WATCH FLOWER BY BJARKE INGELS

Watch Flower is created as a three dimensional promenade that floats in the space above the harbor edge and the water at DOCK 7 in Aarhus Harbor.

 

A 155 m long sloping promenade meanders like a mountain path along a cliff side peaking at the height of 7.5 meters.

Designed with handicap accessibility, head clearance and statics in mind, the promenade takes shape as a flower gradually growing from the concrete harbor edge towards the sky.

Each turn offers a new viewpoint with unique views to Aarhus Cathedral, the historical city centre, the leisure harbor and the Aarhus bay area.

At the same time the experience of going from the harbor edge to the viewpoints becomes a three dimensional journey of discovery about the meeting between city and bay, land and water.

Location: Aarhus, Denmark 

Partners in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Finn Nørkjær 

Project Leader: Søren Martinussen 

Project Team: Jesefa Templo, Spencer Hayden 

Size: 250 m2 

Year: 2013 

Status:Invited Competition

NEXT WINS COMPETITION PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

NEXT architects is awarded a first prize in an international competition in Meixi Lake besides Changsha capital of Hunan province in China.

The pedestrian bridge is one of the key projects within the Dragon King Harbor River development part of the vast development of the new lake district. The bridge is the key project for the development of the public space of the river park with recreational, ecological and touristic program.

“The construction with the intersecting connections is based on the principal of the Möbius ring,” states Michel Schreinemachers. “On the other hand it refers to a Chinese knot that comes from an ancient decorative Chinese folk art,” adds John van de Water. With a total span of more than 150 meter and 24 meters high, the bridge connects a diversity of routings on different heights.

The iconic appearance contributes to the developing identity of the area and with its lighting contributes to the whole light routing along the river. It provides both a view on the Dragon King Harbor River as well as Meixi Lake, Changsha and it surrounding mountains. Construction is scheduled for next year.

GMP WINS THE PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE COMPETITION

The architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) together with Knippers Helbig, Structural Engineers, have won first prize in the limited implementation competition for the new construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Baakenhafen basin in HafenCity.

The jury decided unanimously in favour of the design, which was followed in the ranking by two third places for Ingenhoven Architects, in cooperation with Werner Sobek, and R+ Architects, in cooperation with Dr. Binnewies, Engineering Consultants.

The Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg and HafenCity Hamburg GmbH had invited six competition teams of architects and engineers to take part in this anonymous one-stage competition.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge has been nicknamed the “little sister” of Baaken Bridge West and will link the northern neighbourhood around the Baakenhafen with the southern area of the games and leisure island.

As a steel construction without vertical supports, the bridge fits in well with the pattern language of the dominant elements around the Baakenhafen – such as the quay wall, railway tracks, cranes and ships - and thus follows in the tradition of the existing bridges in Hamburg’s harbour and HafenCity.

Excerpt from the jury’s report: “The design succeeds in a surprisingly considered manner to bridge the gap between a compact ‘cable link’ and an elegant pedestrian and cycle crossing. The skilful interlocking of the external sheet metal for the protection of the loadbearing structure, the slightly asymmetrically arranged apex of the segmental arch and the corresponding clever railing configuration result in an aesthetically appealing structure which, at the same time, meets all technical requirements.”

Location: Hamburg, Gernmany

Architect: gmp architects

Partner practice: Knippers Helbig GmbH, Structural Engineers, Stuttgart

Project Management: Andreas Weihnacht

Team member: André Wegmann

Partner: Jan Knippers

Project Team: Roman Schieber, Vera Lerose, Thomas Müller

Lighting design: Conceptlicht, Traunreut

Year: 2013

Client: HafenCity Hamburg GmbH

THE TULIP PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BY MLBS ARCHITECTS

MLBS Architects participated in an international competition for a pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam in 2012. Their project of the “Tulip Bridge” caught the eye by a private client and MLBS was contacted to push the study further.

The tulip, symbol of the Netherlands, turns out to be evident choice for a city like Amsterdam. Its recognizable shape among thousands becomes the landmark that makes Hermitage a unique destination, an address never to be confused, while offering many activities to the inhabitants. In a city that seems in a constant quest for space to host different activities it would be a pity to miss the wonderful opportunity to create a multifunctional bridge.

Depending on the time of the day, the tulip blossoms unfolding its petals in different positions. In this scenario all the petals are flat out as if en révérence to Hermitage. Thus the beauty of natural form enables us to accommodate the maximum pedestrian flow and to optimize the connectivity between the banks. The very heart of the tulip, which becomes crescendo of pedestrian flows, is the best place to stop and enjoy the surroundings in the middle of the river channel, to feel the genuine atmosphere of the country. Here you will discover a whole new vision of the city!

Dutch culture rests on water. Canals are used for skating in winter and for enjoying shade and swimming in summer. We have all seen kids plunging into canals from the Red Bridge in the Borneo neighborhood. However the connection with water is not always visible. Two main petals that gradually end up in steps join together forming a deck that allows swimmers to get closer to the water. The bridge becomes a sophisticated beach, suitable for sunbathing, among other things.

Culture in all its marvelous forms is an indispensable part of our lives, but there is no denying that philharmonic orchestra has become a recognizable embodiment of its essence. By a slight raising of the petals the tulip acquires optimal shape of a stepped amphitheater that would host free concerts to a public audience.

Why not enjoy an outdoor cinema with the Hermitage itself as a screen on warm summer nights? The petals opposite the museum would rise slightly in the same way as for THE THEATER scenario forming a cozy outdoor movie hall. With all the petals raised except for the one facing Hermitage, the bridge can be used as additional exhibition space. Such “art in the street” concept will engage people passing by in Flemish art and will give the art a new kick-start worldwide. Art may as well become more enjoyable outdoors than in the walls of the museum.

With all the petals raised the closed tulip reveals itself in its full magnificence. THE CLUB can become a space to host different activities both during the day and at night. It can become a meeting point for all the music boats during the celebration of the Queen’s day of our beloved Queen Beatrix. In the central part of the tulip there is a bar on the water level which gives perspective view on the river. You won’t find better place to relish a cup of coffee with stroopwafel.

Two widest petals connecting the two shores offer large bike parking space. By changing itscolor at night the Tulip disguises itself in the form of city lantern contributing to creation of special atmosphere of Amsterdam. Each color marks a certain event. Thus the Tulip can change its color into orange for Queen’s day, it may be red for Valentine’s day, yellow – to celebrate the beginning of summer, black – to as a sign of national mourning, white – for national celebrations or marriages or even pink for Gay Pride. Natural colors of the tulip reflect the unique atmosphere of the city.

Location:Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Architects:MLBS Architects

Project Team: Michael Labory, Bertrand Schippan

Year:2012

Via eVolo

SCALE LANE BRIDGE BY MCDOWELL+BENEDETTI ARCHITECTS

An innovative swing bridge over the River Hull has opened to the public, offering pedestrians the unique experience of riding on the bridge as it opens and closes to river traffic, a world’s first.

The black steel bridge has a distinctive robust character and curving form, making it a memorable landmark that is unique to Hull and its industrial and maritime heritage.

The winning entry in an international 3-stage design competition held in 2005, the bridge has been built to the original concept by the competition team, architects McDowell+Benedetti, structural engineers Alan Baxter Associates, and main contractor and M&E engineers Qualter Hall. Located in Kingston upon Hull, east of Hull city centre, the bridge connects Hull’s Old Town Conservation Area to the undeveloped industrial landscape of the east bank.

The bridge provides a walkable route connecting the Museums Quarter on the west bank to Hull’s major attraction The Deep. The bridge’s sweeping form creates two generous pedestrian routes, one gently sloping and a shorter stepped walkway.

The roof of the drum provides an upper viewing deck with a seamless steel balustrade, which gives the feeling of being on board a docked ocean liner. The central structural spine of the bridge includes seating areas, creating a variety of places for people to pause on route to relax and enjoy the riverscape views.

The spine rises into a back-lit rooflight which provides a marker at night. The bridge rotates using an electrical drive mechanism to open the route to river traffic when required.

When activated the mechanical movement of the bridge is sufficiently slow to allow passengers to safely step onto the bridge from the west bank whilst it is rotating. Artist Nayan Kulkarni has created a public artwork on the bridge, a sonic landscape in which to enjoy the riverscape.

When the bridge opening is activated a new sequence of rhythmic bells is triggered which increases in urgency and combines with a pulsing light developed by lighting consultants Sutton Vane Associates. This has a practical purpose in alerting pedestrians to the imminent opening rotation and it heightens the drama of the ‘ride’. 
 

Location:Hull, England

Architect:McDowell+Benedetti Architects

Engineering:Alan Baxter Associate

Budget:£7 million

Year: 2013

Client:Yorkshire Forward, Hull Forward, Homes and Communities Agency, Hull City Council

Photography:Timothy Soar

VIRGIN SOLARIS BY QUIXOTIC ARCHITECTURE

The design is inspired by Semper Augustus, the most expensive tulip sold during Tulip Mania and by five states of matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma & Quantum Hall) – as a magical transformation producing unity out of diversity.

The proposed bridge is formed out of five elements: Arch Stem, Leaf Stem, Petals, Red Sepals and Ovary. Both Stems are rooted on the West bank. However Arch Stem is embedded in the river itself for cooling procedures. Stems and Petals are semi-monocoque aluminum structures to be prefabricated with the assistance of aeronautical engineers at the nearby shipyard giving close affinity with the boats on the river Amstel.

The weight of the Leaf Stem is supported via a system of cables stayed of the Arch Stem hydraulically controlled underneath. The top surface consists primarily of cellulose fibers implanted in a matrix of organic lignin.

Each segments of Petals are extending from the Stems forming the corolla of a flower blooming in front of the main entrance to the Hermitage Amsterdam Museum on the East bank and embracing the Ovary containing coffee shop with bicycle repair on the ground level and associated facilities above.

This inflorescence is protecting the Ovary from the North while it is exposed to the South enhancing the photosynthesis of the Red Sepals. Arch Stem with Petals have an outer hollow skin filled with plasma which continuously feeds on merged Red Sepals performing phenomena of filamentation which is visible only by night introducing a completely different crossing experience.

The enclosed plasma emits light in spectrum forming a field of beams and veins. Dependent on the volume of energy produced by Red Sepals the visual effect is unique and most importantly unrepeatable. The bridge is resurrecting and loses virginity every day and every night.

Red Sepals are photovoltaic transparent glass surfaces active during day light collecting solar power giving rise to quantized Hall voltage to influence magnetic fields of Stems and Petals. The quantum spin Hall state is dissipating less energy commonly used therefore generates even less heat.

An electric current flowing in a loop of superconducting lattice persists indefinitely with almost no power source. The bridge becomes a power plant. For local people and visitors Virgin Solaris provides not only the exhilarating way to cross the Amstel, a source of energy, a place to repair a bicycle or just relaxation at the coffee shop but also an immortal, seductive gateway to the Hermitage Amsterdam Museum.

Location:Amsterdam, NL
Architect: QuixoticArchitecture

Year:2013

Status:Competition Entry