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extension
of existing bridge, ecological connection
client: Municipality of Amsterdam
project team: Jörn Schiemann, Otto Weyers
structural engineer: IBA, Amsterdam
photography: schiemann weyers
status: invited competition / commission (2007), completion
(2012)
value: € 2,7 million |
The bridge is part of the new urban framework for the western garden
cities of Amsterdam. Within this framework the ‘Lelylaan’,
which is one of the major entries to the city centre, plays an important
role as a structuring element. It contains various bridges which are
barely visible when driving on the street itself, but which have a
great spatial impact on the adjoining lower areas.
The bridge over the Schipluidensingel / Westlandgracht is the first
in a range of bridges which will be added or transformed according
to the new spatial concept of the Lelylaan.
The brief asks for a design which has a great affinity with the existing
bridges and the architecture of the western garden cities; the bridge
should work as a prototype, setting the standard for the ‘family
of bridges’ still to come.
The function of the bridge is to achieve an ecological and visual
connection between the residential area ‘Andreas Ensemble’
and one of Amsterdam’s major parks, the Rembrandtpark.
The major element of the design are two significant walls, embedding
the bridge into the hilly landscape, marking the entrance to the Rembrandtpark
and making the link to the existing bridge. The deck of the bridge
is perforated by four ‘open boxes’, they are standing
in a spatial relationship with the two walls and are providing the
ecological route with natural light. Monumental elm trees are rising
up through the openings and are linking the public space on top with
the natural environment below. |
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