The winners of a competition to revitalize two bridges in the US city of Atlanta, Georgia, have been announced. Creative concepts were sought for the the 10th Street Bridge and the Courtland Street/Ralph McGill Boulevard Bridge.
The Atlanta Bridgescape Competition is part of a wider scheme to enhance Interstate 75/85, the Atlanta Connector, which is 5 mi (8 km) long and runs through the the city. Like the recent Nine Elms to Pimlico Bridge Competition in London, UK, it sought to crowdsource ideas for a greater level of innovation.
Over twenty submissions were received before the competition jury of design professionals shortlisted five finalists. More than 3,000 members of the public also voted online in the People's Choice Award for their favorite design of each bridge.
The winning submission for the 10th Street Bridge, which is in Midtown Atlanta, is called sin(uosity) and was designed by Max Neiswander and Luke Kvasnicka. It is wrapped in a series of curved steel ribs, which fold over to provide a protective canopy for pedestrians. Greenery flanks the bicycle lane and sidewalk.
The winner of the People's Choice Award for the 10th Street Bridge is Green City Spectator by KAMJZ Architects and proposes transforming the bridge into a pedestrian promenade with spaces for meeting friends and for marketplaces. The underside of the bridge is mirrored so as to provide reflections of its surroundings.
A third runner up proposal for the 10th Street Bridge was a relatively plain and industrial looking concept that aimed to introduce greenery and light. A series of streetlights lean over the bridge to provide illumination, whilst raised flower beds run along the edge of the sidewalks.
The winning design for the Courtland Street/Ralph McGill Boulevard Bridge, and also the winner of the accompanying People's Choice Award, is called Organic Canopy and was designed by Roger DeWeese with Peachtree Architects. It features a large steel canopy covered in an open stainless steel netting mesh, which provides shelter for pedestrians.
The runner-up for the Courtland Street/Ralph McGill Boulevard Bridge takes the form of a cloud-like frame that runs along the side of the bridge providing cover for pedestrians. Greenery is featured by way of raised flower beds and places to sit are also provided.
Work on bridge enhancements along the Atlanta Connector will begin later this year.
Source: Atlanta Bridgescape Competition