Every year the city of Guangzhou in China invites and commissions 2-3 world renowned architects to design small but highly regarded projects in Guangzhou. The design is started in the concept phase and it is carried out to construction. In 2020 PEI Architects was invited and commissioned to design one of their yearly projects, the Guangzhou Pedestrian Bridge.

Despite its small size, the carefully balanced and highly complex geometry turns this small jewel like structure into an important bridge along the riverfront.
The geometry of this small pedestrian bridge is virtually all curves and arches. Its curves and counter-curves shape creates a sculpture like object with three distinctive paths. The central running path is defined by the structural arches that bow up and create the straight span of the bridge while the two sides are for pedestrians and for bicycle riders. These outward paths narrow and gently rise towards the middle to visually provide tension and relief while the central path follows the steeper up-and-down of the structural arch in continuous width. Seats are carved out of the higher central arch on both sides. Lights are recessed into the solid railings and illuminate its features and the paths.

The bridge is clad in wood panels to emphasize the solidity and to express its weight and sculptural quality. The buttressing ends of the central, structural spine are made of concrete to stress the anchoring forces. Despite its small size, the carefully balanced and highly complex geometry turns this small jewel like structure into an important bridge along the riverfront.