CALATRAVA - LIEGE GUILLEMINS
For this week another old image, one (actually two) from the archives (in fact, it was indeed "archived" on Zenfolio but I have restored that gallery).
This is in Liège, the biggest city of Wallonia, the southern and french speaking part of our country, near the German border.
The city has a fair share of interesting historic sights (Musée La Boverie is recommended, as is the Montagne de Bueren, a super long staircase/street that leads to the Citadel).
But also modern architecture. Celebrated architect Sebastao Calatrava (who has designed lots of buildings in Valencia) was commissioned to design a new and stunning second train station for the city, Liège Guillemins, in his signatory style of exposed white concrete spans that mimic the structural strength of organic shapes.
The station looks stunning from many angles, but the best views are inside and close up, where you can see the rhythm of the structural beams, girders and pillars.
It feels like being trapped in the ribcage of a huge whale.
They could have called it "Liège Jonah" or "Liège Pinocchio".
Here are two views of the staircases and escalators that lead from the ground level central hall to the train platforms above.
One "normal" view with a standard lens and one ultra-wide (fisheye, pointed a bit upwards and thus showing even the top of the wall behind me).
Both are presented in colour and in B&W, for you to evaluate the differences.



