Svitava
competition 2022 / 1st place in an international competition
City of Brno
William Matthews Associates (UK), L&SCAPE
architectural / urban planning competition to design a bridge over the Svitava, including a comprehensive design for the adjacent public open space of the Svitava embankment, including anti-flood measures
NEW BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER SVITAVA, BRNO / 1ST PLACE IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The landscape design takes an organic approach to the shape of the banks, bringing back their biological value and allowing the river to overflow naturally. The wild and natural character of the place will become a counterpoint to the otherwise very urbanised and altered cityscape. In terms of vegetation, the design divides the project area into geographical zones, ranging from softwood riparian woodland, through hardwood riparian woodland to urban-type woodland dominated by oak and hornbeam, with the purposeful addition of non-native tree species. The area of the park will be left to controlled succession (where spontaneously emerging vegetation will be supported); only selected, highly exposed areas will be sown purposefully with grass and herbaceous plant species. In this wild environment, the planted trees form a distinct linear structure; in addition to these, we expect more woody plant species to emerge, such as goat willow. This urban wilderness will bring value not only to humans, but also to other organisms.
Design Author: William Matthews Associates (UK)
NEW BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER SVITAVA, BRNO / 1ST PLACE IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The landscape design takes an organic approach to the shape of the banks, bringing back their biological value and allowing the river to overflow naturally. The wild and natural character of the place will become a counterpoint to the otherwise very urbanised and altered cityscape. In terms of vegetation, the design divides the project area into geographical zones, ranging from softwood riparian woodland, through hardwood riparian woodland to urban-type woodland dominated by oak and hornbeam, with the purposeful addition of non-native tree species. The area of the park will be left to controlled succession (where spontaneously emerging vegetation will be supported); only selected, highly exposed areas will be sown purposefully with grass and herbaceous plant species. In this wild environment, the planted trees form a distinct linear structure; in addition to these, we expect more woody plant species to emerge, such as goat willow. This urban wilderness will bring value not only to humans, but also to other organisms.
Design Author: William Matthews Associates (UK)
