Renovation of Luotuowan Bridge

The goal is to cover a space efficiently with the least materials and in the mean time make full use of the limited material resources from rural areas. Professionally, it needs to achieve a highly integrated design, using the minimal elements and language to develop the structure, shape the space, and to react to the site, and produce an artistic conception.

This is a beautification project that aims to add a "cover" to the original bridge, which can provide farming villagers and passers-by to shelter from the sun and rain and stop for a rest.

The added wood structure takes root on the outer side of the original bridge, while the exposed structural connection is like the root whisker of a plant, and the new addition is seen as growing out of the original structure; moreover, other parts of the wooden structure are hidden as much as possible. Not only to strengthen the old and new contact, but also give the space its own style.

Charred wood provides durability in harsh weather conditions over time, the black color also brings in multiple layers of meanings, as to integrate with the environment, emphasizes and frames the space, highlight the indoor/outdoor boundaries, consequently create an internal atmosphere of tranquility, and at the same time, visually decomposes and weakens the structure.

The design is more focused on the relationship between structure and space. Shape space in a fully structured way, there is no need for any redundant components, all components work for the whole structure. The slanting braces play a great role in the lateral stability of a single frame. The roof panel connects each truss, and plays a certain role in the horizontal stabilization along the direction of bridge length.

There are only three kinds of timber specifications in use, which in numbers are 136 pieces of square timber and 252 sheets of veneer. The total weight of the whole timber structure is about 3000 kg, with an average of 75 kg / m2. The slender wood member interweave into a structure, which frames a pleasant space for surrounding scenery, and meanwhile, generate the demonstration effect of saving materials and reducing cost.