INNOVATIVE SPINNING BRIDGE DESIGN
17 Sep 2014
A new bridge in Brazil will eliminate the time-lag associated with vertical-lift opening bridges and create an open-air green space for pedestrian traffic.
Like two giant lily pads floating in the water, the Friedrich Bayer Bridge spins open to allow boat traffic to pass while pedestrians and cyclists wait above.
Comprised of two metal islands that are covered in lush greenery, these pivotal points allow the bridge to swing open while offering a pleasant and social waiting area for foot traffic.
Located on a canal in front of Bayer’s San Paulo headquarters, the bridge allows for more efficient crossing of the Pinheiros River by extending the walking and bike path used by Bayer employees. The two pivoting islands connecting the 90-meter bridge use an electric motor to rotate open laterally, rather than vertically.
Saving locals the pesky time-consuming wait for a vertical-lift opening of the bridge, the innovative design provides an open-air green waiting area while the spinning structure facilitates easy and quick passage for water traffic below.
The project was designed by Brazilian architectural firm LoebCapote Arquitetura e Urbanismo.
