The approach for the Amsterdam pedestrian bridge by Kamvari Architects challenges the basic principles of a bridge as their design takes on a completely new form as it attempts to create space by looping across the river. They hope that ‘The Rink’ will become a new icon in the city by becoming an active and public node within the city fabric. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Bridges should do more than simply connect. The Rink serves primarily as urban space and a public realm and then as a bridge connecting the two sides of the Amstel River. It creates social and public space on the banks of the river as well as extending this onto the river itself.
This loop extends the limited public realm outside the museum onto the river itself, it also preserves and highlights the museums entrance form across the river. The geometrical definition also allows the bridge to become more of a function space creating different strips with activities such as, ice-skating, rollerblading and cycling.
The geometry and formal approach draws inspiration from Holland’s rich history in speed skating and cycling and attempts to provide users with the opportunity to skate across the Amstel in a new and exciting way. The multiple layers of function turn the Rink into a destination rather than a crossing point.
Architects: Kamvari Architects Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Competition: [AC-CA] Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge Competition Project Director: Omid Kamvari Project Team: Nikoletta Poulimeni , Frase Leach_Smith, Nazanin Behboodikhah, Mona Mirzaie, Shiva Jabarnia
