Bridging Art, Architecture, and Engineering

With the mind of an engineer and the eye of an artist, Santiago Calatrava shares his visionary approach to architecture as this year’s Magill Lecture speaker.

October 09, 2024
Hangyu Fan

When Santiago Calatrava was a child, he would spend hours watching birds in his home in Valencia, Spain, and sketch them endlessly. This fascination with the natural world would shape his architect career over four decades. The childhood bird later flew into reality with the Milwaukee Art Museum, which features a movable “wing” structure. It would open and close to allow natural light into the building, just like a bird in flight.

From the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia to the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York, Calatrava continues to make contributions to the modern architectural landscape. “Creativity comes from the mind of an engineer, ” according to Calatrava — and his engineering vision is further shaped by his “artist” eye. 

Calatrava brought his interdisciplinary approach to Columbia Engineering as the Magill Lecture speaker, delivering two presentations, on Sept. 18 and 19, at the Lenfest Center for the Arts on Columbia's Manhattanville Campus. 

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Santiago Calatrava delivering a lecture to an audience
Architect and visionary Santiago Calatrava delivers the Magill Lecture Sept. 18 and 19 at the Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia's Manhattanville Campus

The Magill Lecture Series, established by Dr. Frank N. Magill, promotes the integration of the humanities into engineering studies. Magill, who earned his master's in civil engineering from Columbia in 1934, advocated for the synergy between science, technology, and the arts. Past speakers include Jamey Barbas ’81BC, BS’83, project manager of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge; Rocco B. Commisso BS’71, ’75BUS, founder, chairman, and CEO of Mediacom Communications and president of Florence, Italy-based football club ACF Fiorentina; and Judy Joo BS’97, executive chef, restaurateur, and television chef.

Art and architecture are expressions of human emotion

At the first lecture, Calatrava began with an emphasis on how his arts background informed his architectural vision. 

“Architecture depends on human beings,” said Calatrava. When he designs structures, every single piece needs to blend into its environment. Known the world over for his bridges, he sees the structures as a metaphor: “Bridges are like human relationships.” 

His bridge designs not only serve practical purposes but also invite people to feel connected. In 2009, Calatrava designed the Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin. Its shape evokes the image of a harp lying on its edge, a tribute to Ireland’s national symbol. In 2010, the bridge won Engineers Ireland's Engineering Project of the Year.

Calatrava’s artistic vision also shines light on complex engineering issues. While many architects struggle to find equilibrium, Calatrava plays with tension and compression. “Tension and compression are like the play between light and colors for a painter,” said Calatrava. His understanding of tension, compression, and equilibrium allows him to create structures that are not only beautiful but also technically groundbreaking. 

One notable example he presented was the Puente de la Mujer (Woman's Bridge), a rotating footbridge in Buenos Aires. The angled pylon and supporting cables create a dynamic balance. This allows the bridge to rotate while maintaining harmony and function.

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Santiago Calatrava signing an autograph
Santiago Calatrava's talks included a Q-and-A and interactions with Columbia faculty, students, alumni, and guests.

Perseverance and self-critique are key to creative success

On the second day of the Magill Lecture, Calatrava offered a more introspective view of his creative process. One of the key themes of the talk was perseverance. Before a final design emerges, he sometimes makes 800 sketches for a single project. While that might sound crazy to most people, the extensive sketching process allows him to explore various concepts. 

Self-critique is a challenge for many people, but for Calatrava, it is essential to creative success. “You have to ask yourself constantly, ‘Am I copying myself? Am I copying someone else?’” This process ensures that each project is not only original but evolves with fresh ideas. By using advanced materials, incorporating elements that use natural light, and creating microclimates with gardens, Calatrava continues to make magical structures, one after another.

Universities are vital institutions

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Santiago Calatrva (center) pictured with his children who are alumni of Columbia, along with Columbia Engineering leadership. From left to right: Vice Dean George Deodatis, Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Santiago Calatrava, Sofia Calatrava, Micael Calatrava, and Gabriel Calatrava.
A family affair—Santiago Calatrva (center) pictured with his children who are alumni of Columbia, along with Columbia Engineering leadership. From left to right: Vice Dean George Deodatis, Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Santiago Calatrava, Sofia Calatrava, Micael Calatrava, and Gabriel Calatrava.

Calatrava said when he arrived at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich to obtain his second degree in civil engineering, he couldn't speak a word of German. Luckily, classes were taught in French. He was able to navigate the first two years by relying heavily on the university's libraries.

“Universities are the most important institutions after religions,” he said. “So many changes happen in universities all over the world. To be in the university is an enormous privilege.” 

Speaking of universities, Calatrava has a deep connection to Columbia: Four of his children attended Columbia — Rafael ’10LAW; Gabriel ’09SEAS, ’15GSAPP; Micael ’06SEAS, ’07SEAS, ’08SEAS; and Sofia ’17CC, ’19SPS, ’22SEAS — and three of them attended his lecture. Calatrava also holds an honorary degree from Columbia. In an interview after the day-one lecture, he referred to the University as “one of the finest universities in the world, located in an extraordinary city for culture, art, and many other things.”

“I have never seen the sculpture of the Alma Mater except on the campus of Columbia. It means the university is the mother of your soul,” said Calatrava, echoing Columbia’s motto, In your light we see the light.” 

“Enjoy your time here,” he added. “It is a great opportunity and a great chance that you have.”


Photo Credit: Brandon Vallejo/Columbia Engineering

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