A bridge is no longer just an element connecting the banks of a river and making it easier to cross. Recently, with projects such as The Babylon Bridge and The 11th Street Bridge Park, we have noticed a new trend to transform bridges into green areas where you can spend whole days without missing anything. In addition to those just mentioned, there is also the Providence Pedestrian Bridge, designed by INFORM studio and architect and engineer Buro Happold.
The Providence Pedestrian Bridge was built in the capital of the State of Rhode Island and in addition to connecting the two banks of the river, it connects five districts of the city.
The bridge stands on the old foundations of the I-195 highway, but its design and shape have been completely altered. First of all, the INFORM studio decided to raise the bridge by 1.5 meters, predicting sea-level rise in the next decades.
The original steel frame has been maintained, but the concrete surface has been replaced by a more elegant wood, which blends better with the landscape. The Providence Pedestrian Bridge is not only imagined as a passageway, in fact, but it also consists of two distinct levels, one for runners, cyclists and passers-by, the other is formed by terraced gardens, where you can stop to relax and enjoy the view of the city and the skyline.
Providence Pedestrian Bridge is an example of how an existing and abandoned structure can be transformed into a place up to date.
