Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Contest, Dutch Design Competition, Architect, Projects

Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competition

Architectural Contest in Holland winners : images of designs

Design by Architecture Project Ltd, Malta

Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Contest

Team: Mark Sullivan, Peter Brincat, Konrad Buhagiar of Architecture Project

A bridge. A Connection. Connections and Communication.

24 May 2012

[AMSTERDAM] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competition Entry

Proud and austere, the well-proportioned façade of the former Amstelhof faces one of the longer uninterrupted water paths in Amsterdam. However, there is weak pedestrian accessibility. The entrance to Hermitage Amsterdam is hardly recognisable from the canal side, leading through a former service access into the beautiful inner courtyard of the museum.

pictures : Architecture Project

A new approach to the museum and its garden is being proposed that is directly connected to the opposite bank of the Amstel, opening up towards the town in a novel way and offering renewed opportunity for interaction. This can be achieved without the need to interrupt the river visually with yet another structure that spans across it. Instead, one can pass gently through it by creating a passage that allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river uninterrupted whilst retaining the historical façade and leaving its context unaffected.

One of the qualities of conventional bridges is the panoramic view they offer from their centre. This should not be missed, but it can take on a totally new dimension. As one crosses the canal, the viewpoint café, emerging from the centre of the river, turns the short stop to admire the view into an experience which can be enjoyed in any weather condition and at any time. This little island is a beacon, a lighthouse, pointing to the Hermitage from afar. It is reached through a passageway beneath the river that connects it to the bridge.

The bike workshop is tucked away, its roof a bicycle parking area extending the bank across the Hermitage to form a lookout onto the new landscape in front of the private Six Collection. Around the workshop, steps and ramps stream downwards, extending into the centre of the museum and its garden, providing seating and forming the setting for social gatherings level with the river while shipping flow is left uninterrupted.

21 May 2012

[AMSTERDAM] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Design Competition Entry

Design by ZALEWSKI ARCHITECTURE GROUP

pictures from ZALEWSKI ARCHITECTURE GROUP

Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competition Proposal

That cannot be a bridge. The open international idea competition for pedestrian bridge in the heart of Amsterdam prompted us to ask ourselves a question – how to combine in one building several elements that would result in designing a unique and outstanding bridge.

The name of the competition – Iconic Bridge made us seek ideas with a strong formal expression and unconventional functional and technical solutions. Organizers also defined number of functional requirements that had to be met – among others, the bridge had to ensure freedom of vessels movement on the river and make it possible to arrange café bar and bicycle repair area on the bridge.

How to combine then functional requirements and the value of use in the bridge that should become a memorable icon of Amsterdam?

The answer was obvious – that cannot be a simple bridge, although it should serve its original functions. This must be the object that interacts emotionally – it is surprising and raises clear associations with the Netherlands – it acts as its landmark.

As a result we designed an object that is a synthesis of all assumptions and requirements.

The “bridge” – a “bunch” of artificial tulips – the symbol of the capital, provides communication between the river banks and contains necessary functions. Rising to almost 60m height it provides a nice panorama of Amsterdam and stands out as a landmark which helps to orientate oneself in the city. The “bridge” not only exploits the values of the place, but it also serves its exploration – as the London Eye – it allows to admire the panorama of Amsterdam from inaccessible so far perspective – you can get a tulip with a view.

pictures from ZALEWSKI ARCHITECTURE GROUP

Cafe bar and bicycle repair area are located on a platform inside the tulip calyxes. Access to this platform is provided by two mobile cabins which rise along carbon fiber “stems” from the ground to the level of the platform. The fibers form a network of cells which are constantly and separately filled with gas or liquid and then emptied – that allows the stem to follow the direction needed: from upright position to the totally lowered to the ground.

Flower petal skin is made of semi-transparent stretchable resilient and durable polyurethane-coated fabric. Essential shapes are formed beneath the skin by dense and thin aluminium net structure. The entire “bunch” has the ability to perform small vertical movements giving the impression of waving with the wind.

Iconic Pedestrian Bridge in Amsterdam Competition project
Designer: ZALEWSKI ARCHITECTURE GROUP, Gliwice, Poland
Team members: Krzysztof Zalewski, Adam Gil, Grzegorz Ziębik

Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Design competition entry : Helixxx Bridge

Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge Design by Francesco Piffari

picture from Francesco Piffari

22 Mar 2012

[AMSTERDAM] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competition News

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[AMSTERDAM] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge

picture from [AC-CA]
Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge : further information on this competition

Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competition image / information from [AC-CA]

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, western Europe

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photo © William Moore
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photo © Jannes Linders
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