Projects
Projects
Projects
Projects
Projects
Na-Druk-Geluk-Bridge, Amsterdam
Bridge, Amsterdam NL, Project Team: René van Zuuk, Client: Municipality of Amsterdam, Start of design: 2004, Completion: 2010, Floor area: 940 m², Cost: €1.974.000
The Na-Druk-Geluk-Brug is part of the renewed public space around the renovated Olympic Stadium in the Noord-Zud As area of Amsterdam. The stadium, dating from 1928, was completely renovated and updated to contemporary standards in the late 90's, while preserving the spirit of the original design made by Jan Wils. From a design perspective, the bridge has its own identity, separated from the urban tissue located on both sides of the water.
The bridge connects two seemingly different urban areas. On one side, the bridge provides access to the public space on the north-west edge of the Olympic Stadium, consisting of various amenities across the calming waterfront. On the other side of the water, the bridge connects to a roundabout leading to Burgerweeshuis and an industrial area with block volumes.
While moving towards the Olympic Stadium, two viewpoints are clearly visible, designed at the edge of the bridge. At this point, the bridge is visually connected with the water through an opening in the bridge deck, and the pedestrian is presented with a totally different aspect of the structure, that one would not expect to encounter, judging only by the bridge's side appearance. On the stadium side, the bridge is asymmetrically connected to the square, with the branch designated for pedestrians and cyclists sticking out of the main volume.
The construction requirements dictate that the bridge would have to be at least 2.4 meters high , and 20 meters wide. The bridge would span the 40 meter long canal, making it necessary to install beams with a height of at least 1.2 meters to support the vehicle deck. The slope of the pedestrian walkway is not allowed to be inclined more than 4%, a problem that was solved by separating the vehicle deck and the pedestrian walkway. By joining the pedestrian walkway at the bottom of the supporting beams, a smaller inclination could be achieved.