Passerelle de la Marina

Québec City, Canada

This research project supported a close design partnership between urban landscape, material innovation, and parametric design process. The design solution addresses the parametric optimization of the form, materiality, and sustainability.

The footbridge goes hand in hand with a Quebec City urban strategy which aims for a major integration of the central districts. In the lower part of Quebec City, the Saint-Charles River historically constitutes a breaking point regarding urban continuity. Plus, the existing bridges favor automobile transit. The new pedestrian bridge is an important link that connects the Limoilou neighborhood to the Saint-Roch district and its marina. The footbridge is also an opportunity to make the Saint-Charles river accessible, its supports become public spaces reaching the water. This new pedestrian continuity radically transforms the role of the Saint-Charles River and the parks on its banks, creating a place of convergence for the inhabitants of the two districts.

Like thin sheets, the slabs of UHPFRC spread across the river. Three strata, meant to gradually approach the water, are deployed with different tensions. This configuration creates a long bench in the middle of the pedestrian walkway so the urban walkers can enjoy the open landscape on the water and the city. 

The footbridge is composed of multiple 5m long precast sections, linked together with UHPFRC construction joints and post-tensioned cables. The use of the UHPFRC allows a spare of material with a thickness of 15cm.

With S. Bernier-Lavigne, D. Conciatori, L. Sorelli and Eugen Brühwiler