Kamil Ziolkowski, an architecture student from the University of Arts in Poznan, designed a green bridge in Copenhagen and won an honorable mention in an international competition entitled. "The City Link" organized by the UNI competitions platform.
The competitiontask was to design a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, which is not only a communication bridge, but also a new element of public space. The area of the competition study included a section of Copenhagen's inner harbor between Gammelholm (the city center) and the Christianshavn district. For this reason, one of the requirements of the competition was the need to take into account the opening of the bridge, so as to preserve the possibility of passage of large ships. The competition received 153 designs from all over the world. The work by Kamil Ziolkowski was appreciated by the jury, which awarded it an honorable mention.
The bridge has a delicate, pavilion-like form
© Kamil Ziolkowski
green bridge for pedestrians and cyclists
"Green Bridge" is a structure that combines the functions of a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists, a retail and service space and a recreational area. The design is a reflection and looping of the rhythm of Copenhagen life. The layout of the footbridge is simple and clear, the author designed it in such a way as to allow intuitive, free communication between the various functions and the use of terraces of varying heights.
The bridge has multiple functions
© Kamil Ziolkowski
A commercial street suspended over water
The highlighted concept consists of two separate paths of equal widths - for pedestrians and cyclists. These paths are separated from each other by commercial establishments. This creates a layout with a typically urban character - it is like a commercial street suspended over a canal. A visual extension of both paths are the terraces on the roofs of the premises, from which one can view Copenhagen's waterfront. The terraces of varying heights are overgrown with ornamental grasses. A spoiler has been placed under the highest terrace to help divide the space between the units, and it is also a place for bicycle parking.
The bridge opens allowing the passage of ships
© Kamil Ziolkowski
opening footbridge
A distinctive feature of the footbridge is the bending of the axis of the paths, making the moment of crossing more attractive.
According to Kamil Ziolkowski:
This gives both pedestrians and cyclists the impression that the footbridge leads much higher than it actually does. This sweeping view allows visitors to experience the footbridge from different perspectives, encouraging them to linger on it a while longer.
The structure has a delicate, pavilion-like form that remains consistent and functional whether the bridge is open or not.
The bridge consists of two separate paths
© Kamil Ziolkowski
Copenhagen's landmark
The bridge integrates all functions into one cohesive object. It takes a form that is sensitive to the architectural context of the waterfront. With its color and variation in height, it becomes a recognizable accent of Copenhagen, and its minimalist form does not disturb the aesthetics of the canal. When opened, it becomes a spreading platform, allowing one to stop in the middle of the canal and contemplate the architecture and passing ships.
See also the design of the bridge by students of Poznan University of Technology, which won second place in the same competition.
compiled by Dobrawa Bies
illustrations courtesy of Kamil Ziolkowski
