Spanning the Murg River in the Black Forest town of Baiersbronn, the design demonstrates sustainable bridge-building methods using timber and concrete
Moxon Architects and engineering practice Ingenieurbüro Miebach have completed a new timber and concrete pedestrian bridge for the town of Baiersbronn in southern Germany. The project seeks to strengthen connections within the town centre and forms part of a garden show, a regional event that spans 8km between Baiersbronn and neighbouring Freudenstadt.
The Baiersbronn Bridge is designed to provide pedestrian and cycle access across the Murg River, as well as allowing occasional vehicular traffic. The structure reuses the abutments of a previous crossing, which had fallen into disrepair, helping to reduce costs and limit the overall carbon footprint.
Ben Addy, founding director of Moxon Architects, described the bridge as “an expression of creative symbioses: the interdependence of timber and concrete; of site and geometry; and a process of continual innovation with our partners IB Miebach.”
The 25-metre-long bridge is constructed using block laminated timber beams with a stepped bottom edge. The beams were manufactured off-site and transported to site where they were used as permanent formwork for an in-situ concrete deck. This composite approach aims to combine the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile strength of timber.
Ezra Groskin, director at Moxon Architects, said: “Everything falls into place with this design. It is a story of two materials: the way they behave and interact structurally, functionally and formally.”
The glulam beams lean outward to reduce exposure to wind-driven rain, with edge detailing and the concrete deck intended to protect the timber from the elements.
The scheme follows the 2022 completion of Balingen Footbridge and is Moxon Architects’ second bridge in collaboration with timber specialist IB Miebach. The Baiersbronn Bridge was the result of an invited design competition launched in 2021.
Frank Miebach, director of IB Miebach, said: “Wood can do even more - this is just the beginning.”
>> Also read: Moxon completes ‘hockey stick’ bridge crossing the River Severn
>> Also read: New images of Acme’s £1bn Liverpool Street station plans as City publishes planning application
Project team:
Client: Gemeinde Baiersbronn
Architect: Moxon Architects
Engineer: Ingenieurbüro Miebach
Main contractor: Rendler Bau GmbH
Timber works: Schaffitzel Holzindustrie GmbH
No comments yet