The path of the bridge swerves from side to side, gliding across the lakes like the flow of a river, simulating the feeling of walking on water. The bridge is partially enclosed through bent slats of bamboo which partially cave into the walkway, again, simulating the undulating movement of a river bend. Because these bent walls reach only partially up and in varying heights, the ceiling is exposed, exposing the blue of the sky in the shape of a pattern which reflects the shape of a bending river as well . By choosing to turn the bridge into an interior space rather than leaving it completelly open, the designer has created a more intimate setting, and in doing so, created an even stronger sense of community. The bridge itself is constructed of varying materials in warm colors of rust and orange. These contrasting colors allow the water to shine even stronger as center stage.
The bridge also symbolizes a river through context. The structure connects key points of the community and works as a location for businesses such as kiosks and entertainment. The path of the “river” is dotted with scattered gardens just as plant life would be present in the fertile soil of a true river bed. This is very similar to communities of the past. In history, rivers acted as sources of life for the earliest communities, providing fresh water as well as fertile soil for the growth of food. For these reasons, civilizations such as Egypt were born on the shores of rivers like the Nile, acting as a stage for both business and personal life. From there, these civilizations spread into extended communities, much like we live in today. So for that reason, what better way to create a sense of community then through the symbolism of a river?
Through what additional details, could the architect have better simulated a river within the bridge? This structure is very innovative, and to some critics, a bit too progressive. Do you feel that this type of structure is out of place in American Suburbia?
I think that the innovative bridge is perfect for American society. The desert suburban setting seems like it would be a little extreme, but if the bridge were located in a city setting it would not have the same effect. By putting the bridge in an unaccustomed setting, it is unsurpassed. It will gain more attention and criticism, but eventually praise. The Eiffel Tower was initially criticized by the French people, but is now a symbol of French innovation and success. This bridge is the gateway to the American display of innovation and modernism.
ReplyDeleteTo make the bridge more symbolic of water, the color scheme could be more focused around the natural colors of water. I understand that the architect wanted to make the water the central focus, but the bridge blends into the surrounding land too much. If it did not blend into the surrounding desert, it would be more pronounced, and therefore more successful.
I feel that the idea of a bridge symbolizing the river as the life of the community is successfully carried through as it connects the people with the past. In other words, the architect was able to relate to history of early civilizations. That has a great impact on people and their experience while walking through this bridge. Katie's suggestion on changing the color-scheme of the bridge to the color of water is perhaps more symbolic to the river. However, I believe that designers do not need to take a literal approach to convey the story. If the bridge's color were to change, people might lose the experience of connecting with the natural river outside of the bridge, and the cut-out ceilings opened up to the sky would also be pointless since the bamboo slats would blend in with the color of the sky; therefore, it would lose that image of bending river when people looked up. In addition, just because the bridge was built in the suburbia, it does not mean that it needed to be less innovative. I feel that the bridge has that industrial quality that corresponds with the mining that was located at the site before turned into community/commercial areas. Again, it relates people back to history of what the site was all about before the bridge was built, which was the mine.
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