Bridge in Vienna / SOLID architecture
Architects: SOLID architecture
Location: Vienna, Austria
Project Team: Christine Horner, Christoph Hinterreitner
Structural Engineering: RWTplus ZT GmbH
Client: Österreichische Lotterien GmbH
Competition Year: 2008
Completion Year: 2009
Photographs: Günter Kresser
The bridge is enclosed on all sides and connects the two buildings Rennweg 44 and 46 at the fifth upper floor, 17 metres above the Kleistgasse (in the third Vienna district). The span length of the bridge is 22 metres.
Outward Appearance of the Bridge
In reference to its outward appearance, the bridge adds a third and formally individual element to the two existing buildings dating back to the 1980′s. The fair grey metallic colour of the exterior surfaces of the bridge assimilates with the grey-green colour spectrum of the two already existing building structures.
Large-area glazed sidewalls make the supporting construction of the bridge, which is arranged inside, visible from the outside, and they make the bridge appear light and transparent.
Experiencing the Bridge from the Inside
© Günter Kresser
The interior area of the bridge has its own individual character, independent of the two already existing buildings.
If you cross the bridge, you will experience space that is dominated by the dynamic alignments of the supporting construction and the bottom and top plate. There may also be made out a colour difference between the interior area of the bridge on the one and the existing building structure on the other side. With the exception of the fair grey floor, all surfaces are white.
© Günter Kresser
Extending from the building Rennweg 46, there is created a horizontal plane into the road space, 17 metres above ground level of the Kleistgasse. From this horizontal area, there is presented a wonderful view onto the road space situated beyond and as far as the towers of the Arsenal. Following a bend in the botton plate, a slightly inclined ramp counterbalances the difference in height between the two building structures and leads into the building Rennweg 44.
geometry diagrams
In ground view, the bridge is tapering from 2.70m down to a width of 2.35m at the middle of the bridge. In combination with the bends in the roof and the bottom plate there is created a bridge structure, which extends across the road space in a rather elegant way; furthermore, its interior area is clearly dominated by the perspective dynamics of the strongly aligned lines.
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- © Günter Kresser
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- floor plan
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- elevation
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- sections
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- structure axo
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- geometry diagrams
I’m normally all for departures from the existing fabric, but this doesn’t settle well with me for some reason. This is not suggesting that a more “historical” approach would be more appropriate, but this bridge just isn’t fitting. It is beautiful in its own right, but just not here. Thoughts?
I don’t have an issue with the style or detailing or contemporaneity of the bridge, but I do believe it sets a dangerous precedent.
Pedestrian bridges like this have ruined many significant vistas and streetscapes in my city. I would like to see them all removed.
They are, essentially, a privatisation of the public domain.
The public nature of streets should always be maintained and defended. Not just in plan, but in three dimensions.
As I said, I have nothing against the architecture, just the idea of filling up our streetscapes with this sort of visual clutter.
Down with aerial pedestrian bridges!!!!
where do you live in LA circa Blade Runner?
seriously where do you live and how many exist.
some facilities i.e. hospitals need them to transport patients from building to building without exposing them to the outdoors.
thats a valid reason for a bridge.
Nice job!
“people only criticize they never create” J.Kaplicky
Nicely Designed: Bridge in Vienna. http://bit.ly/9siEMM
RT @nicholaspatten Nicely Designed: Bridge in Vienna. http://bit.ly/9siEMM
i think it is seem solid
seems like quite a fuss for a “pedestrian” (literally and figuratively bridge.
nothing new here folks. carry on.
3:22 AM Apr 8th
Wooww #bridge if only i could do that with my design :o http://www.archdaily.com/48981/bridge-in-vienna-solid-architecture/