This graceful 600 foot pedestrian bridge consisting of 76 welded bent steel “T” ribs framing the top, and approximately only 1200 cubic yards of poured in place concrete continuing the shape on the bottom, making it a very efficient and light structure. The bridge canopy has a total of 3,500 color changing LED node lights. The design team worked closely with the light manufacturer to create a custom, three-piece, stainless steel node clip that provides fastening to the stainless steel cables, the passage of the LED node wiring, and ease of installation / replacement flexibility. The overall design is heavily influenced by imagery that characterizes Long Beach.
More from the Architect:
When the City of Long Beach first set out to build this link, they had a very rudimentary, elevated sidewalk in mind. For them, the goal was simple: offer a public connection between two banner venues, the convention and performing arts centers. SPF:a, however, felt the location needed an experience, not just a concrete traverse. Working within the city’s budget, SPF:a employed a standard Caltrans bridge template, innovating the top frame with a wave-inspired canopy. This piece, which spans 604 feet (the bridge length), consists of 76 custom-welded steel ribs, each almost entirely hand-bent by city steelworkers without the use of sophisticated technology. A custom-designed system of 3500 color-changing LED nodes by Carl Stahl Architektur is also rigged to the frame like a ship’s net and can be left static as a bioluminescent lightscape or programmed to complement music and performances—either option creating a new public space for respire and revelry.
Material Used:
1. Tnemec: High Performance Coating
2. Jay R. Smith: Downspout Nozzle
3. MDF Inc: Drinking Fountain/ Bottle Filler
4. Bigbelly: Trash Compactor
5. B-K Lighting: Mini-Micro Floodlight
6. Lumenpulse: lumenfacade stand alone projector color changing light fixture
7. Bega-US: In-grade landscape uplight
8. Mifab: Trench Drain
9. CarlStahl: RGB Node Light
10. Ohio Grating Inc: Metal grating
