The competition-winning design brings the opportunity to link an entire new waterside community directly to the heart of Helsinki and create a long-lasting internationally recognisable structure synonymous with the city.
The distinctive form of the central 135m pylon of the symmetrical cable-stayed design is a tall slender diamond, a reference to the historic crown ownership of the bay area, with multi-faceted surfaces designed to catch light and shadow by day and night. The support piers to the approach spans adopt a ‘V’ shape, to complement the pylon and minimise their visual impact. On deck, the cable-stayed form creates a strong nautical reference to sailing boats and the twin planes of cables create a comfortable and reassuring sense of enclosure over the central length of the crossing.
To bring a sense of playfulness and human scale to the bridge, a linear grass garden with permanent chaises longues has been designed which both reinforces the feeling of a place of leisure and enhances the structural functionality.
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