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Architects propose building neighborhood on disused part of Bay Bridge

Abandoned portion of Bay Bridge could be turned into urban housing and parks, architects argue.
By Stephanie Rogers
Wed, Sep 16 2009 at 2:27 PM EST
Read more: GREEN ARCHITECTURE, GREEN BUILDING

Photo: The Bay Line by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello
 
As San Francisco’s Bay Bridge gets a makeover, a large section of the old bridge has been abandoned - but if architects Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello have their way, it won’t remain in disuse. They envision this span of the bridge, which is still in great shape and able to bear a lot of weight, being turned into a futuristic neighborhood reminiscent of the “bridge city” in William Gibson’s novel, Virtual Light.
 
‘The Bay Line’ would feature neighborhoods hanging on the underside of the bridge, topped with a series of public parks. This proposal (PDF) would not only give the abandoned bridge an active use and prevent it from being torn down, it would also provide compact urban housing and green space. ‘The Bay Line’ is inspired by bridge neighborhoods around the world, including Florence, Italy’s Ponte Vecchio.
 
“The immense load capacity of rail bridges allows for the support of program beyond that of parks, suggesting the urbanization of bridges,” wrote Rael and San Fratello in their proposal. “While the current economic climate suggests a surplus of housing, the economic reality also suggests a push towards urbanization and often the “affordable” housing constructed in suburban environments, which encroaches on the rural, is not what is needed.”
 
“Instead, by using abandoned bridges in urban areas, we are creating opportunities for sustainable low-cost housing within the urban realm—creating the potential for creative speculation among housing developers by expounding upon the nascent potential of a layered housing-park-bridge typology.”
 
While critics of Rael and San Fratello’s proposal point out the immense financial implications of maintaining this portion of the bridge, particularly with the extra weight of housing added to it, a similar – if smaller – project has already been successfully completed using abandoned infrastructure. New York City’s High Line Park, which opened in June 2009, turned an old rail system into an elevated park.


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Posted By Anonymous - Mon, Oct 19 2009 at 8:14 PM EST

Some Architects are just 'Designers' after all

Case in point.

This proposal reminds me of the annual appearance of Design Grad impossible projects like motorcycles with no space alloted for an engine or drive train, or are otherwise clearly not roadworthy.

A lovely picture, but worthless.

Posted By George Calys - Wed, Sep 23 2009 at 10:54 PM EST

Uh, did these architects miss something?

Cool idea except for one thing. The current eastern span of the Bay Bridge is seismically unqualified and would cost billions to make it safe enough to place housing on it. This span experienced failure of the bridge deck in the 1989 earthquake where lives were lost. This is quite disconcerting that two architects are apparently not cognizant of this absolutely critical structural issue.
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Posted By Acme - Wed, Sep 23 2009 at 2:08 PM EST

Missing The Point

Rael and San Fratello seemed to have forgotten that the whole reason the bridge is being replaced to begin with is that it is seismically unfit and that a seismic upgrade was deemed structurally and economically unfeasible long ago. Better to dismantle it and recycle its materials. Pretty image though.

Posted By Steve Johnson - Thu, Sep 17 2009 at 2:52 PM EST

Capital Idea - Also Chattanooga, TN

This could be an exceptional way to utilize an abandoned rail line bridge. How cool would it be to have a home there? Also, you should check out the pedestrian bridge in Chattanooga, TN to the totally cool, Cooledge Park - see here for more: http://tinyurl.com/mq4tuw

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