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Samuel Beckett Bridge
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Dublin, Ireland
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Other Projects by Architecture 53seven
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Dublin, Ireland
Firm
YEAR
2002
w e a v i n g……. ( t h e l i f f e y )
The new urban district of the IFSC will become signified by a new urban construct- a signifier.
The city, comprised of a series of densities (nodes) and woven street patterns becomes (re)presented in this new urban artifice. The river (liffey) offers us a strategic connection (as mythical founding point) to the city of the past and that of the future. It is an advocate for the city as it testifies for the physical and social changes of the past. The alignment of the proposed structure with Pearse Street establishes a physical connection to the core of the city, whilst establishing a (meta)physical connection with the (re)surgent city to the north of the river (liffey). The bridge is, from this point of view capable of weaving the city together and act as a new nodal point for the continual development of the URBIS.
The bridge (re)presents the city as an archive, suggesting that the structure has an inherent connection to the past and that of the future. The weaving of past and present is formally (re)presented as a constructional device in the form of the woven mesh framework of structure and structural skin. The notion of shadow (re)connects the bridge with the artistic endeavors of the past and memories of the river itself. The animated skin surface reads in similar terms to the illusionary field of representation of Louis le Broquoy and the idea of surface manipulation and material intrigue where shadow and form seem to have a comfortable (co)existence.
The cantilevering steel structure of the bridge combined with the bronze coated woven steel mesh allows for this animated mixture to become apparent. The movement of the structure is seen to be written into the fabric of the city and becomes a valuable visual attraction in its own right. The need for a simply defined set of moves along the waters edge allow this visual appeal to come through as well as allowing for an easily registered sense of safety from a Safety Management aspect. It is proposed to co-ordinate the bridge opening movement quite closely through closely monitored gateways that encourages general well-managed usage. Emphasis has been places on allowing the structure to be highly accessible from all aspects of usage and we would see particular possibility of access from wheelchair users to roller-bladers.
As the proposal carries a anchorage to the riverside bank it will enable the entire 80m of opening structure to be utilised as an extension of the pathway (a boardwalk), thereby optimising the potential usage of the plicated formwork of the bridge. Much consideration has been given to the usage and silhouette of the two-tiered structure by day and night. By day we evoke a play of light, colour and shadow transferring across the balustrading of the bridge enclosure as the weaving structure captures such city frames as Customs House Quay. Again, there are similarities evoked with the shadow painting of le Broquoy and in particular, shadow composition’s of the Four Courts; by night the silhouette changes the emphasis from the urban framing and references to a provocative light-beam, displaying the aura of a fine theatrical set with an emphasis on being part of the cultural and visual language of the city itself.
The bridge is many ways becomes a microcosm of the city with this shift in use, it (re)presents the diversity in nature and complexity of the city’s fabric and highlights the nature of the city as a 24 hour civic exchange of process and pre-occupation.
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