Bicycle Bridge and School Utrecht realised by collaborative design

overview | |
type / program → | Bicyclebridge + school + public space |
location → | Utrecht, The Netherlands |
client → | Municipality of Utrecht |
size → | 3.050 m2 (bvo school)
110 m (span bridge) |
status → | Realized |
preliminary design: | November 2013 |
final design: | May 2014 |
start building: | May 2015 |
design → | NEXT architects |
TEAM → | Bart Reuser, Marijn Schenk, Michel Schreinemachers with Jurriaan Hillerström Tara Steenvoorden, Mark Jongerius (NEXT) and Rudy Uytenhaak, Karin Dorrepaal and Jonathan van Leuzen |
in collaboration with → | Rudy Uytenhaak Architectenbureau |
awards → | Roof of the year 2016 (nomination)
Concrete prize 2017 (honourable mention) Steel prize 2018 (nomination |
In one fluent movement the bicycle route, park and school are joined together in a coherent infrastructure, building and landscape. The design challenges all the involved designers to intensly collaborate and clearly tune into each other.
The bicycle bridge, being positioned on the south side, creates space on the north side for a recreational area. The school and recreational area orientate towards the park. This is made possible by making the east side of the school, under the bridge, more narrow. The result is a private recreational area attached to the public park and an apparent, natural entrance in continuation of the street. The wide side of the school at the water complements the park and creates a safe enclosed space for the school children to play.
The roof garden is an essential element between the different programmes. The garden is a continuation of the green environment on the roof, it offers extra space for the school to enjoy and creates a natural distance between the school and the cyclist.
In a wide angle cyclist are lifted up from the park, guided around the perma culture garden on the roof of the gym of the school, and lead through the trees, with a panoramic view over the canal. Flanked by water, the cyclist rides between an interweaving design of cables toward a lean gateway to safely land in Leidsche Rijn.