Metro Douro Bridge
The proposal for new Douro Bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia is a collaborative effort by IDEAM S.A., Zaha Hadid Architects, Quadrante, OOAU, and Prof. Sidónio Pardal. This project honors the historical heritage of the Douro River bridges, integrating seamlessly into the iconic ensemble that connects these two cities.
The design prioritizes respect for the city, landscape, river, and existing bridges. Rather than competing, the new bridge complements their aesthetic, technical, and avant-garde excellence. It enhances sustainable mobility by dedicating its use to public transport, cycling, and pedestrian traffic, fostering urban revitalization and connectivity.
The bridge features a composite (steel and concrete) truss deck supported by two large V-shaped concrete piers and additional piers on the Porto side. The design ensures no structural elements protrude above the deck, preserving the scenic views.
The central piers, with their hexagonal sections, create a distinctive architectural identity, reflecting light in a way that minimizes visual impact. The composite truss deck emphasizes horizontality, transparency, and lightness, transitioning gradually from a Warren truss at mid spans to a Pratt truss near the supports.
Besides being a nod to Porto’s traditional historic bridges, the choice of steel, a material that can incorporate a high quantity of recyclables and is entirely recyclable in itself, is driven by our commitment to sustainability.
With this intrinsic relationship between geometry and structure, this proposal respects and is naturally integrated into the iconic ensemble of the bridges along the Douro River, establishing a counterpoint of perfect scenic harmony with Arrábida concrete arch bridge.
The proposal for new Douro Bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia is a collaborative effort by IDEAM S.A., Zaha Hadid Architects, Quadrante, OOAU, and Prof. Sidónio Pardal. This project honors the historical heritage of the Douro River bridges, integrating seamlessly into the iconic ensemble that connects these two cities.
The design prioritizes respect for the city, landscape, river, and existing bridges. Rather than competing, the new bridge complements their aesthetic, technical, and avant-garde excellence. It enhances sustainable mobility by dedicating its use to public transport, cycling, and pedestrian traffic, fostering urban revitalization and connectivity.
The bridge features a composite (steel and concrete) truss deck supported by two large V-shaped concrete piers and additional piers on the Porto side. The design ensures no structural elements protrude above the deck, preserving the scenic views.
The central piers, with their hexagonal sections, create a distinctive architectural identity, reflecting light in a way that minimizes visual impact. The composite truss deck emphasizes horizontality, transparency, and lightness, transitioning gradually from a Warren truss at mid spans to a Pratt truss near the supports.
Besides being a nod to Porto’s traditional historic bridges, the choice of steel, a material that can incorporate a high quantity of recyclables and is entirely recyclable in itself, is driven by our commitment to sustainability.
With this intrinsic relationship between geometry and structure, this proposal respects and is naturally integrated into the iconic ensemble of the bridges along the Douro River, establishing a counterpoint of perfect scenic harmony with Arrábida concrete arch bridge.
The proposal for new Douro Bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia is a collaborative effort by IDEAM S.A., Zaha Hadid Architects, Quadrante, OOAU, and Prof. Sidónio Pardal. This project honors the historical heritage of the Douro River bridges, integrating seamlessly into the iconic ensemble that connects these two cities.
The design prioritizes respect for the city, landscape, river, and existing bridges. Rather than competing, the new bridge complements their aesthetic, technical, and avant-garde excellence. It enhances sustainable mobility by dedicating its use to public transport, cycling, and pedestrian traffic, fostering urban revitalization and connectivity.
The bridge features a composite (steel and concrete) truss deck supported by two large V-shaped concrete piers and additional piers on the Porto side. The design ensures no structural elements protrude above the deck, preserving the scenic views.
The central piers, with their hexagonal sections, create a distinctive architectural identity, reflecting light in a way that minimizes visual impact. The composite truss deck emphasizes horizontality, transparency, and lightness, transitioning gradually from a Warren truss at mid spans to a Pratt truss near the supports.
Besides being a nod to Porto’s traditional historic bridges, the choice of steel, a material that can incorporate a high quantity of recyclables and is entirely recyclable in itself, is driven by our commitment to sustainability.
With this intrinsic relationship between geometry and structure, this proposal respects and is naturally integrated into the iconic ensemble of the bridges along the Douro River, establishing a counterpoint of perfect scenic harmony with Arrábida concrete arch bridge.
Project Name
Douro Bridge
Project Type
Infrastructural :: Transportation
Location
Porto/Gaia, Portugal
Program
Metro, Cycling and Pedestrian bridge, 300m span
Scope OOAU
Urban Integration :: Design Coordination :: Local Architect