Think Big

Recent archi-news has focused on a couple large structures, one recently (semi-)complete, the other ready to start construction. These are the Millau bridge and the Burj Dubai Tower. They both appear to indicate that practicality, pride and bombast are winning over terrorism and other "you can't build that big" concerns.

BBC's informative gallery on the world's tallest bridge indicates it's taller than the Eiffel Tower, built by the same company that built Paris' icon (Eiffage), is 2.6 km (1.6 miles) long, and cost 390 million euros ($517 million) to build, with drivers paying 4.9 euros ($6.50).

Views from the roadway are just as dramatic as views from below. 

On the other hand, Burj Dubai is about 1/3 the length of Millau's bridge, laid on its side, rising almost a half mile (800 meters) into the sky. SOM and Samsung now look set to take over the world with this gratuitous addition to Dubai's skyline in the United Arab Emirates. At almost 50% taller than the current world's tallest record holder (Taipei 101), the construction is aimed for completion in 2008. At its base it will be surrounded by a man-made lake, which I hope is the largest one in the world.