Yuandang Bridge

2022 National Architecture Awards: International Architecture – Shortlist

Yuandang Bridge | Brearley Architects + Urbanists BAU

The Yuandang Pedestrian Bridge celebrates the coming together of Jiangsu Province and Shanghai. The 586m bridge is a hybrid structure incorporating landscape, infrastructure, and architecture. It is located in a key location where the two jurisdictions meet.

The figure of the bridge resembles a ribbon and echoes water ripples on the Yuandang Lake below. Trees and shrubs are incorporated in the bridge, giving the appearance of a floating garden connecting the two banks. The six-meter-wide bridge deck is divided into three bands: cycling path, vegetation band and walking path. The winding bridge has three widened sections for resting and enjoying the lake view.

Taking inspiration from local sculptural traditions, the bridge’s pavilion explores contemporary mathematics modeling to create a porous wall that is both sculpture and playground. The bridge is a dynamic ensemble, integrating ecology, transportation, landscape, and culture. It is a hybrid infrastructure.

Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?

Translated from Chinese:
The Yuandang Pedestrian Bridge connects Wujiang in Jiangsu province and Qingpu in Shanghai, making the communication more convenient for residents on both sides. It is of great signification to accelerate the development process of the Yangtze River Delta integration demonstration area. The bridge is very beautiful and the deck is divided into cycling path, vegetation band and walking path. It meets the needs of residents and tourists for sightseeing, leisure and viewing.

Practice team:

shi zheng ting, planting design
guo lie xia, site landscape architect
Zhu Qizhen, landscape architect
James Brearley, Architectural director
huang fang, landscape architect
berry pan, landscape architect