Exclusive UPenn Weave Bridge coveragePrint Page

December 30, 2008
By FredK
For PlanPhilly

Dec. 30


Check out PlanPhilly reporter Fred Kunda's exclusive, on-site coverage of the progress being made in the construction of the Weave Bridge on the University of Pennsylvania campus.


 
The multi-million dollar project, designed by renowned British engineer Cecil Balmond and built by architects ARUP/AGU and Amman & Whitney, is a unique blend of metal, wood and polymers that spans the Amtrak corridor at the north end of the campus and connects pedestrian and bike traffic from the main campus to the Schyulkill River athletic fields and the Hollenback Center.

According to Lorenzon Brothers, the on-site contractors, the Weave Bridge should be opening within the next 30 to 60 days. It is one of the first projects undertaken by Penn Connects, a land use and urban design campus plan designed to:

1. Create civic and open space;

2. Identify potential use and development zones in the city;

3. Improve physical connections for pedestrians, automobiles, and bicycles in order to create a more exciting and involved commuting experience.
 

Fred Kunda is a senior majoring in Marketing and minoring in History at the College of William & Mary. He has previouly written about architecture and development in China for PlanPhilly. Contact him at fwkund@wm.edu.

Comments

I especially like the toroidal structure. The photo that shows the walk-through experience looks fantastic. I look forward to visiting when it is open to the public. I also look forward to hearing more about this project...with the hope that the visibility will inspire everyone to get behind a program to facilitate the bridge to be continued in both directions. Cecil Balmond has worked on many fantastic projects worldwide. It is great to now have one here in Philadelphia.
Very Exciting project... It is very well designed and I like how the 'weave' denotes its use... Hopefully someday it will expand and weave on over to center city. A pedestrian bridge over the Schuylkill would be terrific, and the design would add a bit of flash and an exciting destination to encourage people to cross the river by foot.
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