by Seth Oliver
“Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between
where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.” – Earl Nightingale. The
point of a bridge is to get from one point to another. Plain and simple. But
the best bridges are those that make the journey a destination as well. A
mental stimulus is what can set these structures apart. The majority of people
just cross a path without noticing much of anything. This is partly due to them
being wrapped up in their own lives, but also due to the unchanging footpath
patterns they tread on. Giving people something to experience is a goal that more
architects should try to reach. Bridges are the perfect examples. My two
favorite pieces we have studied thus far have been the Pedestrian Bridge by Tobias Rehberger and
Schlaich Bergermann & Partner in Oberhausen, Germany, and the Moses Bridge Ro&ad Architecten in the
Netherlands.
The
Pedestrian Bridge in Germany has been lovingly called the “Slinky Bridge.” The
coils and colors that make up the structure are reminiscent of the toy that we
all used to play with when we were younger. Seeing this is a point of nostalgia for the
older crowds traipsing across the bridge, but the massive scale of these coils
are enough to grab the younger generation too. It almost seems to be a huge
play-scape rather than just a bridge. To reinforce the idea of the playground
above water, the artist behind the design also included specific colors on the
path. The colors change depending on where you are at the moment. On a curve
that is inclining, the colors are closer together in ribbons, much like a
barcode. The path across the river is fairly smooth, so the color changes are
more gradual. To top it all off, the spiraling metal that goes around the
footpath lights up at night. This makes it a spectacle no matter what time of
day and gives a playful illusion to the city. I think that more bridges should
be designed in a fun way. It would make people want to cross the bridge or just
stop to stare at it. We are all children in our hearts after all, so why not
use that to draw people in? I would love to see my home town do something
similar to this.
The
other bridge that exceeds expectations in experience is the Moses Bridge in the
Netherlands. It is almost part of the landscape. I cut, or ravine if you will, shoots
through the hill and divides the water. The edge conditions are especially
noteworthy, in that they stop just at the point of the water on the sides to be
brought up to the average person’s waist. The feeling of being in the water is
one that most bridges try to avoid. This unique structure makes the walls come
towards the pedristian so the the water looks as if it could flow into the path
at any second. Something as simple as a bridge to hold out the water rather
than going over it is a stroke of genius. This is not a sight such as the Slinky
Bridge, but more of a hidden treasure for the adventurer. The mental stimulus
from this masterpiece is very much worth the trip. Calmness abounds in the
still water, and people can glide through it without disturbing scene.
Bridges are some of my favorite structures to
study. The importance of the connections can always be highlighted in a way to
enhance the experience. I cannot wait to see what other designs can be built in
the future.
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