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Covered glass bridge in Netherlands links offices

Transparency of the bridge contrasts sharply with expressive cross sections of the buildings it connects

Architectural firm Kaaijvanger Urbis Architects of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, created a covered bridge using glass as the sole constructing material – without any auxiliary construction – to provide a direct link between offices located in adjacent buildings.

The resulting bridge created unanticipated visual and acoustic effects. The absolute transparency of the bridge contrasts sharply with the expressive cross-sections of the buildings it connects.

The glass bridge seen from below

A number of special visual effects occur as well: standing on the bridge, one experiences the temporary loss of one's shadow which is silhouetted on the pavement below.

The glass bridge was a finalist in the 1995 DuPont Benedictus Awards. The judges' panel said: "The bridge gives you the impression of flying when you're unsupported visually as you stand on the glass floor … and it's very straightforward – the glass as structure, as envelope, as everything, it's a genuine and very fresh image."