I'm always a bit skeptical when non-dialists attempt to design a sundial.
There are so many (expensive) examples of flawed sundials made by
non-dialists.
This sounds ands looks like it is a "Noon Mark" sundial with a calendar
feature (date marks on the ground along a meridian line). And it seems that
it will have an aperature gnomon that projects a beam of sunlight on the
ground. Even though Soleri says that it is a sundial that tells the time, I
wonder if it will tell times other than at noon. Will it have an analemma?
I also question if they calulated the 4" aperature based on the maximum
projection distance to maximize visibility. According to my calculations, if
the maximum solar image projection distance is greater than about 40 ft.
then image will not be very easy to read. If the nodus is at the top of
the pilons then the nodus is way too small. (If you look closely at the
drawing at http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/development/Waterfront.php
you can see a little yellow arrow about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom of
the pilons. This might be where the nodus is located, in which case they
probably calulated the aperature size correctly.)
Also, have they taken into consideration that the sun is only 10 degrees
from zenith in Phoenix at noon on the summer solstice? Because the sun is
so high it's light must pass through the aperature at a very acute angle
whic means that the metal abound the aperature must be very thin or else it
will shade the sun. Then again, maybe they just have a horizontal crossbar
between the pilons that serves as a nodus.
I think I will email Mr. Soleri and his group to find out more details.
Hoefully he can give us better drawings that include the drawings og the
sundial face and the ap[erature nodus.
thanks Bob for finding those websites. I'll let you guys know if I find out
anything.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Terwilliger
To: 'John Carmichael' ; 'Sundial List'
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 2:45 PM
Subject: RE: Soleri Sundial Bridge
Nothing like Google!
http://www.arcosanti.org/today/2004/05/31/1086045069000.html
http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/development/Waterfront.php
Bob
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of John Carmichael
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 1:19 PM
To: Sundial List
Subject: Soleri Sundial Bridge
Hello all:
I received the following email (see below) from a friend of mine who is a
reporter for Arizona Highways magazine. Evidently, the artist, Pablo
Soleri, has designed a sundial bridge for Scottsdale Arizona. This is the
first news about it that I have heard. Tomorrow, I'm going to investigate
it further and I'll try to get a drawing or artist rendering of it if
possible.
Here is what she sent me:
PAOLO SOLERI-DESIGNED BRIDGE TO BE BUILT IN SCOTTSDALE
Well known architect, artist and ceramicist Paolo Soleri has designed at
least 60 bridges during his lifetime including one called "The Beast," which
received international recognition. Now at the age of 86, this Scottsdale
resident will see his first bridge being built as part of the Scottsdale
Waterfront project, a $250 million, 11-acre residential, retail and office
development along the northern banks of the Arizona Canal in downtown
Scottsdale. The $2.5 million Sundial Bridge will cross over the Canal and
establish a critical north-sound connection linking Scottsdale Fashion
Square Mall and the Waterfront District to the Main Street District. The
100-foot long bridge will be 20 feet wide on the south side of the canal and
narrow to 15 feet on the north side. It will have two, 60-foot high
cylinders on the south side of the canal that will cast shadows on the
bridge and reflect movements of the sun including summer and winter
solstices as well as spring and fall equinoxes. Construction of the bridge
is expected to begin in February 2006. Soleri is a former student of Frank
Lloyd Wright's at Taliesin West. He splits his time between Cosanti, an
Arizona Historic site in Scottsdale that is a unique complex of
desert-appropriate, experimental, concrete structures he designed and
constructed; and Arcosanti, a prototype arcology located in Cordes Junction
in central Arizona. For media information, contact Mary Hoadley at (480)
206-8228.
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