Human psychology! People don’t follow the shortest path!
In a study conducted by Shanjiang Zhu and David Levinson, conclusions were that people don’t follow the shortest path, even if they would want to. The thing is: people think they are taking the shortest route, but in reality they aren’t taking the shortest one.
In our design, we took this fact as a starting point: Trestles area is crossed by human choice patterns, it is crossed by paths of which people think it’s the shortest route. Ecologically, Trestles area suffers from this aspect of human psychology. We believe that any design made, should be clear in its architectural communication: THIS IS THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO.
The Line! Shortest distance between two points.
Therefor we designed a straight line, the shortest distance between two points, as a way to direct people, not in a totalitairian way, but by creating incentives for people to take this specific way. The line goes directly form the parking, to the beach, as the shortest way possible for surfers, tourists, and provides the best possible viewpoints on the coastal wetlands for nature lovers.
A massive part, touched gently by a lightweight bridge
The first part of the line is massive, partially dug out and dug in, running along the side of the cliff, with magnificent views on Trestles nature and sea. In the middle of the massive part, an educational platform is installed, with facilities of electricity, restrooms, and documenation about Trestles. This is a fine part to enjoy the wildlife and nature of Trestles, as a series of viewpoints unfold along the line.
The massive part continues subtlely in a lightconstructed bridge, reminiscent of the wooden architecture of piers or trestles. Yet, the structural concept of the bridge is, to say at least, contemporary and daring. By holding a paper at one side, and letting it cope with internal forces, the paper opens itself at the other side, finding a structural equilibrium. In the same way, the bridge is a generative succession of wooden planks, perserving its structural integrity.
At the same time linking to historical trestles construction and being refreshingly contemporary in it’s form, this bridge is designed to have, literally, as little footprint as possible. The bridge is supported by only one (!) point in the ground, the other point gently touching the massive part, thus saving Testles plants from being demolished. This bridge answers the design challenges of being ecological and innovative at the same time, by spanning the distance with nuance.
Safe Trestles
The bridge crosses over the railroad, providing the safest possible entrance to Trestles beach. Just as the train passes across trestles spanning creeks, this footbridge, or foottrestle, brings surfers, tourists, nature lovers safely to the beach. The whole line is ADA compliant, providing accessibility for everyone., without having the additional costs and ecological weight of elevators or similar transportation means.
Thus: a minimalistic, site-specific, ecologic, and realistic design
The design has almost no footprint on the coastal wetlands, while providing the shortest way possible in the safest way possible, accessible by everyone.
At the same time, the design has respect for coastal traditions by referring to trestles, but embraces the contemporary and generative form of an unfolded paper.
[...] PR.SD [...]