A new Geneva bridge or Hans Wilsdorf Bridge in Switzerland with an unusual design
was officially inaugurated recently after being entirely financed by the
foundation that owns the Rolex watch company. The bridge was built
using pre-fabrication technology.
The distinctive 85-metre span with its elliptical
steel truss, described as a “bird’s nest” because of its interwoven girders,
crosses the Arve River, connecting the city’s Vernets and Plainpalais
neighbourhoods.
This state-of-the-art project with steel and
prestressed concrete convinced the jury.
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| Hans Wilsdorf Bridge in Geneva. |
The bridge is named after Hans Wilsdorf, the late
founder of Rolex, who established a non-profit foundation that continues to
operate the luxury watch brand.
The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is also committed to funding charitable projects around Geneva.
In this case, it decided to fund a bridge to replace a small crossing that was built as a temporary structure by the Swiss Army in 1962. The design was conceived by Geneva architects Brodbeck & Roulet.
The structure is held in place by 1,500 tonnes of steel and 1,500 tonnes of concrete, according to the bridge’s engineers, Amsler, Bombelli & Associates.
Built in less than three years, the project was a public-private partnership, although the Rolex owner picked up the entire tab. The discreetly run foundation has not revealed the cost of the bridge.
The crossing provides one additional access to the Rolex headquarters, which are located in a modern glass and steel complex not far from the bridge in the Vernets neighbourhood.
Rolex’s founder Wilsdorf (1881-1960) was a Bavarian watchmaker who initially launched the Rolex brand in England after being trained in Switzerland.
During the First World War he returned to Switzerland where he developed the Rolex company and founded Tudor, a lower-priced brand of watches.
The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is also committed to funding charitable projects around Geneva.
In this case, it decided to fund a bridge to replace a small crossing that was built as a temporary structure by the Swiss Army in 1962. The design was conceived by Geneva architects Brodbeck & Roulet.
The structure is held in place by 1,500 tonnes of steel and 1,500 tonnes of concrete, according to the bridge’s engineers, Amsler, Bombelli & Associates.
Built in less than three years, the project was a public-private partnership, although the Rolex owner picked up the entire tab. The discreetly run foundation has not revealed the cost of the bridge.
The crossing provides one additional access to the Rolex headquarters, which are located in a modern glass and steel complex not far from the bridge in the Vernets neighbourhood.
Rolex’s founder Wilsdorf (1881-1960) was a Bavarian watchmaker who initially launched the Rolex brand in England after being trained in Switzerland.
During the First World War he returned to Switzerland where he developed the Rolex company and founded Tudor, a lower-priced brand of watches.
Project details
Winner Category 2:
Civil Structures
Owner: Fondation Hans-Wilsdorf
Architect: Atelier d’architecture Brodbeck-Roulet sa
Engineering Office: amsler bombeli et associés sa
Construction Start: November 2009
Construction End: February 2012
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Used software: Scia Engineer
Owner: Fondation Hans-Wilsdorf
Architect: Atelier d’architecture Brodbeck-Roulet sa
Engineering Office: amsler bombeli et associés sa
Construction Start: November 2009
Construction End: February 2012
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Used software: Scia Engineer
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