Sunday, December 11, 2016

What do Jonah and a train station have in common?

Traveling by train in Italy is a great way to see the country. 

Between Milan and Bologna, there is the ancient town of Reggio Emilia.  When constructing the high speed train line, the railway folks decided to give Reggio Emilia a station located outside the town.  Rather than making the new station resemble most other stations, the railway folks asked Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to design the station.  Calatrava's style is described as neofuturistic.

You might remember Calatrava as the architect of the Oculus in lower Manhattan, the transportation hub opened earlier this year.  Calatrava also designed a new college campus not far from Orlando, Florida.  

The photos below reveal Calatrava signature style--soaring white ribs. From inside, you might feel as though you are inside a whale.  Move over, Jonah.

Check it out.

The Oculus in Manhattan.



Inside the Oculus with a view of 1 World Trade Center (July 2016)
Florida Polytechnic University.


(The top of the building moves.  No joke.  Check it out here.) 

The Reggio Emilia High Speed Train Station.




P.S.  Regarding the high speed train, how fast is fast?   Top authorized speed is 300 kmh, or 186 mph.   That's fast. 

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