With their spectacular structures, pedestrian bridges became established in the past decades as an independent category of bridge building. Erected at the most diverse locations they surprise viewers with their special constructions, exciting pathways, and highly welcoming character. For structural engineers, they comprise an interesting and appealing field of expertise. Each pedestrian bridge has the primary task of safely guiding people across obstacles. Different than road or railway bridges, they don’t simply connect two places by the shortest possible route. The challenge is to create a design that observers consider an adequate and logical example of construction and form.
An interdisciplinary cooperation between architects and engineers is paramount, because form and load bearing structure are inseparable. The art of building is indivisible – it demands good cooperation between both disciplines. This includes a respectful way of dealing with each other and a culture of listening and understanding, free from vanity and always focused on the goal of creating a good design.
This is why it is so important that all those involved in the planning and design process diligently reflect on their designs and challenge their own perspective in order to find the truly best solution for every individual task. Perhaps the design criteria discussed above can contribute to the creation of good bridges that enrich our surroundings and increase our quality of life. (Andreas Keil)
An interdisciplinary cooperation between architects and engineers is paramount, because form and load bearing structure are inseparable. The art of building is indivisible – it demands good cooperation between both disciplines. This includes a respectful way of dealing with each other and a culture of listening and understanding, free from vanity and always focused on the goal of creating a good design.
This is why it is so important that all those involved in the planning and design process diligently reflect on their designs and challenge their own perspective in order to find the truly best solution for every individual task. Perhaps the design criteria discussed above can contribute to the creation of good bridges that enrich our surroundings and increase our quality of life. (Andreas Keil)