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Why has the title been changed from the article's actual title of "Concrete Built The Modern World. Now It’s Destroying It." to part of the summary? Aside from
by brigandish 4y ago
Why has the title been changed from the article's actual title of "Concrete Built The Modern World. Now It’s Destroying It." to part of the summary?
Aside from that, interesting, and with the odd funny line, if not completely from the author themself:
> One booklet described it as a “concrete temple enthroned in a mineral universe,” another as akin to the great pyramids of Egypt, except “useful.”
- brigandish 4y agoI'll add, there's some fascinating stuff towards the end, like this: > Block went for a walk on top of the vaults [Kings College Chapel in Cambridge]. “In thickness-to-span ratio, they were proportionally as thin as an eggshell. They were so thin I could feel them vibrating. When I jumped, I felt them bounce. And yet they were still strong and standing. When you have an experience like this, and really feel how exceptionally thin this totally unreinforced structure is, it really motivates you. You realize: Damn, we have forgotten something. We have forgotten this knowledge.”
- mwint 4y agoWe’ve not forgotten it - we’ve just chosen to optimize for a different point in the (longevity, cost, time, material) space.
- mitthrowaway2 4y agoWhat makes you think that it hasn't been forgotten?
- rawling 4y agoWell, Wikipedia lists an example built in 1958. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_vault https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_vault
- mitthrowaway2 4y agoThat's a retirement-age ago. Wikipedia also says that particular vault is made of concrete and steel, while being faced with stone.