Dutch Bridge Plays with High Water

Zalige bridge by Next Architects turns high water into attraction. The Dutch know how to live with water. The Zalige Bridge by Next Architects i.c.w. H+N+S Landscape Architects has become the proof of this. The bridge is slowly submerging under the rising water and is reachable only through stepping stones. It became the ultimate place to experience the high water. In the dutch city of Nijmegen, where the bridge is located, water levels of 12,0 m NAP+ are being measured. Such height was reached only once in the last 15 years. In the past this would have been a threat, but now the high water became an attraction. 

The Zalige bridge was completed in March 2016 but only now it is able to show its real strength as an integral part of the path structure of the urban river park in Nijmegen. Michel Schreinemachers, partner NEXT architects, emphasises the relation between bridge and landscape: “All designs by NEXT architects start from the unique characteristics of a place. This bridge is built on the floodplains; this fact was used to design a bridge that strongly connects and interacts with the river landscape; as a path over the water. It makes people experience of the changing water levels.” 

Normally, the river has an average height of 7 m NAP+ and the bridge stands high above the water. The bridge landings and the stepping stones have been designed to be perfectly aligned with the profile of the landscape. When water levels rise, some parts of the bridge will submerge, changing its appearance and its use. 

Materials provided by Next Architects

 

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