Client
SWU Verkehr GmbH, Ulm

Architecture
Knight Architects, High Wycombe (UK)

Civil engineers
Krebs und Kiefer Service GmbH, Darmstadt

Photos
Christoph Mittermüller

Completion
2020

Project Awards
Hugo Häring State Prize 2021 of the Association of German Architects BDA
Civic Trust Awards 2020
German Engineering Award 2020
Ulrich Finsterwalder Prize 2019
British Expertise International Awards 2019
Structural Award 2019

Project Team DAY & LIGHT
Frank Vetter
Alan Al Salihi

The 270m long railway crossing in Ulm is a new landmark for Ulm and a place of special character. The team of Knight Architects and the structural engineers Krebs and Kiefer, following their competition win, have created an object that is more than just a crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and trams. The path on the walkway offers views of the sky, like gently climbing a hill, and an overview of Ulm and the immediately below track network. The bridge girder frames these views with its gentle curves and undulating movements. The infills of the lattice girder act as seating areas. The curved indentations opposite create spaces to enjoy the view.

One notices that passers-by enjoy lingering on the bridge. The sunset and the evening atmosphere invite you to stay a while. The lighting was realised without masts or other disruptive elements. The exterior surface of the bridge superstructure is illuminated with neutral white light from specially designed railing posts with integrated floodlights. The interior lighting of the girder infill stands out with a warm white light colour, creating a good three-dimensional representation of the superstructure through the contrast in colour and brightness, which remains easily visible even from a distance. The light reflected from the brightly lit surfaces creates a subtle illumination, offering good orientation, dispelling the 'fear zone' despite low-lying light points, and enabling an unobstructed view.