The bridge, a bar of captured color and activity, symbolically engages passerby and city workers with the Puget Sound's presence.
BLUE GLASS BRIDGE
SEATTLE, USA
2003
BackImages
THE BRIDGE CONNECTS THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO THE CITY ADMINISTATIVE OFFICE BUILDING AND MAYOR'S OFFICE
THE BRIDGE IS VISIBLE FROM WITHIN THE LARGE LOBBY AND FROM THE STREET
BRIDGE SEEN FROM BELOW
EVERY ELEMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVES THE BRIDGE'S STRUCTURAL AND AESTHETIC FUNCTION
THE BRIDGE STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF THE FOOT REST, ARM REST REAR GLASS WALL AND LAMINATED GLASS DECK
PLAN
SECTION
Description
The new Seattle City Hall occupies an extraordinary site that affords views out over Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains beyond. In order to take advantage of, and to reinforce the notion, of residing above the city, JCDA designed a glass bridge that essentially floats above and through the main lobby area. The bridge connects the new city council chambers to the city administrative office building and the mayor's office.
The blue glass floor of the bridge makes a conceptual connection to Puget Sound as a transposed slice of water. The 70-foot-long bridge provides a maple wood leaning rail of generous proportions toward the water, and a transparent glass wall toward the lobby. The leaning rail encourages gathering and discussion while viewing the Sound and distant Olympic mountains.
Client: City of Seattle
Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson