Santiago Calatrava is my favorite architect. He is known across the globe for his futuristic style of architecture however, this genius is more than an architect; he is an artist, an engineer as well as a sculptor. Calatrava born in Valencia, Spain was contracted to design one of my favorite complexes in the world: The Ciudad de Ciencias y Artes. This complex was designed in order to celebrate the arrival of the 21st century and is simply breathtaking. Also Alice asked me questions about this masterpiece and hopefully the following answers them for her. The project began in 1991 in order to bring more tourism into Valencia, other than the time during Las Fallas. Construction has been going on since then until 2006. Calatrava was presented with the task of designing a multifunctional area after the flood of the adding River Turia destroyed the area in 1957. The land stretches for slightly over 7km and consists mostly of gardens and a public park. We visited all of the buildings within the complex except for the Opera house and it was exciting because each building offers something different. The Hemisferic (my favorite)was constructed in the shape of an eye and was the first to open in 1998. Calatrava has noted his inspiration for the building came from the idea that an eye “serves as a universal 'eye opener' to all who enter it and learn from what is found within.” It is here we watched the IMAX on the Deep Sea-our prelude to the Aquarium the next day.