Politecnico di Milano

Back to Nature

The bridge comprises 13 dodecahedron-shaped modules that resemble a skeleton structure, joined together thanks to magnetic fields, allowing the bridge to float on the river. Three of them host the stages where the main activities of the bridge take place and represent the three moments of the assembly line related to the food topic. The first stage, called Growing, is located in a vertical garden necessary for producing fruits and vegetables. Here, people are involved and encouraged in the garden growth, becoming aware of the process and able to collect fresh food, which will be consumed in the second stage. Inside the Distribution and Consumption stage is a market where dishes are prepared with fresh food and distributed through portholes in the walls. A food arena gives people the opportunity to consume and share food in a convivial way. In the third, or "Upcycling" stage, the discarded or uneaten food is collected and recycled in a transparent sphere where food waste recycling occurs. Recycled food will be further used in the bridge's self-sustainable construction cycle and new objects.

Inside the remaining ten modules, a central core made of tubular structures joins the internal vertices of the module. Each of them is made up of porous bio-based material from food recycling, and it allows, over time, the bridge's expansion and the colonization of nature along the entire bridge: the path is formed by the intertwining of nature that grows continuously on the tubular structures. The access to the bridge is emphasized by three pentagonal-shaped squares, representing meeting areas for people.

Breathing Bridge

The Breathing Bridge is a modular structure designed as an organic living being which can keep, process and transform the "Gi", the source energy of the city and all beings. In its life, the Bridge gradually adapts to the environment as naturally as breathing. What is breathing? It’s the act of exchanging energy between living organisms and the atmosphere.

The citizens inhale Seoul's mountains, hills and water through the Bridge. This energy is held to be processed and transformed through relaxing activities on the Bridge. The exhalation of the "Gi" connects with nature to provide new energy and air.

The Bridge is structured on two floors, its surface in contact with the outer atmosphere and the interior gallery. It is designed to expand in number of components through the years to come. The structure comprises four different modules to provide functions that combine through joints to either float or sit on land. The shapes and curves of the components and the overall landscape draw inspiration from the nature of South Korea, from mountains to hills and lakes.

On the surface, by the conformation of the modules, the citizens can perform free body movements, climbing the hills, cycling and camping. Events can take place in the form of festivals; entertainment performances, and holograms are shown. In the interior galleries, the citizens can relax in a filtered and clean environment, interact or watch shows or play games through holograms.

Module 1, the basic one, can transform into module 2 through its skin properties. The membrane that forms the modules is a multi-layered futuristic skin made through bioengineering. Each layer filters specific polluting agents and sun rays, holding the heat to release it at night. The membrane also has mechanical properties thanks to the nerve-like layer that shrinks and expands to connect. The expansion of the skin happens when the weather and atmosphere are unhealthy, with high temperatures or polluting agents in the air, registered by sensors on the skin.

Memorial to Life

In Korean culture, water and bridges symbolize life and death. Bridges connect distant places, representing the journey from earthly to spiritual. Water's flow mirrors life's cycle. Our project places a bridge between green banks, a memorial honouring life, the living, and the departed. It's a serene space for personal reflection. Focused on a fading element, cemeteries, our design modernizes the concept. The inviting space encourages visits for remembrance and introspection, rejecting sorrow for celebration. As technology records memories, two parts endure after death: the body and saved experiences. The bridge thrives on the deceased's ashes, fostering immersive nature. Here, loved ones' memories come alive, connecting visitors to the past.

E-Valley

The Hangang River in Seoul holds historical and cultural significance. Envisioned as a nexus for connectivity and nature engagement, the proposed bridge links the city's banks, offering a platform to relish Seoul's beauty and the Han River. Reflecting Korea's advancement and eco-commitment, it integrates efficient technology, endorsing green values and an urban escape. The design fosters well-being with pervasive gardens while preserving parks safeguards local ecosystems. Inspired by nature, the curvilinear bridge mimics mountains, providing a dynamic encounter. Sustainability is prioritized, utilizing durable materials and renewable energy like water, wind, and solar power. The structure emphasizes community with sports arenas, welcoming all ages and abilities alongside tranquil green havens. Ultimately, this visionary Seoul Bridge unites sustainability, social cohesion, and healthy living, an iconic emblem of innovation and camaraderie amid nature.

Chirping Bridge

The Chirping Bridge in Seoul is an ornithological park museum spanning the Hangang River. It aims to be a bird-friendly oasis, highlighting migratory patterns, expanding green spaces, and raising urban bird awareness. The bridge features a central walkway intersecting three rings. Side rings with adjustable slopes accommodate flooding, offering green research, entertainment, and animal care spaces. Visitors can interact with extinct bird hybrids through interactive structures. The central ring provides bird observation points with technology-enabled portholes for information. Islands within each ring create ideal bird environments inaccessible to humans. The bridge prohibits public transport to avoid disturbing wildlife. Noiseless spheres offer quick transit for people and goods on designated routes above the park, ensuring a seamless crossing.

Puriflow Harvest

The Puriflow Harvest is a nexus of technology and nature, restoring human connection with the environment. Focused on water's renewal, the project cleanses the Han River using graphene nanoparticles, revitalizing Seoul's water supply for both consumption and leisure. Water atmosphere harvesting creates "bubbles" of absorbent materials to gather rainwater, adapting to water levels. This floating bridge comprises two levels: one, connected by a flexible slope, floats on the river; the second, magnetically levitated, hovers above. Within, Korean bathhouse-inspired pools offer relaxation, enhanced by holographic technology that replaces saunas. "Oxygen pools" with algae generate fresh air, inviting visitors to stroll and immerse in purification. Puriflow Harvest seamlessly blends tradition, wellness, and eco-innovation.