021 Aaresteg, Zehendermätteli-Bremgarten
1. Rank, 1. Prize
Tpye of mandate: Competition with pre-selection
Client: Burgergemeinde Bern, Municipality of Bremgarten bei Bern, and City of Bern
Study period: 2025–
Project perimeter: 6'600 sqm
Programs: Pedestrian bridge
Structural Design (Lead): co-struct, Zürich
Sam Bouten, Fabrice Meylan, Lucas Bauer, Vincent Lestang, Arthur Billotte
Architecture: Djurdjevic Architectes, Lausanne
Muriz Djurdjevic
Landscape: DUO Landschaftsarchitekt:innen, Bern
Aurélie Barral, Maria Beatrice Fenoglio, Sandra Kieschnik
Fädli i de Luft
Conceptually, the project proposes a reformulation of the Bernese "chain bridges." The design concept is derived through a nuanced analysis of the local conditions, resulting in an asymmetrical suspension structure that is carefully considered in both technical and aesthetic terms. The influence of the high-quality natural environment is demonstrated on multiple levels; upon entering the footbridge, the characteristics of the landscape are made tangibly experiential.
The built interventions in the landscape are kept to a minimum on both riverbanks. The abutments at the ends of the bridge are buried almost invisibly into the terrain, while the anchor blocks on the Bremgarten side are embedded halfway up the wooded slope like glacial erratics. The access on the Zehendermätteli side is handled with restraint through a gentle elevation of the terrain.
Landscape Integration
The bridge integrates sensitively into the Aare landscape as a lightweight, restrained structure. Through the deliberately chosen asymmetrical design, the cut bank (Prallhang) is not only respected but spatially staged and incorporated into its topographical course. This creates a clear and comprehensible relationship between the structure and the river space, which strengthens the landscape's characteristics without appearing dominant.
The intervention in the forest necessary for the anchoring remains limited to the required minimum and manifests itself only as a narrow, precisely placed clearing. The location was chosen outside of sensitive ecological areas. Ecological continuity is ensured, among other things, by the integration of the severely damaged oak tree. The tree, which must be felled during the construction work, will be embedded on-site as a valuable ecological structure in the slope, thus remaining in the landscape as a habitat and deadwood element. The modest placement and the simple choice of materials combine accessibility, landscape quality, and the sustainable protection of biodiversity.
Design and Structure
The structural design is based on the idea of two intersecting, curved lines with an asymmetrical arrangement. While the walkway follows the compression arch, the tension element rises toward Bremgarten and is anchored directly into the slope. On the Zehendermätteli side, these two elements merge into a lenticular steel box girder. This support can be designed very economically because the tension and compression forces are "short-circuited," meaning only vertical forces occur at this point.
Similarly, the construction height of the bridge—and consequently the embankment fill—is reduced to a minimum. The situation is different on the opposite side: the sag of the tension element and the rise of the compression arch (each only about one meter) lead to relatively high horizontal forces. These are transferred directly into the rock: at the top via a total of eight rock anchors and at the bottom via a massive compression plate. The slight widening at the center of the bridge is justified by the requirement that the suspension structure lie in an outwardly inclined plane. All these design considerations are well-founded, and the forces specified by the project authors appear plausible.
The execution of the very slender, internally stiffened steel box girder requires particular care. This is especially true for the Zehendermätteli side, where the tension elements nestle laterally against the box girder, which varies in height. The choice of flat iron for the tension elements is therefore sensible—not only within the historical context but also for constructive reasons and to ensure better visibility for birds. On the Bremgarten side, special attention must be paid to the potential upward buckling of the slender, compression-loaded steel box, as the hangers cannot contribute to reducing the buckling length.
Summary Jury
From the jury's perspective, a detachable connection is preferable to an integral one in order to facilitate easier maintenance. The design is convincing due to its thoughtful interpretation of the unique landscape and the resulting artistic installation, which fits elegantly and uniquely into the sensitive environment with an almost weightless appearance.
1. Rank, 1. Prize
Tpye of mandate: Competition with pre-selection
Client: Burgergemeinde Bern, Municipality of Bremgarten bei Bern, and City of Bern
Study period: 2025–
Project perimeter: 6'600 sqm
Programs: Pedestrian bridge
Structural Design (Lead): co-struct, Zürich
Sam Bouten, Fabrice Meylan, Lucas Bauer, Vincent Lestang, Arthur Billotte
Architecture: Djurdjevic Architectes, Lausanne
Muriz Djurdjevic
Landscape: DUO Landschaftsarchitekt:innen, Bern
Aurélie Barral, Maria Beatrice Fenoglio, Sandra Kieschnik
Fädli i de Luft
Conceptually, the project proposes a reformulation of the Bernese "chain bridges." The design concept is derived through a nuanced analysis of the local conditions, resulting in an asymmetrical suspension structure that is carefully considered in both technical and aesthetic terms. The influence of the high-quality natural environment is demonstrated on multiple levels; upon entering the footbridge, the characteristics of the landscape are made tangibly experiential.
The built interventions in the landscape are kept to a minimum on both riverbanks. The abutments at the ends of the bridge are buried almost invisibly into the terrain, while the anchor blocks on the Bremgarten side are embedded halfway up the wooded slope like glacial erratics. The access on the Zehendermätteli side is handled with restraint through a gentle elevation of the terrain.
Landscape Integration
The bridge integrates sensitively into the Aare landscape as a lightweight, restrained structure. Through the deliberately chosen asymmetrical design, the cut bank (Prallhang) is not only respected but spatially staged and incorporated into its topographical course. This creates a clear and comprehensible relationship between the structure and the river space, which strengthens the landscape's characteristics without appearing dominant.
The intervention in the forest necessary for the anchoring remains limited to the required minimum and manifests itself only as a narrow, precisely placed clearing. The location was chosen outside of sensitive ecological areas. Ecological continuity is ensured, among other things, by the integration of the severely damaged oak tree. The tree, which must be felled during the construction work, will be embedded on-site as a valuable ecological structure in the slope, thus remaining in the landscape as a habitat and deadwood element. The modest placement and the simple choice of materials combine accessibility, landscape quality, and the sustainable protection of biodiversity.
Design and Structure
The structural design is based on the idea of two intersecting, curved lines with an asymmetrical arrangement. While the walkway follows the compression arch, the tension element rises toward Bremgarten and is anchored directly into the slope. On the Zehendermätteli side, these two elements merge into a lenticular steel box girder. This support can be designed very economically because the tension and compression forces are "short-circuited," meaning only vertical forces occur at this point.
Similarly, the construction height of the bridge—and consequently the embankment fill—is reduced to a minimum. The situation is different on the opposite side: the sag of the tension element and the rise of the compression arch (each only about one meter) lead to relatively high horizontal forces. These are transferred directly into the rock: at the top via a total of eight rock anchors and at the bottom via a massive compression plate. The slight widening at the center of the bridge is justified by the requirement that the suspension structure lie in an outwardly inclined plane. All these design considerations are well-founded, and the forces specified by the project authors appear plausible.
The execution of the very slender, internally stiffened steel box girder requires particular care. This is especially true for the Zehendermätteli side, where the tension elements nestle laterally against the box girder, which varies in height. The choice of flat iron for the tension elements is therefore sensible—not only within the historical context but also for constructive reasons and to ensure better visibility for birds. On the Bremgarten side, special attention must be paid to the potential upward buckling of the slender, compression-loaded steel box, as the hangers cannot contribute to reducing the buckling length.
Summary Jury
From the jury's perspective, a detachable connection is preferable to an integral one in order to facilitate easier maintenance. The design is convincing due to its thoughtful interpretation of the unique landscape and the resulting artistic installation, which fits elegantly and uniquely into the sensitive environment with an almost weightless appearance.
