In Hangzhou, the Grand Canal Gateway Bridge – a pedestrian and cycling link that will open to the public later this year and connect the eastern and western parts of the metropolis as part of the Seamless City project – has been completed. The bridge has become the centrepiece of the 14.7-hectare Central River Public Park and waterfront promenade, re-integrating the urban fabric with the historic Grand Canal and Qiantang River by connecting residential areas, workplaces, services and recreational spaces. The bridge was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, who proposed a modern form with numerous contours. These are characteristic motifs of this studio.
The Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is China’s oldest and longest artificial watercourse, dating back in its history to the fifth century BC. The canal flows from north to south, connecting the Yellow and Yangtze river systems to meet the Qiantang River at its confluence in Hangzhou. The bridge design not only respects this historical context, but also reinforces the city’s relationship with its water heritage.
Architecture inspired by local craftsmanship
Zaha Hadid Architects translated the local traditions of silk embroidery into the language of bridge construction. The interlocking load-bearing elements reinterpret the techniques of sewing and joining fabrics, creating a structure that ‘stitches’ the banks of the canal and the city. This narrative treatment works in two ways: as a clear allusion to Hangzhou’s cultural heritage, and as a practical structural solution, where the interpenetration and overlapping of elements translates into the load-bearing capacity and stability of the span.
Technology
The bridge is 390 metres long and is made as a steel system of three bonded spans. The chosen solution – steel with a high strength-to-weight ratio – allowed the structure to be significantly lighter than heavier concrete alternatives, resulting in a more efficient prefabrication and assembly process. The geometric shape of the spans was precisely designed to cope with the poor ground conditions at the junction of the Canal and Qiantang and to minimise the transmission of strong winds from the river to historic buildings in the area.
Optimisation in digital 3D modelling reduced the use of materials, and the prefabricated module system used reduced construction time and disruption to traffic on the Canal, which currently carries around 100,000 barges per year, carrying 260 million tonnes of cargo. Local materials were used in the construction and regional factories and local craftsmen were involved. Energy for the integrated LED lighting is provided by battery banks charged during the day from renewable sources.
The design of the bridge emphasises the public experience: the walkways offer various vantage points from which visitors will be able to safely observe the phenomenon known as the Silver Dragon – the world’s largest tidal wave, reaching up to 9 metres and travelling at around 40 km/h.
Sculptural form
The Grand Canal Gateway Bridge is based on a sculptural concrete bridge placed on the island dividing the north and south currents of the canal, which allowed the spans to be halved to achieve structural balance and a clear, coherent visual form. The bridge looks like a large sculpture and is fully functional – the elements weaving through the space create a dynamic contour that is visible from a distance. The bold shape is sure to attract architecture fans.
design: Zaha Hadid Architects
photography: Xue Liang
Also read: Zaha Hadid Architects | China | Modernism | Featured | whiteMAD on Instagram
