The Ring for Amsterdam
The winner of international competition for a design of an iconic pedestrian bridge in the heart of Amsterdam was a team from Spain, that came with a proposal of a bridge that swims and at the same time threatens to fly.
EARCH.CZ , 7. 6. 2012
Concept:
The project proposes a central enclosed space, a water plaza. A space that is defined by its shape, where boats cross through and pedestrians and cyclists stroll along its perimeter. The act of framing a part of the river, brings a new value to it.
Structure:
The bridge has a simple, round shape and is formed by the most classic of structural types: the steel lattice shell. This intensifies the purity of the original idea and justifies the rationality of the chosen solution.
Experience:
Crossing can be performed both above and below the water level. This duality of paths brings in a new way to cross the river. The acompanying programme is incorporated inside the encircling cilinder, oriented inwards, and opening towards the new urban space. Accessibility is granted both for bicycles and the disabled, with a gentler slope along the above-water span of the bridge. Boat transit underneath complies with height and depth regulations.
Sustainablity:
Given the simplicity of its construction system, the bridge can be built from discarded or recovered shipyard steel from the local naval industry. Wood, which has a low environmental impact while providing the necessary resistance for such a humid location, is used in the interiors.
name The Ring
authors Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila
country Spain
team type architect
placement 1st place
Judge's report
The winning project was able to combine an iconic proposal with a real urban solution. A circuit bringing us to the heights or depths, a partially submerged Ring on an extraordinary equilibrium. It swims and at the same time threatens to fly.
It is a solution that engages the user to ponder on the decision of which path to choose: the underwater for a romantic and exploring passage or aerial for a bright and direct path ‐ Ring of pedestrian and environmental activity.
This project suggested and boldly developed an architectural concept of passage in a unique location – creating and directing the passage above and below with such fluidity.
This project can be summarised with the words " passage " and "discovery ". Brilliantly !
[AC-CA]™
is an international architectural competition organiser focused on initiating progressive competitions with a number of cash prizes and publishing the winners.
More info about the [AC-‐CA] Architectural Competition here.
