©Ruedi Walti

Project.
The “Passerelle de la Sorge” links the university campuses of EPFL and UNIL with the new student residence “Vortex” in Chavannes-près-Renens, crossing the M1 metro line. The geometry of the bridge is curved, both in plan and elevation. Its Y-shaped layout allows pedestrians a direct connection into the residence, providing a clear response to the site-specific conditions.

Architecture
The V-shaped piers minimize the number of supports and give the bridge a dynamic, floating presence above the ground. In cross-section it tapers conically towards the edges and thus appears as a slender line in the landscape. The fine railing follows the geometry of the structure.

Materiality.
The prestressed concrete bridge measures 110 meters in length, 11 meters in width and spans 40 meters. Despite its size, the passerelle appears elegant, restrained and filigree.

Architecture / Design Firm:
DÜRIG AG, Zurich; Jean-Pierre Dürig, Noélie Ernst-Sénéclauze, Simon Kempf, Clara San Millàn Cesteros, Verena Nelles-Kempf, Josep Ribes
 
 
Planning Team:
 
General contractor:
uas unternehmen für architektur und städtebau ag, Zurich; Jean-Pierre Dürig, Noélie Ernst-Sénéclauze, Simon Kempf, Josep Ribes
 
Cost planner
Griesmeier Baumanagment AG, Wil
Stefan Griesmeier
2ap / Abplanalp Affolter Partner, Bern
Werner Abplanalp, Manuel Michel, Mikael Parvex
Quartal, Vevey
Patrick Defago
 
Landscape architecture:
Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur, Zurich;
Iulia Dobrovie, Simon Enemærke, Elisabeth Huber, Maja Leonelli, Lukas Schweingruber, , Helen Yu
Hüsler et Associés, Lausanne
Maxime Bernhard, Christoph Hüsler,
 
Structural engineer:
Muttoni et Fernandez Ingénieur Conseils SA, Ecublens
Aurélio Muttoni, Quentin Roubaty
 
HVAC engineer:
Amstein + Walthert SA, Lausanne;
Florent Lallemant
 
Electrical engineer:
Amstein + Walthert SA, Lausanne;
Emiliano Consentino
 
Lighting Specialists:
Büro Licht, Ittingen
Sarah Luedi, Valerie Sauvin
 
Tranport Specialists: Transitec, Lausanne
Julien Fleury, Katia Gurtner
 
Hydraulic Specialists:
Staubli, Kurath & Partner AG, Zurich
Eduard Schiebelbein
Ribi SA Ingénieurs, Lausanne
Olivier Favre, Patrick Périsset
 
Geologist:
De Cérenville SA, Neuchâtel
Scott Favre, Alain Oulevey, Yves Houriet