© 100architects
Rich Bridge
Sijing Ancient Town | Shanghai | China
“Rich Bridge,” a visionary project crafted by 100architects, reimagines the traditional concept of a bridge by transforming it into a vibrant social space, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Located over the picturesque Sijing Tang River in Sijing Ancient Town, Shanghai, this innovative bridge design marries modernity with traditional Chinese symbolism, creating a unique and inviting urban oasis.
The project’s name, “Rich Bridge,” derives its inspiration from the Chinese cultural significance of the number 8, symbolizing wealth and good luck. This association with prosperity permeates the very essence of the bridge’s design, where eight captivating capsules serve as hubs for social leisure and interaction.
To foster a more pedestrian-friendly environment and enhance social engagement, Rich Bridge optimizes the bridge’s available space. By reducing the number of car lanes from two to a single lane, an expansive pedestrian area is created. Along the bridge’s edge, the eight distinctive capsules are strategically positioned against the handrail, inviting individuals to explore and engage with their surroundings.
Each capsule’s design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, specifically the elegant shapes found in traditional roof structures. These classical forms are reinterpreted with a modern and sleek aesthetic, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary design.
These eight capsules are seamlessly linked together by a vibrant red ribbon that serves both as a framing element for the capsules and as a public high table in between them. This functional yet aesthetically pleasing feature encourages social gatherings, relaxation, and appreciation of the scenic river views, making Rich Bridge a dynamic and communal space within the urban fabric.
“Rich Bridge” is not just a bridge; it is a symbol of unity, fortune, and the vibrant pulse of urban life, representing a fusion of tradition and modernity that enhances the cultural and social experience of Sijing Ancient Town.
Credits
PROJECT NAME: Rich Bridge
DESIGN: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
DESIGN TEAM: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora, Jango Zhang & Yuntong Liu.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM: Matias Hernandez, Jenny Fan & Eva Jiang
SIZE: 1.000 m2
STATUS: Concept Design
LOCATION: Sijing Ancient Town, Shanghai, China
More images
What is a neighborhood intervention?
This is the medium-scale type of intervention that takes place in the public realm of a city, related to the altering of a portion of a neighborhood. A type of intervention of such magnitude and notoriety impacts not only the immediate surrounding urban environment but rather the urban dynamics of a whole neighborhood, becoming an urban landmark and a local attractor of social interactions in a given neighborhood.
The main objective of this typology is to trigger massive public interest in the place through a strong visual impact and injection of activities, encouraging the increase of high public influx and establishing an urban landmark that can cultivate important human dynamics and boost commercial activity. These phenomena are achieved through the creation of spaces for leisure, entertainment, play and collective joy, catalyzing important social interactions throughout the neighborhood.
This topology of intervention, normally is used by real state developers to bring fresh and unique ideas to the public realm of their urban developments, which contributes to stand out in the market, establishing a distinct brand identity through innovative, and user-oriented design solutions that enhance the quality of life and thus, the appeal and value in the eyes of potential buyers or tenants, increasing the marketability of the project and potentially leading to higher property values, rental rates and ultimately faster sell out. This interventions maximize the value of the entire neighborhood.
Projects
insta100
Publications