PROJECT: Yangjaegogae Eco Bridge Competition

LOCATION: Seoul, South Korea

ROLE: Bridge Architect

YEAR: 2017

Our concept for the Yangjaegogae Eco-Bridge is derived from nature's ability and tenacity to symbiotically merge itself into landscapes, rivers, and mountains, while still creating unique and distinguishable features. We wanted the bridge to both blend itself into the existing landscape, but still have a unique appearance that anyone could recognize. With the strict requirement to avoid piers, the arch was the obvious choice for structural integrity, constructibility, and its inherent beauty. The bridge does not try to pretend to disappear but instead embraces both its function and form while interweaving itself between the two mountains it connects.

The main goal of this bridge is twofold. First, it should provide wildlife a place to cross the roadway freely and safely without any barriers which reduces the segregation of species. It should also connect the trails from both Mt. Umyoen and the Maljukgeori Neighborhood Park for hikers and travelers alike. Our intent was to create a new floating ecosystem thriving with both fauna and flora, that integrates both wildlife and pedestrians on the bridge as they are in the mountains or forests.