ZANJAN ELEVATED INTERSECTION BRIDGE
ZANJAN ELEVATED INTERSECTION BRIDGE
Design Frim: Cama Circle | Competition | Frist Place
Role: Supervise and Coordinate the urban planning team
Organizer: Zanjan Municipality
Location: Golshahr, Zanjan, Iran
Date: 2016
The primary objective of this project is the transformation of an elevated intersection bridge into an entrance building, a significant endeavor aimed at addressing the evolving urban needs of Zanjan.
Zanjan, one of Iran’s oldest cities, boasts a rich historical legacy dating back to 230 A.D. The city is replete with historical landmarks, including the Soltanieh Dome, Museum of Salt Men, Zanjan Bazaar, Rakhtshoor Khane Complex, and Zanjan Grand Mosque. In recent years, the city has witnessed substantial growth, leading to the emergence of new residential areas surrounding the city center. These areas primarily consist of residential zones, and their inhabitants rely on daily connections to the city center via public transport or private vehicles. However, this influx of daily commuters has resulted in traffic congestion at certain points within the city, most notably at the entrance to Golshahr, one of the newly established residential areas on the outskirts of the city. Consequently, this project was conceived to design a non-level intersection at this critical juncture, one capable of alleviating current traffic issues while accommodating the town’s future demands.
Location of Golshahr intersection relative to Zanjan main structure
Zanjan city in connection with new settlements
Context
The entrance to Golshahr is intricately linked to the eastern access route from Tehran, making it imperative to create a distinctive urban landmark at this juncture. This landmark should not only provide a unique identity but also facilitate user identification, aligning seamlessly with the local context and cultural ethos. Drawing inspiration from Zanjan’s rich historical tapestry, replete with features such as Jajim weaves adorned with primary colors of blue, red, and yellow, traditional copper craftsmanship, knife making, carpet weaving, and the enigmatic Salt Men from over two millennia ago, the design concept was conceived.
Design
The proposed structure comprises towering gateways, a two-story overpass axis, and a centrally located dome within the square. As vehicles approach Zanjan, they traverse a corridor-like space, an architectural decision that transforms the act of vehicle ingress into an experiential journey. Spanning 160 meters in length, this bridge rests upon three foundational pillars. The two peripheral pillars serve as entrance points to the corridor and also function as integral components of the building’s structure. The central pillar, meanwhile, takes on a more human scale, adopting the form of a dome. The dome’s material is characterized by its porous white texture. The vehicular lanes, stacked one above the other, provide a perspective of interwoven elements, creating a visually captivating experience within the space. This dynamic environment is situated atop the dome’s base, with the use of color elements imbuing this architectural symbol with a lasting and memorable identity.
High Gates
Two-story Overpass Lines
Dome
Structure
Structurally, the bridge between the two imposing piers is constructed using a two-story steel truss system. To align with the architectural vision, the truss elements have been selected as pipes.
Project Affiliates
Principal Designer: Ali Sheikholeslam, Hiva Etemadi, Adib Iravani
Urban Planning Counselor: Alireza Shahi
Design Team: Sara Jaberi, Norvik Abkarian, Mohammad Soroosh Jooshesh
Graphic Designer: Hamed Pourabedin
Maquette: Vazrik Melkonian
Rendering: Mohmmadreza Hoorjandi, Sara Jaberi
Structural Consultation: Nasir Omran Aria Consulting Engineers
