Weave Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Weave Bridge is a 145 ft (44.2 m) bridge at The University of Pennsylvania
, USA which was conceptualized by Cecil Balmond
and engineered by Ammann & Whitney
. It was commissioned by the University in 2007, and opened in June 2009.
The bridge creates a pedestrian passage over the Amtrak
train tracks that currently separate the main campus from athletic fields along the Schuylkill River
. The design features a "braided rope" structure consisting of six steel strands. It marks the first milestone in the University's plan to transform a former postal depot into a 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) complex, called Penn Park
. The design uses a "never before used bridge structure" It is in keeping with Balmond's purusal of a "non-linear world, and his principle that "structure as conceptual rigour is architecture." His dynamic and organizational approach to structure is informed by the sciences of complexity
, non-linear organization and emergence
.
The design obviates the use of conventional longitudinal supporting beams. According to Esquire magazine
:"The span is a poetic solution to a pedestrian problem." Balmond founded and runs the University of Pennsylvania's Non-Linear Systems Organization, a research group he set up to explore ways in which architecture
can demonstrate, test and apply insights from mathematics
and science
s. He currently holds the Paul Philippe Cret chair as Professor of Architecture at PennDesign.
Cecil Balmond realized the design through Arup
's AGU, an experimental research and design unit he founded in 2000. Balmond joined Arup in 1968 and is Deputy Chairman.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, USA which was conceptualized by Cecil Balmond
Cecil Balmond
Cecil Balmond is a Sri Lankan/British designer, engineer, artist, architect, and writer. He has been hailed as "one of the most important forces in contemporary architecture today," and in 2003 received the prestigious RIBA Charles Jencks award for Theory in Practice. He is also the recipient of...
and engineered by Ammann & Whitney
Ammann & Whitney
Ammann & Whitney is a full-service architecture and engineering firm that provides design and construction services for public and private sector projects...
. It was commissioned by the University in 2007, and opened in June 2009.
The bridge creates a pedestrian passage over the Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
train tracks that currently separate the main campus from athletic fields along the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
. The design features a "braided rope" structure consisting of six steel strands. It marks the first milestone in the University's plan to transform a former postal depot into a 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) complex, called Penn Park
Penn Park
Penn Park is a park on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park features two athletic fields, a multipurpose stadium with 470 seats, a tennis center, a seasonal air structure, and picnic areas.-External links:...
. The design uses a "never before used bridge structure" It is in keeping with Balmond's purusal of a "non-linear world, and his principle that "structure as conceptual rigour is architecture." His dynamic and organizational approach to structure is informed by the sciences of complexity
Complexity
In general usage, complexity tends to be used to characterize something with many parts in intricate arrangement. The study of these complex linkages is the main goal of complex systems theory. In science there are at this time a number of approaches to characterizing complexity, many of which are...
, non-linear organization and emergence
Emergence
In philosophy, systems theory, science, and art, emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions. Emergence is central to the theories of integrative levels and of complex systems....
.
The design obviates the use of conventional longitudinal supporting beams. According to Esquire magazine
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
:"The span is a poetic solution to a pedestrian problem." Balmond founded and runs the University of Pennsylvania's Non-Linear Systems Organization, a research group he set up to explore ways in which architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
can demonstrate, test and apply insights from mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s. He currently holds the Paul Philippe Cret chair as Professor of Architecture at PennDesign.
Cecil Balmond realized the design through Arup
Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. The firm is present in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the...
's AGU, an experimental research and design unit he founded in 2000. Balmond joined Arup in 1968 and is Deputy Chairman.