A Bridge and a Pavilion in Bilbao

The studio will focus on the design of a pedestrian bridge and a pavilion in Bilbao, Spain. The pedestrian bridge crosses the Ria del Bilbao River and links the University of Deusto with the museum area. The pavilion, located at the museum side, will house a permanent architectural collection of drawings, models, and information of the new works of architecture in close proximity to the site, built after 1994: the museum, the music hall, the hotel, the office tower, the metro stations, and the three bridges: Zubi Zuri, Deusto, and Eskalduna. The program for the bridge will be given by the client, while the program for the pavilion will be developed by the designer. The relation of the bridge and the pavilion (architectural, location, etc.) will also be defined by the designer.At the macro level, the studio will address the relationship of the two structures to the created public space, in, on, and around them, as well as on the language of the two structures as they relate to each other and the numerous well-known architectural works in their vicinity. At the level of the structures themselves, the studio will extend its focus on materials, geometry, and connections, and on life-cycle issues, as well as on the detailing of the various visible subsystems, such as lighting, railings, and furniture. Materials like stainless steel, glass, and wood will be particularly examined.As the geometry of the structures, especially the bridge, may not be able to be represented on 2D drawings, most likely 3D computer modeling will be necessary for this studio. Furthermore, studies of precedent designs and understanding of engineering issues (structural, transportation, hydraulics) will be essential in facing the challenges of designing both the bridge and the pavilion. These subjects will be carried in the studio to a sufficient level for architectural design, and no further course prerequisites beyond the core courses of MArch-I are necessary.