Aesthetics and Philosophy in Bridge Design in Japan
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 3, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper investigates the background of current trends in bridge design in Japan in the context of common design practice, which distinguishes architecturally, industrially, and structurally led designs. Because the philosophy of engineering design has not been recognized outside the rational philosophies of structural mechanics, this paper introduces a method of design and evaluation that is based on the application of architectural philosophies for bridge design. While current criticism is basically devoted to the evaluation of structural and visual qualities of bridges, the method illustrated by the case study of Japan Bridge, includes the aesthetic and ideological analysis of bridge design, which, like the analysis of building design, draws on subjective design concepts. Unlike in the conventional critical apraisal of bridge design, this method allows for the reintegration and evaluation of the structural and architectural values of bridges. Considering the complexity of comtemporary Japanese bridge design, landscape-oriented, structure-oriented, preservation-oriented, thematic, and symbolic trends in bridge design have been distinguished. Rediscovering philosophy in bridge design can be an effective way to invoke a wider response to the creativity of bridge designers.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 3 • Issue 1 • March 1997
Pages: 42 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1997
Published in print: Mar 1997
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