in the neukölln neighborhood of berlin, hidden under a small pedestrian bridge, lies a small architectural intervention created by ramiro carro and lucas ibarra. named ‘brückenbunker’ (BB), the project was realized as ‘an exercise in urban communal resistance’ that gives new meaning to a part of the existing built environment, in this case a void in the structure of an early 20th century bridge.

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © pablo gomez calvo

 

 

during summer months, the elsensteg pedestrian bridge becomes a meeting place. it slows down its rhythm and connects, not just two borders, but also those who choose to hang out there suspended over the landwehr canal and the small recreational boats. and between those two dynamic worlds, a third one appears floating in time.

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © pablo gomez calvo

 

 

the intervention was built by ramiro carro and lucas ibarra using recycled wood that was prefabricated in the workshop and then assembled together on site. the simple design is made up of four pieces, which together make up a small seating area. this ‘parasitic’ addition to the existing bridge structure invites passersby to sit with friends or enjoy a moment of solitude. 

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © pablo gomez calvo

 

 

with this micro intervention, the project aims to re-claim the city. by building an ungoverned space for the community, the small act of architectural rebellion intends to assert the right that citizens have to change and reinvent the city according to their desires and convictions.

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

 

 

‘since we built it we have enjoyed it with friends and we know about acquaintances who also frequent it. but what comfort us the most are the traces of anonymous users who have discovered it and inhabited it, making it their own. once belonged to us, now it belongs to berlin.’ – ramiro carro.

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

image © lucas ibarra

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

brückenbunker is an urban micro refuge tucked under a pedestrian bridge in berlin designboom

 

 

project info:

 

project name: brückenbunker 

location: neukölln neighborhood, berlin, germany

design: ramiro carro, lucas ibarra

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom