Yuandang Bridge

2022 National Architecture Awards: Australian Award for International Architecture

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.

JURY CITATION

Yuandang Bridge is an evolved geometric concept that interacts rather than transcends from landing to landing. As experimental as it is brave, its connectivity goes beyond the movement between two points. Journeys can be simple and direct or they can be playful and interactive, persuading you to pause and explore. This project is more of an experience than a lineal passage and makes a significant social contribution to its site. On top of the infrastructural engineering required, this complex work highlights the value of progressive design.

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