Bridge in České Budějovice

New pedestrian bridge in České Budějovice
3. Prize in an Open Architectural Competition
České Budějovice, CZE, 2024

Ing. arch. Michal Gabaš
Ing. arch. Tomáš Beránek
Ing. arch. Eva Gabaš Rosenová
MgA. Marek Hlavička

Collaboration:

Ing. Luboš Podolka (Structure)
Ing. arch. Natálie Poláková
Ing. arch. Valerie Koubová
Ing. arch. Laura Lukáčová

Impressions:

SDAR

Annotation:

The proposed footbridge forms a delicate red line — a low arch in the city that spans the Vltava River without a single pier in the riverbed. The bridge concept references the tradition of arched bridges and footbridges that are characteristic of České Budějovice. The immediate surroundings of the bridge — particularly the dynamically developing exhibition grounds in the near future — are understood as the urban context into which the solid, low line of the concrete footbridge belongs.

Significant changes are expected primarily on the left bank of the Vltava in the near future, including a city boulevard, a new riverside cycle path, and new development along the river. On the right bank, the bridge naturally connects to Nerudova Street, which is envisioned as a future residential zone with traffic calming measures. A paved forecourt is located here, which gently transitions into the surrounding greenery. The bridge’s landing is widened to provide a smooth connection to the cycle path. The height difference between the bridge landing and the lower cycle path is softened using terraced steps, which are oriented toward the revitalized Slunečný Island.