Footbridge over the Ljubljanica River
The shape of the Fish Bridge over the Ljubljana River reflects the unique conditions of its location. Its layout, structural morphology and material expression derive from the atmosphere and geometries of the place where it is located, but its contemporary character offers new visions in the extraordinary urban physiognomy of the river and its banks. Its form incorporates the asymmetry of the banks it links and its structure points to the differences in its abutments and its construction and materials introduce the expression of its time.
The supporting structure is not neutral, it expresses its mechanical stresses by bending into triangular facets that extend the triple order of the Makalonca arches towards the opposite bank. The supports are integrated into the geometry of the loggia, transforming the back of the bridge into a sort of folded canopy that accompanies the exit towards the river and a possible floating terrace. The broken planes of the deck and its reflective surface draw a kaleidoscope of images of the water. From the river, the boats passing under the bridge are reflected in an image broken up into fragments, turning the deck into a weightless illusion.
The bridge is the natural extension of the Gerberjevim Stopnišččem - the staircase designed by Josef Plečnik - an urban space that emphasises the experience of entering or leaving the island formed by the two branches of the Ljubljana Ljubljana in the centre of Ljubljana. The asymmetrical character of the plan shows pedestrians small differences when walking in one direction or the other. Its edges are not parallel and the narrowing that occurs on the inside marks the transition point between the outside and the inside of the island area. This narrowing forms two trapezoids reminiscent of Plečnik's staircase.
The structure is made of matt stainless steel sheets that blur the images of the city's river. The railing of metal plates supports a very light, barely visible mesh, both of which are made of stainless steel. The paving is a carpet of hexagonal and pentagonal pieces of recycled aluminium, reminiscent of the wooden cobblestones in the doorways of Ljubljana's historic buildings.
The development of the two banks remains almost unchanged. The left bank remains unchanged, and on the right bank, the aluminium paving carpet extends over the bridge foundations, establishing a cut between its footprint and the city's ground level. The golden figure of a small school of fish spreads randomly on the ground directing pedestrians as they cross over the river.
