In the global architectural stage, grand cultural projects and expansive, idyllic villas often steal the spotlight, making other typologies – such as infrastructure – the unsung heroes of our urban realms. Los Angeles' new Sixth Street Viaduct by Michael Maltzan Architecture is here to correct that, officially inaugurated this week and showcasing how a humble transport project can be realised with as much flair and architectural ambition as the best contemporary bridge designs.
The project, also known locally as the Sixth Street Bridge, was conceived to replace an older bridge on site, which, created in 1932 for the Los Angeles Olympics, was rapidly falling into disrepair. Los Angeles-based architect Michael Maltzan and his team stepped in to compose a new viaduct to solve the problem – lovingly calling their design the ‘Ribbon of Light’.
A five-year construction period allowed for the architects to work seamlessly with engineers of record HNTB to craft a bridge that is both elegant and hard-wearing, modern and flowing, a fit exemplar of what an architectural bridge should be – a fine blend of form and function.
‘The new viaduct is a tied-arch bridge, defined by ten pairs of arches that rise and fall along the edges of the entire structure as it extends 3,500ft from east to west. Paying homage to the design of the earlier bridge, the new viaduct places the tallest pairs of its sculptural arches over the LA River, where the original arches stood, and positions another taller pair as a gateway on the east,' explain the architecture team.
The series of arches cant outwards, creating a sense of movement and dynamism in the whole, while opening up towards the sky. Resembling a graceful, dancing ribbon, softly moving in the wind, the bridge's lines feel light and flowing. Meanwhile, underneath, a new 12-acre public park designed by Hargreaves Jones Associates offers calm and green respite for the area, balancing the activity above.
INFORMATION
-
Aesop’s Salone del Mobile 2024 installations in Milan are multisensory experiencesAesop has partnered with Salone del Mobile to launch a series of installations across Milan, tapping into sight, touch, taste, and scent
-
Dial into the Boring Phone and more smartphone alternativesFrom the deliberately dull new Boring Phone to Honor’s latest hook-up with Porsche, a host of new devices that do the phone thing slightly differently
-
Berlinde De Bruyckere’s angels without faces touch down in Venice churchBelgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere’s recent archangel sculptures occupy the 16th-century white marble Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore for the Venice Biennale 2024
-
A Petra Island house rises from Frank Lloyd Wright's original drawingsBased on Frank Lloyd Wright drawings, the cantilevering Petra Island Massaro House, located in New York’s Hudson Valley, is now open to visitors
-
Modernist architecture: inspiration from across the globeModernist architecture has had a tremendous influence on today’s built environment, making these midcentury marvels some of the most closely studied 20th-century buildings; check back soon for new additions to our list
-
An Upper West Side apartment by General Assembly nods to its historyAn Upper West Side apartment in New York, born out of the reimagining of two neighbouring units, is refreshed by General Assembly for a young family
-
New York's Leica store echoes the brand's blend of heritage and innovationLeica store throws open its doors in New York's Meatpacking District, courtesy of Brooklyn based Format Architecture Office
-
Hudson Valley Residence is a low-lying retreat that seamlessly blends into the horizonDesigned by HGX Design, Hudson Valley Residence is a scenic home offering unobstructed views across the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly designBoise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
-
At the Hilbert Museum of California Art’s expanded home, art and architecture convergeThe Hilbert Museum of California Art expands its home, courtesy of Los Angeles architecture studio Johnston Marklee
-
Pearlman Cabin by John Lautner is an organic Californian mountain retreatJohn Lautner’s midcentury Pearlman Cabin, tucked away in the Californian mountain resort of Idyllwild, is a striking example of organic architecture
