Taking on the glorious past of the city, we draw a parallel between the commercial route of the Silk Road and the modern day commercial street that represents our site. As the ancient Silk Road was commercially connecting East and West, so our four bridges represent the urban link over a prominent commercial area, assuming both a functional and landmark role. The winding route to the West and the silk, the most precious good exported from the East, can be both symbolized by a red silk ribbon which becomes the inspiration for our design.
Using the red silk ribbon as the main theme, we are able to achieve a nearly endless range of design possibilities. This strategy facilitates our goal to design a set of four bridges matching the same theme despite having a very distinct design character.
Depending on which is the destination for the people driving, walking or cycling along the roads, the bridges crossing the commercial area will necessarily require different design features. In order to accommodate every visitors’ needs, the bridges designs will have to match such conditions.
In order to integrate the bridge design with its surroundings and make it become part of the urban realm, we decided to extend the design area to the slow traffic zone on each side of the road. In order to provide resting areas and better views onto the commercial area, we decided to extend the design over the bridges.
The extended design is meant to seamlessly integrate with the urban space and complement the commercial area landscape design features. We integrate seamlessly the new bridges with the original stariways in order to create a homogeneous design that links the street level and continues along the B1 commercial street.
Red is a color that easily stands out from its context. For this reason is widely used across the world as a tool to evoke a specific reaction in the viewer. Traditionally, the color red has an important meaning in Chinese culture, symbolizing fire, good fortune and joy. We assigned this color to the bridges to pay tribute to the local culture and enhance their landmark role within the new commercial area.
BRIDGE N. 34 / Design 1.1 / The Red Lips Bridge
Despite being part of the same theme inspired by the silk ribbon, every bridge has its own distinctive character, shape and design features. With its two elevated ramps sinuously moving up and down from the road level, the shape of the bridge along Road N.34 seen from the commercial street at B1, reminds of a woman’s beautiful red lips.
BRIDGE N. 2 / Design 1.2 / The Red Dragon Bridge
Despite being part of the same theme inspired by the silk ribbon, every bridge has its own distinctive character, shape and design features. With its two elevated ramps sinuously moving up and down from the road level, the shape of the bridge along Road N.2 seen from the road level, reminds of the serpentine body and tail of a Red Dragon ready to take off and fly.
BRIDGE N. 3 / Design 1.3 / The Red Knot Bridge
Despite being part of the same theme inspired by the silk ribbon, every bridge has its own distinctive character, shape and design features. With its two elevated ramps sinuously moving up and down from the road level, the shape of the bridge along Road N.3 seen from the road level, reminds of ribbons tied together in a red knot.
BRIDGE N. 28 / Design 1.4 / The Red Parrot Bridge
Despite being part of the same theme inspired by the silk ribbon, every bridge has its own distinctive character, shape and design features. With its two structural arches opening up from the road to the sides, the shape of the bridge along Road N.28 seen from the road level, reminds of a the red wings of a bird who has just taken off and flies.
The materials chosen for the bridges are typically used in the construction industry. Glass, metal cladding and steel structure are durable, locally produced, inexpensive, easy to maintain, dismantle and replace.
