AZC unveils the making of its unusual project : The Bouncing Bridge
This project was developed for a competition which topic was to design a contemporary bridge in Paris. As the opportunity presented itself, we chose to design a bridge of a new kind. A bridge that would allow amazing uses and surprising sensations. Why not conceive a temporary bridge? A bridge that could take part of a summer event such as "Paris Plage". It would allow sensational amusement and release our deepest emotions. We imagined the Bouncing Bridge!
At the issue of the competition, we were shortlisted third over a hundred teams! Even though we didn’t win, our project received a surprising success with the Medias. The Bouncing Bridge was rewarded within spheres of art and architecture!
It was discussed and judged by specialists, on the web and in the press. It was literally all over the world! Following the media buzz we were contacted by potential investors. They convinced us to continue and join all our efforts to build the Bouncing Bridge!
The conclusions of the first studies revealed that the bridge could be realized according to what we had imagined. The stability needed to be revised, however the principle was working. Trampolines held by pressurized inflatable rings were ready to be assembled with no extra structure.
We designed a model of 10 m diameter, about a third of the original dimension, in order to test its performances. The main material of the module is a membrane made of reinforced PVC. To reproduce the complex shape of the curve, the Bridge was modeled digitally, and decomposed in different fragments. This method allowed to cut all the elements by a computerized machine. Then all the elements were assembled by thermal weld.
To test the model in real conditions, we brought it to the Lake of Banyoles, near Girona. Transport was easy, as once the module is fold up, it occupies less than one cubic meter! It is economical, quick to install, and easy to carry. Initially the Bridge was dimensioned to cross the river Seine on a precise location. However, it may occupy much larger or smaller dimensions depending on the site. As it can be built on demand, it is a bespoke project.
This short video reveals how the concept was developed, then the prototype built and how it was tested. Prepare yourself for the bounce!
