Elegance Achieved in Form and Function

Architects, urban planners and designers attempt to infuse art into utilitarian and infrastructure projects every day. When starchitects get commissions for large projects, the results are often spectacular (see Calatrava, Santiago). But too often, designs that incorporate pleasing visual elements or features are scrapped because of cost (particularly in times like these). Not so this series of transit projects in Orlando. While we observed MARTA taking its humble bus shelters to loftier aesthetic heights back in October, the architect Walt Geiger blew the ceiling out with his sculptural designs in Florida. As Georgia prepares to embark (hopefully) on a series of infrastructure megaprojects, let us also hope the state will allow architects and engineers to find solutions that are elegant in both function and form.
· Bringing Art to the Streets without Breaking the Bank [ArchNewsNow]