The artist Olafur Eliasson has been commissioned to design the Cirkelbroen and has proposed this structure as a piece of a larger circle that will form a pedestrian route around Copenhagen Harbour. The idea of the project focuses not only on connecting both areas but to create a place of encounter and relationship of users.
‘I hope that these people will use Cirkelbroen as a meeting place, and that the zigzag design of the bridge will make them reduce their speed and take a break. To hesitate on our way is to engage in bodily thought. I see such introspection as an essential part of a vibrant city.’
Description of the project by Olafur Eliasson
Based on the Christianshavn district's maritime history and culture, Olafur Eliasson used the sailing boat as the visual point of departure for the design of Cirkelbroen. The bridge consists of five staggered circular platforms of various sizes, each with its own 'mast'. Cirkelbroen is lit at night, and one section of the bridge functions like a swing bridge, rotating to allow large boats to pass into and out of the canal.
Placement.-
Cirkelbroen is a pedestrian bridge comprising five circular bridge platforms spanning Christianshavn Canal to connect the Christiansbro area with Applebys Plads. For years, it has been a goal of the City of Copenhagen to create a contiguous boardwalk along the inner waterfront.
The name.-
The name "Cirkelbroen" (the Circle Bridge) arises from its shape: five differently-sized circular platforms, each with its own 'mast'. The circle presents an alternative to the direct line across the water. It encourages pedestrians and cyclists to reduce their speed; it provides a vantage point where people can take a short break, thus creating a new space between two urban areas rather than providing the fastest possible route across Christianshavn Canal.
The circle also refers to the compass, to orientation and to cartography. It suggests a dynamic navigation model which enables a renegotiation of the public space. In so doing, the bridge makes small changes to the way we perceive and experience the city. At a macro level, the circle refers to the circle drawn by the inner city of Copenhagen, which Cirkelbroen helps to complete by connecting the Christiansbro area to Appelbys Plads.
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Design.- Olafur Eliasson.
Collaborators.- Sebastian Behmann (architectural design), Robert Banović (project architect) and Jan Bünnig (prototyping).
Builder.- Nordea-fonden.
Consulting engineers.- Rambøll A/S.
Project management.- KMA Advisory A/S.
Construction management.- Arpe & Kjeldsholm A/S.
