Industrialisation, Modernism and Architecture

Eiffel Tower (1889) Gustave Eiffel

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao (1997) Frank Gehry

Research both architectural structures in order to comment on;
-the importance of the design and construction
-significance of the materials
-significance of the designer
-function for which each was built
-function now-has it changed?


Compare the two architectural structures, by noting their similarities and differences.

Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel tower is considered one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is built of riveted wrought iron, a material that will last virtually forever if it is painted regularly (Eiffel Tower Maintenance, n.d). Ever since it was constructed in 1889, it has been an attraction for many aspiring and famous photographers. It has had great importance in France, as it held the title as the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years, standing at over 300m tall.

What I have found interesting about the design of the Eiffel tower is that it is similar to Eiffel's earlier construction of the Garabit Viaduct rail bridge.

 

The Garabit Viaduct was constructed by Eiffel between 1880 and 1884, and opened in 1885

According to Cuito (2003), railroads are symbolic of sustained and unlimited progress. From his youth Eiffel showed "great inclination toward the study of the sciences as well as a thorough interest in succeeding in the society of his time" (Cuito, 2003). Shortly after Eiffel finished his engineering diploma, a contract was arranged by his mother to work with Charles Nepveu; an engineer who heavily influenced Eiffel. “Nepeveu introduced the young Eiffel into the world of bridge building, and it was thanks to Nepveu, as well that Eiffel obtained the supervision of the bridge in Bordeaux, where he demonstrated his great organizational capacity and his gift of socializing with people" (Cuito, 2003). These qualities eventually served Eiffel well as he founded his own construction firm in 1865, at a time when France was industrializing. "Eiffel was also responsible for designing the structure that supports the Statue of Liberty, a gift to America from France in 1886" (Wilbur, 2010).

The design for the Eiffel tower was unanimously selected from 700 submissions at the Paris International Exposition (also known as the Exposition Universelle). The tower originally functioned as an entrance archway to the exposition, but was soon considered by many as an “eyesore” (Wilbur, 2010).

“It’s true that you must take endless precautions, in Paris, not to see the Eiffel Tower; whatever the season, through mist and cloud, on overcast days or in sunshine, in rain- wherever you are, whatever the landscape of roofs, domes, or branches separating you from it, the tower is there; incorporated into daily life until you can no longer grant it any specific attribute, determined merely to persist, like a rock or the river, it is as literal as a phenomenon of nature whose meaning can be questioned to infinity but whose existence is incontestable” (Barthes, 1979).

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a popular 19th century French writer, who often lunched in a restaurant at the base of the Eiffel Tower; because it was only there that he could avoid seeing its otherwise unavoidable profile. According to Wilbur (2010) many artists and critics tried to stifle the design of the tower. Yet over a hundred years later, still it stands as a “universal symbol” (Barthes, 1979) of France. The Eiffel tower has been described as “one of modernity’s most clichéd images” (Bergdoll, 2003). The Eiffel Tower came close to being dismantled in 1909, but was saved due to its usefulness as a functioning radio tower. It may be safe to say that the tower is a key component in the French tourism industry as it was recently recorded that the tower has over six million people visit it each year (Wilbur, 2010).

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao under construction

Similar to the Eiffel tower, architect Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum located in Bilbao, Spain, is another structure that provokes great international interest. Built out of limestone, glass, and titanium, the museum is situated in the largest city on the north coast of Spain, only 100 kilometers away from France. However unlike the Eiffel tower, the initial construction of the Guggenheim Museum was welcomed and hailed by architect Philip Johnson as “the greatest building of our time” as numerous artists, architects, journalists, politicians, filmmakers, and historians visited the building site in the mere four years of its construction anticipating the success of the venture. (SRGF, 2011)

Despite also having a fascinating design, the constant presence the Eiffel tower has with its locals is where the Guggenheim Museum differs. From a far distance, only the roof of the museum may be visible. But what may intrigue viewers from afar about the museum is its reflective steel, curved shapes and sail-like design. These visual dynamics may be symbolic of Bilbao's past reputation being the leading industrial city in Spain, with its two main industries once being steelmaking and shipbuilding
(Poulakidas, 2004).

The experience the Eiffel tower offers contrasts to the experience of the Guggenheim Museum. Due to the view of the tower constantly being present, locals in Paris may sometimes feel like they have experienced the tower without having to visit it up-close, which means most viewers will possibly credit the Eiffel tower as just a distant observational experience. However, as well as offering general exhibitions, the external architecture of the Guggenheim Museum offers an additional experience for viewers who step foot in its presence.


It’s no secret that the age gap between the Eiffel Tower and the Guggenheim Museum structures is more than 100 years. Therefore it is possible values and ideas in society may have been different in the period each structure was made. However, I interpret the purpose of the Eiffel Tower as being one that individualizes France, where the Guggenheim Museum was built to show one countrie’s appreciation for local and international art and design. It has been said the museum represents "one of those rare moments when critics, academics, and the general public were all completely united about something" (Tyrnauer, 2010).

Reference List:

Website:

• Corrosion Doctors (1999). Eiffel Tower Maintenance. Retrieved May 2011, from http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Landmarks/Eiffel.htm

• (SRGF) The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (2011). Retrieved May 2011, from 
  http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao/history
  

• Tyrnauer, Matt (30 June 2010). Architecture in the Age of Gehry. Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 2011, from
  http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-201008?currentPage=all

Books:

• Bergdoll, B. (2003) Introduction. In Mark Lamster (ed.) The Eiffel Tower. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 7.

• Barthes, R. (1979) The Eiffel Tower, and other mythologies. New York: Hill and Wang.

• Cuito, A. (2003) Gustave Alexandre Eiffel. New York: Teneues.

• Wilbur, H. (2010) E is for the Eiffel Tower. Michigan: Sleeping Bear Press.

• Poulakidas, G (2004) The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Transforming a City. Canada: Children's Press.