While bridges typically get people from A to B, the recently-opened Lucky Knot bridge over the Dragon King Harbour River in the New Lake District of Changsha, China, draws more heavily on the alphabet. It comprises three undulating, intertwined steel walkways with access at each of the points where they land.
The pedestrian bridge is 185 m (607 ft) long, spanning roads, footpaths and a river. Its intertwined and interconnected threads, which rise up to 24 m (79 ft) high, touch down at different points – including on the river banks, next to a road and in a park – joining, or "knotting," these places together.
NEXT Architects, which designed the bridge, aimed in part for it to be a new public space and attraction for what is a developing area. Its was inspired by the continuously flowing Mobius ring and by Chinese knotting art. Further to informing the style and structure of the bridge, the knot also symbolizes luck and prosperity.
"The Lucky Knot is more than a bridge and a connection between two river banks," explains Beijing partner at NEXT architects Jiang Xiaofei. "Its success lays in bringing cultures together, and in the fusion of history, technology, art, innovation, architecture and spectacle."
Walking across the bridge, people can take in views of the Dragon King Harbour River, the Meixi Lake, Changsha and the nearby mountains. It will also boast an LED lightshow that will help to position the bridge as an attraction.
The Lucky Knot bridge was designed collaboratively by the Chinese and Dutch arms of NEXT Architects, with the Dutch providing expertise in infrastructure and water management, and the Chinese knowledge of the local area. NEXT was awarded the contract by Changsha Meixi Lake Industrial Co. after taking part in an international design competition.
The Lucky Knot bridge opened last month.
Source: NEXT Architects