2:pm architectures

Iconic Pedestrian Bridge . Amsterdam

+ 2:pm architectures . [AC-CA]

The objective of a pedestrian bridge is to link banks and make human crossing easier.

It is not there to be seen, it generates social habits. The design is less important than the function. The same elements that made the crossing complicated (the water)will help to resolve the main goal : the support of the bridge (Archimede). The illusion and the mythology take part of the project: who ever dreamed of being Jesus, walking on the sea? That’s not the design that will be unforgettable, but the memory of crossing it.

To use the elements that are provided by the site place : water that makes the crossing complicated will finally help this crossing. Physics are invoked with the help of Archimede. Pieces of bridge are brought to the project site using boats. The bridge is divided into pieces. One of them will be filled up to shrink and let the boats pass through. Once the boats have left, the shrunk piece will be filled up with air to make it float again and make human crossing possible. The design of the floating bridge is easy thanks to the stable level of water in the canals.

Crossing the floating bridge is a unique experience, so close to the water level. A swell breaker along the bridge helps creating a calm water surface beside the bridge will the water is less calm further. The pedestrian bridge floats thanks to the air stocked in it siron tanks and the support of the water:human crossing The middle part of the bridge is filled up with water: boats crossing.