The Spike

I was in a race to see if I could put that post up first! What a LOADS OF B*****!

Firstly, let me say that I like the Spire, but let’s face it- There have been too many mistakes. The whole thing has been one long amateur hour (more like an amateur decade!).
The concept itself wasn’t exactly a “thinker” and the structure and engineering involved was relatively simple.
Any architect worth his salt should have considered environmental damage- the shot-peening just doen’t work. Much harder to tarnish a smooth surface- you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out.
Didn’t anyone even consider the shut lines just wouldn’t look right on such a vertical structure? Were any steps taken to minimize this effect? I don’t think so. Don’t think you can blame the manufacturers either- I believe they were working to ridiculous tolerences, so once again the blame lies with the architect.

And don’t even get me started on the base design- the form was just fine, the “guilding” was unneccesary- why not just stick “Superspike 2000” on it somewhere and a “as seen on TV” decal. I thought guiding had died with the industrial revolution.

Firstly, I don’t appreciate your condescending tone.
I believe the shot peening was a poor choice and a misuse of technology. I do concede that shot peening would help strengthen the structure- although in this case the effects would be negligible due to the sheer thickness of the steel. And any finish other than polishing weathers badly, whether its brushed aluminium or starked plastic.
Technology for technologies sake. Sounds great in the brochure stuff- “using a technique that was developed for the aerospace industry”.
Now lets talk aesthetics-
The polished section on the base looks better than the shot peened finish (just an opinion).

dpower, i really am a rocket scientist, that’s the thing. anyway, my feeling would be that the polished stainless steel would stain too, but that stain would look worse because you would see lines and patches of stain. however, that isn’t a professional opinion, i don’t actually know anything about stainless steel in my professional capacity (as a rocket scientist).

What do you think of the lighting on the top….? I think it looks a bit naff…maybe it will take getting used to. The base will be uplighted won’t it but are their plans to light the Spire from surrounding buildings?

Also those dodgy bollards at the base don’t actually look as bad as first feared now they are complete. Personally, I think the should have been left out.

I thought the light on the top was going to be brighter

from the outskirts of the city it looks as if it gets brighter every few seconds and then fades again, guess its to do with the speed of light and all that stuff, think it looks good but thought the perforated section was longer …

any lights on the base yet ? and did they bother giving it that “bit of a clean” that was rumored ??

There was a very big crane being built in O’Connell Street on Saturday, presumably to take the temporary light off the top, but it may have been used for cleaning it as well.

it is divided into three, not sure why. i have only seen it from about a mile away and its pretty good, very white, but not enough is lit. what’s the story with the floodlighting?

I saw the over-rated ‘cast bronze base’ and it just looked like an ordinary paving grill, that one see around a tree…. (but we lack them here too, a plonk of tar does the job). So much for the fancy talk and the original concept of having Mercury and lighting in it’s base. I saw the surface of the spire itself too and they never even cleaned it …..there is a marked contrast between the recently uncovered part and the part that has been exposed to the elements. So much for the reports of it being self cleaning and getting an odd polish now and again…..but since they can’t even polish it up for it’s opening ceremony ……well sure who cares, no one does ….fuck it all.
We deserve what we get here in Ireland….I’m sure the LUAS will be a disappointment too……sure wait till it’s vandalized as well. What a waste of money.
The out going Lord Mayor Dermot Lacey summed it all up in his naive and ignorant character when he objected to the proposal initially but on it’s opening was singing it’s praises. What an artless man of no vision like all of the TD’s and councillors that riddle our country. So much for our new Lord Mayor Royston Brady….no doubt he’ll be another dim witted artless clone.
Me…I’m off to join the masses of not giving a shite about anything either.