Kaunas Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge

Kaunas Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge (1st Prize)

KILD as Architects

 Lithuania’s second largest city, Kaunas, has launched an international contest for a major new cycle route over the River Nemunas. Organised by the Kaunas Architectural and Urban Renewal Council, the competition seeks innovative proposals for a new pedestrian and cycle route connecting the city centre and Science Island with the industrial south bank of the river where a new Concert Hall is due to be constructed.


NEMUNAS BRIDGE


    The project aims to create a new environmentally friendly link between two areas of the historic settlement which are currently only connected by heavily-congestion vehicle traffic routes. The new crossing will follow the South Bank – which is known locally as Aleksotas – crossing the river to reach Science Island and then crossing the river again to reach the city centre which starts at King Mindaugas Avenue.


The visual expression of Nemunas Bridge is being followed by a simplistic idea – to minimize visual intervention with city skyline while forming panoramic public spaces near riverbanks on both sides.


Steel truss arch structure defines specific character of Nemunas Bridge. Its thin central appearance allows minimal intervention to the skyline of Kaunas Old Town. Supporting structure on the ends of the bridge retreats from Nemunas island port and access routes to Aleksotas new development and extends asymmetrically towards the main public interests to create a terraced public space while connecting the lower and upper quay terraces.


On Southern embankment of the river Nemunas Bridge is joining proposed plaza and it is accessible from H.O.Minkovskių street. Amphitheatre facing M.K.Čiurlionis Music Complex with and panoramic view to Old Town is created on Southern end of the bridge. 


The Northern end of the bridge meets a path that’s emphasising the connection between two bridges and existing routes. Sitting setting extends towards the Science Museum and the existing Zalgiris Arena creating a public space in the island with a view to industrial townscape on the river back and the newly developing Aleksotas territory.


The transitional trajectory joints of the bridge becomes the place to stop, meet and see the city’s panorama 360°.



CANAL BRIDGE


  Canal bridge is composed on the axis of the intersection of the Fire Station. The minimal footprint on the natural coast of Nemunas island expands towards city centre and joins Karalius Mindaugas avenue creating wide, spacious entrance with bus stops and the underground passage. 


  The new bridges will interlink the Oldtown, the Newtown and the Nemunas island on the north side of the river and connect these areas to the developing south side of Nemunas riverbanks - a long awaited connection that will positively change the dynamics of the pedestrian circulation in Kaunas city center.


Architects: KILD

Design Team: Dominykas Daunys, Petras Išora, Ivane Ksnelashvili

Engineers: TEC Infrastructure

Design Team: Vilius Karieta, Mantas Markevičius

Visualizations: Davit Tsanava

Project Year: 2018 / 08

Budget: 8mil eur

Competition Link: http://www.laskaunas.lt/naujienos/pesciuju-tiltu-per-nemuna-konkursas



Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Sports Hall by Grido architekti references functionalism of 1930s Czech architecture
14 Feb 2025 News
Sports Hall by Grido architekti references functionalism of 1930s Czech architecture

Czech architectural studio Grido architekti has designed a sports hall for the pupils of an elementa... More

UNStudio’s new Chongqing development balances demand for high-rise living with health and well-being of residents
10 Feb 2025 News
UNStudio’s new Chongqing development balances demand for high-rise living with health and well-being of residents

International architecture and design practice UNStudio has completed 18T Mansion, a high-rise resid... More

Archello houses of the month - January 2025
5 Feb 2025 News
Archello houses of the month - January 2025

Archello has selected its houses of the month for January 2025. This list showcases 20 of the m... More

Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci is a “testament to architectural diplomacy”
4 Feb 2025 News
Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci is a “testament to architectural diplomacy”

A project that was thirteen years in the making, the new Polish Embassy in Berlin officially opened... More

Ika.architekti builds fun and functional DIY sauna in Brno
31 Jan 2025 News
Ika.architekti builds fun and functional DIY sauna in Brno

Brno-based ika.architekti has built an upcycled sauna using an array of old materials. The project i... More

Francine Houben, Isabel Van Haute, Stephan Chevalier and DaeWha Kang named as Archello Awards 2025 jurors
27 Jan 2025 Archello Awards
Francine Houben, Isabel Van Haute, Stephan Chevalier and DaeWha Kang named as Archello Awards 2025 jurors

Archello is pleased to announce the first group of its esteemed jurors for the newly launched Archel... More

HGAA expands restaurant in Bãi Cháy with a building that embraces nature
27 Jan 2025 News
HGAA expands restaurant in Bãi Cháy with a building that embraces nature

Vietnamese architectural studio HGAA was included in Archello’s list of the 25 best architectu... More

Mole Architects elevates “mundane” 1960s English bungalow with new extension
27 Jan 2025 News
Mole Architects elevates “mundane” 1960s English bungalow with new extension

Cambridge-based architectural studio Mole Architects has completed the upgrade and extension of an e... More