Modern History Not Understood: Old Was Once Modern

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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When introducing a new feature into a historic setting/landscape, it’s history, not the new feature, that should be making the statement.

Stone Veneer Substructure

What’s Old? What’s New?

Overshadow History with Applied Decoration Overshadow History with Applied Decoration

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Modern still needs to blend with historic

Historic districts – generally all about scale and material

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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I-4 Widening — Ybor City, Tampa

When Road Goes Through (Or Over) Historic District When Road Goes Through (Or Over) Historic District

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Good contemporary design complements historic and scenic contexts

I-8 Yuma, AZ

An Effective Design An Effective Design

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Contemporary design blends with the cityscape, neighborhood, and high-tech road.

GDOT Honors Context of Interstate--Simple & High Tech GDOT Honors Context of Interstate--Simple & High Tech

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Modern Beams & Contemporary Design Defer to The Past Modern Beams & Contemporary Design Defer to The Past

Hamilton, OH

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Source: Anonymous

Looking Forward In Historic District Looking Forward In Historic District

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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KA Corral is so versatile; urban or rural.

Blind Arcade in MD TX Railing in ME

Railing Often Critical -- Many Options, and Crash Tested too Railing Often Critical -- Many Options, and Crash Tested too

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Simple, quiet designs Use color to blend Let context or setting make statement

Appropriate Contemporary Designs in New Jersey Appropriate Contemporary Designs in New Jersey

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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There is no formulaic solution Let understanding history and logic be your guide

East Falls Section Philadelphia

Modern Decorative Treatments Can Sometimes Be Appropriate Modern Decorative Treatments Can Sometimes Be Appropriate

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Workshops for state DOTs, their consultants, conferences like TRB, IBC, Preserving Historic Road, etc.

AASHTO endorses a sourcebook and publishes, 2010

Guidance includes using history to inform good design decisions.

Engineers & Historians Collaborate on Publication & Workshops Engineers & Historians Collaborate on Publication & Workshops

Bridge Design Aesthetics — Practical Ideas for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

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Michael J. Cuddy, P.E., Principal

and

Mary E. McCahon, Historian TRANSYSTEMS

Thank You Thank You