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The Infinite Bridge
The Infinite Bridge
Aarhus, Denmark
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The Infinite Bridge
Aarhus, Denmark
Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter unfolds seaside panorama with The Infinite Bridge
The Infinite Bridge is a sculpture by danish architect studio Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter built and exhibited in connection with the international biennale, Sculpture by the Sea 2015, that takes place in the scenic coastal landscape surrounding the city of Aarhus.
“We have created a sculpture that is all about experiencing the surroundings and becoming aware of the relation between the city and the magnificent landscape of the bay. Walking on the bridge you experience the changing landscape as an endless panoramic composition and at the same time you enter a space of social interaction with other people experiencing the same panorama,” says Johan Gjøde, partner and co-founder of Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter.
The Infinite Bridge has a diameter of 60 meters and is positioned half on the beach and half in the sea. It consists of 60 identical wooden elements placed on steel pillars housed about two meters into the sea floor. The deck of the bridge rises between one and two meters above the water surface depending on the tide. The curvature of the bridge follows the contours of the landscape as it sits at the mouth of a small river valley extending into the forest from the beach.
In addition to unfolding the seaside panorama The Infinite Bridge establishes a connection between the present and the history of the specific site, as it reconnects the beach to a long forgotten viewpoint at sea.
“The bridge touches the landing dock of a previous pier located at the site where people used to arrive in steamboats from the city to relax and enjoy themselves. The historic Varna Pavilion that sits on the hillside above the beach was a popular destination in the scenic landscape with its terraces, restaurant and dancehall. Situated on the edge of the forest facing the sea the pavilion was meant to be experienced from the landing dock of the pier that no longer exists. The Infinite Bridge reestablishes this historic connection and offers a new perspective on the relation between the city and the surrounding landscape,” says Niels Povlsgaard, partner and co-founder of Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter.
The true art piece
As a young practice, Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter reaches out in their approach to making a difference with their projects.
“The philosophy behind our architect practice is to start projects on our own. Rather than waiting for a project to come about, we invent the project and get in touch with people making the decisions. In this context Sculpture by the Sea was a unique opportunity to work within the coastal protection zone of Denmark and install The Infinite Bridge in an otherwise inaccessible area,” says Johan Gjøde.
When commenting on the dividing line between art and architecture, Gjøde & Povlsgaard are very clear about their role. They are vastly experienced in designing exhibition spaces and working on projects that call for the spatial potential of a given location to be explored.
“We have worked quite a bit in the realm of art and architecture. Most of the time it is about taking a step back and allowing the art to come into its own. In these situations, you have to create a setting where people can meet and contemplate the individual art pieces in a new light. As we did with The Infinite Bridge, we have tried to create a setting where you can experience the landscape surrounding the city. Actually, it is nature, the city’s skyline, the harbor and the relationship to the water that is the true art piece,” says Johan Gjøde.
Q & A's
What inspired you to become architects?
Most children stop drawing when they reach a certain age, but we both kept on going and developed an interest in spatial composition which eventually led to architecture. Although ending up in the same place our initial inspiration was very different. Niels was drawn to the fine arts and I found my inspiration in the urban art scene. As a teenager Niels did paintings inspired by Danish artist Per Kirkeby and I did graffiti inspired by the great pioneers from New York. In that way we complement each other very well.
The Infinite Bridge has a very clear shape: a circle. This basic geometry transforms it into something really magical and extraordinary. Where does the inspiration for your design come from?
We wanted to create a structure that could stage the panorama of the Aarhus Bay. As the horizon the circle has no beginning or end and therefore seemed like a perfect geometry for framing this panorama. The simple iconic shape of the circle is actually meant to take focus away from the object itself and let people experience the landscape while moving in a clearly defined space. You could say that the simplicity of the structure allows people to see the complexity of the surroundings.
Why did you choose the title: The Infinite Bridge instead of The Infinite Pier?
A bridge is a connecting structure whereas a pier or a jetty is an open-ended structure. In that regard we find that the word bridge best describes the intention behind the project, which is to create a structure that connects the different elements of the landscape into one panoramic experience for the person engaging with the structure.
Can you describe the experience a visitor will have when walking on the bridge?
When walking on the bridge you experience the landscape of the Aarhus Bay slowly unfolding before your eyes as one cohesive panoramic composition, as your perspective slowly shifts while you’re moving across the bridge. You hear the sounds from the forest and the water below your feet. You feel the temperature of the air and the wind against your skin and you see the sunlight playing in the sea. But most important of all you see the other people walking on the bridge, sharing the same experience, which creates a feeling of togetherness.
What are the characteristics that make a public space more than interesting?
People like looking at other people and being in the same space without imposing on each other. Therefore creating a good public space is all about generosity and making the individual feel welcome in the common domain.
Do you believe that architecture has to be more playful in order to be more appreciated?
Sometimes you need playfulness and sometimes you need simplicity in architecture to enable the complexity of everyday life to unfold. It all depends on the situation. Playfulness is important in architecture but not necessarily as a complex manifestation of the build environment surrounding us. Many times the simplest of structures spark the most playful behavior as they allow the imagination and creativity to unfold.
Which is the common ground between art and architecture?
Art is about telling a story whereas architecture is about creating a framework where stories can be told and life can unfold. In that way art and architecture complement and embrace each other.
Office profile
Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter is a young architectural practice based in Aarhus, Denmark. The office was established in 2008 by Johan Gjøde and Niels Povlsgaard upon their graduation from the Aarhus School of Architecture and currently employs 7 architects including the founding partners.
Starting up in a time of financial crisis the office has made it a trademark to initiate projects on their own. Looking at a particular place and coming up with simple ideas on how to change things for the better is what motivates the work Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter. The office explores the field of architecture at all scales and has done a variety of projects from installations and exhibition design to building design and landscape.
Currently the office is doing exhibition design for a number of danish museums and working on a couple of large scale housing projects for private developers. In addition to that the office is designing a series of pavillions for the homeless to be installed around the city of Aarhus during the upcoming Aarhus Festival.
The Infinite Bridge is a sculpture by danish architect studio Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter built and exhibited in connection with the international biennale, Sculpture by the Sea 2015, that takes place in the scenic coastal landscape surrounding the city of Aarhus.
“We have created a sculpture that is all about experiencing the surroundings and becoming aware of the relation between the city and the magnificent landscape of the bay. Walking on the bridge you experience the changing landscape as an endless panoramic composition and at the same time you enter a space of social interaction with other people experiencing the same panorama,” says Johan Gjøde, partner and co-founder of Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter.
The Infinite Bridge has a diameter of 60 meters and is positioned half on the beach and half in the sea. It consists of 60 identical wooden elements placed on steel pillars housed about two meters into the sea floor. The deck of the bridge rises between one and two meters above the water surface depending on the tide. The curvature of the bridge follows the contours of the landscape as it sits at the mouth of a small river valley extending into the forest from the beach.
In addition to unfolding the seaside panorama The Infinite Bridge establishes a connection between the present and the history of the specific site, as it reconnects the beach to a long forgotten viewpoint at sea.
“The bridge touches the landing dock of a previous pier located at the site where people used to arrive in steamboats from the city to relax and enjoy themselves. The historic Varna Pavilion that sits on the hillside above the beach was a popular destination in the scenic landscape with its terraces, restaurant and dancehall. Situated on the edge of the forest facing the sea the pavilion was meant to be experienced from the landing dock of the pier that no longer exists. The Infinite Bridge reestablishes this historic connection and offers a new perspective on the relation between the city and the surrounding landscape,” says Niels Povlsgaard, partner and co-founder of Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter.
The true art piece
As a young practice, Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter reaches out in their approach to making a difference with their projects.
“The philosophy behind our architect practice is to start projects on our own. Rather than waiting for a project to come about, we invent the project and get in touch with people making the decisions. In this context Sculpture by the Sea was a unique opportunity to work within the coastal protection zone of Denmark and install The Infinite Bridge in an otherwise inaccessible area,” says Johan Gjøde.
When commenting on the dividing line between art and architecture, Gjøde & Povlsgaard are very clear about their role. They are vastly experienced in designing exhibition spaces and working on projects that call for the spatial potential of a given location to be explored.
“We have worked quite a bit in the realm of art and architecture. Most of the time it is about taking a step back and allowing the art to come into its own. In these situations, you have to create a setting where people can meet and contemplate the individual art pieces in a new light. As we did with The Infinite Bridge, we have tried to create a setting where you can experience the landscape surrounding the city. Actually, it is nature, the city’s skyline, the harbor and the relationship to the water that is the true art piece,” says Johan Gjøde.
Q & A's
What inspired you to become architects?
Most children stop drawing when they reach a certain age, but we both kept on going and developed an interest in spatial composition which eventually led to architecture. Although ending up in the same place our initial inspiration was very different. Niels was drawn to the fine arts and I found my inspiration in the urban art scene. As a teenager Niels did paintings inspired by Danish artist Per Kirkeby and I did graffiti inspired by the great pioneers from New York. In that way we complement each other very well.
The Infinite Bridge has a very clear shape: a circle. This basic geometry transforms it into something really magical and extraordinary. Where does the inspiration for your design come from?
We wanted to create a structure that could stage the panorama of the Aarhus Bay. As the horizon the circle has no beginning or end and therefore seemed like a perfect geometry for framing this panorama. The simple iconic shape of the circle is actually meant to take focus away from the object itself and let people experience the landscape while moving in a clearly defined space. You could say that the simplicity of the structure allows people to see the complexity of the surroundings.
Why did you choose the title: The Infinite Bridge instead of The Infinite Pier?
A bridge is a connecting structure whereas a pier or a jetty is an open-ended structure. In that regard we find that the word bridge best describes the intention behind the project, which is to create a structure that connects the different elements of the landscape into one panoramic experience for the person engaging with the structure.
Can you describe the experience a visitor will have when walking on the bridge?
When walking on the bridge you experience the landscape of the Aarhus Bay slowly unfolding before your eyes as one cohesive panoramic composition, as your perspective slowly shifts while you’re moving across the bridge. You hear the sounds from the forest and the water below your feet. You feel the temperature of the air and the wind against your skin and you see the sunlight playing in the sea. But most important of all you see the other people walking on the bridge, sharing the same experience, which creates a feeling of togetherness.
What are the characteristics that make a public space more than interesting?
People like looking at other people and being in the same space without imposing on each other. Therefore creating a good public space is all about generosity and making the individual feel welcome in the common domain.
Do you believe that architecture has to be more playful in order to be more appreciated?
Sometimes you need playfulness and sometimes you need simplicity in architecture to enable the complexity of everyday life to unfold. It all depends on the situation. Playfulness is important in architecture but not necessarily as a complex manifestation of the build environment surrounding us. Many times the simplest of structures spark the most playful behavior as they allow the imagination and creativity to unfold.
Which is the common ground between art and architecture?
Art is about telling a story whereas architecture is about creating a framework where stories can be told and life can unfold. In that way art and architecture complement and embrace each other.
Office profile
Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter is a young architectural practice based in Aarhus, Denmark. The office was established in 2008 by Johan Gjøde and Niels Povlsgaard upon their graduation from the Aarhus School of Architecture and currently employs 7 architects including the founding partners.
Starting up in a time of financial crisis the office has made it a trademark to initiate projects on their own. Looking at a particular place and coming up with simple ideas on how to change things for the better is what motivates the work Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter. The office explores the field of architecture at all scales and has done a variety of projects from installations and exhibition design to building design and landscape.
Currently the office is doing exhibition design for a number of danish museums and working on a couple of large scale housing projects for private developers. In addition to that the office is designing a series of pavillions for the homeless to be installed around the city of Aarhus during the upcoming Aarhus Festival.
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