Kienlesbergbrücke

Ulm, Germany

Photo © Christoph Mittermüller

Photo © DAY & LIGHT

Bridges + Traffic Construction

Lighting Designers: DAY & LIGHT LIGHTING DESIGN

Location: Kienlesbergstraße, 89073 Ulm, Germany
Year: 2020
Client: Stadtwerke Ulm
Team: Knight Architects, Krebs und Kiefer

The 270m long track crossing in Ulm is a new landmark for Ulm and a very special place. After winning the competition, the Knight Architects team with the civil engineers Krebs and Kiefer have created an object that more than fulfils the purpose of a foot-, bicycle- and cablecar crossing. The walkway on the footbridge offers views of the sky, when walking ofer the gentle arch, as well as an overview of Ulm and the maze of tracks immediately below. The bridge girder forms a frame through its gentle curves and undulating movements. The infill of the truss girder offers itself as seating. The curved convexities opposite create places to enjoy the view.

One notices that passers-by like to stay on the bridge. The sunset and the evening atmosphere invite to stay. The lighting was realized without masts or other disturbing elements. The outer surface of the bridge girder is illuminated with neutral white light color from the specially designed railing posts with integrated spotlights. The interior lighting of the girder infill stands out with a warm white light color and creates a good plastic image of the girder due to the color and brightness contrast, which remains easily readable even from a distance. The light reflected from the bright surfaces creates a subtle brightening, which provides good orientation, displaces the fearful space despite low light points and allows an unobstructed view.