Every year the city of Guangzhou in China invites and commissions 2-3 world renowned
architects to design small but highly regarded projects in Guangzhou. The design is started
in the concept phase and it is carried out to construction. In 2020 PEI Architects was
invited and commissioned to design one of their yearly projects, the Guangzhou Pedestrian
Bridge. Despite its small size, the carefully balanced and highly complex geometry turns
this small jewel like structure into an important bridge along the riverfront.
The geometry of this small pedestrian bridge is virtually all curves and arches. Its curves
and counter-curves shape creates a sculpture like object with three distinctive paths.
The central running path is defined by the structural arches that bow up and create the
straight span of the bridge while the two sides are for pedestrians and for bicycle riders.
These outward paths narrow and gently rise towards the middle to visually provide tension
and relief while the central path follows the steeper up-and-down of the structural arch in
continuous width. Seats are carved out of the higher central arch on both sides. Lights are
recessed into the solid railings and illuminate its features and the paths.
The bridge is clad in wood panels to emphasize the solidity and to express its weight and
sculptural quality. The buttressing ends of the central, structural spine are made of concrete
to stress the anchoring forces.
Despite its small size, the carefully balanced and highly complex geometry turns this small
jewel like structure into an important bridge along the riverfront.
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