west 8: puente cascara, madrid

the puente cascara, madrid by west8 all images courtesy west8

the puente cascara in madrid by international firm west8 officially opened this month.  working together with MRIO the architects designed the master plan for the reclaimed riverbanks and the new urban area above the tunnels of the M30 highway in madrid. the different parks that are part of the plan are connected by pedestrian bridges.

the pedestrian bridges which took 3 years to construct were designed as massive concrete domes with a rough texture. one hundred cables carry the delicate steel deck as if they were whalebone. the ceilings have a mosaic of the spanish artist daniel canogar. at the edge of the ceiling lighting is included which illuminates the artwork and the deck by reflection.

at night

the official opening of the bridge

the official opening of the bridge

the wood panelling creating the dome structure

the wood panelling creating the dome structure

construction images from 2007 when the bridges were taking shape