The challenge was simple. Design a pedestrian footbridge over one of the busiest districts in Istanbul, Turkey. Faith Vatan Street was not only a major route for automobile and pedestrian traffic, but there’s also a tram route cutting through the middle of the district too.
Below you will find the winning proposal from Paris-based design firm LEA Invent. The concept? Build a pedestrian footbridge six meters (20 ft) into the air. Welcome to the [Concrete] Jungle!
THE CONCRETE JUNGLE
The axial movement of the pedestrians are taken into account to determine the strategic points for the design. These points are connected to each other by the pedestrian crosswalks on the east and west sides of the tram station and connected to the station by the footbridge at the middle.
The desired pedestrian routes established by time constitute the basis of the proposed urban strategy. Eliminating the vehicle traffic, the minimum area for the desired pedestrian motion is determined. This area is lifted 6 meters into the air and is enriched to be a pedestrian square by commercial and cultural activities. The square is also been transformed into small-scale park as needed for the surrounding settlements. As it isolates itself from its surroundings from place to place, it is linked where the axes expose the depth of perspective.
The architectural form is designed to “underline” the urban continuity. The curved lines opens the perspectives and directs the pedestrians to their estimated routes. Outer and inner facades are designed as “landscape membranes”. This membrane is transparent in many areas to maintain the visual connection between the square and the ground level, also with the urban depth. A continuous flowerpot system is created in the the structural system in the inner part of the facade. The stairs down to the tram station are hanged to the holes that are opened on the square. Disabled pedestrians are able to use the elevators situated in various locations of the bridge.
The concrete floor plate of the structure is carried by the steel beams resting on top of the reinforced concrete columns. The heights of the walls surrounding the concrete floor plate is formed by the steel frame beams that will be adapted in place. These beams also maintain the stability of the wide floor plate.The steel constructions around the elevators also help support the vertical carriers.
First Spotted on ARCHDAILY
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