Spanning the Murg River in the Black Forest town of
Baiersbronn, the design demonstrates sustainable bridge-building
methods using timber and concrete
Moxon Architects and engineering practice Ingenieurbüro
Miebach have completed a new timber and concrete pedestrian
bridge for the town of Baiersbronn in southern Germany. The
project seeks to strengthen connections within the town centre
and forms part of a garden show, a regional event that spans 8km
between Baiersbronn and neighbouring Freudenstadt.
The Baiersbronn Bridge is designed to provide pedestrian and
cycle access across the Murg River, as well as allowing
occasional vehicular traffic. The structure reuses the abutments
of a previous crossing, which had fallen into disrepair, helping
to reduce costs and limit the overall carbon footprint.
Ben Addy, founding director of Moxon Architects, described the
bridge as “an expression of creative symbioses: the
interdependence of timber and concrete; of site and geometry;
and a process of continual innovation with our partners IB
Miebach.”
The 25-metre-long bridge is constructed using block laminated
timber beams with a stepped bottom edge. The beams were
manufactured off-site and transported to site where they were
used as permanent formwork for an in-situ concrete deck. This
composite approach aims to combine the compressive strength of
concrete with the tensile strength of timber.
Ezra Groskin, director at Moxon Architects, said: “Everything
falls into place with this design. It is a story of two
materials: the way they behave and interact structurally,
functionally and formally.”
The glulam beams lean outward to reduce exposure to wind-driven
rain, with edge detailing and the concrete deck intended to
protect the timber from the elements.
The scheme follows the 2022 completion of Balingen Footbridge
and is Moxon Architects’ second bridge in collaboration with
timber specialist IB Miebach. The Baiersbronn Bridge was the
result of an invited design competition launched in 2021.
Frank Miebach, director of IB Miebach, said: “Wood can do even
more - this is just the beginning.”
Source:
bdonline.co.uk
