Pedestrian bridge and landscape remodelling © Studio Lux

Shanghai Pedestrian Bridge & Landscape

A civic dimension, a functional sculpture

Competition Winning Project

Client: Shanghai West Bund Authority

Time: 2022 Work in Progress

Length: 130 m

The Site and Its Constant Evolution:

The site is located along Shanghai's West Bund District on an important bend on the Huangpu River opposite Shanghai's developing former World Expo site.

For a constantly evolving place as Shanghai, the new bridge is not just about creating a new connection for today but facilitating development into the future. The landing points for a bridge, the possibilities they open up and the kind of place they define are in many ways more important than how the bridge crosses the water.

Design Drivers:

Connection

The primary role of the new pedestrian bridge is to provide a new direct connection to create continuity of movement for pedestrians and cyclists along the Huangpu River bank.

A Place to Pause

The new bridge can be a destination in its own right and provide a place to pause, rest and admire the spectacular view of the river.

A Landmark

The new bridge should be a marker and landmark along the West Bund providing a meeting point on the river with its own unique identity.

Iconic Composition

The new bridge will be part of the overall composition of iconic structures along the river.

It has both to stand out but also to fit in as a 'team player' into the cityscape.

Design Evolution and Landscape Remodelling

After the two stages of options design evolution, the single fluid shape becomes the successful option, following which the landscape is remodelled in a more expansive way to integrate the geometry of the new bridge.

Material and Lighting

The materiality is a conversation of subtle differences in reflectivity and texture.

The internal lining of the bridge is tactile and good to touch, not hot in summer or cold in winter.

The bridge’s polished brass skin will address its statement piece as a continuous 'Golden Ribbon’. This will provide a warm and unique tone in Shanghai's light conditions especially in winter while also creating a distinct reflection in the water. The polished nature of the bridge skin will also allow it to absorb and reflect the changing light and weather conditions of the surrounding city.

The structural ribs to the underside of the bridge will create texture while also allowing the bridge to emit an indirect light that will reflect off the water below.

The lighting of the deck itself should be subtle with low-level lighting to wash surfaces and simple uplighting of structural elements.

The bridge as a whole presents itself to the public and the city as a 'functional sculpture' than just infrastructure alone.