Four Continents Bridge

Sea and Islands Exposition - Hiroshima, Japan - 1989

This commemorative bridge in Hiroshima celebrates the links between people and the natural environment. The form and gesture is based on the classical tradition of arched Japanese bridges and their connection to gardens. Rather than simply repeat these conventions, the design integrates new technology with contemporary interpretations of landscape. The surface span is divided by a glass wall, punctured by three pedestrian crossways and terminated at both ends by lateral glass arches. On one side of the glass wall, four visible rock/soil terrariums contain typical vegetation from the principle quadrants of the earth. This transparent partition also supports a continuous flow of water that clings to the surface and feeds a series of horizontal, river-like basins. The overflow becomes a waterfall, cascading into the lake below.