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Bridge Almere
Bridge Almere
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Other Projects by René van Zuuk Architects bv
Bridge Almere
The thin looking bridge connects like clever knitwear, two massive housing blocks located in the new city centre of Almere. The ambition was to create a neutral continuity between the two buildings; the Silverline tower and Van Zuuk’s own Block 16. The construction is designed in such a way that none of the directions from the surroundings is being emphasized, but instead the bridge got its own identity.The bridge spans the connecting waterway between the open Weerwater and a little harbour for motorized boats. Therefore minimum headroom is only 2.80 metres. The cable-stayed mast structure of the bridge refers to the capricious 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. The tensegrity-like structure consists of five double beams supporting the five masts. The beams themselves are suspended to the adjacent masts with tension cables. 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 have been 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. Both sides of the anodised aluminium corrugated decking of the traffic lanes are provided with steel cable guardrails, not detracting the slender appearance of the bridge. The inward leaning parapets avoid collisions with the masts or guy cables.The overall design is characterized by ambiguity. Observed from the water the bridge appears symmetric, static and neutral. However if one adjourns to the direction of the traffic flow a more dynamic image emerges because of the transversely leaning masts. The bridge provides the large-scale and ambitious city centre the necessary lightness, like an urban hammock.
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