Exhibiting the Virtual Space

The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) is organizing an international fair for the summer of 2009, expecting to attract many visitors from all over the world. Among the main attractions will be the "information Pavilion," a space to merge the physical and the virtual, as an exploration and manifestation of the role of information technology from large scale city planning to the architecture of individual buildings. The pavilion has been conceptualized by Prof. Pollalis and Prof. Kimm, has been designed by Space Architects and is being built by SK Telecom. This 9206 research seminar, sponsored by IFEZ and the city of Incheon, will focus on developing exhibits as a proof of concept for creating virtual space that enhances the physical space

Digital Architecture in u-Happy city, the new administrative city in Korea

In June 2006, Prof. Pollalis partnered with SK Telecom and won the competition for the information technology infrastructure of the new "U-Happy City," the new administrative city in Korea. Prof. Pollalis's strategy is to create a virtual overlay on top of the physical constructs, and emphasize the architecture where the digital technology meets the urban setting. Specifically, Prof. Pollalis proposes to develop an infrastructure grid, establish public displays, and create information pavilions, a museum/control center and information parks. A summary of these proposals, which are in the design development stage, was presented on November 16 in Seoul, in his paper entitled:

A Competitive Model for Technology and City Planning: The Synergy of a Digital Urban Grid, a Wireless Cloud and Digital Architecture (PDF, 1.2 MB).

Proposal for the exploratorium of the u-Happy City model-rendering: Dimitris Papadopoulos

Entry for the competition of the design of the administrative sector of the u-Happy city, Seoul, Korea

Prof. Pollalis et al. submitted an entry to the competition of the design of the administrative sector of the u-Happy city, Seoul, Korea. The competition entry was based on the following 3 premises:

submitted entry (5MB, PDF)

Click on image for larger view

Proposal for an Information Park in Seoul, Korea

Prof. Pollalis et al. have made a proposal for the conversion of 2 stadia in the Dongdaemoon area in the heart of Seoul into an Information Park, where visitors will have access to broadband communications and participate in small and large scale events in a large, covered natural park with underground commercial space. The proposal was published in SPACE Magazine in May 2005 (Reprint PDF 1.4 MB, text of the article only).
 

Click on image for a larger view Proposal for Seoul, Korea model-rendering: Panajotis Mihalatos

Main Street Bridge in Columbus, Ohio

Prof. Pollalis's latest bridge project is the replacement of the Main Street Bridge in Columbus, Ohio, a bridge that serves as a key element of the revitalization of the Columbus Civic Center. The bridge is a low arch, 700 foot long (215 m) over the Scioto River, with construction scheduled to start in October 2005.

Prof. Pollalis's belief is that bridges have crossed the engineering boundaries and have entered the discourse of architecture. Bridges add value to urban and regional development and create desirable public spaces. Pedestrian-friendly bridges are suitable to make statements, attract inhabitants and visitors, and provide a symbol for the built environment that identifies and sets apart the new developments, giving them an edge in regional competition. Often, bridges become the prominent part of large public projects.

Click on images for a larger view Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio, model-rendering: Yuki Nikitaki-Panajotis Mihalatos

Furthermore, bridges offer an alternative to large-scale sculptures and ornamental structures. By embodying art in the utilitarian structure of a bridge, the power of art increases and, with the curiosity of the laymen on how the bridge functions, makes a lasting impression on people, often more effective than other works of architecture could achieve. Thus, seeking a symbol for their cities or neighborhoods, a magnet for attracting people and as a booster for development, authorities are willing to reconsider the commissioning of bridge design and entertain the idea of allowing the designers to explore innovative ways of spanning from A to B.

Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio, model-rendering: Yuki Nikitaki-Panajotis Mihalatos

Within the above school of though, Prof. Pollalis has designed the Main Street Bridge in downtown Columbus. This bridge epitomizes his approach to bridge design by emphasizing the role of pedestrians and bicyclists in the design of an asymmetrical cross-section, as well a sculptural approach to the various elements of the bridge with a constrained departure of traditional engineering practice. At the same time, exaggerations are avoided, maintaining a good engineering practice and simplicity.

Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio, model-rendering: Yuki Nikitaki-Panajotis Mihalatos

Past Bridge Projects

Prof. Pollalis was instrumental in the design of the new Zakim-Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston by Christian Menn, and worked with Prof. Menn in the invited competition for the design of two bridges in northern Greece aimed to be the symbols of the Egnatia project: the Arachthos Bridge (1st design prize) and the Metsovo bridge (2nd design prize). Prof. Pollalis teaches bridge design at the Harvard Design School since 1988, and has worked with Santiago Calatrava, among other projects, for the designs of the Alamillo Bridge in Seville, the Ondarroa Bridge outside Bilbao, and the Pont Gentil competition in Paris.