I gotta say, bridge is one of those typologies that I always thought of as somewhat straight-forward. But I was wrong. Or at least I was thinking, well too straight-forward and not in enough of a round-about way. This proposed bridge for Amsterdam is the winner of the [AC-CA] [Amsterdam] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge competition. Proposing a shift in our perception of what it is to cross a river, this bridge offers two paths distinctly unique in character, executed through a common form.
Courtesy of © Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila, Boris Hoppek
The circular form envelopes the portion of river that it occupies and creates a plaza of water. Water that is kept calmer than the rest of the river, with the bridge itself acting as one large breakwater. Or not. Perhaps it might just be wishful thinking on my part. The underwater portion of the bridge does descend some 1.70 m below water level to conform to regulations allow passage of boats overhead. So this might be too deep for it to properly act as a breakwater. The only solution is to have it built and then we shall see!
Courtesy of © Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila, Boris Hoppek
The bridge, not only providing means of crossing, also furnishes its users with a bar, WCs, bicycle repair, and a free-of-charge SeaWorld underwater viewing experience. Steel that has been discarded by and recovered from the local shipyards and ship building industry is the proposed material for the lattice shell construction, which will incorporate wood for flooring and other programatic elements for its durability in the face of the damp, aquatic climate.
Courtesy of © Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila, Boris Hoppek
My one wish- and it’s a small one- is that the lattice shell was utilized more. I have a strong feeling that the shell is (or would be very easy to make so) rigid. If the bridge was then strongly fixed at the two shore connections, the bridge should counterbalance itself and make the pylon unnecessary. However, as I write this, my mind has set to wondering if perhaps the flow of water has something to do with the inclusion of this sole support. Does water movement create a constant yet variable force upon the underwater portion of the bridge, creating an undermining/toppling force? Does the sole pylon serve to highlight rather than detract from the form of the bridge?
Courtesy of © Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila, Boris Hoppek
Credits:
Competition Jury :
Tutard Laetitia – Architect (French)
Castillo Desiree – Artist / Photograph (Ecuadorian)
Yusta Garcia Ferran – Engineer / Architect / Lecturer (Spanish)
Winner- 1st Prize: Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila and Boris Hoppek
Country: Spain
