2012: Transforming the Bridge | 12220

Team: Amanda Salisbury

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Overview: The experience of the Detroit-Superior bridge lets the inhabitants feel the connection of the East and West sides of Ohio over the Cuyahoga River. The meandering river is represented in this metal mesh snake running up and over pedestrians throughout the length of the bridge.
During the day, the metal mesh will act as a shade across some of the arched window openings. Families can walk/bike/jog on the bridge, encouraging interaction of friends, acquaintances, and other happenstance meetings. There are food vendors who set up ice cream, hot dog, or funnel cake stands, plenty of benches formed out of the mesh, and telescopes to enjoy views out of the bridge.
In the evenings, young adults can enjoy live local music and art exhibitions to display the talent that Cleveland has to offer. The metal acts as a backdrop for stages, as an overhead resource for lighting, and a surface on which to hang art exhibits. The metal will reflect the light at night in order to make the spaces more bright and lively.