Design Concept

The design is conceived as an elegant bridge that encourages visitors to experience Rottweil’s landscape from new perspectives, establishing itself as a notable landmark within the town’s aesthetic and cultural fabric. It creates a harmonious connection between the historic core and the newly developed river landscape, while providing full accessibility for both pedestrians and cyclists along its 175-meter length with a gentle gradient.

Concept diagram

Structure and Engineering

The structural system emphasizes rigidity, efficiency, and minimal visual intrusion, supported by a phased construction process.

• Material: The superstructure is made of steel, supported by steel columns on reinforced concrete foundations.
• Structural System: V-shaped supports are used to enhance structural rigidity while strategically minimizing the visual impact of the supports on the landscape.
• Constructability: The construction employs a controlled four-phase process to minimize disruption to railroad operations, requiring only a brief closure during the final installation phase.

Diagrams

Diagrams

Sustainability (Regeneration/Resilience)

The bridge design sets high standards for durability, material selection, and energy conservation.

• Life Cycle: High-quality materials and a semi-integral design are utilized to reduce maintenance costs. The bridge is designed for an extremely long service life: up to 110 years for concrete and 100 years for steel.
• Materials/LCA: Materials emphasize durability and efficiency, notably using co2-reduced steel
• Energy/Ecology: The integrated lighting system uses energy-efficient, insect-friendly LEDs controlled by presence detectors and timers to reduce energy consumption and light pollution.

Elevation

Urban Integration and Spatial Experience

The bridge is designed as a destination and viewing platform, enriching the public realm and user experience.

• Amenities: It features strategically placed seating and balconies along its length (with a clear width of 3.50 meters), encouraging users to pause and contemplate the historic town and the Neckar landscape.
• Mobility: The structure fully serves its functional role by providing a crucial, multi-modal link for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Identity: The entire project fulfills its functional role while becoming a landmark that embodies sustainability, social integration, and historical appreciation.