Lille Langebro

Copenhagen, Denmark

Project details
Client

Realdania

Architect

Wilkinson Eyre Architects

Duration

2015 – 2019

Services provided by Buro Happold

Bridge engineering and civil structures

Spanning across a busy harbour close to Copenhagen city centre, the new bridge at Vester Voldgard combines sleek design with unique technical solutions. The design enhances urban life and vibrancy on the waterfront, creating connections and ensuring a safe and accessible crossing for the use of pedestrians and cyclists, in order to strengthen cycling culture in the city.

Buro Happold won the international design commission for this vital new structure at Copenhagen Harbour, working in collaboration with Wilkinson Eyre Architects and mechanical engineers Eadon Consulting.

Aerial view of Lille Langebro Bridge opening to allow boats sailing the river to pass through
The structural depth of the bridge is kept to a minimum, so that users can enjoy views across the harbour. Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.

Challenge

Our bridge engineers needed to devise a plan that would see the client’s vision of a striking footbridge meet practical and inspiring engineering. In response, our team designed a striking and beautifully engineered, double-opening swing bridge that clears 35 metres to allow ships to pass underneath. It is curved in plan, and incorporates a cycle way and a footpath, which provides a safe route for users to cross the harbour, improving access between the two sides of the water.

Cyclists traversing Lille Langebro Bridge on a sunny day
Lille Langebro is helping to enhance urban life and the vibrancy on the waterfront. Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.

Solution

A key feature of the design is the development of the bridge’s moment connection. The opening and closing mechanism consists of two horizontally rotating elements, mounted on slewing rings, which when closed fit together seamlessly. Working with Eadon Consulting, we designed an innovative structural moment connection that locks the two moveable parts together using mechanical and hydraulic components.

This is imperative to achieving the architectural intent, as it avoids the need to raise the height of the bridge over the supports, allowing the structural depth to be kept to a minimum so that users can enjoy views across the harbour.

By creating a reliable moment connection at the centre of the bridge, our team has achieved an important innovation in moving bridge structures. We used tried and tested equipment in a new way to deliver many benefits over a traditional locking pin arrangement. Achieved via a system of hydraulic cylinders, the connection not only supports the visual concept for the bridge but also offers key engineering benefits. As well as offering protection against excessive wear associated with locking pins, we carefully designed the structure so that it was as simple as possible to allow for maintenance in the future.

Cyclists traversing Lille Langebro Bridge on a sunny day
Located close to the city centre of Copenhagen, the new bridge at Vester Voldgard combines sleek design with unique technical solutions. Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.

Value

The project also includes refurbishment of the quaysides and landscaping by a local architect, with the bridge providing a focal point to the improvements and enhancing the waterfront for users. The Buro Happold team managed the project team throughout, and full regulatory and technical approvals have now been received.

The newly completed bridge reconnects the urban spaces on both side of the harbour, offering the community safe passage over the water, while creating more opportunities for recreation. Combining bespoke, clever engineering with sophisticated design, this elegant structure provides an iconic footpath into the city.

Aerial view of Lille Langebro Bridge opening to allow boats sailing the river to pass through
Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.
Lille Langebro Bridge opening to allow boats sailing the river to pass through
Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.
Cyclists traversing Lille Langebro Bridge on a sunny day
Image: Astrid Maria Rasmussen.

Awards

2021

IStructE Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence

2021

IStructE Award for Pedestrian Bridges

2021

Civic Trust Awards: Winner

2021

RIBA International Awards for Excellence: Winner

2021

International Association of Bridges Structural Engineers (IABSE) Danish Structural Award

2020

International Architecture Awards Bridges and Infrastructure Award

2022

European Steel Bridge Award for Cycle and Pedestrian Bridges

2020

Footbridge Awards, Moveable Bridges Category