pedestrian 'bridge-plaza' converges historic lithuanian city with park

About Architecture & Isora x Lozuraityte unveil ‘bridge-plaza’

In Kaunas, Lithuania, the Bridge-Plaza is a winding pedestrian and cyclist bridge that converges the historic city center with the renowned Nemunas Island Park. Realized by studios About Architecture and Isora x Lozuraityte, the project expands over the Nemuno Canal, showcasing two landing points that lie at the core of its design. Not only a mere junction spanning between riverbanks, the bridge integrates with its surroundings and establishes a seamless connection between the otherwise divided urban fabric and the natural environment. With its curved arches and intricate steel balustrades, it stands as both a functional pathway and a public plaza greeting visitors at the entrance to the park.

all images by Lukas Mykolaitis

fostering connectivity and forming a new public plaza

Tblisi-based About Architecture and Lithuanian studio Isora x Lozuraityte and have composed the Bridge-Plaza to enhance the historical radial intersection, where streets from the 15^th-century old town and the 19^th-century new town converge and lead visitors to the green Island Park. A curving facade of an iconic modernist building from the 20^th-century interwar period serves as the centerpiece and a defining landmark for this new plaza, which is formed as the project expands the footprint from the King Mindaugas wide-street.

Emphasizing minimal intrusion on the island’s natural landscape, the bridge subtly tapers in the middle, respecting the authenticity of Nemunas Island and its non-urbanized, naturalistic features. Stretching 75 meters by 57 meters long, 7 meters wide, and accommodating mixed movements of cyclists and pedestrians on both sides, the Bridge-Plaza utilizes reinforced concrete for its primary structure. The walkways, adorned with an epoxy base coating and micro granite gravel, are complemented by dark granite stone labs. Crafted with long-lasting durability in mind, the woven railing system incorporates galvanized metal poles, anodized aluminum armrests, and stainless steel ending details, with integrated railing lights adding an elegant touch.

About Architecture and Isora x Lozuraityte present Bridge-Plaza

Further, the Bridge-Plaza forms a pivotal part of the city’s wider master plan, encompassing developments such as the National Science and Innovation Center and M.K Ciurlionis Concert Hall. Alongside the upcoming future bridge and integrated riverfront public spaces, the project will act as an ensemble to link important developments of Kaunas city center.

converging the historic Lithuanian city center with a public park

with its winding form it stands as both a functional pathway and a public plaza

emphasizing minimal intrusion on the island’s natural landscape, the bridge subtly tapers in the middle

Bridge-Plaza forms a pivotal part of the city’s wider master plan

walkways, adorned with an epoxy base coating and micro granite gravel, are complemented by dark granite stone labs

the woven railing system incorporates galvanized metal poles and anodized aluminum armrests

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project info:

name: Bridge–Plaza

location: Kaunas, Lithuania
architecture: About Architecture + Isora x Lozuraityte + Dominykas Daunys

engineers: R. Dulieba, V. Kleinas, M. Markevičius

collaborators: KILD, TEC Infrastructure

client: Kaunas Municipality

photography: Lukas Mykolaitis

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom