Hangzhou Bridges as Public Space, merging tradition with modern needs
Mladen Jadric, Sun Tongyu, Xu Kai, Klaus Semsroth
Transport
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Completed
The idea originated from the planning of the Asian Games Village in Hangzhou, designed to host the 2022 Asian Games and later integrate into the city’s Central Business District. Inspired by Hangzhou’s identity as a water town and its historical connection to bridges, the concept merges tradition with modern needs. The design process emphasized creating seven unique bridges, each tailored to its location, function, and cultural context, to serve both as infrastructure and as spaces for social interaction.
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The bridges establish essential links within the Asian Games Village, connecting the Qiantang River’s banks and integrating the area into Hangzhou’s urban fabric. Drawing from the city’s tradition of waterway crossings, the bridges enhance pedestrian movement, facilitate daily activities, and create urban spaces that blend with the landscape. Each bridge reflects its surroundings, with some acting as landmarks visible from afar and others providing intimate, sheltered pathways, harmonizing infrastructure with nature and urban life.
The bridges prioritize sustainability by using materials like concrete, steel, and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), chosen for durability and adaptability to diverse terrains. The designs emphasize minimal environmental impact while enhancing usability. Two completed bridges demonstrate multi-functional approaches: an auditory bridge and one that transforms into a vibrant night market. These innovations reflect eco-friendly design principles, though specific certifications or awards were not mentioned.
The seven bridges in the Asian Games Village are more than infrastructure; they are key social and cultural landmarks. Each bridge is uniquely designed to address its location and purpose. Some are iconic and visible from afar, while others are understated, supporting daily pedestrian traffic. Together, they create a cohesive network, enhancing connectivity and integrating into the urban and natural environments.
Rooted in Hangzhou’s heritage as the "City of Bridges," the designs draw inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens where bridges symbolize passage. Using materials like concrete, steel, and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), the bridges combine durability with innovative design, adapting to diverse terrains.
Two bridges are completed: the Auditory Bridge, enhancing sensory experiences by highlighting environmental sounds, and the Night Market Bridge, which transforms weekly into a vibrant marketplace, fostering social and cultural exchange. These designs illustrate multifunctionality while blending tradition and modernity.
The bridges reflect Hangzhou’s water-centric identity and contribute to the Asian Games Village’s sustainable and forward-thinking vision, creating spaces for interaction beyond mere connectivity.
The bridges embody Hangzhou’s spirit as a water city, combining functionality with cultural significance. They serve not just as connections but as multifunctional public infrastructure. Designed as spaces for interaction and relaxation, they invite people to pause, gather, and engage with their surroundings. Far more than simple crossings, the bridges transform into vibrant hubs that enrich urban life and reflect our vision for a sustainable, socially engaging environment.
Extraordinary challenges in architecture require extraordinary motivation to create a high-quality built environment. Mladen Jadric, Sun Tongyu, Xu Kai, and Klaus Semroth bring extensive experience from projects across the globe. Together, we approach every challenge with enthusiasm and respect, drawing on knowledge from Austria, China, Finland, USA, Australia, Korea, and Japan. Regardless of scale, we are passionate and put heart and soul into every project.
Our philosophy emphasizes architecture as an expression of culture. We focus on creating spaces that blend art with cultural impact, exploring the influence of culture on urban and rural typologies. Our designs support renewal and evolutionary processes in the built environment. By creating "cultural landscapes," we aim to harmonize architecture and natural elements, merging culture and environment to ensure thoughtful, sustainable spaces that reflect cultural diversity.
