Boelegracht bridge

The new De Boelegracht canal is an important element of the main structure of the Zuidas development in Amsterdam. Karres en Brands were asked to draw up a vision for the 12 bridges over the canal, the canal profile and the boardwalk along the water. At the same time, a concrete design was created for the first bridge in the series. The vision and the design were drawn up in mutual interaction, each tested against the other.

The profile of the Boelelaan road and the canal as defined in the schedule of requirements have been improved by enhancing the spatial quality of the waterside and offering better views of the water from the walkway. Separate islands of water lilies keeps the width of the water intact. A series of varying flagstones offer stopping places along the waterside. The bridges are strongly influenced by their connections to the infrastructure, and lie between buildings with varying architectural qualities. 

The vision provides a framework to enable the design of a coherent family of bridges within these diverse circumstances, which are part of the Amsterdam tradition of brick bridges. Within this framework clear principles were formulated on stopping points on the bridges, connections to the land, sculptural qualities, construction and choice of materials. The bridges will all be sturdy, monolithic sculptures, clad all around in brick materials. Variations in form, texture, mix of colours and formats enable each bridge to be given its own character. The first bridge has a clear span of 16 metres, and is clad in sawn brick street cobbles in three colours and two textures. Lighting and a seating area with views over the canal are incorporated in the angled oversized beams.