Project Overview
@HOME(S) – "A Bridge for All"
The 'Brücke Birkenauer Strasse' in Mannheim is an identity-generating link between Columbus Park and Franklin Mitte. By expanding the local "HOME" concept into @HOME(S), the bridge becomes a symbolic heart for the district. It is designed as a "bridge for all," emphasizing connection, orientation, and a distinct sense of arrival through its soft S-geometry.
Design Concept
The design concept, titled "Coming Home" and "Longing to Return," focuses on the emotional journey of the user. A fluid S-curve guides movement and views toward the eastern cut-out of the "M" building, framing the "HOME" letters, before gently curving toward Franklin Hill. The experience is reinforced through a typographic narrative: the path begins with a "WELCOME" floor inlay, and at the southern exit, a mirror installation mounted on a mast ending in an @ symbol reflects the HOME towers, accompanied by a "COME BACK" message to create an "@ HOME" homecoming experience. The color palette combines the earthy brown of Corten steel, providing a robust military-historical reference, with natural timber handrails, achieving a harmonious integration of materiality and atmosphere.
Structure and Engineering
The bridge is a functional and elegant U-structure derived from structural logic:
Variable U-Section: The depth of the steel structure varies along the span deepening over supports and thinning at mid-span to optimize material use and emphasize the flowing line.
Stiffness through Geometry: The curved path naturally increases the structural rigidity, especially over the main span.
Topographical Transition: The bridge connects "hill to hill," landing on modeled plateaus that serve as flexible spaces for events or leisure.
Sustainability (Regeneration/Resilience)
The project follows a resource-saving, low-maintenance philosophy:
Weathering Steel: Corten steel forms a protective patina, removing the need for additional coatings or heavy maintenance.
Sustainable Timber: Sourced from certified stocks, timber lamellas in the railing provide warmth, haptic quality, and a rhythmic "veil" that allows for natural ventilation.
Eco-friendly Decking: A cork-composite surface is used for its slip resistance and low noise. It is fully recyclable and contains recycled content.
Intelligent Lighting: LED lights are integrated into the railing with presence sensors, ensuring light is only active during use to protect the nocturnal environment.
