Zaragoza Expo Bridge, Zaha Hadid Spanish Architecture Images, British Architect Design Proposal
Zaragoza Expo Bridge + Pavilion
Spanish Expo project design by Zaha Hadid Architects, London, UK
2 May 2008
Location: northeast Spain
Function: Bridge / Pavilion
Date: 2008
Zaragoza 2008 Expo Bridge + Pavilion
Zaha Hadid Architects is delighted to announce the opening of the Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion, Zaragoza, Spain.
Renderings Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
The Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion is organized around 4 main elements, or “pods”, that perform both as structural elements and as spatial enclosures, where each ‘pod’ corresponds to a specific exhibition space.
Expo Zaragoza originally envisaged the concept of an enclosed exhibition pavilion spanning the river. This concept is extremely exciting and Zaha Hadid Architects worked to develop the design that couples architecture and engineering.
For this reason, the structure is largely visible and plays an important role in defining the Bridge Pavilion’s external envelope. The unique design meets the client’s wish for enclosed exhibition spaces, yet offers direct visual connections with the river whilst also shading from the sun.
The Bridge Pavilion represents over 30 years of detailed research and examination by Zaha Hadid into bridge design. The practice has a welcome reputation for extracting the maximum potential from structural advancements and technical innovations, with the Bridge Pavilion design using the latest in design and construction technologies.
“We like projects which are structurally ambitious and I think the Bridge Pavilion illustrates the excellent symbiotic relationship we have with engineers.” says Hadid. “Our ambitions towards creating fluid, dynamic and therefore complex structures has been aided by technological innovations, and applying this knowledge to the Bridge Pavilion has been a very rewarding process.”
The hybrid nature of the Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion represented the perfect challenge for Zaha Hadid Architects. The design merges two traditionally distinct and separate building typologies: the “infrastructure” element (the bridge) and an “architectural” element (the pavilion). With the Bridge Pavilion design, Zaha Hadid Architects has challenged the conventional idea of a bridge being purely engineering.
“As the Bridge Pavilion is not one particular building typology, this really adds to the richness of the spaces inside.” explains Hadid. “We build the complexity of all our projects in relationship to the inherent complexity of the program, but then clarify the diagram as much as possible to be a logical configuration. This is evident in our design for the Bridge Pavilion. All the forces operate at the same time, so that the view of the exhibition is inherently related to nature of the visitors’ path through the Bridge Pavilion – but equally, the experience of the path shifts according to what the viewer is seeing at a given moment.”
Zaragoza Expo Bridge Images from Zaha Hadid Architects 020508
photograph © Helen Binet
Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion information from Zaha Hadid Architects 010708
Zaragoza Bridge design : Zaha Hadid Architects
Location: Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, southwestern Europe
Architecture in Spain
Spanish Architecture Designs – chronological list
Architecture Walking Tours by e-architect
Spanish Architecture
Contemporary Architecture in Spain – architectural selection below:
Spanish Architecture – Selection
Sotogrande Villa, Cadiz, Andalucía
Design: Cuaik CDS
Sotogrande Villa, Cadiz, Spain property
La Pobla de Vallbona Social Center, Valencian Community, eastern Spain
Architect: Alberto Facundo
La Pobla de Vallbona Social Center in Valencia
Óptics Lafuente, Pontevedra, Northwest Spain
Design: NAN Arquitectos
Óptics Lafuente Pontevedra
Caixa Forum Zaragoza – Cultural Centre
Design: Estudio Carme Pinós
Zaragoza Cultural Centre
Seville University Library
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Seville University Library
Civil Courts of Justice Buildings
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Madrid Civil Courts of Justice
Comments / photos for the Zaragoza Expo Bridge Architecture design by Zaha Hadid Architects page welcome