The Flower Bridge
About
There are already a series of bridges over the River Nid in Trondheim which lead to the city centre, but there has long been a need for a pedestrian and cycle connection from the east over Nedre Elvehavn. The Flower bridge (officially named Verftsbrua) project came to fruition in connection with the construction of the Rica Nidelven Hotel (now: Scandic Nidelven Hotel), and with Nedre Elvehavn AS as the main client. It has become the city’s most used foot and cycle bridge.
- Year
- 2003
- City
- Trondheim
- Size
- 125 m
- Client
- Nedre Elvehavn AS
- Collaborators
- NSW Arkitektur
Trondheim’s Harbor authorities stipulated a requirement for a clear height of 6 meter below the bridge as well as being capable of opening up for a total width of 15 meters. The sight lines to the fjord had to be maintained where possible. In addition, NSW Arkitektur wanted the bridge to appear as light as possible without masts or towers.
The solution was to provide a sliding bridge where half of the bridge is being slid sideways by moving it towards the riverbanks through a system of cogwheels. 15 meters of the deck disappears into the ground within the construction below a hydraulic cover. The bridge is borne by a set of paired columns sheathed in stainless steel, like pitchforks marching across the river.
The bridge changes character with the seasons. 350 flower boxes constructed in zinc are integrated into the sides of the bridge. The plants are changed at each season, like Vivaldi’s famous piece. The result is 250 meters of closely placed plants. Varieties are chosen to give a colourful graphical line as the edge of the handrails.
