The architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) together with Knippers Helbig, Structural Engineers, have won first prize in the limited implementation competition for the new construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Baakenhafen basin in HafenCity.
The jury decided unanimously in favour of the design, which was followed in the ranking by two third places for Ingenhoven Architects, in cooperation with Werner Sobek, and R+ Architects, in cooperation with Dr. Binnewies, Engineering Consultants.
The Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg and HafenCity Hamburg GmbH had invited six competition teams of architects and engineers to take part in this anonymous one-stage competition.
The pedestrian and cycle bridge has been nicknamed the “little sister” of Baaken Bridge West and will link the northern neighbourhood around the Baakenhafen with the southern area of the games and leisure island.
As a steel construction without vertical supports, the bridge fits in well with the pattern language of the dominant elements around the Baakenhafen – such as the quay wall, railway tracks, cranes and ships - and thus follows in the tradition of the existing bridges in Hamburg’s harbour and HafenCity.
Excerpt from the jury’s report: “The design succeeds in a surprisingly considered manner to bridge the gap between a compact ‘cable link’ and an elegant pedestrian and cycle crossing. The skilful interlocking of the external sheet metal for the protection of the loadbearing structure, the slightly asymmetrically arranged apex of the segmental arch and the corresponding clever railing configuration result in an aesthetically appealing structure which, at the same time, meets all technical requirements.”
Location: Hamburg, Gernmany Architect: gmp architects Partner practice: Knippers Helbig GmbH, Structural Engineers, Stuttgart Project Management: Andreas Weihnacht Team member: André Wegmann Partner: Jan Knippers Project Team: Roman Schieber, Vera Lerose, Thomas Müller Lighting design: Conceptlicht, Traunreut Year: 2013 Client: HafenCity Hamburg GmbH