studio bednarski wins competition to design new opening bridge in copenhagen

the bridge opens on a sliding mechanism allowing boats and ships to pass through

studio bednarski and flint & neill (bridge engineers, in collaboration with hardesty & hanover (mechanical engineers) and speirs and major(lighting designers) have won a competition to design a new opening pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the copenhagen inner harbour (inderhavnen).

the bridge functions on a sliding mechanism with an opening that spans 50m, a total length of 180m and decks that are 7m wide. it has a low profile and minimal obstruction to views along and across the harbour. a main feature of the bridge design is that people can stand on viewing platforms right at the edge of the navigation channel, even when the bridge is open, making it possible to watch the bridge movement and be within arms reach of passing ships and boats.

slightly sinuous, the bridge maximizes the length of the adjoining ramps, allowing them to be kept at 4%, lessening their intrusion onto the harbour sides. its curved profile of cantilevered moving sections, have smooth under-bellies reminiscent of a boat’s underside. these sculptural elements can be treated in a number of ways. they can be brightly colored to add a splash of liveliness to the port or be mirror polished and reflect light off the water surface without causing any direct glare from the sun.

‘we have deliberately avoided high structural elements, which would interrupt views across and along the harbour, both when the bridge is closed and when it is open. views of the new opera house from knippelsbro, for example, would not be disrupted by our design,(…)’ says cezary bednarski.

aerial view – open

aerial view – closed

its low profile minimizes the obstruction of views of across the harbour

plan – open

plan – closed

masterplan at night