Buildings, over time immemorial, have contributed to beauty that is attributed to the environment, art and architecture. Buildings have been designed since time in history with certain features and symbols that give and portray different meanings. Professionals in art and architecture have contributed a lot since time in memorial to the industry of buildings. Eiffel Tower in Paris is among the oldest and uniquely designed buildings in the world. However, this paper presents and in depth analysis of Eiffel Tower focusing on various ideologies such as political, religious, philosophical as well as historical relations of the building not only in the past but also in the current times in France, specifically Paris City, and the world at large.
Designer, Architect, Builder and Style
Eiffel Tower was designed and built by accompany owned by Gustave Eiffel who was an engineer, and the tower was named after him. He led and directed the construction of the tower to its full completion. He was helped by two engineers known as Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier who are less known, and have not been recognized over a long time that Eiffel Tower has been in existence (LeBoutillier, 2006). Koechlin and Nougier were the chief Engineers of a company called Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel — Gustave Eiffel's engineering firm. It is said that Eiffel together with the two chief engineers, and also their architect called Stephen Sauvester, submitted their plans to a contest that would determine what Paris would offer to World Fair that was to be help at Paris, France. Lucky enough for them, they won and emerged winners amongst many engineering firms that had placed their bids and designs. Eiffel Tower was to be made up of wrought iron, and this idea did not go on well with most of the people in Paris and the entire France by then. Its construction officially began in the year 1887.This led to a group of people of about 300 people that included artists, architects, writers and sculptors among other who were interested with the Eiffel Tower issues sent a petition to the commissioner of Paris Exposition asking to halt the construction of the Eiffel tower, that they described and called “ridiculous tower”. The petitioners had stated that Eiffel was going to portray the city of Paris and France in General as “gigantic black smokestack”. Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on 31st march the year 1889.
What has made the structure among the greatest in the world in art and buildings is its great and exceptional design, which was constructed at a time that such kind of buildings did not exist. Standing at 324 meters, which is in relation to 1,063 feet tall, it surpassed the tallest buildings that existed by then, and became the world tallest building for a period of over forty years before other taller buildings came up, for instance, in New York in the year 1930, Chrysler Building was raised that was slightly taller that Eiffel. What has made Eiffel Tower stand out not only in the past as the greatest building ever made on earth was its design and shape (Barthes, 2007 ). It has amazed many for a very long time, and still does up to date. There have been very few similar or related designs that have been made since Eiffel was finished. In Paris, it is the most famous symbol and it has been described as Europe’s best known landmark. During the world fair exposition of 1889, Eiffel Tower was the main exhibit that Paris had. Eiffel Tower was constructed to commemorate the birthday of the French revolution and to demonstrate Frances prowess to the world.
Eiffel chose to use wrought iron and proved that it could be equally strong as stone and was lighter. The design of the tower allowed it to sway a little bit in the event of heavy wind. The sun also affects the Eiffel Tower, and it was designed to allow expansion due to heating from the sun. Bolloch (2005) in his piece The Eiffel Tower noted that over the years, the Tower has been used for different reasons since its launch. Due to its height, communication gadgets have been placed on the tower, and this has improved signal distribution and made communication easy. A wireless telegraph transmitter is placed on the tower that has helped many people in Paris and its environs to communicate effectively and efficiently. The French army it is said used the tower to communicate wirelessly during the first and second world wars. They communicated with ships in the Atlantic Ocean using the Tower.
Economic Consideration That Might Have an Effect upon Design
When the Eiffel tower was constructed, France economy was doing fairly well, and France was a leading power house in Europe. With the French Revolution that occurred in 1789, France wanted to prove to Europe and in deed to the world that it was a country with great potential and abilities not only in economic status but also political power. Providing a unique and well designed building in those early times would only prove to the world that indeed France was an economic power house in the world. The cost for construction of the Eiffel Tower amounted to 7,799,401.31 French Gold Francs. By that time, for a country to spend such amount in one building was very expensive and a costly affair. The then government wanted to prove appoint to the world in terms of France’s abilities and influence in the globe. It is imperative to note that this was the time when France had colonized many West African countries and taken them as their colonies, and therefore France had abroad and wide resource base that enabled it do well economically (Levin, 2012). France hosting a world event by then, the world Fair, they decided to exhibit only Eiffel Tower. This was chosen strategically by the then regime to relay an economical message to the world that in deed France was a super power in economical matters.
Cultural/Social Considerations That had Effect upon Design
The tower was designed from the shape of a giraffe. Giraffes as wild animals are tall and able to have a view or look at a furthest distance. Giraffe’s necks are long and strong, and choosing this design had symbolic meaning that certainly influenced the design and shape of the Tower. Giraffes as tall animals are able to see far and see many things, and this it is said represented the visions that the country of France had. As among the first country that experienced a great movement that was witnessed in the French Revolution of 1789, France tried to send a message to the world that it “leads the leaders”. Therefore, France and the French are presented as people who have seen far, and are updated in their civilized manners and doings (LeBoutillier, 2006). It is important to note that the French Revolution had a great influence not only in Europe but also other parts of the world, and after France had led the way to a successful revolution that was against oppression of the poor by the ruling class.
It also witnessed and shaped many countries and the political situation in the entire Europe and America. It is also critical to note that Eiffel Tower was constructed to commemorate the celebrations of 100 years after the French Revolution. The French Revolution therefore had a great effect upon the design of Eiffel Tower. The French socially and culturally are proud, especially as the first country to launch a successful revolution against powerful individuals in society. The French revolution was a turning point in the history of France of how business was conducted, and it led to many changes that were realized in society and also across many nations in Europe. Therefore, cultural and social aspects of the French that was propelled by the French Revolution of 1789 contributed greatly to the design of the tower (Caldecott, 2011).
Reaction of General Population towards Building
Caldecott (2011) in his book Operation Eiffel Tower pointed out that initially when biding and tendering process for the building was launched, there were protests and petition by groups of architects, artists, sculptures and writers who from the word go reacted negatively towards the building, and were against it to an extent that they wrote petition to the commissioner that was in charge of the whole process of Paris Exposition. Even after their petition was unsuccessful, there was continued increase and pressure from the public for the Tower to be demolished. The initial intention concerning the Tower was that it was a temporal structure that was going to be removed after a period of about two decades. However, reaction from the outside world concerning the Tower made the people to change their minds about the Tower. It brought France into limelight in the international arena as a super power and great country. It made the French people happy and proud.
This feeling made most of the French people even those who petitioned against the Tower development and building to change their minds. With increased support from the public about the usefulness and importance of the Tower to the people of Paris and France in general, a large number of people have identified themselves with the building. To date, the building has played a great role in changing the lives of the people (Barthes, 2007). It is in on record that it is among the most visited places in the world and it has attracted a large number of tourists who throng the place every day since time in memorial. A lot people in Paris have earned income directly or indirectly as a result of Eiffel Tower, and therefore people have appreciated the Tower and acknowledge that it is among the most important structures that has brought pride to the French people and France in general as a country.
Political Statement That Building Made
Eiffel Tower made a strong political statement from France to Europe and the entire world. Relating Eiffel Tower with French Revolution, and it being launched on the 100 years of celebration of the French Revolution sent strong political statement that the people of France hold regarding good political leadership that will take the concerns of the ordinary people. After the French Revolution across Europe and America, it was witnessed a lot of revolutions and movements that were inspired by the French. Eiffel Tower therefore has been a key pillar in political institutions and organizations, because of the meanings attributed to it (Coppa & Avery Consultants, 2010). The Tower for over forty years was the tallest building ever made by man that existed since its opening it the late 1880s. This it is said was indication to the world that France was a strong power that is developed with stronger economic, social and political institutions.
Philosophical Statement That the Building Made
Symbols That the Structure Had
Eiffel Tower had symbols that indicated and reinforced the French Revolution struggles. French Revolution as the main framework and foundation that led to building of the Tower of Eiffel. Coppa and Avery Consultants (2010) in their book Architectural guide to the Eiffel Tower stated that the Tower up to date is symbolic of what happened during those early times. It had statutes of liberty that symbolized the freedom that the French realized after the revolution that happened in 1789.
Description of the Structure and New Approaches Tried
Eiffel Tower is made up of wrought iron composed of four immense arched legs. The legs have been set on masonry piers, which curved inwards until joining in a single tapered tower. An approximate of 18000 pieces was used to build the tower. The structure required over two and a half million rivets that are thermally assembled, and iron that was used was worth 7,300 tons. The structure was painted in every part since it was build out of iron to avoid rust. It is estimated that over sixty tons of paint is used for any complete painting covering all parts of the tower. Since the launch of the tower, it is asserted that is has been painted for about eighteen times and the period between painting periods might take more than seven years after the last painting was done (Levin, 2012 ).
Continued Influence That the Structure Has Had
Eiffel Tower has had a positive influence in the contemporary times. It is among the few sites in France and the world at large that millions of visitors tour each and every day. It has played a great role in development of not only Paris city as its host, but also the entire nation of France. It has been described as the center of Paris cityscape. The Tower has three platforms that host a number of business entities such as restaurants, champagne bar, gifts shop and banquet hall (Bolloch, 2005). The structure has contributed to the high number of tourists, and educational tours of the Tower are available for children and tourists groups.
Historical Precedent behind the Building
Eiffel Tower has contributed to historical knowledge that has explained what transpired in the last centuries and days. From information presented about its development, reasons and challenges, it has contributed a lot in enriching history. It is a historical structure that offers more of what transpired in the past
My Experience, View and Opinion of the Structure
The Tower has indeed contributed greatly in many fields such as art, architecture, history, and politics among others that has had an influence and impact not only in the past times, but also up to the current and present days. Very few architectural designs have been able to be equated with the great tower in terms of richness in historical perspectives, economical impacts as well as cultural and social issues. Bearing in mind that the tower is more that 120 years old, and it is made out of iron and not stone as it is observed in the contemporary society. It was also made in remembrance of the 100 years since the French Revolution happened. If all the stated factors are combined in analyzing the Tower as it is, no any other structure or building can measure Eiffel Tower because of the unique features that are historically related giving it a rich account.
Sketches Describing Findings
References
Barthes, R. (2007). The Eiffel Tower, and other mythologies. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Bolloch, J. (2005). The Eiffel Tower. Milan: 5 Continents Editions.
Caldecott, E. (2011). Operation Eiffel Tower. London: Bloomsbury.
Coppa & Avery Consultants. (2010). Architectural guide to the Eiffel Tower. Monticello, Ill: Vance Bibliographies.
LeBoutillier, N. (2006). Eiffel Tower. Mankato, MN: Creative Education
Levin, M. R. (2012). When the Eiffel Tower was new: French visions of progress at the centennial of the Revolution: Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, South Hadley, Massachusetts, [9 April - 18 June 1989 ]. Amherst: Univ. of Massachusetts Press.
