footbridge conference 2017

The best urban bridges excel at reconciling civic purpose with utility (connecting one side to the other). These bridges are simultaneously iconic emblematic moments in a city’s fabric, and are yet functional. One need only ponder the likes of bridges in Venice or London to consider the impact of these spans. On this site in Berlin, linking an existing south bank green-way to a new north side urban park with a dynamic footbridge, expands the charge to simply replace a forgotten span. It’s an opportunity not just for improved pedestrian connectivity, but to participate in meaningful place-making at this significant river bend.

Inspired by the work of Eero Saarinen, the bridge is conceived as simple extruded equilateral triangle, yet like a pretzel, is twisted, then bent to follow walkway slope requirements. It’s a rigid stress skin shell reinforced by three warping triangular structural tubes. Where arcing walkway clearances (represented by the orange bar) intersect the twisted structure, the skin is subtracted. The results are reminiscent of traditional Weidling and Langschiff boat forms.

A neighboring park and barren roadway are repurposed as a community center, offering futsal or basketball courts and a new year-round infinity edge swimming pool.  Access to a more recent existing office building is maintained by refurbishing abandoned roadway alongside and beneath the raised railway.  New street trees shade reconfigured displaced parking.