Volkswagen Facility Pedestrian Bridge Competition

Hrach | April 26th, 2010

Last semester Junior studio under the instructor of  Mehmet Dogu participated in Volkswagen facility  pedestrian bridge competition as a part of their studio project. We are proud to announce that Derrick Tittle won the Third place and Logan Tuura got Honorary mention spot in that competition.

The competition challenge was to design a pedestrian bridge for Volkswagen’s new Chattanooga Factory.  The bridge intends to connect the  training/ visitors center and parking lot to the production facility and would be used by employees, trainees, and visitors.  It would span  approximately 500 ft. over an engineered stream and a test track. The  design had to be fully accessible, responsive to time and weather,  have a clearly defined entry area, and a drop-off/pick-up area for  cars and buses.

Derrick’s design which is called: “The Weather Vane” draws its inspiration from nature particularly: the weather.

“I designed a kinetic bridge that changes with the climate.  There are “wind vanes” on both sides of the bridge that either block or channel the wind depending on the current temperature.  The roof of the bridge is covered with tinted glass and solar panes to mediate the sun light and the arrangement of the panes allows the wind to flow pass

unimpeded.  I also extended the lawn through the center of the bridge, which as the bridge nears the factory changes into rock gardens and  then to ponds.  This filters the water, provides evaporative cooling, and a small thermal mass.” says Derrick.

Logan Tuura another bright student here at Tech won honorary mention title at the same competition, says, “My main design inspiration is landscape and views. My bridge consists from the set of weaving slots. This narrow weaving slots weave above and below the main deck and in and out of the landscape, giving the users who walk on them close views close views of the test track, the surrounding mountains, and the Volkswagen facility. The main deck of the bridge is made of translucent recycled glass, allowing users to view and experience the movement of the slots above and below them.”

We congratulate these students and remind other students to actively participate in various design competitions.  It is a great way to further develop our creativity and also to put your name up there.

[ Hrach Burtoyan, issue_10, volume_1 ]

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