Ljubljanica footbridge, Ljubljana

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longitudinal section | floor plan

Ljubljanica footbridge, Ljubljana

Urban outlines and new geometries

The new bridge over the Ljubljanica is a construction that acknowledges through its shape the unique conditions of its locations. Its outline, its structural morphology and its materials are imbued of the echoes of the ambience and geometries of the site where stands. At the same time, its contemporary character offers new attributes that enrich the extraordinary urban appearance of the river and its sides. Since its shape includes the existing asymmetry of the linked banks and its structure points out the difference shown by its abutments, its construction and materials bring a contemporary expression that introduces in such a natural way the new element into the urban fabric and its history

An urban hallway

The bridge is the natural extension of the Gerberjevim Stopniščem, Plečnik’s stair, an urban hallway that emphasizes the experience of getting in and out towards or from the island beetwen the two branches of the river in Ljubljana and the Ljubljanski grad. The asymmetric shape of the plan shows to pedestrians little perception differences in one direction or the other. Edges are not parallel, thus a narrowing is evident becoming the transition point between being in or being out. The narrowing also shapes two trapeziums that recall a third one, the one drawn by Plečnik’s stair. The pavement itself recalls the cobbles of the old hallways in Ljubljana’s historic buildings. The new bridge is an open hallway, a new urban hallway.

Location Ljubljana, Eslovenia
Client Ayuntamiento de Ljubljana
Architects Burgos & Garrido Arquitectos
ELEA iC
Design team Javier Malo de Molina, Jaime Álvarez, Cristina Cordero, Elena Garicano, Manuel Gil Cortabitarte, Raquel Marugán, Pilar Recio, Alberto López, Héctor Pérez
Renders HPAL
Physical Model Nivel + Maquetas
Date 2012