The footbridge was built in Litomyšl, a town of just over 10,000 inhabitants in central Bohemia. The footbridge took the place of an old structure from 1981.
Although Litomyšl is a small town, it has a structure that ranks as one of the most interesting in the Czech Republic. The footbridge took part in the competition for the Czech Architectural Award. The jury took note of the modernist structure, which not only serves the purpose of communication, but has become a tourist attraction. Like a vantage point, the bridge frames the view of the historic buildings of the city.
The footbridge was designed by Lukáš Ehl, Tomáš Koumar, Ladislav Dvořák and Ladislav Šašek of EHL & KOUMAR ARCHITEKTI. The construction of the new footbridge was needed to provide safe access to the City Hall. The architects designed the footbridge as a steel structure supported by heavy concrete pillars. The lift was installed on the axis of the pedestrian staircase leading to the centre.
The structure is made up of repetitive modules, which are like cubes – just over 3 m high, wide and long. The entire structure is in a modernist style. The footbridge is decorated with graphics by Ivana Šrámková placed at the lift entrances.
Thanks to the chosen design, the footbridge provides protection from bad weather and offers an attractive view between the treetops of the Loučná River.
This bridge is exactly what is needed at this location. It does not flaunt or avoid. It does not raise any questions. No unspecified questions about intentions. There is simply nothing extra about it, and that is an unusual quality in this day and age,” describe the jury members.
project: EHL & KOUMAR ARCHITEKTI
photography: Tomáš Souček
Read also: City | Concrete | Czech Republic | Interesting facts | Modernism | Featured | whiteMAD on Instagram
