Tabiat Pedestrian Bridge

Product

Naxan (Resysta ®) - 140mm decking (natural)

Size

6,700 m2

Date

July 2018

Value

$18m US

The Scope

The brief of the competition to design a bridge aimed to:

Provide a pedestrian connection between the two sides of Modarres Highway.
Create an architectural and engineering landmark that enhances the identity of Tehran.
Design a bridge that celebrates the pedestrian experience and not the vehicular one.

Additionally, it was important to the asset owners that the materials utilised were as low maintenance as possible whilst still dealing with the environmental conditions.

The Problem

The Bridge has to be a place to stay, considering the two parks on the sides and also the open view towards south and north. It has to invite users to walk through, and retain them for sitting and viewing experiences.

It was also about minimising the footprint of the project on the site, with a minimal number of columns and finding the points with a limited tree coverage. Integration of architecture and structure was another aspect that the architects considered deeply.

Our Solution

Naxan, utilising Resysta ® technology, was used to provide the 6,700m 2 of decking which flowed into benches for seating in parts of the interior of the structure. In these areas it appears that the decking “folds” into the benches or seating, working perfectly with the other design aspects of the bridge.

Because the Resysta ® technology is a 100% recyclable composite wood made of fibre- reinforced hybrid material produced from approximately 60% rice husks, 22% common salt and 18% mineral oil, it is both environmentally friendly as well as extremely weather- resistant against sun, rain, snow or salt water. At the same time, Resysta requires minimal care and offers the look and feel of wood, addressing the key concerns raised in the scope.

The finish selected for the Bridge was the original colour without additional paint application, in order to avoid the colour fading of the paving.

The Results

Tabiat Bridge is considered today to be one the strategic landmarks in the city of Tehran. It is a 270-metre long pedestrian bridge, spanning a valley and connecting two public parks on each side of the Modarres Highway, one of the major highways in the city.

Designed with the idea to become a “place to stay” rather than “to pass”, the Bridge stands out as an innovative contemporary architectural and engineering design in a most strategic location.

This location enables the passer-by to get out of the traffic of Tehran and overlook the whole city, with its spectacular background scene of the Alborz Mountains.

With its sense of complexity and serendipity, the Bridge generates different experiences in day- and night-time for users who experience it as a revolutionary masterpiece in a time of political and economic crisis.

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Tehran, Iran