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Al Sowwah Island Bridge Vernacular

Abu Dhabi, UAE

2008

Al Sowwah Island will eventually form the center of the new Abu Dhabi CBD and financial center, and as such will be the focus of much of the city’s power and energy.  The scope of this invited competition included the design and detailing of 13 new bridges of varying length and character, connecting the island with surrounding city boroughs. A fundamental design objective was the creation of a common aesthetic "vernacular" for the bridges, while articulating the unique scale and character of each.

 

The design concept presented other urban components to stimulate pedestrian use of the bridges and activate the maritime environment and waterfront.  A system of modular, air-conditioned walkways was designed to be hung from the edge of the bridges and configured to reflect specific functional requirements.  Inspired by traditional Arab souks, these walkways can be fitted with shops and other pedestrian amenities.

 

Highly adaptable "pod" structures, configured as floating platforms or covered and combined to create a myriad of pavilion-like structures, were conceived as cafés, restaurants, open air stages, water taxi terminals, and other uses.

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In collaboration with arkitektfirma Dissing+Weitling

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Todd Verwers Architects Inc.

73411 Willow Street

Palm Desert, California  92260  USA

TVA is a collaborative global architectural practice based in the Nordic design tradition, whose work enriches the lives of a diverse range of clients with a sense of profound simplicity, discipline and grace.

About Todd Verwers

Todd Blake Verwers  AIA MAA is a Scandinavian-American architect with strong connections to the Danish design tradition.  Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts...  see more

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