pedestrian and bicycle bridges elli aár estuary, reykjavík

Laugavegur 26 101 Reykjavík - Iceland tel. +354-5124200 [email protected] www.tst.is

Pedestrian and Bicycle bridges Elliðaár estuary, Reykjavík

Named Parties

Client: City of Reykjavík and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration

Architects: Teiknistofan Tröð, Reykjavík, Iceland. www.tst.is

Team: Hans-Olav Andersen, Sigríður Magnúsdóttir, Sveinn Bragason, Laufey Agnarsdóttir, Ragnhildur Kristjánsdóttir

Structural Design: Sigurður Ingi Ólafsson, Teiknistofan Nýbýli. www.nybyli.is

Lighting Design: Árni J. Gunnlaugsson, VJI Consulting. www.vji.is

Landscape Consultant : Jenny Osuldsen, landscape architect at Snøhetta

Photo: Hans-Olav Andersen

Image Processing: Magnús Andersen

Main contractor: Ístak. www.istak.is

Sub-contractor, steel: Jiang Nan Shipyard co. LTD

Sub-contractor, stainless steel: Juli Sling co. LTD Shanghai

Contact person:

The owner representative for receiving the prize if the candidate is successful:

Ámundi V. Brynjólfsson

Reykjavíkurborg, Borgartúni 12-14,105 Reykjavík Iceland

+354 411-8106, [email protected]

Full resolution pictures for printing can be downloaded here: http://www2.tst.is/2014/bridges/Reykjavikbridges-Fullres-img/Reykjavikbridges-hoa-4.jpg http://www2.tst.is/2014/bridges/Reykjavikbridges-Fullres-img/Reykjavikbridges-hoa-14.jpg http://www2.tst.is/2014/bridges/Reykjavikbridges-Fullres-img/Reykjavikbridges-hoa-17.jpg http://www2.tst.is/2014/bridges/Reykjavikbridges-Fullres-img/Reykjavikbridges-hoa-23.jpg


Pedestrian and Bicycle bridges Elliðaár estuary, Reykjavík

Summary of project description

The two new pedestrian and bicycle bridges across Elliðaár estuary are an example of the present emphasis on sustainable transport in Iceland. Those who cycle or walk along the new route will experience new and interesting sights on Geirsnef, the peninsula between the two river streams. Strong contrasts feature in the surroundings, the delicate ecosystem of the estuary of Elliðaár and the rough industrial area. The new pedestrian and bicycle bridges present a positive change in form of transport, but simultaneously by choice of materials, colour and the shape of the bridge structure, they have clear reference to the surroundings and the history of the site.

The two bridges are identical in shape but mirrored and their appearance varies from different angles. In the design process the goal was to minimize the use of material by giving the bridges a basic shape that also becomes their identity.

A full resolution picture for printing can be downloaded here: http://www2.tst.is/2014/bridges/Reykjavikbridges-Fullres-img/Reykjavikbridges-hoa-14.jpg


Pedestrian and bicycle bridges Elliðaár estuary, Reykjavík Additional text and pictures

The two new pedestrian and bicycle bridges across Elliðaár estuary are an example of the present emphasis on sustainable transport in Iceland. Those who cycle or walk along the new route will experience new and interesting sights on Geirsnef, the peninsula between the two river streams. In the future the plan is to set up a rest area with a viewing point at the end of Geirsnef peninsula.

Strong contrasts feature in the surroundings, the delicate ecosystem of the estuary of Elliðaár and the rough industrial area. The new pedestrian and bicycle bridges present a positive change in form of transport, but simultaneously by choice of materials, colour and the shape of the bridge structure, they have clear reference to the surroundings and the history of the site.

The two bridges are identical in shape but mirrored and their appearance varies from different angles. In the design process the goal was to minimize the use of material by giving the bridges a basic shape that also becomes their identity. The stable basic structural systems allows material usage and construction cost to be minimized.


The bridges are designed in the shape of a tetrahedron. The structural simplicity of the triangular for is used in the construction. Three columns, one long and two shorter, connected at the top and rest on pile foundations on the river banks. On the side with two foundations they are connected with a concrete beam. The structure itself takes up the outward reaction forces which results in only vertical forces on pile foundations.

The Bridge deck is made from hollowcore plates with concrete topping which slopes towards drainage on each side. Railing posts are bolted on top of the edge steel beams. Filling between posts railing is made of a vertical wire wrapped around ø 20 steel pipes that are fixed to steel plates on ø 50 stainless steel pipes at the top and bottom.


New landfillings are made by the west bridge which reduces the span and standardize the two bridges across Elliðaárósa. The 36m long bridge deck is held up by steel tension rods that are connected to the top of the pyramid. After erection the stations tension wear adjusted by calculating and measuring the vibration of tension rods.

The pedestrian and cycle paths are joined on the bridges but are otherwise separated with a narrow grass stip. Turning radius of the cycle path does not go below 40m to allow cyclist to keep steady pace. Existing path along Geirsnef peninsula is adapted to the new pathway. It was important to preserve existing vegetation as much as possible. Where it was necessary existing birch trees were moved and replanted.


Elliðaár river is Reykjavík´s angling treasure therefore the lighting concept for the bridges and adjacent paths was to minimize the light pollution into the river. The tetrahedron structure is illuminated with six projectors with LED as the light source. LED light fixtures are recessed in the handrail and emit light on to the bridge floor, bollards with metal halide lamps light up the path between the bridges

Awards Varðan 2014. Varðan is an acknowledgement from The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration for the design and completion of road infrastructure, awarded every third year. 1st prize in an open two stage architectural competition 2012

Nominations The bridges were nominated for the DV Cultural Prize in 2013 in the architectural category. The bridges were nominated for the Nordisk lyspris 2014 in behalf of Iceland.

Online Publication Architectural Digest – Mexico (admexico.mx) – February 11, 2016 http://www.admexico.mx/arquitectura/estructuras/articulos/puente-estructura-arquitectura-diseno-islandia-transporte/1798 Architectural Digest (architecturaldigest.com) – February 1, 2016 http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/striking-icelandic-red-bridges-offer-beauty-minimalism Dezeen magazine (dezeen.com) – January 28, 2016 http://www.dezeen.com/2016/01/28/teiknistofan-trod-pedestrian-cycle-bridges-reykjavik-red-frames/

Beautiful lands (beautiful-lands.com) – December 10, 2015 http://beautiful-lands.com/posts/pedestrian#.VrBwGcfqHEY

Divisare, Atlas of Contemporary Architecture (divisare.com) – December, 2015 http://divisare.com/projects/305947-teiknistofan-trod-pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridges

Architizer (architizer.com) - December, 2015 http://architizer.com/projects/pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridges/

Archilovers (archilovers.com) – December, 2015 http://www.archilovers.com/projects/170620/pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridges.html

Instagram ( 377.000 likes 2013 ) http://www.instagram.com/p/i4OVkahQVR/

pedestrian and bicycle bridges elli aár estuary, reykjavík

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