Circle of Life
Infinite Bridge in Aarhus
Gjøde & Partnere Arkitekter
A circular bridge?
The Infinite Bridge in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, was designed by Gjøde & Povlsgaard Arkitekter for the 2015 “Sculpture by the Sea” festival.
The bridge takes people nowhere, but it helps to experience the changing landscape as an endless panoramic composition. At the same time, Infinite Bridge is a space of social interaction with other people experiencing the same panorama.
60 meters
The Infinite Bridge has a diameter of 60 meters and is positioned half on the beach and half in the sea. It consists of 60 identical wooden elements placed on steel pillars housed about two meters into the sea floor.
The deck of the bridge rises between one and two meters above the water surface depending on the tide. The curvature of the bridge follows the contours of the landscape as it sits at the mouth of a small river valley extending into the forest from the beach.
Connection
The span of the bridge is made of wood, the supporting pillars are made of steel. The architects created a sculpture that is all about experiencing the surroundings and becoming aware of the relation between the city and the magnificent landscape of the bay.
In addition to unfolding the seaside panorama, the Infinite Bridge establishes a connection between the present and the history of the specific site, as it reconnects the beach to a long forgotten viewpoint at sea.
History
The bridge touches the landing dock of a previous pier located at the site where people used to arrive in steamboats from the city to relax and enjoy themselves. The historic Varna Pavilion that sits on the hillside above the beach was a popular destination in the scenic landscape with its terraces, restaurant and dancehall. Situated on the edge of the forest facing the sea the pavilion was meant to be experienced from the landing dock of the pier that no longer exists. The Infinite Bridge reestablishes this historic connection and offers a new perspective on the relation between the city and the surrounding landscape.
The Infinite Bridge is set up from May until October.
Circle of Life (Elton John)
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There’s more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give in the circle of life
It’s the wheel of fortune
It’s the leap of faith
It’s the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life
We did this.
Project data and companies involved
Architects
Gjøde & Partnere Arkitekter
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 65
DK – 8000 Aarhus C
Operator
Text
Atelier Regular
Address
Ørneredevej 3
8000 Aarhus
Dänemark
Opening
2015
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