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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.