set to be completed in 2019, MVRDV has won the competition for ‘dawn bridge’, a new 80-meter-long dual use crossing near shanghai. situated in the historical town of zhujiajiao, the 24-meter-wide bridge features a low-curve design that aims to add value to its surroundings by fostering social activities at the riverfront while establishing a relationship with its surroundings.

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

 

 

MVRDV has kept the height of the structure intentionally low in order to generate a connection with the historical and calm environment. this relation is further enhanced by absorbing the palette of colors and materials found around: the grey asphalt mimics the grey roofs while the white bridge structure recalls the white walls; the reddish wood of houses and boats has been translated into the cover of the pedestrian deck and landings; lastly, the trees situated on top of the deck resemble the green of water and nature.

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

 

 

‘the vertical alignment of dawn bridge defines a sense of lightness and elegance, and our aim was to provide a graceful low curve above the river that also blends with the landscape,’ says wenchian shi, partner at MVRDV. ‘beyond blending, we wanted to create a bridge that invites public life over and around it and that is accessible to all people whether on foot or on wheels.’

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

 

 

with noise and air pollution in mind, the middle truss is clad and covered by a new structure that results in a tribune. this grandstand provides a viewing platform and a gathering place overlooking the water. thanks to this, the bridge will not only serve the purpose of linking, but also of generating a new urban item allowing people to gather, celebrate and contemplate the river landscape.

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

MVRDV dawn bridge shanghai designboom
image © MVRDV

 

 

project info:

 

location: shanghai, china
client: zhujiajiao municipality
programme: 80m road and pedestrian bridge
year: 2017
design MVRDV: winy maas, jacob van rijs and nathalie de vries
design team: wenchian shi, marta pozo, lorenzo mattozzi with wenzhao jia, cosimo scotucci, jose sanmartin, enrico pintabona, chi zhang, artemis maneka, cai zheli, ray zhu, jammy zhu and alice huang
visualization: antonio luca coco, davide calabrò, giovanni coni and pavlos ventouris