The Circle 

Erik Andersson Architects and ELU has been commissioned by the City of Gothenburg to design a proposal for a new pedestrian bridge, located in the historically important Haga area in Gothenburg, Sweden. It will connect the streets Haga Kyrkogata and Arkitektgatan, and stand between two existing bridges: the Rosenlund Bridge and the Viktoria Bridge. Thanks to its carbon fibre construction, the Circle is extremely light and elegant. It is designed to give a visual impression of the bridge hovering over the water. The quay cuts the bridge with the inner circle as a tangent. The white LED lights are integrated into the bridge body. In the winter, The Circle will be heated with hot air to make it snow free.

A new urban space

The bridge lands lightly on the park side, where it adapts to the existing trees. Its generous, circular form creates a new urban space both in the park and over the water. Here you can stop and rest if you want, perhaps marvelling the bright space under the bridge, filled with beautiful reflections on the water’s surface. Those crossing the water to the other side have plenty of space, and the glass railing allows even children to see the water. The railing is 1200mm high, the standard height for a pedestrian bridge, which means that cyclists will have to walk their bicycles to the other side. The height of the bridge itself allows pedestrians walking along the existing promenade to pass under the bridge. Much more than just a crossing, the Architect Bridge also acts as a cultural arena. The park surface inside the bridge opening can be used as an amphitheater, with a floating stage on the water. Here you can watch a theatre play, a music performance, listen to a book reading or have a picnic.

Background

During the work with the new traffic hub Haga in central Gothenburg, the idea of a new permanent bridge for pedestrian traffic came up. The old part of central Gothenburg is surrounded by Vallgraven, a moat dating from the 17th century. Vallgravsstråket, the street lining the moat, has great potential as one of the most attractive residential areas and pedestrian routes in the east-westerly direction. The City of Gothenburg is actively working to develop it in order to increase accessibility in the central areas of the city, refining its existing qualities and adding new values. Several buildings are being renovated and converted for public uses, while urban spaces are going through a transformation and regeneration. As part of this work, the city’s ambition is to make public spaces more open for pedestrians.

Images by MIR and Erik Andersson.

Special Mention Architizer A+ Awards 2016

Finalist World Architecture Festival Awards 2015

Engineers: ELU