While these early ‘dirt’ stages of construction are not so glamorous, everyone understands the importance of a well built foundation. It’s important to realize the speed at which these stages of construction are being carried out. For instance, the footings being poured in this video required about 30 cubic yards of ready mix concrete. This material was applied in less than two hours. That’s 120 thousand pounds of concrete — just like that!
To have that volume of concrete mixed and ready to pour all at once so that when the head of the pour comes back around to meet the tail, they’re still able to bond together — that’s just remarkable! And then there’s the amazing technology of pumping the mix through a far reaching boom that can exact the placement of the material anywhere within a 120 foot radius! By remote control! Are you kidding!
Consider the multi-century buildings of Europe in particular. These primitively built constructions define traditional architecture, yet they were raised entirely by hand and hoof leverage. How were they able to accomplish so much with so little, while we squander our advancements on profiteering short cuts that undermine our legacy and the very future of coming generations. Why must waste our resources so inexcusably and console ourselves with misleading euphemisms like ‘renewable.’
It doesn’t have to be just about a pile of cash. Let’s make a good living and celebrate building while we’re at it. Human beings have never been better out fitted for creating great things.
Let building incite wonder and celebrate possibility — then call it Architecture!