Shenzhen Meilin Mountain-Yinhu Mountain Ecological Recreation Bridge

Cundall collaborated with Dutch architects MLA+ and local architectural partner fabersociety to create an eco-leisure bridge aiming to re-establish the connection for both wildlife and pedestrians between Meilin Mountain and Yinhu Mountain in Shenzhen, China. It is an important link for ecological protection and improves the local environment and people’s quality of life. The bridge demonstrates harmony between wildlife, plants, and humans by merging nature and human contact seamlessly.

The proposed scheme aims to minimise the impact on the environment and optimise the self-weight of the bridge structure. We have designed a cable-stayed bridge with a clear span of approximately 70 metres, and a width of 15 metres. To support the bridge, cables will be anchored to the mountains on both sides of the valley, coinciding with the arrangement of a new mountain path, to further minimise the impact of construction and ease the maintenance and inspection access during the bridge’s lifecycle. The bridge deck will be constructed using steel box girders supported by cabled truss system, creating a cable-stayed bridge to maximise the structural efficiency while minimising manual intervention on the surrounding environment.

“We have taken ecological, aesthetic and structural constraints into account to create a bridge that promotes environmental sustainability as well as optimising its buildability and maintenance access. In collaboration with the architects, we were able to establish the mostly appropriate design loads and structural system, minimising ecological disruption. With the help of innovative design approaches, we have successfully strived for a balance between ecological value and structural efficiency.” Dong Chen, Director.