Two Projects Share First Place at 2012 Cleveland Design Competition - Transforming the Bridge

The Cleveland Design Competition recently announced the winners of its 2012 edition, Transforming the Bridge. The brief called for design ideas that would transform the abandoned lower deck of Cleveland's Detroit-Superior Bridge into a dynamic public space, performance venue, and pedestrian experience high above the Cuyahoga River.

After deliberating on this year's best submissions, the jury unanimously decided to combine the 1st and 2nd place prize awards and award two first place winners. The jurors also selected a 3rd place, as well as seven honorable mentions.

First Place (tied): #12370
Archilier Architecture (Kai Sheng, Donghwan Moon, Changoso Park, Tinxing Tao) - New York, NY

Project description for #12370:

"Archilier Architecture’s Bridgewalk is about making connections.

Not just a landmark structure, the Detroit-Superior Bridge is one of Cleveland’s most important urban ligaments, connecting Downtown Cleveland and Ohio City with key nodes like Terminal Tower, pro sports venues, transportation, the river, and  parks. Bridgewalk transforms and enlivens this vital connective tissue by inhabiting it with a variety of year-round activities.

Three strata / Five zones:

Skywalk

A continuous pedestrian pathway, beginning at the river’s edge, climbs through the bridge structure emerging at the crest of the arch to enjoy spectacular views of downtown Cleveland and Lake Superior.  The Skywalk links all five lateral Bridgewalk zones with the planned Cuyahoga Towpath Trail.

Bridgewalk

The bridge’s undercarriage is divided into 5 lateral zones:

1. West Catacombs:
   Character: dark, heavy concrete, introverted, “industrial /hip” with existing streetcar rails
   Use:  train museum, art galleries, shops
2. West Concourse:
   Character: open-air concrete arches, adjacent to residential neighborhood
   Use:  small shops, pocket parks, observation & performance platform
3. Central Span:
   Character:  a crystalline prism suspended above the Cuyahoga beneath the existing span
   Use:  an urban street theater with amazing river views supporting both impromptu and scheduled performances
4. East Concourse:
   Character:  open-air arches redux; longer than west concourse & close to downtown.  We insert a narrow, minimalist glass box linking the Bridgewalk with the riverfront, creating a series of dynamic platforms
5. Use:  art galleries, food & beverage venues, community rooms
   East Pools:
   Character:  dark & secretive, near downtown’s warehouse district.
   Use:  night clubs, bars, & lounges

New bicycle and pedestrian ramps connect Bridgewalk with the upper roadway

New elevators and stairs connect Bridgewalk with the riverfront

Riverwalk

Innovative landscapes below the East Concourse– an outdoor theater, riverfront park, viewing platforms, and farmers market – make connections with Settlers’ Landing Park, the Cuyahoga River, and future riverfront development."

 

First Place (tied): #12151
Ashley Craig, Edna Ledesma, Jessica Zarowitz - Austin, Texas

 

Project description for #12151:

"SuperiorPoint-scape, Cleveland’s outdoor laboratory for education, exploration and physical activity began a resurgence that transformed the lower level of the Detroit Superior Bridge into an innovative and experiential destination.

Point-scape’sintentionally minimal intervention allows for the beauty of the bridge structure to be visible, while also creating a series of dynamic spaces, unlike anything Cleveland has ever experienced.  Here, the city community can come together to become reacquainted with the importance of the history and the future of natural systems, specifically water.

A pivotal connection between Downtown Cleveland, the Industrial Flats and Cleveland’s west side neighborhood, this newly revealed intervention is a catalytic example for future development of the surrounding context. Honoring the city’s history, connection with water and strengthening its community roots, SuperiorPoint-scapecreates a unique destination that is truly of Cleveland.

Using water systems as the primary and unifying structural element, adventure through the lower level scapes yields limitless discovery. Simple structuring of systems is the backdrop for a series of lively experiential destinations. The element of water is an expressive quality that transforms in performance as it mediates between Downtown and the West End."

 

Third Place: #12146
Moxon Architects (Ben Addy, Tim Murray, Adam Holicska, Pauline Marcombe, Augustine Ong, Jasper Stevens, Marcus Stokton) - London, UK

Project description for #12146:

"The Bridge is a found condition of remarkable spatial complexity and through the incorporation of discrete new circulation routes this proposal prioritises the experience of the existing fabric while supporting the deployment of permanent and temporary installations along the full length of route.

In material terms the intervention is characterised through the use of formally simple but robust and distinct plate steel elements for the permanent program [such as walkways and balustrades] in order to clearly denote the intervention as a new architecture threaded through The Bridge trusses.

Glazed elements form permanent enclosures for cafés and kiosks while deep storage chambers are installed at frequent intervals within the depth of the existing structure to allow for the localised provision of temporary stages and seating to enable additional large scale program such as sports, arts and commercial events to place within the body of The Bridge, concourse and abutment areas. 

At key locations the proposal projects beyond the body of The Bridge – to provide additional space and afford unique views of the Cuyahoga and wider environment.  Vertical links are provided to the upper deck and the river banks at either end to increase connectivity with existing routes through the city."

Also check out the boards of the seven honorable mentions in the image gallery below. All images courtesy of the Cleveland Design Competition.