Lightweight, minimal, and slender, Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti
24/09/2023.
[Prague] Czech Republic
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
metalocus, ANTONIO CORREDERA
One of the aspects that characterizes the city of Prague is its bridges. Whoever visits or lives in the city will surely cross the Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and decorated with 30 baroque statues), which until 1841 was the only bridge that crossed the Vltava River to connect the historic center with Prague Castle, one of the main monuments of the city.
The city has continued to grow and its bridges have multiplied, the most recent being the Štvanice pedestrian bridge, inaugurated this year and designed by the Czech architecture studios Atelier Bridge Structures and Blank architekti s.r.o., led by architects Petr Tej and Marek Blank collaborating with engineer Jan Mourek.
An elegant structure 385 meters long, which seems to be made of white marble connects the neighborhoods of Holešovice and Karlín, which also connects with the suggestive island of Štvanice thanks to a second ramp, whose name was used to baptize the bridge.
The city has continued to grow and its bridges have multiplied, the most recent being the Štvanice pedestrian bridge, inaugurated this year and designed by the Czech architecture studios Atelier Bridge Structures and Blank architekti s.r.o., led by architects Petr Tej and Marek Blank collaborating with engineer Jan Mourek.
An elegant structure 385 meters long, which seems to be made of white marble connects the neighborhoods of Holešovice and Karlín, which also connects with the suggestive island of Štvanice thanks to a second ramp, whose name was used to baptize the bridge.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Floor plan. Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti.
Elevations. Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti.
Sections. Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti.
Details. Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings
Atelier Bridge Structures and Blank architekti designed the ends of the bridge resting on two embankment abutments, complemented by the pier located on the edges of the island of Štvanice, in the non-navigable arm of the Vltava River. On the Holešovice side, where the river bank is lower and prone to flooding, the final section has vertical mobility, thanks to a hydraulic piston mechanism that allows it to be raised to the flood level Q2002+1.0 m.
One of the attractions of the bridge is its white color; Made of reinforced concrete, as a segmented girder bridge with UHPFRC parapet girders, in 57 prefabricated sections, it appears as if it has been crafted from bright white marble. Designed as a segmental girder bridge with UHPC parapet girders. The length of the bridge is 299.47 m, and the length of the side ramp is 83.95 m. The bridge consists of eight spans, the maximum span of the section is 55.4 m.
The bridge is founded in depth thanks to a series of large-diameter piles. The support system in the longitudinal direction of the bridge consists of a pair of lateral parapet girders that act as a continuous beam, which smoothly passes into the lateral ramp of the bridge, forming a single unit without intermediate expansion joints.
Along with its slender form and monolithic volume, it features an ornamental bronze handrail by sculptor Aleš Hvízdal with integrated lighting and figurative animal motifs at the ends.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings.
One of the attractions of the bridge is its white color; Made of reinforced concrete, as a segmented girder bridge with UHPFRC parapet girders, in 57 prefabricated sections, it appears as if it has been crafted from bright white marble. Designed as a segmental girder bridge with UHPC parapet girders. The length of the bridge is 299.47 m, and the length of the side ramp is 83.95 m. The bridge consists of eight spans, the maximum span of the section is 55.4 m.
The bridge is founded in depth thanks to a series of large-diameter piles. The support system in the longitudinal direction of the bridge consists of a pair of lateral parapet girders that act as a continuous beam, which smoothly passes into the lateral ramp of the bridge, forming a single unit without intermediate expansion joints.
Along with its slender form and monolithic volume, it features an ornamental bronze handrail by sculptor Aleš Hvízdal with integrated lighting and figurative animal motifs at the ends.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings.
Project description by Atelier Bridge Structures and Blank architekti
The footbridge is realized according to the project of the authors Petr Tej, Marko Blank, and Jan Mourek based on an international competition organized by the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague.
The gentle spatial curve is constructed as a smooth path based on the dynamics of the movement of pedestrians and cyclists. The construction concept of the bridge responds humbly to the panorama of Prague, to the connection to the Holešovice and Karlín banks, and to the connection by ramp to the island of Štvanice. The structure does not go to a height, it does not prevent pedestrians and cyclists from seeing the city, water, and trees.
The bridge is supported by two embankment piers, two piers on the edges of Štvanice island so that it interferes with the island as little as possible, and two piers in the non-navigable arm of the Vltava River. On Štvanice, a ramp descends freely, the plan curve of which copies the curve of the edge of the island.
Due to the barrier-free and smooth connection on the Holešovice side, the outermost field of the structure descends below the flood level to the level of the sidewalk on the embankment. This field is designed to be vertically movable at the support point where a hydraulic piston mechanism is located to provide vertical lift above the thousand-year water level. This is a rise of approx. 3 m when the field is turned around the overhanging end at the first pillar in the Vltava.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings.
Štvanice Footbridge by Atelier Bridge Structures + Blank architekti. Photograph by Alex Shoots Buildings.
The architecture of the bridge uses minimalist sculptural morphology. The bridge is made of high-quality ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) with a surface that matches the shiny white marble.
The main supporting structure of the bridge consists of a continuous reinforced concrete beam with longitudinal prestressing and an H-shaped cross-section. These are two full-walled side parapet beams with an intermediate deck plate, which is supported by transverse ribs. In terms of production and assembly, it is a segmental bridge structure consisting of 57 prefabs.
Part of the structure is an ornamental bronze handle with figural motifs of animal heads on the ends by the sculptor Aleš Hvízdal. The gangway lighting is integrated into the handrail. On the island of Štvanice, near the entrance to the footbridge, there is a figurative sculpture called Řeka by the sculptor Jan Hendrych.
More information
Architects
Atelier Bridge Structures, Blank architekti s.r.o.
Architects Petr Tej and Marek Blank teamed with engineer Jan Mourek.
Architects Petr Tej and Marek Blank teamed with engineer Jan Mourek.
Project team
Petr Tej, Marek Blank, Jan Mourek, Vít Najvárek, Oto Melter, Aleš Hvízdal, Jan Hendrych.
Collaborators
Visualization.- Jan Srnka.
Structure Engineers.- TOP CON Servis s.r.o.
Sculptor.- Aleš Hvízdal
Client
The City of Prague / Magistrát hlavního města Prahy.
Contractors
Skanska a.s., KŠ Prefa Štětí s.r.o.
Area / Dimensions
Long.- 385 m. (300 + 85). The supporting structure in the main direction is designed with a width of 5.0 m to accommodate the increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic in this direction. The side ramp is designed with a reduced width of 4.0 m.
Dates
Design.- 2017.
Start date.- 2022.
Completion date.- 2023.
Start date.- 2022.
Completion date.- 2023.
Location
Praha 7 7, 170 00 Praha, Czechia.
Photography
Petr Tej, Jan Mourek, Oto Melter. Bridge Structures
Atelier Bridge Structures is a practice Prague-based and was established by Petr Tej, Jan Mourek, and Oto Melter. The practice focuses on proposals and projects for bridge structures.
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