5 Things to Encourage A Two-Way Bridge

Cleveland displays an apparent disparity between the two sides. One side lacks cultural institutions like music venues and museums, whereas the other side lacks greenery and eateries. Through our research, we observed that some people had never taken the bridge to cross into the other’s domain.

Inside the colonnade, the columns become perspectival walls that divide the bridge into three strips. While each side aisle becomes circulation for the East and West Clevelanders, the hidden central space, encased within the columns becomes an ethereal barrier that bears potential for interaction.

One continuous program through the bridge would make this unique space uneventful and a centralized program would discourage people to walk the entire length. We propose strategically located spaces that peek out to the side aisle, offering glimpses into their specific programs in the middle. 5 programs of Cafe, Park, Gallery, Stage, and Runway have been chosen.

We offer a design that is nested within the image of the bridge. Glimpses into the spaces and programs that represent the best of both sides allow both Clevelands to symbolically and physically coexist on the bridge, where it is neither East nor West.

Thus, our proposal appeals to Clevelanders by keeping the integrity of the bridge and revitalizing the meaning of “connection”.