Safe Trestles, California Competition Design, US Project, Picture, News, Image

Safe Trestles California, USA : Architecture Contest

Architecture for Humanity Contest : California Bridge – design by dan brill architects

Sep 24, 2010

Safe Trestles

CO-LAB design office : Phase 2 Overall Winner of Safe Trestles

the wave

Safe Trestles Design Competition to Create Safe, Low-Impact Access to Trestles

May 25, 2010

Safe Trestles The Fellows Award

Floating in Time

Team:
Christopher Talbott, Hugo Martinez, Megan Pryor
San Francisco, CA(USA)

Safe Trestles The Founders Award

By the Way

Team:
Gilbert Berthold Vienna (Austria), David Stoeger Vienna, Dagnija Smilga Riga(Latvia)

More images from runners-up online within the hour

May 24, 2010

Safe Trestles Finalists

easy safe dry

the long trail

the natural scheme

the wave

unveiling the natural

Design : dan brill architects

Trestles Bridge California : People’s Choice Award

DAN BRILL ARCHITECTS SCOOP the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD & HONORARY MENTION IN INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE DESIGN COMPETITION

Winchester-based Dan Brill Architects were the only UK practice to have been shortlisted as one of 12 semi-finalists for the design of a pedestrian footbridge in southern

Hosted by Architecture for Humanity, the Safe Trestles international design competition (http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/competitions/trestles) received over 100 entries for the design of a safe and low-impact access route to Trestles Beach, home to one of North America’s most prized surfing spots and the 6.0 Lowers Pro surf event. Every year more than 100,000 people follow informal trails through marshlands and over active train tracks to access the beach, presenting a safety hazard with passing trains and a threat to the marine habitat that is home to a number of endangered animal species and important flora.

In delivering a safe and ADA compliant route between the existing parking lot and beach, Dan Brill Architect’s proposal provides an inspirational and captivating design solution that preserves and enhances the co-existence of a delicate coastal ecology and a recreational surf spot.

Made of welded weathering steel plate, the structure is capable of spanning large distances, thereby requiring minimal foundations within the wetlands and safely clearing prevailing railway easements. The weathered steel plate also provides a resilient and robust finish requiring minimal maintenance in the sea air. In contrast with the steel plate, weathered timber decking provides a warm & tactile surface underfoot.

The proposal provides a new entrance to Trestles Beach from the existing parking lot, and incorporates elements of currently lacking infrastructure: toilets, showers, seating, drinking fountains, recycling bins, and a kiosk or information point.

The bridge varies between 3.5 to 7 metres in width, and incorporates two widened seating areas along its length, positioned to take in dramatic vistas across the wetlands and along the coastline. Educational signage is also incorporated, raising public awareness of the habitat and its endangered species.

The route terminates at Trestles Beach, and incorporates a plinth of informal spectator seating with toilet facilities and bicycle parking below. A lifeguard tower has also been incorporated into the design.

Trestles Footbridge, California

Project Description

In delivering a safe and ADA compliant route between the existing parking lot and beach, this proposal provides an inspirational and captivating design solution that preserves and enhances the co-existence of a delicate coastal ecology and a recreational surf spot.

Taking inspiration from the way in which driftwood lies gently upon the sand, the proposal introduces a dynamic and sculptural counterpoint to the existing landscape. Traversing the bluffs, the asymmetric angular forms of the proposed footbridge echo the profile of nearby mountains. The shifting planes and triangulated facets also resonate with the form of the F-117 Nighthawk, alluding to the nearby presence of Camp Pendleton.

The new route traverses an overall level change of 75 feet and maintains a clearance of 28 feet over the existing railway. Working to current ADA standards, this route exceeds 1,100 feet in length, some 300 feet longer than the actual distance between the two points.

The bridge varies between 11 and 22 feet in width, with two widened seating areas provided along its length. In addition to providing areas to stop and rest, these areas are positioned to enjoy dramatic vistas across the wetlands and along the coastline. Educational signage is also incorporated at various points along the route, thereby raising public awareness of local history, habitat and its endangered species.

The access route terminates at Trestles Beach, and incorporates a plinth of informal spectator seating with toilet facilities and bicycle parking below. A lifeguard tower has also been incorporated into the design.

Made of welded weathering steel plate, the structure is capable of spanning large distances, thereby requiring minimal foundations within the wetlands and clearing prevailing railway easements. The weathered steel plate also provides a resilient and robust finish requiring minimal maintenance in the sea air. In contrast with the steel plate, weathered timber decking provides a warm & tactile surface underfoot.

An indigenous planting scheme is proposed to repair the area of wetland damaged by excessive foot traffic.

Trestles Bridge California images / information from dan brill architects

Bridges

Location: Trestles Beach, Los Angeles, Southern California, United States of America