dominique perrault: the arganzuela footbridge

'arganzuela footbridge' by dominique perrault in madrid, spain
all images courtesy dominique perrault
(above) image © DPA / adagp

'arqanzuela footbridge' by paris-based architect dominique perrault has opened to the public
in madrid, spain. stretching over the manzanares river in to the park, the project is the architect's
first civil engineering work and is distinguished by a pair of conic structures that are wrapped in
interlocking metallic ribbons.



aerial view
image © ayuntamiento de madrid / DPA / adagp


providing a direct passage from one side of the river to the other, the footbridge also gives
access to both pedestrians and cyclists to the expansive park below. the porous design allows
natural sunlight to penetrate through to the foliage of the park, while establishing sight lines
along the length of the span. the design is over 250 meters long, subtly expanding in its diameter
from 5 to 12 meters.



view from park path
image © ayuntamiento de madrid / DPA / adagp


utilizing the structural aid of two pillars laid at each end, the footbridge seeming floats in
the air over the water. the skin is constructed out of metallic mesh which shelters the internal
space from extreme weathers. interspersedly offering moments of complete transparency,
the spiral provides a rhythmic and dynamic experience for the pedestrians.



on deck



general perspective
image © ayuntamiento de madrid / DPA / adagp



rendered aerial view
image © DPA / adagp



architect's sketch
image © dominique perrault / adagp



elevation
image © DPA / adagp




diagram of the bridge's make up
image © DPA / adagp



skin treatment
image © DPA / adagp

project info:

client: madrid city council, madrid, spain
site area: 100, 000 m
built area: foot bridge 150 m (section 1) 128 m (section 2) length, 5 to 12 m width
engineering: MC2 / julio martinz calzon, madrid (structure); 
TYPSA, madrid (mechanical engineering)