Santiago Calatrava has sent Archinect a response to the recent news that the Ponte della Costituzione in Venice is set to be retrofit with new stonework following a rash of complaints caused by weather-aided slips on the bridge’s original tempered glass stairs.

The story, first published in The New York Times and picked up by several other media outlets, focused on the glass’s perilous properties, which Calatrava says are due to the inadequate quality of previous replacement efforts. He also stated that he does indeed support the city’s plan to replace the existing glass with trachyte stone, which he said matches the both the bridge and the city's existing aesthetic. 

Per the architect: “Ponte della Costituzione has been highly praised by the city of Venice and its users since opening in 2008, becoming one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. The original glass paving installed on the bridge consisted of an anti-slippery upper surface that complied with all local regulations and was tested and considered suitable by all control departments of the administration. In the daily use of the bridge, the inadequate use of certain heavy elements or even acts of vandalism have led to the breaking of some glass panes of the original flooring, which unfortunately were later replaced with inadequate glass. In the current situation, our office supports the Municipality's substitution of glass panes for trachyte stone paving slabs, consistent with the bridge design and the surrounding cityscape to maintain its beauty and functionality."

Archinect will provide more updates on the story as they become available.