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The project is renovating an old bridge. The inspiration comes from a local Qing Dynasty corridor bridge: Dragon and Phoenix Bridge. Corridor bridges are ancient Chinese bridges combining bridge and architecture, with passage in the middle and rest areas on both sides, effectively integrating transportation and non-transportation functions into one space. The main structure of the original, along with the sidewalks and railings, has been retained. The new building is on the bridge deck, adopting glued wood structure. The middle of the bridge is passable, also serving as a venue for temporary markets, outdoor performances, and other activities. The seats and independent box-shaped spaces are located on both sides of the bridge for leisure viewing.
The project is located in the center of the county, at the confluence of two rivers, 200 meters away from the county government. To the north of the old bridge is a commercial street, to the west a kindergarten, and to the east a residential area. But the mixed traffic of people and vehicles poses a danger to pedestrians and slow traffic crowd, and also affects the operation of the commercial street. The new bridge reduces vehicular traffic and is planned as a pedestrian friendly area along with the commercial street. Meanwhile, the new bridge extends the commercial street, creating more diverse and comfortable public spaces. After completion, the traffic safety and condition have been significantly improved. The new bridge has also created a new landmark for the county town.
The project adheres to the principle of sustainability. The main structure of the original bridge has been retained, and the new building structure continues on the old bridge deck. The building is of timber structure, with the portal frames at the top of the slope as the main body, and slant support is applied to the columns on both sides. The roof skylight provides sufficient sunlight for the space. The main timbering is Douglas fir glued wood, which is prefabricated in the factory and installed on site, with a total carbon sequestration of about 144 tons. In addition, the white marble breast boards of the original bridge are retained for further use. This not only saves construction costs but also avoids waste.
The old bridge is located in the center of the county town, connecting multiple public and commercial spaces in the surrounding area. With the construction of other bridges, the vehicle traffic function of the old bridge has significantly decreased while the requirements for pedestrian and slow traffic have increased. The new bridge retains the structure of the old bridge and uses sustainable materials to build a corridor on the bridge deck, with a width of 9m, the highest point of the roof of 7.2m, and an eaves height of 3.2m. The main body of the building is made of glued wood, with a sloping top door frame. Both sides of the columns are clamped with 50mm thick red cedar plywood to protect the column and reserve hidden space for equipment pipelines. The new corridor bridge not only has transportation functions, but also serves as a temporary market, street performance, and a place for residents to relax. The colored skylights on the roof not only provide sufficient sunlight but also fill the space with a romantic atmosphere. The wooden structure and form of the corridor bridge evoke the famous ancient corridor bridge in the local area, the Dragon and Phoenix Bridge. The form of the new bridge entrance and the treatment of the ceiling beams and sheathings are also a kind of sampling and translation of the form of the Dragon and Phoenix Bridge. The new bridge uses sustainable materials to create a new public space with a cultural and artistic atmosphere for residents.
The project has well met the owner's requirements for the renovation of the original traffic bridge, improved the walking quality of the area, increased urban vitality and commercial value. The form of wooden structure and corridor bridge brings people memories of regional history. The new bridge creates new outdoor public spaces for residents, and also sets up a new landmark to this small western county.
3andwich Design / He Wei Studio, located in Beijing, was founded in 2013. We engage in interdisciplinary research and practice including urban renewal, architectural and interior design, exhibition and curatorial, lighting and art. In recent years, a large number of our works are located in China's poor rural areas, focusing on the revival of China's countryside. We advocate the balance between the artistry and sociality of architecture, as well as the transfiguration from the ordinariness into the extraordinariness. We emphasize the overall thinking in the design and explore the new role of architects in the project process. We are used to thinking about design from the context of the site, and, through the relationship between the building and the environment, the dialogue between the old and the new, the translation of daily materials, the artistic expression of light (natural light and artificial lighting), shadow and color, to form new fields full of emotion and tension.
