René van Zuuk Architekten - Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge

René van Zuuk Architekten
Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
Almere, The Netherlands

An urban hammock for an ambitious city center.

Photo ©Christian Richters

The Almere bridge spans the connecting waterway, between the open Weerwater and a little harbour for motorised boats, connecting two massive housing blocks located in the new city centre of Almere.

Designed as a neutral continuity between two buildings, the Silverline tower, designed by Claus & Kaan, and Van Zuuk’s Block 16, the bridge has its own identity, with none of the directions from the surroundings being emphasized.

Photo ©Christian Richters

The cable-stayed mast structure refers to the image of sailing boats, reviving the maritime atmosphere of the harbour area. To enhance the slim appearance the two traffic flows are separated. After all two narrow lanes look more slender than one wide deck.

Photo ©Christian Richters

The tensegrity-like structure consists of five double beams, suspended to the adjacent masts with tension cables, supporting the five masts. The two fixed supports of the bridge are being formed by double slanting columns on a concrete footing in the water, directly supporting the two outer beams. The tension cables continue under the bridge where they are connected to the mast ends protruding one metre below deck level. Pretension of the cables provides the bridge with a higher rigidity. The eleven metres high masts are equipped with recessed light fittings so they also serve as lighting pylons.

Photo courtesy René van Zuuk Architekten

Both sides of the anodised aluminium corrugated decking of the traffic lanes are provided with steel cable guardrails. The inward leaning parapets avoid collisions with the masts or guy cables.

Photo courtesy René van Zuuk Architekten
Plan

Total bridge area: 264 square meters
Completed: 2004

Photographed by Christian Richters

Client: Gemeente Almere
Architects: René van Zuuk Architekten
Design: René van Zuuk
Structural Engineer: Van de Laar, Eindhoven
Building Contractor: Wallaard bv, Noordeloos

René van Zuuk Architekten arcspace features





				Features
		René van Zuuk Architekten Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Almere, The Netherlands An urban hammock for an ambitious city center. Photo ©Christian Richters The Almere bridge spans the connecting waterway, between the open Weerwater and a little harbour for motorised boats, connecting two massive housing blocks located in the new city centre of Almere. Designed as a neutral continuity between two buildings, the Silverline tower, designed by Claus & Kaan, and Van Zuuk’s Block 16, the bridge has its own identity, with none of the directions from the surroundings being emphasized. Photo ©Christian Richters The cable-stayed mast structure refers to the image of sailing boats, reviving the maritime atmosphere of the harbour area. To enhance the slim appearance the two traffic flows are separated. After all two narrow lanes look more slender than one wide deck. Photo ©Christian Richters The tensegrity-like structure consists of five double beams, suspended to the adjacent masts with tension cables, supporting the five masts. The two fixed supports of the bridge are being formed by double slanting columns on a concrete footing in the water, directly supporting the two outer beams. The tension cables continue under the bridge where they are connected to the mast ends protruding one metre below deck level. Pretension of the cables provides the bridge with a higher rigidity. The eleven metres high masts are equipped with recessed light fittings so they also serve as lighting pylons. Photo courtesy René van Zuuk Architekten Photo courtesy René van Zuuk Architekten Both sides of the anodised aluminium corrugated decking of the traffic lanes are provided with steel cable guardrails. The inward leaning parapets avoid collisions with the masts or guy cables. Photo courtesy René van Zuuk Architekten Plan Total bridge area: 264 square meters Completed: 2004 Photographed by Christian Richters Client: Gemeente Almere Architects: René van Zuuk Architekten Design: René van Zuuk Structural Engineer: Van de Laar, Eindhoven Building Contractor: Wallaard bv, Noordeloos René van Zuuk Architekten arcspace features