The Van Nelle Curve

A pedestrian and bicycle crossing for Rotterdam

Architectural design & engineering in collaboration with Gaspard Marteau & Mattia De Lotto

The Van Nelle Curve distinguishes itself with its discreet and subtle integration into the surroundings. It links two districts in the north of the city of Rotterdam on an urban scale. The three dominant landmarks on site are the UNESCO World Heritage "Van Nelle Fabriek," a municipal correctional facility, and two big movable bridges directly adjacent. The bridges provide large-scale crossings for trains and cars, but the benefit for pedestrians and bicycles is lacking.

The bridge creates direct access to a future metro station, which is planned as part
of a new green corridor. At two moments, the deck organically widens to form a
resting and landmark viewing area for visitors. The central beam, flowing all along
the bridge, is seamlessly integrated into a cohesive visual language. The bridge's
structure originates in the reuse of sheet piles for the retaining walls and the
columns, reducing its overall carbon footprint.

Academic work, 2024
As part of the course AR0126 Bridge Design
Supervised by Joris Smits
Delft University of Technology