One thing I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for is progress on the hugely ambitious and extremely exciting plans for the pedestrian Bridge in Køge, Denmark. The lengthy structure spans 225m from East to West across the multi-lane Køge Bay Motorway and the Køge North Station; a huge upgrade, the motorway leads into Copenhagen and is one of the busiest in Denmark, while the railway station is also expecting a subsequent overhaul including an associated park and ride facility of 32 000m₂. The innovative plans are the product of a collaboration between COBI, DISSING + WEITLING and COWI, two architectural firms and an international consulting group specialising in engineering respectively.
Looking at the artistic illustrations and technical blueprints flooding the web, it’s not hard to see why the structure is hoped, and expected, to become a definitive landmark for Denmark and an attraction in itself for the city of Køge. To ensure a cosy, warm and inviting interior, the inside of the pedestrian bridge will be padded with wooden lamellae, while the exterior uses pre-fabricated perforated steel plates designed to emanate the surrounding atmosphere. In an effort to embrace environmental concern the South side of the bridge will be closed, instead operating as a solar structure. Conversely the north side will be open offering seating stretching the length of the bridge to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding urban environment.
Upon completion, expected for 2018, the Køge North Pedestrian Bridge is expected to accommodate for 90,000 people passing through daily, including the 8,000 anticipated users of the railway station each day. In response to the high demand for the structure, the construction will take place swiftly in the winter of 2016/2017 using the aforementioned pre-fabricated steel plates as a means to speed up the process. Described as a “symbol of the development that the city of Køge is currently undergoing,” by Dan Stubbergaard, founder and Creative Director of COBE, the proposal certainly oozes innovation and a pioneering spirit.
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