Pedestrian Bridge / JLCG Arquitectos

Architects: João Luís Carrilho da Graça, arquitecto + AFA, Consult, Lda.
Location: Covilhã, Portugal
Project Team: Pedro Abreu Pereira, João Rosado Baptista, Porfirio Pontes, Yutaka Shiki, Nuno Pinto
Structural and mechanical engineers: AFAconsult
Electrical Installations: Engenheiro Ruben Sobral
Landscape Architecture: ARPAS – Arquitecto Luís Cabral, Lucile Dubroca
Client: PolisCovilhã, S.A./câmara municipal da covilhã
Video & Photographs: Vítor Gabriel

The sinuous and segmented design of the bridge winds above the valley, along a distance of about 220 m. The central bay takes the perpendicularity to the line of the valley. The other two sections are inflected and oriented towards their anchoring points. The connection between the two points is no longer the shortest distance between them. The tensioned geometry of its layout interferes with visual orientation and with the perception of dominating heights of “Serra da Estrela”, on one side, and with the vastness of Cova da Beira on the lower side.