User:Award25/sandbox

Introduction
The Space Needle is a structural icon located in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. Constructed in 1961, this structure has stood as the defining symbol of the Emerald City for 51 years.

Symbolic
The structure creates a minimalist yet ominous shadow looming over the Seattle skyline. Unlike other structures, whose design was clear from the beginning such as the Eiffel Tower, the Space Needle melds two ideas together to create a truly unique piece of art, which has been captured by artists, tourists, and architects alike. Its sparse use of materials for the structure and “other-worldly” design create and futuristic, yet elegant, element that fits in well with the innovative structures of Seattle.

Social
The Space Needle was built at a cost of $4.5 million in 1962. Adjusted for inflation (most current being 2010) it would have cost $32,074,236. The Space Needle has been the subject of artistic innovations in the city, and was to Seattle art what the Eiffel Tower was to the streets of Paris. Artists describe it as an inspiration, comparable to the enormous Tower of Eiffel looming over Paris. The unique design and landscape upon which it was built evokes a powerful feeling of freedom when viewed in person. The Space Needle is the combination of two previously considered structures to occupy the land upon which the structure was built. During 1961, architects Edward E. Carlson and John Graham, Jr. had produced two spate ideas, one for a giant balloon tethered to the ground and the other, a flying saucer. These wild designs were merged, with elements of both contributing to the final design, with the balloon elements incorporated into the wide sloping effect of the base, and the saucer elements being placed on top of the structure.

Scientific
Structural art consists not only of the aesthetic appeal of a structure, but the physical stability and engineering put into the creation. By this definition, the Space Needle is, indeed, structural art. The Space Needle is a mammoth steel structure that hangs over the Seattle skyline. The narrow, upright structure was made to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour, category 5 hurricanes, and earthquake tremors of up to 9.1 magnitude, which is strong enough to withstand most major devastating earthquakes that have happened in the world. The three structural members that hold the saucer up are spaced apart in order to create a three-point support system, each of which is split into two supports upon touching the ground, allowing the structure to sway only about an inch per 10 mph of wind.

Conclusion
The Space Needle is a masterpiece of structural art. Artists describe it as an inspiration, comparable to the enormous Tower of Eiffel looming over Paris. The unique design and landscape upon which it was built evokes a powerful feeling of freedom when viewed in person. Scientifically, the Space Needle is a powerful piece of work, able to withstand the most powerful of natural disasters, while remaining efficient. The Space Needle is the ultimate piece of structural art in Seattle, and will remain so for decades to come. Like all structures, its artistic value has been debated for as long as it has been around. In this respect many believe that the Space Needle is the ultimate piece of structural art located in Seattle, drawing on cues from the famous Eiffel Tower to create a masterful piece of artistic and structural beauty.