Pedestrian green bridge in Almaty
information:
-
status
project -
date
2021 —12.2021 -
place
Kazakhstan, Almaty -
function
Engineering and Industrial / Pedestrian Bridge
Length 380 m
Width 3-8,5 m
Height difference 130 m
Design 2021
Vera Butko /
KazakhstanAnton Nadtochiy /
KazakhstanATRIUM /
KazakhstanDesign Team
Archi.ru about this project:
Julia Tarabarina. A Ringlet Bridge
The project of a pedestrian bridge, proposed by the architectural company ATRIUM, headed by Vera Butko and Anton Nadtochiy, for the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan, became the winner of the A+A Awards organized by the Architizer portal in the “Unbuilt Transportation” nomination. The bridge is indeed a stunner: a “hanging garden” in concrete tubs of columns, suspended over a city highway, is fitted with ringlets of wooden ramps, which in the bridge’s key point form an element of national ornament.
The city of Almaty occupies a large territory; its southwest part is essentially foothills, and, hence, is only partially developed mostly with clusters of country homes and getaways. One of them is called “Kurortnoe” “Resort&rd... moredescription:
This project reinvents a typology of the bridge as both transitional and recreational spaces. Its ideology and design symbolizes the development of Almaty as an innovative green city with respect to its traditions and citizens.
The bridge becomes a link between two green areas, which are separated by a highway: the botanical garden and the Sunkar Park with a ski jump. Along with a direct and utilitarian route, a winding path has been laid along the bridge – this variability allows pedestrians to diversify the spatial experience.
The visual language is inspired by national identity. The silhouette of the bridge references the Kazakh ornaments: their ornate character is embodied in the tracing of the main paths and additional ramps.
The project involves minimal interference with the landscape - this principle not only allows the bridge to be delicately integrated into green areas, but also makes its implementation more practical. The supports are used as a tub for plants, together they imitate various natural zones of Kazakhstan. The depth of the soil allows to plant trees with an extensive root system. Due to the vegetation in combination with the observation platforms, the bridge acquires an expressive silhouette and turns into a symbolic place.
On both sides, in front of the bridge, landscaping is planned, which makes the transition from one green zone to another more imperceptible. From the botanical garden, the visitor enters a hill with an observation deck and spaces for events. This is a multi-level spatial composition, carefully integrated into the relief. In this part of the project, the concept of two paths continues: a staircase that can be quickly climbed up, and a long ramp with a rise of 5 degrees. The total elevation difference on the route is 130 meters.
The project won the 1st prize in the «Unbuilt Transportation» typology in A+A Awards.