Did you know that the Passerelle Braque is not just a bridge? It is a carefully designed experience. It links two parts of the city.
The Passerelle Braque and its sister bridges offer new perspectives. They create a closeness to the water. The architectural ambition was integration. The goal was to make the bridges part of the urban landscape.
Lightness and transparency define the Passerelle Braque. It contrasts with the city’s dense buildings. The bridge’s geometry opposes the surrounding monumentality.
The designers drew inspiration from nature. They looked at the presence of water. The Passerelle Braque stretches out like an insect. It offers multiple crossing choices. There are fast and slow routes. Flat ramps accommodate bicycles and disabled individuals. The ramps are integral to the design.
The center of the Passerelle Braque forms a plaza over the water. This creates a privileged viewpoint. Local oak wood covers the deck. A transparent stainless steel cable net forms the railing. Integrated lighting creates a specific atmosphere.
Structure is a main part of the form of the Passerelle Braque. It is clearly expressed. Details are carefully designed. They show how forces are led to the banks.
The pier it connects was once industrial. It is being transformed into a new urban area. The media center attracts visitors. A recently adapted storage building adds to the area’s appeal. Water surrounds three sides of the pier. The Passerelle Braque connects the site to the city. It links to a rediscovered neighborhood. This neighborhood has a high density of housing and offices.
The Passerelle Braque is one of three related bridges. They share a common design. Each adapts to its specific site conditions. A steel box forms an arch on the banks. This is the major structural element. Carrying and being carried defines the design. The second walkway is carried by the steel box. A light transparent structure leans on the box. A pair of inclined columns fix the ramp over the water.
A damper integrates into the steel box. This resolves dynamics issues. The geometry allows ships to pass. The dimensions are 16 meters by 3.85 meters.
The structure was prefabricated. It was divided into two parts. A ship brought it to the site. Then it was mounted. Special pillar foundations respond to the arch’s efforts. The arch’s geometry meets structural needs perfectly. It transforms a pure circular shape into an organic form. The structural concept aimed for a slender construction. It considered geometrical boundaries and dynamical requirements.
The arc structure spans 42 meters. It is 1.8 meters wide. It is 0.55 meters high. It serves as the main structural part. It also functions as a walkway for pedestrians. The arc’s cross-section follows the bending line. It describes a welded box girder.
Cantilever bars form the main deck. They connect to one side of the arc. Longitudinal beams build up the pedestrian deck. Ramps connect the main deck to land. They run parallel to the landside. Supporting columns create a triangular structure. This connects to a pile foundation. The structure’s dynamical properties were important.
The Passerelle Braque was built in 2008. Dietmar Feichtinger Architectes designed it. It is dedicated to pedestrians. It also serves cyclists and people with reduced mobility. It was the first bridge of the three to be put in place.