In 2001, Grimshaw Architects completed the Enneüs Heerma Bridge that connected the neighborhood of IJburg to Amsterdam. Twenty years later, the man-made archipelago of IJburg is about to receive two more bridges from the practice that will serve as a connection to Strandeiland, a future neighborhood of 8,000 dwellings and a beach stretching 750 meters.

Similar to the Enneüs Heerma Bridge, the two new bridges that are planned to span 60 meters and 90 meters will be held by continuous undulating steel trusses built on the theme of stones skipping over water. With the intention of the two new bridges being the main entry into Strandeiland, the arrival points were designed with two flexible use pavilions on the flanks of the bridges to offer space for commercial opportunities. To introduce light and the views of the water, voids were added on both the top and side of the central decks. The design of the pavilions was developed in collaboration with Sweco engineers and the urban planning team of the City of Amsterdam.  

The two new bridges are also designed with several ecological features to accommodate the wildlife conditions existing in the IJmeer lake. Where the two new bridges meet Centrumeiland, the abutments of the bridges provide nesting places for sand martins and bats along with a passageway for small mammals to cross safely below the deck. The practice worked closely with ecologists from both the city of Amsterdam and national expert organizations to create a design that counteracts that which large new infrastructure and manmade quaysides often interrupt in wildlife.

Jorrin Ten Have, Associate Principal at Grimshaw, shares, “This project shows how vital large infrastructure can create opportunities for social interaction and accommodate both people and nature. The pavilions are robust and adaptable spaces designed for longevity. It was very exciting to work closely with structural engineers and ecological experts to imagine the ideal nesting geometries for birds and bats, and to create crossing opportunities for small mammals. The IJburg bridges could become a blueprint for future infrastructure projects to consider the inclusion of nature from the outset of design.” 

Construction of the bridges and pavilions is expected to begin as early as next year with a planned completion in 2024.